I
have worked with the Grammy award winning internationally
acclaimed recording artist Jody Watley off and on for the past 13 years!!
And it has been my extreme pleasure to co-write and co-produce her last
three releases, "The Makeover", "Midnight
Lounge", and "The "Saturday Night Experience".
As her musical director we have covered the globe from the UK to Japan.
Jody's
latest release, "The Makeover", is available through Virgin
Megastores,,
and Amazon.com. It features eclectic, soulful, electronic covers of some
of her favorite songs by other artists. Visit jodywatley.net
for the latest.
Also
look out for "The
Soul Express" tour dates in 2007 that will feature Jody
Watley, Everette Harp, Chris Standring, and myself as music director.
Here
are a few quotes from the many reviews for "The Makeover".
"The
Makeover"
- 2006
What happens when Jody Watley gets her hands on Madonna's signature
hit "Borderline"? She makes it her own....." Michael
Paoletta - Billboard Magazine May 2006
"...clearly exemplifies the importance of reinvention, endless creativity
and, most importantly, why Jody Watley is such an unbeatable force.."
Giant Step 2006
"..Watley, always an underrated vocal talent finds space in the
material for layers of fresh meaning!" TIME
OUT NEW YORK August 10, 2006 - Mikael Wood
Here
are a few quotes from the many reviews for “Midnight Lounge”
..in stores now!
“Midnight
Lounge”
- 2003
“..she’s refined her sound over the years, resulting in the
smooth house
vibe of Midnight Lounge..a delightful soulful surprise...”
URB Magazine 2003
“..Watley
gets her groove back..pick of the week..” -People
Magazine “..Jody Watley is an artist who has successfully
updated her material over the years and charted her direction as an artist..Midnight
Lounge is foreground music for the wee small hours of the morning..”
Associated Press
“..Jody
has never sounded so soulful..a brave record..”
MUZIK 2003
“..Watley delivers a fresh power packed album..”
CREAM Australia “..everybody wants a piece of Jody, and with good
reason, she’s still a thrill..
glamorous, sexy, cool..” LA Weekly “There’s
no better advertisement for longevity in the business than the alluring
shape and sound of Jody Watley who still possess breathtaking fashion
model looks...without a doubt, Watley’s most cohesive and satisfying
album yet...”
Blues and Soul, U.K.
Jody
Watley's Bio
Jody
Watley - Born January 30 in Chicago, Illinois. Grammy Winning Singer,
Songwriter, Producer, Model, CEO of Avitone Recordings. 6 Top ten Pop
Hits, 15 Top 40 R&B Hits, 12 Dance Hits. 8 ..1 Singles. (be it Pop,
R&B or Dance - 80s, 90s 00s). MOST RECENT CHART NEWS: "I Want Your Love Remixes" -
#1 Billboard Dance Charts - June 2007
'BORDERLINE' - #2 BILLBOARD CLUB PLAY--JAN. 13,2007
'THE MAKEOVER': #1 DEBUT AT ALL VIRGIN MEGASTORE CHAINS (Exclusive Release)
#3 DEBUT iTUNES ELECTRONIC CHART AUGUST 15, 2006
Popularized the phrase Hasta La Vista Baby , later picked
up by Arnold Schwarzenegger. One of the first black artists of the 80's
and 90's to successfully merge music and fashion. Recognized as a trendsetter,
her sense of style was noteworthy, leading to layouts for Harpers
Bazaar, VOGUE, and Rolling Stone.
Named one of People Magazines 50 Most Beautiful People.
Original member of singing group Shalamar (1977-1984).
Participated in historic charity single - Band Aid Do
They Know Its Christmas.
Jody
Watley's professional singing career began in 1977 - while still in high
school - she became an original member of the group Shalamar
- she departed - in 1984. This is where she learned the ropes of performing
live - and what to do if the power goes out and you have to sing accapella!
This is also where she learned - you'd better get your own lawyer before
you sign any contracts!!! Her resilience and self-belief also became strong
during this time.
In between leaving Shalamar, moving to London, finding her creative footing,
trying out odd hairstyles as well as making a plan for her career - Jody
also participated in one of musics' historic moments, Band Aid
-Do They Know Its Christmas organized by Sir Bob Geldof to aid in famine
relief for Ethiopia. She was right there alongside, Bono, Sting, George
Michael and Duran Duran, among others!
Her highest professional accolade was winning a Grammy Award for
Best New Artist in 1988.
Jody Watley has had 6 Top Ten Hits (Looking For a New
Love, Don't You Want Me, Some Kind of Lover, Real Love, Friends featuring
Eric B. & Rakim, Everything) - 15 Top 40 R&B Hits
(include the Top Ten list and add: Still a Thrill, Most of All, I Want
You, I'm The One You Need, When a Man Loves a Woman, Your Love Keeps Working
on Me, Affection, Off the Hook,) 11 Dance Hits: add to
the Top Ten listed above: Still a Thrill, I'm The One You Need, Off The
Hook, If I'm Not in Love, and Looking For a New Love Remixes 2005. A common
misperception is that she stopped making music after her first CD in 87!
Real Love, Friends and Everything were from Jody's second CD (89-90),
in case you were confused! This is 2007, the year of 'THE MAKEOVER'
her 9th solo record, not including 2 Greatest Hits and 1 Extended Mix
Compilation..
When Jody Watley signed to MCA in 1985 - she said she didn't want to be
marketed like other black artists. Jody wanted to work with fashion photographers,
do pictures that were classic and without the standard blue backdrop -
common for R&B acts at the time other than Prince. She wanted to do
her own styling, influenced by her love of glamour icons, classic screen
sirens and urban styles she discovered while living in Europe. Jody Watley
wanted to create videos that reflected her sense of style and attitude.
She wanted to write songs, have a point of view - and to reflect a bit
of herself. Say what you want, but Jody created her own path. She was
ahead of her time.
Over the years, Jody Watley has worked with Henry Mancini
and Marilyn and Edgar Bergman. One of
her songs, Sweet Sixteen, was recorded by Destiny's Child,
and She has also appeared on Broadway in the hit musical GREASE!
In recent years Jody has worked with some of the best of the club and
underground music scene - Kind Britt, Ron Trent,
Masters at Work (Louie Vega and Kenny Dope) ,DJ
Spinna, Chris Brann, 4Hero,
Mark de Clive Lowe.
