I appreciate the fact that this new website is focused on positivity and interviews; not gossip on women in music, television and film. They’ve been incredibly supportive of “PARADISE” on Twitter and other social media; I wanted to show my support to Belinda James and the Who’s That Lady Entertainment team. If you’re tired of gossip based media and trust me, I understand the commerce and need for a bit of entertainment and gossip here and there; however there should also be room for other mediums such as this – support these alternatives.
Read the new interview The Jody Watley Experience: Here
I haven’t done press for ‘PARADISE’ rather, I’ve let my blog posts speak to the process, inspirations, journey etc. We did quite a lot for the single release of “Nightlife.’ It would be great to do television however it’s quite a challenge without a gossip lead in to talk about, an agent with CAA who is packaging guests (politics) – that’s the reality of the moment. I’ll be chatting with online radio show host Steven Knight on Monday September 29, 2014 at 10 PM EST talking “Paradise.” They’ve been very persistent to have me on, and we’re Twitter friends ..so there you go!
In an ongoing music journey, it was cool to come across this review from September 2001 DJ Magazine for the single “Saturday Night Experience.” The single was lifted from an import released I recorded for Japan “Jody Watley Presents The Saturday Night Experience Vol. 1” – at that time I was ready to step away completely from music – instead stepping away from commercial minded music and all that goes with it. Quality has never waned, when popularity may have.
Most artists will say they don’t read reviews or are not big on reviews – but will admit that it’s a good feeling when you read a really positive one like this where the writer really gets in the music at hand. This was another music pivot for me and began my exploration and shift into underground club electronic fused with nu skool jazz, drum and bass and other ambient sounds. I listened to single to Giant Step, purveyors of quality eclectic and soulful music offerings through my Avitone imprint established in 1996 – also with a mantra of fueling quality music.
Shout out to longtime collaborator and music director/keyboardist in my band Rodney Lee (we wrote and produced the original together)..Ron Trent, and Blaze – still love these..available at iTunes and various digital outlets.
#TBT #Classic “Everything” cover art from my 1989 second solo album ‘Larger Than Life’ my commerical Pop/R&B era. #4 Hot 100, #3 R&B, #11 Adult Contemporary – beautifully written by Gardner Cole and composer James Newton-Howard produced by Andre Cymone, with me at the helm as executive producer. I still love singing it – 25 years later, I’m proud to say that about all of my songs. I never wanted to sing anything back then or now – that would make me feel regret and not age well. The song remains a crowd pleaser. The cover is simple and understated but still very chic and timeless. I’m wearing a custom made burnt orange velvet dress that I designed and was tailored by Sylvia Payne-Loveless the oldest sister of Andre Cymone who used to sew for me from time to time back then.
The dress:
– the dress, also worn in my Meisel sessions.
Jody Watley “Everything” Official Video, my daughter make a brief onstage appearance which is one of my favorite moments in this live tour documentary style, day in the life on the road film: http://youtu.be/gD0GJrm8lYE
Jody Watley Archived Image, 1987. Urban fashion meets high end chic. Fashion. Self styled. Independent. Betsey Johnson dress, Chanel belt, Converse sneakers, Jody Watley Jumbo Hoop Earrings. Harper’s Bazaar, VOGUE, Rolling Stone, and various fashion magazine layouts, first GAP celebrity ad campaign..making the door a bit easier and wider for today’s younger black artists to walk through. #itsinthemusic #JodyWatley
From Ebony.com –
“From Lenny Kravitz to Rihanna, here’s 25 of the most influential style and fashion icons in Black Music” See the full list, including Jody Watley named “Trendsetter” Here
Sandra Green, Hollywood CA “WATTAGE goodies all up in the Sanctuary! Here’s to The Queen of Cool… Ms. Jody Watley Mentor, Pen Pal, Dermatologist, Inspiration, Visionary and the only person to envisioned me on Broadway Thanks for the music but most of all for being MS. WATLEY and allowing me to share my out of the box thoughts without calling the white coats.”
Tomas Rosado, Canada “All killer, no filler. Thank you, Ms. Jody Watley, for bringing Paradise to our ears.”
Jeffrey Muskiat from the Netherlands adds Paradise to his Jody Watley Collection
Chris Keen, UK “ “A total joy to receive my Paradise CD & T-shirt combo! LOVE the message throughout the new music, Jody….life is for living! #LiveIt #EnjoyIt #BeFabulous “
Cecil Brandon-Brooks, Florida ” Jody Watley / New CD PARADISE is rocking Hot!!!!!!”
Cecil Brandon Brooks, FL
Michelle Page “This cd is good I really like nightlife makes me want to go out and have a good time And everlasting is good”
Mervin Malone, Austin TX “And here it is all custom-framed! It was worth EVERY cent! Ms. Watley – your beauty in a designer frame perfectly accents the other high-art in my home office. You are on the wall opposite the Black Madonna of Częstochowa! All I need is a custom framed print of the Mona Lisa!”
GLASS, recording artist and funkateer from Los Angeles representing his digital version!
PARADISE, available digitally at iTunes, Amazon and other online outlets worldwide, includes “NIGHLIFE” video and 8 page digital booklet :
