gordon

Gordon Chambers

Interview 8 February 2005

Introducing, tell me about it. How long has it been out and how’s it going down.

ALBUM DROPPED ON DEC. 8TH BUT WE'RE STILL GROWING IT, GETTING IT TO MORE AND MORE STORES.

You pleased with reaction so far, what tracks are getting attention.

VERY PLEASED WITH REACTION SO FAR. THE STANDOUT CUTS ARE NEVER FALL IN LOVE, STILL IN LOVE, ALWAYS BE PROUD, TOUCH YOU THERE, I'LL MISS YOU MOST. BUT FOLKS REALLY LIKE ALBUM FRONT TO BACK. THE ONLY ONE IS BEING SUNG AT a lot OF WEDDINGS. ALBUM MOVES DIFFERENT FOLKS FOR DIFFERENT REASONS. IT REALLY RUNS THE WHOLE GAMUT OF THE LOVE EXPERIENCE. THE FALLING IN AND OUT, CRUSHES, BREAKUP. WHEREVER YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY, THERE'S A SONG FOR YOU. FANS ALSO ENJOY MY RENDITIONS OF APOLOGIZE AND VALENTINE, FOR THE JAZZINESS AND ADVENTURE IN THE ARRANGEMENTS. I'M GLAD ALBUM HITS PEOPLE WHERE I WANTED IT TO REACH THEM: THEIR HEARTS AND SOULS.

Still in love with Sara Devine is probably the one getting most attention over here. Have you worked with Sara before. She’s had a MAW thing fairly recently that’s been popular.

STILL IN LOVE WAS THE LAST SONG RECORDED. LITERALLY RECORDED THE DAY OF MASTERING! I HAD WANTED TO DO A REMAKE BALLAD DUET WITH AN ESTABLISHED FEMALE ARTIST. REACHED OUT TO DEBORAH COX AND KELLY PRICE AND LALAH HATHAWAY. BUT THE SCHEDULES DIDN'T ALIGN. THEN I FOUND THIS TRACK FROM KEN FAMBRO THAT MY ENGINEER THOUGHT WAS HOT FOR ME. I DIDN'T SEE IT AT ALL. THOUGHT IT WAS WAY TOO YOUNG AND DIDN'T FIT THE ALBUM. HE INSISTED I DO IT. TO MAKE IT FUN, I CALLED ON SARA TO DO IT AS A DUET. SHE LOVED AND SANG HER HEART OUT. SHE'S DONE LOTS OF BACKGROUND SESSION WORK FOR ME OVER THE YEARS. I'M SO GLAD SHE'S ON THE ALBUM. SINCE THE CONCEPT IS INTRODUCING GORDON CHAMBERS, I'M GLAD THAT I CAN ALSO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INTRODUCE SARA DEVINE TO SOME SOUL LOVERS WHO MAY NOT KNOW HER. SHE'S A GREAT TALENT AND A SWEET PERSON.

Have to say though it’s a quality album throughout, Touch you there is excellent, new sound but with props to the old skool, is that how you see it.

TOUCH YOU THERE IS THE SONG THAT SET THE TEMPLATE FOR THE REST OF THE ALBUM. THE LYRICS, THE MUSICALITY OF IT, THE 70'S SOUL FEELING. IT REMINDED OF WHAT I HEARD AS A CHILD WHEN MELODIES FIST STARTED DANCING IN MY HEAD. LYRICALLY, IT'S WHAT I WANT DO AS AN ARTIST AND COMPOSER: TOUCH YOU THERE (IN YOUR HEART!)

Never fall in love again though is my favourite, what’s yours. Glenn lewis on background, what’s he up to at the moment.

NEVER FALL IN LOVE IS A SONG THAT TROY WROTE WITH GLEN FOR HIS ALBUM, THAT GLEN DIDN'T WANT. HIS LOSS WAS MY GAIN! HAVEN'T MET HIM YET, BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT SONG. IT EXPRESSED WHAT I COULDN'T FIND THE WORDS TO SAY. WHEN YOU'RE WRITING WHOLE PROJECTS, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING YOU MISS THAT ANOTHER WRITE CAN SAY FOR YOU WITH THE RIGHT SONG. HE HAS A NEW ALBUM COMING IN MARCH I BELIEVE, ON SANCTUARY.

There’s bits of jazz, even a bit of blues and a whole lot of soul. Where do you see yourself in todays marketplace.

