Listen Up: October 1, 1997 (Archive)




January 13th Release Promises to be "Off The Hook"
After months of delays and setbacks, Jody Watley and Big Beat Records have finally come up with a release date for the long anticipated new album. According to Darren Higman, President of Big Beat Records, "Jody Watley" will be in stores on January 13th, with the lead-off single "Off The Hook" to be released on the market in mid-November. The album was previously slated for release in October, but changes in production staff delayed the release.

The album will not be a dance album, nor will it be all ballads, but more of a mix of different styles-- a "classic soul/R&B record", as Jody puts it. The first single will have several remixes. A dance remix produced by Kenny "Dope" Gonzales and Loui Vega, a slow remix produced by Malik Pendleton (Mary J. Blige, SWV), and Derek Angeleti (Notorious B.I.G, Puff Daddy) will produce an urban remix. Radio stations will receive the promo single in early November.

Fans will be "pleasantly surprised", states Higman, who goes on to mention that Jody "looks hot" and will be "better than ever..." Photo shoots for the album and promos have been completed, and the filming of the video for "off The Hook" will begin production in Los Angeles in two weeks.

Jody to do Duet with Howard Hewett on New Album
 Sounds like a joke, but it's the truth folks ! Howard Hewett and Jody Watley will perform together on her new album due out this winter. This is a major surprise, not only to fans, but to people involved in the music industry. For years, Jody and Howard have been at odds with each other, and both have been public about their opinions regarding each other. For those who can't recall, Jody and Howard were part of the hit R&B group Shalamar, formed in the late 70s by Soul Train producer, Don Cornelius.

According to different sources, Howard discouraged Jody when she decided to go solo after leaving the group. And even when Jody made it big, with the release of her MCA debut "Jody Watley", Howard was still at odds with her. Jody apparently did not appreciate all of the negative vibes she got from Howard, and swore she would never have anything to do with him, much less work with him on a professional basis. Even after Shalamar fans pleaded with both to make ammends and do a Shalamar reunion tour, Jody opposed the idea.

So the news that Jody and Howard will be doing a duet, certainly raises the question, "Did they really make up, or is this just a media stint to promote both artists on a professional level ?" We'll have to wait and see. Yet according to Big Beat Records President Darren Higman, it's for real.

And fans will definately be on the look-out for this sure to be hyped-up single. Now, despite this latest twist on the Howard/Jody saga, fans will recall the Babyface single "For The Lover In You", in which both Jody and Howard were featured. The song, of course, was originally performed by Shalamar when both artists were members.

Producers For New Album Confirmed...Babyface Out
 The official word is in, and Babyface is out. According to sources at Atlantic Records, Babyface will not be a producer on the new Jody Watley album. Because of schedule conflicts, Babyface was unable to produce three of the tracks he had originally planned to do for Jody Watley.

Instead, Jody will be produced by a host of other very talented and hip producers, including: Malik Pendleton, Bryce Wilson (Groove Theory), Phil Galston, Dwayne Wiggins (Tony, Toni, Tone), Jamie Jazz, and Andrea Martin. Remix producers include Kenny "Dope" Gonzales and Loui Vega.