Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are the epitome of musical brilliance and can be easily likened to a modern day Gamble & Huff. While “The Sound of Philadelphia Soul”, TSOP, was known for their string and bass arrangements, the Minneapolis Sound was further cultivated through a more pop, rock and faster paced funk. Working under the influence of artists like Cornbread Harris, Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown and many others, the duo formed the group Flyte Tyme with band mates Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir but was later incorporated into the group, The Time led by Morris Day. During this early formulation, Prince was very instrumental in the songwriting and production of the group’s sound. While their songs and stage appeal gave them great success, it did not last long due to growing creative tension and their restriction to write material for their own album or the album of other artists. Despite certain limitations, Jam & Lewis took the gamble in writing for the musical group, The “Sound of Success” Band or better known as the SOS Band with the incredible hit Just Be Good To Me. At the boiling point of the relationship and unfortunately missing a show due to a blizzard in Atlanta where they were recording, the duo was fired by Prince due to their outside production. For some this may have been the end, but for Jam & Lewis it was only the beginning. With the success of Just Be Good To Me reaching #2 on the R&B charts, it opened the windows of opportunity for their musical career. For a span of almost 30 years, Jam & Lewis have worked with legendary artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Barry White, Alexander O’Neal, Chaka Khan, Klymaxx, Cherrelle, George Michael, Yolanda Adams, Usher and New Edition just to name a few. Not to mention winning countless Grammys including Producers of the Year, beating producers David Foster and Paul Simon, Jam & Lewis have made an undeniable mark in music as songwriters, producers, record execs and musicians.
From a personal perspective, these men have been by musical icons from my earliest knowledge of music. I’ve always admired from afar their honest approach to music. As a former band geek, I’ve been in awe of their song arrangements and how they could tailor fit a song appropriately for the lines and curves of an artist. In today’s mainstream perspective to music, “branded” in the narcissistic view of music production, Jam & Lewis bring something rich and timeless to their songs. Through their musical outlook, you truly hear the tones and melody of an artist life.
Here is The Original 7ven’s Jam & Lewis with Video Soul’s Donnie Simpson as they give the rundown of their angle to mixing with Morris Day’s song, Fishnet. And if you missed it, be sure to catch the exclusive GFM interview with Jimmy Jam. (more…)
Monte Moir is in two words “bad ass.” The original and current keyboardist for The Original 7ven formerly The Time has always been mad creative in his solo efforts as songwriter and producer. He’s the man behind some impressive works for Janet Jackson, Alexander O’Neal, Gladys Knight. He’s also credited for working with Prince, Vanity 6, Deniece Williams and Thelma Houston to name a few. Songwriting has always been his first love and his first solo effort, “This Side of Paradise”, released in 2001 was about as far away from the sound of The Time as you could get but it is also far from boring. Not commercially successful but critically favored, “This Side of Paradise” is an organically soothing collection fused with adult contemporary pop, soft R&B and light jazz clearly showcasing Moir’s talent for songwriting and producing. This brings me to the featured video of this piece which is Janet Jackson’s “The Pleasure Principal”, written and produced by yep, Monte Moir. This was the sixth single from her third studio album “Control”. The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, won for Best Choreography at the 1987 MTV Awards and got a nod for Best Female Video. For me on a personal note this video is in my top five best of all time!! It was about the genius of simplicity. A loft, a chair and a microphone stand. No supporting backup fillers, just Janet in a zone, solidifying the fact that outside of her brother, no one could compete with her moves. And I should know. And how you ask? I jumped over many a chair trying. (more…)
From his work as musical director for artists such as Maroon 5, Eminem, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, Drake, Mary J. Blige and Kanye West, and many others, Adam Blackstone is truly a musical force to be reckoned with and what’s just as amazing as the list of acts he’s worked with is the fact that Adam has done what would seem like several lifetimes of playing and producing at age 30. (more…)
*Cue Kriss Kross* The subject of this editorial has been on my mind for a minute… wrote a song about like to hear it? Here it go!!!
Add me, confirm me, follow me please
If you have a little time can you rate how I sing?
I had to stop after those two lines to write this. But seriously, what I’m ranting about today is the ever present (especially as it relates to music) “I’m about to do this or that” that you cannot escape from on any social network whether it is a “celebrity” or someone who aspires to be. I have certainly been guilty of using that phrase, I still probably use it from time to time but my problem is the incessant “I’m about to-ers”. You know the folks that out of the 24hours in each day that we’ve been allotted 18 of those hours they are on Twitter or Facebook talking about what they are going to do musically. Oh they are out there… some successful and some not so, some talented and some not so. (more…)
Janet Jackson's Performance at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta
The Dear John….Janet Letter
My very first concert experience was at the age of 7. It was a sunny day in Miami and I was elated about the whole affair. On the stage rocking her signature Different Strokes flip – the Charlene flip as I like to call it – and embodying her older brother’s signature stance to the music of Dream Street was Ms. Janet Jackson. It’s hard to believe that SHE was the opening act for New Edition. While I remember that experience with the great fondness of “my first”, I was clueless to how this occurrence would later replay itself in my journey through music. (more…)
Yeah, we know it’s “Valentine’s Day” but who said we gotta pay Cupid some damn tribute!!!! If you’re one of those lovesick puppies and hopeless romantics looking for your fix on V-Day, we got your fix but it sure as hell ain’t what you think!!! On this day of love, we wanted to send Cupid a special mixtape! A list of songs that really express our deep passion in the subject of amour. So if love has kicked you in the ass, made a complete fool of you, had you crying like Lenny Williams and broadcasted your shame all over Facebook and Twitter, then welcome my friends to our official “F!ck, Cupid,!!” mixtape!! A Valentine’s mix that is sure to have you burning down someone’s car and lighting a cigarette afterward!!!
And Cupid, in case you missed our sentiments, let us say it again……….”F**K YOU!!!” (in my Cee-Lo voice) (more…)
