Unreleased CHIC productions

[ashley_k]

Johnny Mathis "I Love My Lady"

Hmm, sounds like an Al Jarreau track don't u think?

Yes, that's exactly what I thought.

Lovely tune, I hope it actually gets released.

[Chap2Power]

Johnny Mathis "I Love My Lady"



Yes, that's exactly what I thought.

Lovely tune, I hope it actually gets released.

First of all, thank you to the individual who posted this. I couldn't believe my ears. Even though it's been over 25 years since it was recorded and I only found out about it through a friend. This is absolutely brilliant.

He's the reason I got into the music business from an artist point of view, and this absolutely made my day. The first concert I went to was a Mathis show---at age 7 !

You'll read in a previous link talking about the record that the braintrust at Columbia thought this record was too far away stylistically from what Johnny was known for and that's why it was shelved. One of the quotes from Nile was that JM was "totally into it" and really grooved on the record. Now, I can only pray that the rest of the album finally sees the light. Even despite Lady's comparable nuances to "He's The Greatest Dancer" sans drums, it is really terrific.

Sony BMG which owns Columbia, would only LICENSE elements of the album to be released as they apparently will as a part of the CHIC project. I'm actually shocked they're letting them put three songs on the forthcoming CHIC Box Set. Two other songs were re-recorded by Fonzi Thornton, although the titles escape me.

Many of you know of JM's great "I'm Coming Home" album which ranks amongst my all time favourites. I would urge you, if you like the legend Thom Bell's brilliant production on that record to seek out "Mathis Is", the 2nd album they did together. There's an amazing ballad on it called "I Don't Wanna Say No" that is stunning..Sony BMG in their infinite wisdom, has never manufactured this or the 2nd Thom Bell produced Deniece Williams album on CD. Maybe because they're IDIOTS !

I would know: I worked there for 12 years. The way I got in ? I was supposed to consult for Nile's label, Ear Candy ...

And anyone who knows this guy at Jazz FM that played "I Love My Lady", get him to post the rest.... or at least PLAY IT !

Thanks,
Vince

[whitesockedfunk]

It was so good to hear a "new" Chic-produced track from the Golden Era! Very understated and well-produced! I do hope Ralph Tee will play more of the album at some point... I also (once again) emailed Sony/Legacy to ask if they could release the album. Not that it would help, but who knows, if they get enough emails...

[Chap2Power]

It was so good to hear a "new" Chic-produced track from the Golden Era! Very understated and well-produced! I do hope Ralph Tee will play more of the album at some point... I also (once again) emailed Sony/Legacy to ask if they could release the album. Not that it would help, but who knows, if they get enough emails...

I was told that in the US it will never see the light of day....too bad....time to bug Ralph !

Vince

[SandraDee]

Ralph Tee's fabulous. I love his taste in music & his knowledge is amazing. I wonder if he visits this site?

[Cdnbob]

I was told that in the US it will never see the light of day....too bad....time to bug Ralph !

Vince

What about a non-US release like in Canada or the UK? This whole thing with the record company not wanting to release it, is so weird. I mean if there is an audience out there wanting to hear it/see it released, Johnny himself wants to see it released, Johnny's management is cool with it being released and yet, some stupid idiot says no because he can say no. So what's the big deal with Johnny doing disco anyway. Its not as if he hasn't done it before on other records he's released. How sad.

[Chap2Power]

What about a non-US release like in Canada or the UK? This whole thing with the record company not wanting to release it, is so weird. I mean if there is an audience out there wanting to hear it/see it released, Johnny himself wants to see it released, Johnny's management is cool with it being released and yet, some stupid idiot says no because he can say no. So what's the big deal with Johnny doing disco anyway. Its not as if he hasn't done it before on other records he's released. How sad.

I have tried, having worked in both the US and Canada at labels and have also provided the information to friends at Sony BMG in Japan. And I wont stop until it comes out. The US would be the hardest market since there seems to be a major roadblock there...morons...

Vince

[whitesockedfunk]

Well sofar 6 of the 8 tracks have surfaced, albeit mostly snippets (check CHIC - Tribute). It now seems only a matter of time before the album will finally see the light! The upcoming CHIC box set will reportedly contain 3 songs from the project- so I don't see the point of not releasing the other 5 as well at some stage.

I must say, by the way, that the songs Nile and 'Nard produced for Johnny count among the best they have done! Check out "Sing" for example, a Chic masterpiece! Maybe Columbia was against releasing it because it does sound like a Chic record with Johnny singing lead, much like the reaction Miss Ross had when she heard the finished "diana" album.

Sister Sledge were also not too pleased with the Chic sound being too overbearing on their second album Chic-produced album which is why they insisted they do all vocals. This is why only "Got To Love Somebody" has the Chic backing vocals (Alfa, Luci, Michelle, Fonzi) and the rest doesn't. This is probably why I was a bit disappointed with the album... it's Chic but not really. I'm missing the male backing vocal on those tracks!

[dj mbm]

weren't Nile and Bernard also going to produce one of Carly Simon's albums after they collaborated on "Why" in '82? I think she eventually got Sly & Robbie to do a number of the tracks instead.

There was a rumor (late 70s), I don't know if this is true, that Liza Minnelli wanted to lay down a few tracks with Chic for a potential follow-up album to her 'Tropical Nights'.