Design: Ray Easmon and Jody Watley
The exclusive limited edition ‘PARADISE’ CD is now SOLD-OUT in my online boutique. Thank you to everyone who is supporting the music, digitally as well (available at iTunes, Amazon, Google Play). We have shipped to over 17 countries around the world. It truly is in the music!! Visit the store for other items: HERE
PARADISE candles featuring scents for “PARADISE’ AND “SANCTUARY” coming soon.
“Jody Watley’s R&B has always been progressive and the arc of Paradise is no different from Watley’s past endeavors―somewhat. This time, Watley exchanges the electronically charged rhythm and blues from her last three records with a classic / contemporary fusion of disco.
Understand, this isn’t your little brother’s hipster disco, nor is it just a retroactive 70s redux. “PARADISE” melds elements of the aforementioned disco genre from today and yesterday. “ Quentin Harrison, QH Blend 2014
“..Jody still has us saying “yeah” when she asks “you wanna dance with me..”
It’s been 8 years since Jody Watley released an album’s worth of material..read the rest: Here
My approach to the making of “Paradise” has always been inspired and rooted in what I consider one of the greatest era’s of music – the 70’s and early 80’s. Many of these songs have been tested and performed live before finalizing the recording process. There are live instruments, bass, guitar and live strings by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson on the title song. We worked to find a balance of the live element with my love and profession over the 15 years of electronic, club and ambient sounds. It wasn’t uncommon for albums to have 7 songs or less (Issac Hayes classic “Hot Buttered Soul” had 4!) . “Shalamar’s” Big Fun had 7 songs clocking in at just 37:07. It’s about quality not quantity, so technically the term EP is just a contemporary one, but for me this is a FULL CD. The trend of putting a lot of filler tracks to fill up an album is never something I’ve been agreeable to. In this era, I also feel the attention span of the listener no longer support a lot of songs on one project. Perhaps I’ll inspire other artists to reduce the number of ‘filler’ and go back to making stronger more streamline albums they way it was done in the golden age of music – which fits perfectly with today’s distractions. None of my solo albums have ever had more than 10 and from start to finish my desire has always been to put my heart and soul into doing the best work for you the fans – and for me, to be proud of beyond a lifetime.
© 2013 Jody Watley Pictured Adam XII at Bryan Rabin Presents Giorgio’s.
Of course, my diehard fans have already supported the single “Nightlife”, fallen in love with the various video’s including the Dave Doyle Remix, watch: Here
However working outside of the mainstream means it’s a constant process of educating the fair weathered, those who have lost touch with me because they only look to the mainstream, and as well a younger eclectic fan base who may like the music just because it’s good and not based on my past. So I’ll keep posting, and encouraging you to help spread the word, after all as I wrote for “Nightlife” – it’s in the music!
Pick up the original Count De Money mix, Moto Blanco, Jodie Harsh, Dave Doyle, Soulpersona Disco Mix, Soulpersona Classic Soul Mix, or Luminodisco mix. All are available at iTunes, Amazon, Beaport and various digital outlets globally. 12″ vinyl of the original mix extended versions are also available at my online boutique. If you missed it “Nightlife” was Top 20 (#18) Hot Billboard Dance Club Play, and #5 Urban and #6 Commerical Pop on Music Week in the UK for those who are chart watchers, again – it’s really about quality music and artistic evolution, always moving forward.
Thank you for your continued support on the musical journey. You the people – are my Clear Channel, Radio One, mainstream gossip blogs and so on – and helping spread the word.
Check out this review of the video and single for “Nightlife” on music blog Dance Buzz. The single became the 19th Jody Watley Top 20 Billboard Hot Dance Play Single, and achieved Top 10 chart status in the UK on Music Week’s Commercial Pop (#6) and Urban Charts (#5). Here
Scenes from my weekend.
Supporting my friend Christos Garkinos at the Los Angeles Trunk Show for his “Eureka by Christos Garkinos” line for HSN along with actress Garcelle Beauvais. We both have tops named after us and both wearing them! Photo Courtesy of © 2014 Christos Garkinos
With Christos Garkinos for Eureka Los Angeles launch. Photo Courtesy of Christos Garkinos – I paired my navy “Jody” top with Diesel jeans, Miu Miu pumps and Vivienne Westwood limited edition ‘Squiggle’ bag.
Fun Selfie – Eureka by Christos Garkinos Trunk Show Party © 2014 Jody Watley
Jody Watley, Garcelle Beauvais attend “Eureka by Christos Garkinos” Los Angeles
Bryan Rabin, Jody Watley, Kathy Jeung turn out for ‘Eureka by Christos Garkinos” in Los Angeles © 2014 Jody Watley
Later that night – time for Giorgio’s!
In the back of our town car on the way to Giorgio’s – glammed up! Photo: © 2014 Jody Watley
It’s all about the black tie theme birthday for John Eshaya pictured. Photo: Jody Watley
The journey of life is never long with the company of friends – willing to wear black tie and get done up for you! Pictured with birthday boy John Eshaya, Christos and friends of John’s. © 2014 Jody Watley
Christos Garkinos, John Eshaya, Jody Watley © 2014 Jody Watley
I love Giorgio’s and a great hat! #selfie © 2014 Jody Watley
John Eshaya always brings a sense of fun, intrigue and surprises with what he wears to Giorgio’s – I adore him! John Eshaya of JET and Jody Watley. I loved his black tie request – I love a well groomed man and there were tons of them in the house in their tux’s. © 2014 Jody Watley
Of course, I also filmed the video for “Nightlife” at my favorite place to get dressed up, hang with friends, dance and remember to have fun and enjoy life at Bryan Rabin and Adam XII Presents: Giorgio’s on The Sunset Strip a couple of months ago. It’s In The Music!
Jody Watley and ‘NIGHTLIFE’ receive further exposure to a younger demographic as the original mix is currently added to the members only program of retailer Abercrombie & Fitch as a download for a limited time via special music license from Avitone, the single has also been added to Mood Media, so you just may just hear “NIGHTLIFE” in-store while out and about shopping or traveling.
“Leave it up to Jody Watley to spread some much-needed soul back onto the dance floor.” Read the full post and view the video: Ebony