weekend.

And R&B vocalist Mokah (Kimberly Clarke), who has been singing since the age of nine, is hoping that the CD will earn her an international recording contract.

The daughter of local musician, the late Michael Curtis Clarke, Mokah acknowledged that her inspiration to sing came from her father.

A CD release party, planned for June 12 at the Odyssey night club on Front Street, will be held in memory of her father and his commitment to music.

While no stranger to the arts -- she was a member of the Jackson School of Performing Arts during her adolescence, Mokah admitted that producing a CD was not easy.

"I worked really hard on this,'' she said. "The whole thing took about four months to put together and finish.'' The CD consist of a total of 5 R&B crossover songs two of which are remixes.

Mokah's voice has been compared to R&B recording artist Brandy with a softer tone.

Explaining how she came to record her first CD, Mokah said that she joined a local performing studio where she sharpened her skill as a performer and met Eddie Glasford, of Shy Guy productions, Shy "K''a local D.J., and songwriter Antoine Raynor.

She soon thereafter met Dwight Jones, Producer at Studio B in Southampton, who helped her complete her self titled CD.

Mokah, who came up with her show name from a local clothing store by the same name, wrote all the songs. And she said her goal was to sell 2,000 units locally.

Asked what was her favourite song on the CD, she said: "My favourite song on is `Wondering' because I wrote it for my baby (boyfriend).'' She went on to say that her experience with her producer, Dwight Jones was a good one.

"He's very easy going, very knowledgeable and patient,'' she said.

Mokah's CD will go on sell for $10 on Tuesday at Mokah on Reid Street, then at music stores all over the Island.

PHTOO BUDDING STAR -- New local artist, Mokah, holds up her new debut CD, which she will be releasing locally this month.