Alan Steward
Encyclopedia
Alan Steward is a Producer, Song Writer and Recording Artist who produced hits for Grammy winning and Platinum selling artists like the multi-platinum selling Baha Men and five time Grammy winners Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendricks both original members of the The Temptations. Their single "Get it while its hot" (co-written by Jermaine Jackson) became a club hit and went on to spawn four remixes.
and Electronic dance music
, touring throughout Europe with an elaborate setup of 13 or more keyboards, synthesizers and rhythm boxes (in the early 1970s, at a time when the drum machine wasn’t even invented yet and long before the terms House music
and Electronic dance music
even existed).
He was one of the first artists to use sampling (by means of an obscure instrument called the Optigan
that used optical discs to play back musical loops. Unlike the other pioneers of electronica like Kraftwerk
and Tangerine Dream
, Alan’s music was always very "danceable", full of R&B and Soul influences and indeed the forerunner of what is now termed House music
and Electronic dance music
. Alan's musical style today is best described as electronic World fusion music with strong Jazz and Funk influences as it combines exotic instruments and voices with jazz, funk grooves and electronica.
and Eddie Kendricks
of the legendary Temptations, the Baha Men
(of 'who let the dogs out' fame), David Black (Capitol/EMI Records) who went on a World Tour opening for MC Hammer
and also appeared on his album 'Too legit to Quit', Isaac Adams (former vocalist for both the Bar Kays and Cameo). He was also asked to do a remix of the Dazz Band's #1 Billboard chart hit "Dazz Dazz Disco Jazz". His engineering credits include multi-platinum artists like: Jermaine Jackson, Melba Moore, Inner Circle, the Temptations, Evelyn 'Champagne' King and Melissa Manchester.
In 2008, Alan’s fourth album, "The Jazz Masters" was released. A slight departure from Alan’s trademark world-fusion electronica sound, the Jazz fusion
album
"The Jazz Masters" showcases the more jazzy side of Alan Steward, the kind of music he usually writes for movie and TV soundtracks. The album turned out to be his most successful album to date, being very popular on Smooth jazz
radio stations in Europe.
Alan’s major release for 2008 however was the album "Pop Icon". "Pop Icon" showed off Alan’s talent as the master of the funky grooves. The single off the album was "Underdog" which Alan calls an ‘anthem for the anti-heroes’. "Underdog" is dedicated to all the independent musicians pursuing their dreams. "Pop Icon" also featured the vocal talents of Caribbean Soul Vocalist Tricia Hamilton on "Bad Boy Style" and UK House Diva Diane Gordon on a track called "Pfunked Up", a tribute to George Clinton
and P-Funk.
Alan's 2009 album release is entitled "Licensed to Chill". This World fusion music album features vocals in five different languages and dialects and a great mix of exotic sounds and grooves ranging from 'jazzy' and 'esoteric' to 'very danceable"
G-Force - Sunshine Records - 1983
Slim Chance & the Groove Enigma (Album) - Slim Chance Recordings - 2007
Give it Up (Single) - Slim Chance Recordings- 2007
The Jazz Masters - Slim Chance Recordings- 2008
Pop Icon - Slim Chance Recordings - 2008
Underdog (Single) - Slim Chance Recordings - 2008
Licensed to Chill - Slim Chance Recordings - 2009
Temple of Boom - Slim Chance Recordings - 2011
Early career
Alan is credited by many as a European pioneer of House musicHouse music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
, touring throughout Europe with an elaborate setup of 13 or more keyboards, synthesizers and rhythm boxes (in the early 1970s, at a time when the drum machine wasn’t even invented yet and long before the terms House music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
even existed).
He was one of the first artists to use sampling (by means of an obscure instrument called the Optigan
Optigan
The Optigan was an electronic keyboard instrument designed for the consumer market. The name stems from the instrument's reliance on pre-recorded optical soundtracks to reproduce sound...
that used optical discs to play back musical loops. Unlike the other pioneers of electronica like Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
and Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream
Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music group founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The band has undergone many personnel changes over the years, with Froese being the only continuous member...
, Alan’s music was always very "danceable", full of R&B and Soul influences and indeed the forerunner of what is now termed House music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music
Electronic dance music is electronic music produced primarily for the purposes of use within a nightclub setting, or in an environment that is centered upon dance-based entertainment...
