The Philadelphia Signature Soul Sound during the 1980s Pt 5

                                                Featuring female solo artist

The gold album "My Melody

In the early 1980s Deniece Williams co-produced a brilliant and soulful solo album with the legendary Thom Bell (one of the key music architects of the Sound of Philadelphia ) entitled “My Melody”. The album finally received gold certification from the RIAA on 13^th October 2000, having been released on CBS Records in 1980. The album was a Top Twenty success and charted to number thirteen on the Billboard Hot Soul and R&B Albums Chart.

"Lonely Disco Dancer" performed by
 Dee Dee Bridgewater

During the same period Thom Bell was also producing the great Jazz diva Dee Dee Bridgewater with her self-titled solo album “Dee Dee Bridgewater” on Elektra Records (1980). The most  memorable track from the album is “Lonely Disco Dancer”, a dynamic mid-tempo dance recording with lush string arrangements conducted by the late Don Renaldo. It was a very popular track at both parties and discos in the UK during the early 1980s. The album was similar in style to Deniece William’s album “My Melody” .

"Easy Money" performed
Dee Dee Sharp Gamble

Another female artist who had success on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Number One Singles Chart was Dee Dee Sharp Gamble, with her last Philadelphia International Records album “Dee Dee” (1980) released both domestically in North America and internationally via CBS Records. The number one dance single was “Break and Entering/Easy Money” week-ending 28^th March 1981 (4 weeks). 

Both Dee Dee Bridgewater and Deniece Williams used the same studio musicians who worked with Thom Bell on many Philly classic hit recordings during the 1970s. 

                                   Researched and compiled by               
                                   Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
                                   ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013-2015 

Career Highlights of the Legendary Lawrence Johnson (Part 2).

He was the former co-owner and CEO of his own music session company based in London providing services to the entertainment and creative industries in the UK and overseas. Previously he was recording artist and founder of Nu Colors. The group became one of the best -selling UK gospel act in America during the 1990s. Over the years Lawrence has also written several songs. He is one of the key God Fathers of Contemporary Gospel music in the UK.

In the 1990s, Lawrence did vocal arrangements on the movie
soundtrack to the "Four Weddings and a Funeral"

During the 1990s, Lawrence also conducted vocal arrangements, vocal productions, record producer and recording a track with his recording act Nu Colors on the major film soundtrack for “Four Weddings and a Funeral” which grossed over £200 million at the Box office worldwide and accompanied soundtrack which actually sold over quarter of million copies in the UK.

Lawrence has been responsible for vocal arrangements and vocal productions on number-one albums for such artists as Leona Lewis, Susan Boyle, Westlife, Shayne Ward, Journeysouth, Alexandra Burke and Bebe Cece Winans, which includes number-one singles and albums in several music markets worldwide.

This is a partial list of clients he has worked with in the music industry has a vocal arranger, music consultant and also vocal production.

Elton John

Tom Jones

Lulu

Stevie Wonder

Bebe and Cece Winans

Eric Clapton

David Bowie

Tina Turner

Rod Stewart

Robbie Williams

Mary J Blige

Spice Girls

Emma Burton

Will-i-am

Soul II Soul

Leona Lewis

Susan Boyle

Gary Barlow

Luther Vandross

Lawrence is definitely a powerful creative eternity of menace proportion with a creative transcending impact and influence across the globe. He is an creative driving force behind-the- scenes and also instrumental behind the career successes of   many music icons. Many of the recording projects that Lawrence received credits for have won major music industry awards such as Grammy Awards and Brit Awards.

                                        

                                          Researched and compiled by               
                                          Mr K Tomlin Music Historian                   
                                          ©RCM Music/Signaturesoundsonline2013-2014