I SEE MYSELF IN THE URBAN ADULT CONTEMPORARY, R&B AND NEOSOUL MARKETS. ALSO WANT TO PLAY JAZZ CLUBS AND FESTIVALS. I THINK THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT JAZZ IS IS CHANGING. MY HOPE HOWEVER IS THAT ALWAYS BE PROUD BECOMES A HUGE POP HIT, LIKE MY 'I BELIEVE I CAN FLY' SO TO SPEAK.

I see you used Kelli (Sae) on Always be proud. We met last year in new york and I’ll be seeing her this year as well

KELLI SAI IS AN OLD FRIEND. USED TO BE IN HER BAND. NEEDED BACKGROUNDS AND SARA CALLED HER AT THE LAST MINUTE. IT WAS A NICE REUNION. SHE'S BEEN AN INSPIRATION TO BE AS AN INDIE RECORDING ARTIST.

This is your first album – what made you want to go upfront given your pedigree as a writer.

I'VE ALWAYS PERFORMED AND SECRETLY WANT TO DO THIS. I JUST HAD TO MOVE WHEN GOD TOLD ME TO MOVE, AND GOD FOUND MY TROY, DIRECTION WHO GAVE ME THE FREEDOM AND TOUGH LOVE I NEEDED TO MAKE MY FIRST PROJECT. I REALLY WANTED TO DO THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I FELT THAT R&B WAS IN SUCH AN UNEMOTIONAL PLACE, AND I KNEW I HAD ALL THESE SONGS, SO I SAID, WHY NOT RELEASE THEM MYSELF. SOME TIMES YOU MUST BE PART OF THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING FROM SIDELINES.

How long did it take to put together from conception to street.

THE PROCESS WAS ABOUT TWO YEARS. APOLOGIZE, MISS YOU MOST AND VALENTINE WITH LIVE BAND WHERE FROM THE FIRST BATCH OF SESSIONS; STILL IN LOVE AND BE HAPPY WERE THE LAST TWO FINDS FOR THE ALBUM.

How did you select the songs for the album, are they more you or were any earmarked for anyone else.

I PICKED SONGS THAT I FELT WERE TRUE STORIES FOR ME. THE ONLY SONG WRITTEN FOR SOMEONE ELSE WAS THAT'S WHEN YOU FALL, WHICH WILL DOWNING TURNED DOWN. THE SONG WAS SO PERSONAL, I KNEW IT BELONGED HERE. THE ONLY ONE WAS A LOVE INSPIRATION THAT I FEEL FOLKS NEED IN THEIR LIVES AT THIS TIME, WITH THE DIVORCE RATE BEING WHAT IT IS. MY REMAKES WHERE TO SHOW PEOPLE THE CONNECTION ME THE WRITER, AND MY THE INTERPRETER, SONG STYLIST, SO TO SPEAK. THE THREAD OF THE ALBUM IS THAT MEN REALLY FEEL THINGS, DEEP DOWN. WE HURT, WE YEARN, WE CRY, BUT WE LOVE TO LOVE AND BE LOVED.

What’s it like putting together something like this on your own, as an independent.

DOING THIS TOOK ME THROUGH EVERY IMAGINABLE EMOTION: JOY, CONFUSION, FEAR, OVERWHELM. IT WAS LIKE HAVING A BABY. AND THERE'S STILL AFTERSHOCK. NOW IT'S ABOUT FINDING PROPER 'CHILD CARE' FOR MY PROJECT. PROPER MARKETING, ETC.

Who are the key people that helped you – Troy?

TROY HELPED ME SO MUCH, BUT JUST BELIEVING IN ME. HE'S THE OLDER BROTHER I NEVER HAD GROWING UP. AND A MEAN BUT GREAT VOCAL PRODUCER!

What’s your show like, getting good reviews.

MY SHOWS GET GREAT REVIEWS. PEOPLE DANCE, SING ALONG AND THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO CRY TO ALWAYS BE PROUD. SOMETIMES I DO TOO. IT'S ALWAYS THE CLOSER, BEFORE THE ENCORE, WHICH IS ALWAYS A SOUL COVER-FLIPPED!

Are you first and foremost a writer? Do you hope this album gets you accepted at artist level or is it just something you wanted or had to do.

