MTV News reports Canada’s music elite, including Avril Lavigne, Sum 41, Sarah McLachlan, Barenaked Ladies, Our Lady Peace, Glenn Lewis, Remy Shand and the Tragically Hip are joining forces to battle Toronto’s tourism troubles, which began when the SARS broke out there earlier this year.

The show is set to take place come 21st of June at Toronto’s Skydome and the adjacent Air Canada Centre.

“We rely on concerts to bring in a lot of tourists to Toronto in the summer, so the reason this was put together by various levels of government and promoters was because we saw an opportunity to give back to the city using Canadian acts, showing the world that Toronto is open for business” said Brett Gallagher, vice president of concerts for the Skydome.

Remy Shand, an excellent singer whom I think is just amazing, said recently, speaking to a reporter, that like many others, he doesn’t like the neo-soul label.

“For me, soul is in everything. Neo-soul and all that is a marketing thing, man. How can there be neo-soul when soul never went away? There’s nothing new about it. The resurgence of young artists is just bringing more interest to it.”

On the eve of a high-profile gig in Central Park, New York, does Remy Shand, who single handedly played almost every instrument on his debut album, ‘The Way I Feel’, worry about the other members of his new band butchering his arrangements onstage?

He said “It was hard finding the right group of musicians, man but I landed a great bunch and there’s a whole lot of mutual respect there.”

Such trifling matters are of little worry to Remy, one of this year’s rising young stars. He has reached the top of the charts in his native Canada, and is making serious noise Stateside with his soaring, sensual vocals and lushly constructed salubrious rhythms.

Check out his brilliant songs at his official site http://www.remyshand.com

Critics around are singing his praises, giving glowing reviews and declaring that his are the freshest sounds ever to hit your ears. Some even say his are the perfect sounds to play while making out, especially the single, ‘Take A Message’, what with all its sexy sounding beats. His album has just only been certified Gold in Canada. So who exactly is this vocalist who’s making quite a buzz in the music scene lately and whose LP is simply a must-have?

The return of old school soul in the hearts, minds, and voices of singers like Maxwell, India.Arie, Alicia Keys and others comes as one of pop’s music most welcome surprises, Remy Shand, 23, who hails from Winnipeg, Canada.

Replacing formerly de rigueur studio gadgetry with all of his heart and his authenticity, with real instruments, the maiden album from Remy, ‘The Way I Feel’, is truly fabulous.

According to Remy “This record is purely about relationships. The topic is love. Basically, it’s four years of my feelings.”Fashioning music that is vintage/retro sounding yet original with a touch of modernity, Remy, a songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and self-producer, attacks the boundaries of R&B, pop and alternative with his own timeless union.

Remy grew up listening to Marvin Gaye, Ann Peebles, Steely Dan, the Isley Brothers and much more, plus wrote the songs that can now be found on his debut LP at just 19 years old.

Released on the 12th of March in Canada and the United States – be sure to ask your trusty music outlet when “Remy Shand” is available near you.

Go check out his solo single ‘Take A Message’ plus a couple of other tracks as well and his music video even, if you’ve RealPlayer that is, at his official website: www.remyshand.ca

On a personal note, I say Remy’s a dazzling debut indeed, recommended to fans of Maxwell, Erykah Badu or even Macy Gray. I’m going to go get my copy, that’s for sure.