Lili K has been engaged and contributing to the top level of Chicago’s rapidly expanding musical world for the past few years. With Ruby we get to know and support the Milwaukee raised singer with the music she chose to share as her official debut album via Freshly Baked Records. I hear the project as jazzy, soulful, free, inspired, virtuosic and in the moment. In a recent interview Lili talked about why she titled the album Ruby: “Well, my birthstone is a ruby, and I decided to title the album that based on a tradition that I have with my mama. For milestones in my life, like my high school graduation, college graduation, etc., she has given me a vintage ruby ring (she’s a vintage clothing and jewelry dealer, so she comes across awesome stuff all the time). So for me, ruby rings have always represented a big accomplishment, and something to be proud of. Since this is my first official album, and the first one I’ve produced, I thought calling it Ruby would be fitting.”
Lili executive produced Ruby and as always gives credit to her collaborators, “My band members are all ridiculously talented, and I asked each of them individually to be on the project, because I knew what they would be able to bring to the table. I had an overall vision, and they really helped bring it to life. I wanted the album to be reminiscent of an older era, and I wanted it to have a raw feeling to it.” She has attained those goals, listen and enjoy Lili K’s musical gift, Ruby.