I'M FIRST AND FOREMOST A WRITER IN THE PUBLIC'S VIEW, BUT TO THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL, I'M GORDON THE SINGER. I SING ALL DAY. HARMONIZE TO ANYTHING. MY FRIENDS OFTEN ASK ME TO SHUT UP. THIS WAS ONE OF THOSE DON'T-WANNA-DIE-AND-SAY-I-NEVER-DID-IT PROJECTS. BUT I'M HOPING IT WILL BE HUGELY SUCCESSFUL, ATTRACT MAJOR DISTRIBUTION. I WANT TO FILL THE VOID THAT LUTHER'S HEALTH CAN'T HAVE HIM FILL RIGHT NOW: THE CONSUMMATE MALE PERFORMER/RECORDING ARTIST OF R&B AND POP. I'M AIMING FOR THE STARS.

Have you always written?

I HAVE WRITTEN SINCE I WAS 7. SONGS, POETRY, PLAYS, ARTICLES. I AM THE FORMER ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR OF ESSENCE, ACTULLY. HAVE WRITTEN FOR MANY MAGAZINES AND WANT TO DO A BOOK THIS YEAR ALSO. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SONGS. IT'S IDEAS.

Are you still signed to LA Reid’s Hitco.

I AM STILL SIGNED TO HITCO, YES.

How does it work with your songs. Given your reputation now do artists come to you, or do you ‘hear’ certain artists in your songs.

I HEAR ARTISTS IN MY SONGS AND I REACH OUT TO THEIR FOLKS, AND SOMETIMES ARTISTS REQUEST ME. MY PUBLISHERS ALSO HIP ME TO WHO'S LOOKING. IT'S A HUSTLE. NOT AS GLAMOROUS AS IT LOOKS. I THANK GOD FOR EVERY CUT!

Which song has given you most pleasure……and which hasn’t.

IF YOU LOVE ME BY BROWNSTONE HAS GIVEN MY A LOT OF PLEASURE. IT WAS MY FIRST BIG HIT, AND A GREAT PRODUCTION. BUT EVERY CUT HAS GIVEN ME PLEASURE. I'M GRATEFUL, OF NEVER KNOCK THE BLESSING OF BEING RECORDED. SO MANY ARE OUT THERE TRYING, I'M HAPPY TO STILL BE IN THE GAME!

There’s a whole heap of stuff on your CV that I could talk about but we’d be hear for weeks so I’ve picked out a handful (which I’ve picked because I like them!)– any comments or stories about these

Angie Stone: No More Rain (Arista)

NO MORE RAIN WAS A LAST MINUTE THING. PETER EDGE TOLD TO GO MEET ANGIE AND HELP HER FINISH WRITING THE SONG, BECAUSE CLIVE HATED EVERY BRIDGE ANGIE HAD TURNED IN. A VERY UNEXPECTED HIT.

Allure: The Story, Mama Said (Crave)

THE STORY IS THE SONG THAT GOT ALLURE THEIR DEAL WITH MARIAH. SHE WAS UPSTAIRS AND HEARD AND SIGNED THEM. MAMA SAID I WROTE BASED ON OF THE GIRLS' FEELINGS ABOUT HAVING LOST HER MOM. IT WAS A JOURNALISTIC PROCESS. THOSE SESSIONS WERE HARD! I HAD TO PULL SOME DIVA NOTES OUT OF THOSE GIRLS. BUT SONGS CAME OUT WELL. WORKING WITH TRACKMASTERS WAS GREAT FUN.

Najee: Someone Watching Over Me (Ncoded Music)

NAJEE'S SOMEONE WATCHING OVER ME. WASN'T THERE FOR ANY OF THE SESSIONS. DIDN'T LOVE THE MIX ON THIS SONG, BUT WAS GLAD TO HAVE BEBE SING SOME OF MY LYRICS. WHAT A VOICE. YOLANDA ADAMS JUST RERECORDED THIS SONG. HER VERSION WILL BE THE BLUEPRINT VERSION OF THIS SONG. IT WAS ACTUALLY WRITTEN FOR HER. I LOVE WHAT THIS SONG SAYS: IT'S A CONTEMPORARY SPIRITUAL MESSAGE WE ALL NEED TO HEAR: NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, THERE IS someone WATCHING OVER YOU!

O'Jays: Made it Back (Musicworld/Sanctuary)

MADE IT BACK WAS GREAT FUN TO DO. IT WAS FUN IMITATING WALTER DOING THE DEMO. THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A GREAT COMEBACK FIRST SINGLE FOR THEM, BUT THEY PICKED SOMETHING ELSE.

Prophet Jones: All That I Do (University/Motown)

ALL THAT I DO WAS A RECORD COMPANY ASSIGNMENT, BUT IS FUN 'WRITING WITH STEVIE' KINDA SORTA. SINCE MY SONG IS BASED ON HIS ALL I DO. ONE DAY I'LL GET TO WORK WITH HIM DIRECTLY I PRAY.

