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Jody Performs at the Ballroom in Washington, DC It was a happening night at the Ballroom Club in Washington, DC on May 14. The occasion was a major birthday bash for the city's urban powehouse station WPGC 95.5 FM. Performers at the event included Jon.B, Rare Essence, Xscape, and Ms. Jody Watley. Jody had arrived 2 hours late to the event because of flight delays. Yet she looked enthused and ready to go as she stepped out of her white limo with her two dancers, who would perform with her later. Jody was even kind of enough to spare a few minutes of her precious time to discuss her new CD with me. And she confirmed that the album was released internationally (UK, Japan) and that it would be released in the U.S. on July 7. Jody did not want to discuss the details behind why the album had been delayed, indicating it was "a long story." At that point one of the event staff knocked on the door of her dressing room, prompting her that she had a few minutes before her performance. Once on stage, Jody let loose and did what she does best-- deliver an energetic and soulful live performance. Her first song was "When A Man Loves A Woman", and while her dancers grooved to the beat, the audience was teased as they could only hear the voice of Jody singing. Then she moved into "Affection" and at that point appeared on stage to an enthused crowd. Following that she performed "Looking For A New Love", "Some Kinda Lover", "Everything" and "Real Love". Her final performance was "Off The Hook", the Soul Solution remix. "If I'm Not In Love" Hits The Airwaves Jody's follow up single "If I'm Not In Love" has hit radio airwaves in major U.S. cities. The song, produced by Phil Galdston (who produced Vanessa William's "Saving the Best For Last") will be officially released to the buying public in early-to-mid June. And it features some of Jody's best vocals to date-- on a first listen to the song, one might actually confuse Jody with Whitney Houston. And yes, for all you dance followers of Jody, there will be plenty of club remixes for you to groove to. In fact, clubs in Miami have already begun playing the remixes of "If I'm Not In Love." A Shalamar Reunion ? Well, maybe not. According to an article on World African Net Jody seems reluctant to have such a reunion. Here's an exerpt from the article: Jody has been a recording artist for over 20 years - but still looks forward to her future in the music business rather than dwelling on her past. The singer, who started off...with the group SHALALMAR...has no plans to get back together with her chart topping pals. She says, "I can appreciate the past and everything that's gone and that's why I called this album Flower, but I'm not one of those people that says, 'Well wasn't it great back in the day?'"Of course some fans would still like to see Jody have that reunion with Howard Hewett and Jeffrey Daniels, but only the future will tell if that will ever happen. "FLower" Released in Japan and the UK Jody's CD "Flower" has been released in Japan, UK and Canada. However, the album won't be released in the U.S. until July 7. This will allow for the release of the single "If I'm Not In Love", which was shipped to radio stations on May 15. And another track, "Lovin' You So", will be prominently featured on the soundtrack of the upcoming Eddie Murphy movie "Dr. Dolittle," which comes out in mid-June. This will give record promoters and execs plenty of time to build up another strong marketing effort that should materialize with the U.S. release of "Flower" in early July. The album, while not yet released in America, has gotten lots of rave reviews. |