What a delight it was to find out PARADISE made the Hot 16 List on Soulbounce amongst an eclectic list of young and emerging talent – that is quite fabulous for a vet like me. To remain fresh and true to myself always keeps my soul rooted in my work. I always hope my efforts and collaborations resonate with audiences large, small and diverse as well as the young without pandering and the young and heart. It’s in the music!
See the full list and discover other artists outside of the usual : Soulbounce
The music also made an appearance twice on the Dave Higdon’s Favorites of 2014, including ‘DANCER’ in the Top 3: Poptastic Confessions
In the past, an artist would send out tons of copies of promotional discs to have their album reviewed. We have not done that. This collection is all about the love, the word of mouth, the appreciators of artistry, the fans – it’s in the music! The QHBlend is one of my favorite music blogs with Quentin Harrison always shining as a true music writer who knows his subjects objectively really examining and listening to the music and covering those elements. Quentin understands music pop culture, artistic growth and never holding commercial peaks and valleys against or for his subjects – as it should be. Read his observations about “PARADISE”: Here
For what I lack in controversy or gossip headline worthiness (thankfully), it’s more than enough for me to just be about quality music, class and artistry – still. Thank you to all who appreciate, support and understand “It’s In The Music!”
Via Mark De Clive-Lowe‘s Facebook and Instagram Feeds regarding Miguel Atwood -Ferguson on “Paradise.” I’ve been getting over the flu and didn’t make the session, though I know it was in great hands!
-finished the new production ‘Paradise’ for Jody Watley tonight – complete with strings arranged and played by the one n only Miguel Atwood-Ferguson (official) – Ms Watley’s new EP of the same name (Paradise) will be out soon and has a second production also by me called ‘Dawn’ – with drums by NZ’s Frank Booker. soon come! our first virtual collaboration was when i did the keys for Phil Asher’s Restless Soul remix of ‘Photographs’, followed by my own remix of Jody’s ‘Midnight Lounge’ for The Makeover. We followed that up with ‘Tonight’s the Night’ on Strictly Rhythm Records… it’s a pleasure to be keeping the collaboration going! — with Jody Watley.
The title song “Paradise” is written with the brilliant and diverse Mark De Clive-Lowe. For my die-hard fans, you’ll know this isn’t the first time we’ve collaborated. If you missed it, check out my release “The Makeover’ for the Midnight Lounge (MDCL remix) as well as Mark De-Clive Lowe featuring Jody Watley on “Tonight’s The Night.” The title song “Paradise”, thanks to Mr. De Clive-Lowe will also include a splash of strings by the one and only Miguel Atwood-Ferguson. Mark and I also collaborate on “The Dawn”, another dance-floor gem from “Paradise.” I can’t tell you how happy I am and I want you all to feel it too. It’s in the music!
With the backdrop and history of New Orleans as the backdrop amidst a variety of artists of various age demo’s; I’m so looking forward to being a part of this spectacular music and cultural event! Saturday night July 6, 2013 – it’s going down with my eclectic show of stylish funky pop soul in a concert of classic and dynamic hits (solo and Shalamar), a couple of critically acclaimed under the commercial radar gems, well new music and perhaps a surprise or two! To coincide with the performance I’ll be releasing two new singles titled ‘Nightlife’ Produced by the UK’s Count De Money and ‘The Dawn’ Produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe this summer. ‘Nightlife’ is a nod to my Shalamar / disco past though totally modern in approach – the groove never subsides. ‘Nightlife’ features vocal contributions by original Shalamar male lead Gerald Brown (Take That To The Bank) for added authenticity – if you loved Shalamar or music from that era – you will love ‘Nightlife.’ ‘The Dawn’ is another nod to my disco funk roots and written recalling my youth, while appreciating the me of now and adding those elements. This is the type of real dance music that not unlike what Daft Punk is being heralded for. Traditionally, other’s doing music rooted in soul, disco and funk receive more accolades however it’s not really about that – in the end for me my music always comes from a place of passion, joy and love first to represent me at a particular time in my creative and artistic life.