Sam Salters: Could've Been Me (Laface)

COULDA BEEN ME WAS THE FIRST SONG THAT CAUGHT LA'S EAR FROM ME. UNFORTUNATELY A SAD TRUE STORY. HAVEN'T BEEN THE LUCKIEST IN LOVE! I FEEL LIKE THE COULDA BEEN GUY SAYING 'LOOK WHAT YOU MISSED' IN REAL LIFE. ART IMITATES LIFE. SAM IS A GREAT SINGER. UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE MANY, UNDERMARKETED!

Toshi Kubota: Get It Together (Sony Japan)

WORKING WITH TOSHI WAS FUN. BEING JAPANESE, HE WAS AWED BY R&B MUSICIANSHIP. HE LOVED TO BACKGROUND SESSION SINGERS, WHICH INCLUDED AUDREY WHEELER AND CINDY MIZELLE I BELIEVE.

How does your input work with any of the songs. What communication is there between you, the artist or the producer?

BEING A SINGER I COMMUNICATE WELL WITH ARTISTS IN THE STUDIO. WE TRADE LICKS, LAUGH AND HAVE A GREAT TIME TOGETHER. AS THE PRODUCER YOU'RE THE COACH, THE MOTIVATION AND THE DAMAGE CONTROL.

Tell me about yourself. Your Brooklyn Based.

YES, I LIVE IN FORT, GREENE, A VERY ARTISTIC NEIGHBORHOOD. MY NEIGHBORS INCLUDE MOS DEF, SPIKE LEE, ROSIE PEREZ, COMMON, CHRIS ROCK. BUT I NEVER SEE THEM!

You do somecommunity work?

I DO LOTS OF SPEAKING AT HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGES, EVEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. I LOVE THE HONESTY AND ENTHUSIASM OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE. I NEED THAT WORKING IN THE JADED POP MUSIC WORLD.

Musical family?

MY FAMILY ARE ALL MUSIC LOVERS, BUT I'M THE ONLY MUSICIAN. MY FATHER WAS LOCAL DJ GROWING UP, SO HE HAD A GREAT COLLECTION WHICH TAUGHT ME a lot. THEY SUPPORTED ALL MY LESSONS, PIANO RECITALS, ETC. I'M GRATEFUL.

Do you know anything about the Uk, you getting any feedback from the UK or elsewhere –

FEEDBACK FROM UK IS AMAZING SO FAR. THE BEST OUT OF ANYONE! THANK YOU SOUL LOVERS! JAPAN IS ALSO GIVING LOTS OF LOVE.

what artists do you admire…and songwriters.

I ADMIRE BABYFACE, CAROL BAYER SAGER, ALAN AND MARILYN BERGMAN, BRENDA RUSSELL, JONI MITCHELL, PRINCE, ABBEY LINCOLN, STEVIE, MARVIN, DONNY AND ROBERTA, RUFUS AND CHAKA, ARETHA (WHO I'LL BE WORKING WITH NEXT WEEK), MILES DAVIS, PAT METHENY, SADE, JILL SCOTT, ANITA BAKER, MAXWELL, DIANNE REEVES. THIS LIST COULD ON FOREVER. WE DON'T HAVE SPACE.

And what are you doing now, promoing the album, or working on the next phase.

I'M GIGGING AND PROMOTING. NEED A LONDON GIG FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL. I'LL BE THERE. GIGGING IN LA, DC, MANCHESTER IN THE UK, DETROIT, NEW YORK OF COURSE. PLAYING AT THE APOLLO, MARCH 13TH. VERY EXCITED!

And how do you think things are shaping up.

I THINK THING'S ARE GOING WELL. THIS IS A LEARNING CURVE FOR ME, BUT I'M DOING IT DAY BY DAY, AND KEEP MY EYE ON THE PRIZE.

What can we look forward to in the future, your ambitions

MORE MUSIC FROM THE HEART AND SOUL; EITHER SUNG BY ME, OR THE SOUL LEGENDS AND NEWCOMERS WE BOTH KNOW AND LOVE. CURRENTLY IN THE STUDIO WITH YOLANDA ADAMS AND ARETHA FRANKLIN.

Anything you’d like to add.

JUST WANNA SAY THANK FOR SUPPORTING MY MUSIC AND KEEPING R&B ALIVE. GOD BLESS!

Thanks for your time.

Mike

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