Saturday Night Experience CD info - Another fans review
Saturday, 11-Dec-1999 15:44:15

Thomas sure was right when he said ‘you won’t be disappointed’
It really is a very cool dance album; mellow and reflective at times and then dance your butt off, throw away all your cares away funky the next!

It’s a welcome return to Jodys Avitone record label, with manufacturing and distribution from Universal Victor, Inc.

The full album title is ‘The Saturday Night Experience with Jody Watley Volume 1’
Of the 11songs we have 7 new, with a reprise of the title track, one remix of
‘The Love’ and two remixes of ‘Another Chapter’

The majority of the album was recorded in London, UK (except ‘Another Chapter’ – Paris, NYC and remixes in Japan)

The back of the CD booklet sums up the new Jody sound best:
‘ Atmospheric, Aural Cosmic Renderings and superfly utilization of smooth vocalization over software and hardware systems. Head-bobbing and vibalicious improvisation over harmonic foundations. dance.music.romance


Pretty cool, huh? (smile)

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It isn’t the type of album ‘Flower’ is, or any of her others come to think of it. It has a
consistent dance theme throughout, great for listening to whilst getting ready to hit those pubs and clubs! Jody has made quite a dramatic change and she has stuck to it for the whole album. A brave
decision and one she deserves credit for. I personally love this musical direction.
She’s written and produced a sound that’s very popular in the ‘quality’ clubs here in the UK.

On ‘Saturday Night Experience’ the mellow sound breaks you in gently to the new Jody, with her singing ‘rejuvenation’ and ‘freedom’ at various intervals. It really has a laid back vibe with a real
funky bass strumming along as the music washes all over you

The real beauty is in the lyrics. Jody sure has poured her heart and soul in them.
Check out these from ‘Another Chapter’
‘Every story has a beginning, a middle, an end
It’s life
I’ve taken the time for self-reflection
As time moves so fast
But I choose to live in this moment, at this time
‘cause this is where life takes place

I’m thinking not of what was or could have been
Only where I go from here ……….

I’m moving on to another chapter, I’m moving on
I’m moving on ’

A real positive vibe. Just what Jody is all about. This track steps up the tempo, building on the sound.
With ‘Timeless’ Jodys voice sounds so relaxed and soft, almost whispering the words to the beautiful sounds.
‘The Love’ remix is very dark and brooding, having a strong drum n bass influence. Her voice sounding like she was singing a distance from the microphone, with some reverb to add to the song lyrical content,
‘you said you’d be the one to count on ……..
where is the love ve ve ve ve ve ve e e e e e e ’

‘Pure Joy’ continues the drum n bass sound with Jody singing ‘tonight you bring me joy … pure joy’
She hasn’t forgotten her need for love and affection!

‘After Hours’ starts to slow the pace down from where it all started on track one,
with just these lyrics repeated ,
‘where are we gonna go?
where are we gonna go?

………..after hours’
There is a cool flute played throughout by Derrick B. Edmundson.


‘The Lonely’ marks a change in the mellow sounds, a kind of futuristic ballad with synthesised crackling, rumbling and bleeping blending with keyboard and guitar that adds a harder edge to the CD. It really emphasises the impassioned lyrics.
Jody has put her heart into this track and it is the STAND-OUT song for me, she sounds SO emotive; feelings of hurt and confusion being questioned,

(see what you think to these heartfelt lyrics)

‘ Sometimes I feel like I’m running around in a circle
cause every place I go never seems to satisfy me
so sick and tired of feeling this way inside
it’s a damn shame that a woman like me feels this way

(Chorus)
Am I looking for love or am I just uncomfortable?
I sear it ain’t no fun
Can anyone tell me where do you go?
Where do you go when you’re lonely
Home alone lonely ………..

I’m not the type of woman to just sit around and do nothing but the way that I’ve been feeling lately
My heart just feels so empty
Is there anything I’ve missed
To keep me from feeling like this
I’ll do anything, almost anything
To take this pain away

(Repeat Chorus)

I don’t like to feel this way
Can you take away the pain?
I just feel so lonely inside
Or is it just in my mind?
Can you tell me … who can tell me …
Why I feel all alone

The lonely’
(Copyright 1999 Avid Music Inc.)

WOW!! Jody really has you feeling for her! You get it out of your system Jody, a damn fine song!

This then leads into ‘The Love’ again, but a more tighter and funkier version. Great bass & saxophone, too!

‘The Saturday Night Experience’ reprise is Jody singing accapella for 40 seconds, it kinda finishes the CD experience off.

You then get two remix versions of ‘Another Chapter’ as Japanese bonus tracks.
DJ Soma Grow Sound Mix has a funky guitar reminiscent of The Brand New Heavies ‘Dream Come True’ and the S&T Ball Room Mix features drums crashing and synthesisers squealing creating quite a more commercial dance mix.

……………and that completes the album guys!

The CD cover doesn’t feature Jody, and I agree with Thomas, I think it is deliberate and probably to
coincide with the type of sound on the album. Reasmon you are right with the comparison to Roni Size's 'Reprazent' CD cover, they are similar and so is the music.
There are two silver and black photos on the back of the CD, quite small ones that are THE photo that was featured as the new home page to miss.jodywatley.com were she was laying down with her arm above her head (one photo is a little more close up). The best photo, however, is on like a separate cover that was taped to the back of the CD and pulls off. Jody has been photographed from her head to shoulder and she is looking away from the camera, with her hair tied back. It is a very classy photo
and Jody looks very fine!


I really love this new dance direction, it brings Jodys sound bang up-to-date. A sound
to really take her into the year 2000
It also should open up her talents to a new audience, hopefully bringing new found success too!

Let’s hope it gets a world-wide release soon, so all Jody fans can enjoy some Saturday Night Experience.

Best Wishes, Chris

Soul Brother