Unreleased CHIC productions

[Nano]

Originally Posted by dvdjamm

i remember hearing about chic doing a album with aretha franklin back in the day.....but i guess nothing came out from it...now that would be something to hear......

According to Aretha's (pretty lame) autobiography, she was offered the same material later used in Diana Ross' "Diana" B&W LP. They came to her with the basic tracks already done and ready to put her voice over them, which was not to Aretha's liking (she wanted to be part of the creative process). Then they turned to Diana instead. The material included the classic disco tracks "Upside down" and "I'm coming out". (Diana fought and succeeded in changing some of the songs arrangements, but that's another story and another thread.)

[NYPaul]

The web page ChicTribute.com has some info on the Johnny Mathis album:

I just got the below statement from Johnny Mathis people:

"We regret that, to our knowledge, "I Love My Lady" will not see the light of day. We have forwarded to Sony, by way of our attorney, letters, inquiries, etc. from fans who were hoping to hear this album. This seems to have had no impact. Although we appreciate your enthusiasm, we won't be pursuing the matter any further with Sony. Mr. Mathis has already weighed in on the matter, and they refused to release it. Sorry."

So Johnny Mathis is not against this release, in fact he favors it, it is Sony who is the stumbling block.

Also some background on the album:

http://www.chictribute.com/disco/chic/mathis.html

Paul

[SandraDee]

'I Love My Lady'? Who actually is the lady in question, his mum or sister perhaps? :lol:

[buckaroo]

Originally Posted by Nano

...The material included the classic disco tracks "Upside down" and "I'm coming out". (Diana fought and succeeded in changing some of the songs arrangements, but that's another story and another thread.)

Didn't she...run off with the masters? :-?

[KayJayEm54]

Why doesn't Nile release the Johnny Mathis material himself, or even as the next CHIC album?

OK, Sony own the finished work but surely as writer and publisher of the original material, Nile could do what he wanted and release the material himself? .... or is it a tad more complicated than that?

It's the songs we want to hear - yes it would be nice to hear Mr Mathis singing them, but IMHO it's all about the song and the musicians behind it - CHIC could provide the vocals and Nile update the arrangements for the 21st Century.

Nile - please consider, if you haven't already done so.

[BrunoRepublic]

Originally Posted by KayJayEm54

Why doesn't Nile release the Johnny Mathis material himself, or even as the next CHIC album?

OK, Sony own the finished work but surely as writer and publisher of the original material, Nile could do what he wanted and release the material himself? .... or is it a tad more complicated than that?

It is indeed. It depends on what sort of legal contracts are involved, but it is standard practice for the record company owns the mechanical rights to the music, as in the master tape. Nobody else can release that music without the label's consent. Rogers may also have entered an agreement that he would not give the songs to any other artist, although that is not as common. Publishing rights come into play here; just because Chic wrote the songs doesn't mean they have any control over them. The fact remains that the music industry is a nasty business, and the people who create the music usually have very little control in how it is marketed (not to mention they're the last to get paid).

It may indeed be possible for Rogers to re-record the album, but I don't see this as a viable option. It's not 1982 anymore, and it wouldn't sound the same. Rogers has moved on. And it is quite possible that the label has a clause in the contract which states that if Rogers uses the material anywhere else, the label is entitled to the royalties to recoup the advance given for the unreleased album (evil, but this is one of the many ways in which labels screw everyone over). And fans would just still be demanding the original release anyway.

Bottom line: if it were at all feasible to do, it would have been done already.

[paul]

I heard Nile the other day on Air America. He did mention he will be releasing something shortly. He was vague about the label and I got the impression it was unreleased material.
It was nice hearing him. He said he wished he were back in those disco days again. :D

[SandraDee]

Originally Posted by paul

He said he wished he were back in those disco days again. :D

He's not the only one sweety. :lol:

[SandraDee]

I must admit i really like Nile; obviously I've never met him but he crops up on many UK Tv music nostalgia programs being interviewed & he always seems so sincere & natural & funny whereas most music biz people come over as the odeous creepy snakes that they probably are! :o (no names mentioned; the list would be too long! :lol: )

[paul]

Originally Posted by SandraDee

He's not the only one sweety. :lol:

Yep I guess that's true for all of us. Errr, ok Quinny, I know you disagree :lol: