Canadian singer Tamia brings happiness with her new album Lovelife

(REUTERS) - After a three-year break singer Tamia returns with an album she is calling "happy".

"There is still, you know, ups and downs, and things like that... I was in a good place recording this," said the native of Canada.

The first offering of her sixth studio album is a fun feel-good song.

"I choose Sandwich And A Soda for the first single because I thought it was just fun and just a great - it had a great beat and great vibe. And I wanted my first song back after three years from Beautiful Surprise to just show life and have life."

Tamia began her career at age 17 and was guided by legendary music producer Quincy Jones.

"It was such a whirlwind in the beginning that I think I really didn't get a chance to take it in. And to let it really soak in. And every now and then I'll look back at photos or I'll think about something that - the time that we spent together or you know, something he said. And think, 'what an amazing opportunity and what an amazing chance that I had to work with a living legend."

Jones produced Tamia's 1998 debut first album.

The 40-year-old has earned six Grammy nominations, with the last two in 2013 for Beautiful Surprise, giving her a place in history with nods in the Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album categories -- a first for a Canadian artist.

Tamia has been married to former NBA star Grant Hill since 1999 and they have two daughters.

With an album all about love and life, the singer said her husband was a special inspiration for one of the songs.

"There's a song on the project called Day One and I wrote that for my husband. And it's a beautiful homage to our relationship. And I think since the album is called Lovelife and it's about love and loving life, I would say if I could chose one song it would be Day One."

The 10-track album titled Lovelife will be released on June 9.

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