It went down April 27, 2013 at a very secret location in downtown Los Angeles. You needed to RSVP before being given the address. This is an ultra groovy music affair. If you’re not hip to internationally renowned DJ/Producer/Jazz Musician/Classically trained pianist/ Mark de Clive-Lowe you need to update your musical palette. His event CHURCH is a must attend night on the town if it ever pops up in your city – anywhere in the world. The framework and atmosphere were laid by an eclectic range of DJ’s including Jeremy Sole and KCRW’s Aaron Byrd mixing tunes on a stellar sound system inside the warehouse. I’m not talking the glut of the same Top 40 songs being spun in clubs around the world now. If you’re old enough to remember what it was like going out to dance and you heard songs that made you go “Whoa..what’s that?!”
This was handpicked music ranging from jazz, soul and house all woven together amidst a first class lighting designer to create the right type of ambience. Mark de Clive Lowe’s set is a combination of DJ and musicianship – with vocal pieces and musical bits being created on the fly accompanied by a tight knit band that included an esteemed cast including Freddy Washington (Herbie Hancock,Patrice Rushen on bass; Derf Reklaw (The Pharoahs, Ramsey Lewis) percussion, Dexter Story (Kindred Spirits, Lifeforce Trio), drums Bob Reynolds (John Mayer) on saxophone, , as well the gifted Nia Andrews (Common, Janelle Monae) on vocals.
Food trucks, full bar and a packed house of music devotees not worried about trend or popularity – rather the type of night of music and dancing that’s all about substance. Legacy artist/songwriter producer Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye, Quincy Jones, Maxwell) did a memorable brief set that included Minnie Ripperton’s classic “Inside My Love” to which I joined him on a sublime and sexy rendition of one of his classic penned tunes “I Want You.” I felt as if I were in a dream. It wasn’t one of those generic ‘old school’ moments – this was born of the moment to a packed house of primarily 20 and 30 somethings that appreciate the music and vibes enough to be in the ‘know’ about an evening like this. They also seem to know the history not as nostalgia (like some older fans tend to do) but true modern appreciation rather than what’s force-fed ad nauseam in today’s commercial scene. After coming onstage to join Mr. Ware, I returned in the second set of De Clive-Lowe to perform “Tonight’s The Night” one of our club gems as well as the new “The Dawn” – it was the first time he and I had performed that one. My guys Rosero McCoy and John “Havic” Gregory went in with me on both.
It’s a pleasure to be a legacy artist with history myself while continuing to be a part of something fresh to those who really understand – as an alternative to some of the more straight up shows and events I do with my own band. It’s a continued evolution which is an element and one of the many unique things about what I do and the variety of ways I choose to do it. Being an artist for 3 decades in this crazy business, it’s always important for me to find ways to remain authentic though never staying the the ‘box.’ The vibe of ‘CHURCH’ is one of the elements of the underground that I’ve loved since I discovered and began to embrace back in 1999; a quality mixture of soul, jazz, dance, electronic – just happens to be ‘club.’ There is a wealth of great music and artistry – you may have to work harder to find it, but it’s there for the open-minded. I had so much fun – it was another night to remember for all involved.
Backstage. Mark De Clive-Lowe and Jody Watley Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Backstage. Mark De Clive-Lowe, Jody Watley, Leon Ware. Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Jody Watley “LIVE” theLIFT presents CHURCH Spring 2013 Photo: Jody Watley 2013 (c)
Tonight’s the night at a downtown Los Angeles warehouse secret location; TheLIFT presents the Spring Edition of Mark de Clive Lowe’s “CHURCH.” This is one of those one time only events you don’t want to miss. It’s also the first time we’ll be performing together officially. Deep cuts fans of mine will know that he and I have collaborated on a few songs; Midnight Lounge (Remix) from “The Makeover”, “Tonight’s The Night,” a single we wrote together for his project a couple of years ago, as well as a funk filled dance groove he produced that we wrote titled “The Dawn.” I’m so excited to be performing and debuting that one here in Los Angeles tonight from my forthcoming new music project. The icing on the cake is that I’ll also be doing a guest vocal with Leon Ware. Underground, soulful, funky, club – yes indeed. As a note, I’ve always liked the underground club scene which served as the inspiration for one of my classic video’s “Don’t You Want Me” which was filmed at a downtown Los Angeles warehouse.
From the #3 iTunes Top Electronic Album “The Makeover” written by Jody Watley (Jody Watley Music, BMI), and Mark De Clive Lowe, Remix Produced by Mark de Clive Lowe. The original version appears on the critically acclaimed “Midnight Lounge.”
