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
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
Photography: Albert Sanchez Make-up: Billy B.
The UK is really bringing the love for “Nightlife” featuring Gerald Brown on backing vocals as the single goes into a highly competitive Pop Top Ten at #6, after peaking in the Top 5 Urban on Music Week Charts. I’m thrilled!!
On Billboard we continue to gain during this jammed packed 4th quarter that always brings a surge of activity for major labels and artists worldwide. That said, we move from #40 to #31 on the Hot Dance Club Play Charts. It’s In The Music!
“NIGHTLIFE” video next!