. Alan's musical style today is best described as electronic World fusion music with strong Jazz and Funk influences as it combines exotic instruments and voices with jazz, funk grooves and electronica.
Music Production
As a producer, Alan recorded hits for Dennis EdwardsDennis Edwards
Dennis Edwards is a soul and R&B singer, most noted for being one of Motown act The Temptations' lead singers replacing David Ruffin. He is the father of Issa Pointer, whose mother is Ruth Pointer of The Pointer Sisters.-Career:...
and Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
of the legendary Temptations, the Baha Men
Baha Men
The Baha Men are Bahamian singers in a Bahamian band. They play a modernised style of Bahamian music called Junkanoo.-Early career as High Voltage :...
(of 'who let the dogs out' fame), David Black (Capitol/EMI Records) who went on a World Tour opening for MC Hammer
MC Hammer
Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...
and also appeared on his album 'Too legit to Quit', Isaac Adams (former vocalist for both the Bar Kays and Cameo). He was also asked to do a remix of the Dazz Band's #1 Billboard chart hit "Dazz Dazz Disco Jazz". His engineering credits include multi-platinum artists like: Jermaine Jackson, Melba Moore, Inner Circle, the Temptations, Evelyn 'Champagne' King and Melissa Manchester.
Film Music and Soundtracks
In the past years, Alan concentrated his career on producing music for films and television. His music and sound design has been heard on just about every TV channel on the planet as well as quite a few motion pictures and video games like the BAFTA award winning "Bad Mutha Truckers 2" from Empire Interactive. Over 200 of his musical compositions have been featured in films, TV shows and video games. But Alan quickly came to realize that people enjoyed his soundtracks so much that his songs started to get 'bootlegged', copied and shared on the internet. He started getting a 'fan base' even though he had not released an actual album or single in ten years.Album Releases
In 2007 Alan decided to once again 'step into the limelight'. He formed his own record label, Slim Chance Recordings and released his third album ‘Slim Chance and the Groove Enigma’ on that label. With the advent of iTunes and digital online distribution, Alan found that the timing was right for this venture. The single "Give it Up" from the "Slim Chance and the Groove Enigma" album was well received in the danceclubs and received worldwide airplay.In 2008, Alan’s fourth album, "The Jazz Masters" was released. A slight departure from Alan’s trademark world-fusion electronica sound, the Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
album
"The Jazz Masters" showcases the more jazzy side of Alan Steward, the kind of music he usually writes for movie and TV soundtracks. The album turned out to be his most successful album to date, being very popular on Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
radio stations in Europe.
Alan’s major release for 2008 however was the album "Pop Icon". "Pop Icon" showed off Alan’s talent as the master of the funky grooves. The single off the album was "Underdog" which Alan calls an ‘anthem for the anti-heroes’. "Underdog" is dedicated to all the independent musicians pursuing their dreams. "Pop Icon" also featured the vocal talents of Caribbean Soul Vocalist Tricia Hamilton on "Bad Boy Style" and UK House Diva Diane Gordon on a track called "Pfunked Up", a tribute to George Clinton
George Clinton (musician)
George Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and music producer and the principal architect of P-Funk. He was the mastermind of the bands Parliament and Funkadelic during the 1970s and early 1980s, and launched a solo career in 1981. He has been cited as one of the foremost...
and P-Funk.
Alan's 2009 album release is entitled "Licensed to Chill". This World fusion music album features vocals in five different languages and dialects and a great mix of exotic sounds and grooves ranging from 'jazzy' and 'esoteric' to 'very danceable"
Alan Steward’s Discography
Just Listen - Live Album - 1976G-Force - Sunshine Records - 1983
Slim Chance & the Groove Enigma (Album) - Slim Chance Recordings - 2007
Give it Up (Single) - Slim Chance Recordings- 2007
The Jazz Masters - Slim Chance Recordings- 2008
Pop Icon - Slim Chance Recordings - 2008
Underdog (Single) - Slim Chance Recordings - 2008
Licensed to Chill - Slim Chance Recordings - 2009
Temple of Boom - Slim Chance Recordings - 2011
External links
- The Official Website of Alan Steward
- Alan Steward on Last.fm
- Alan Steward's MySpace page
- Alan Steward on Reverbnation
- Alan Steward official Twitter page
Sources
- Alan Steward's Official Web Site http://www.alansteward.com (with permission) and personal interviews during filming of the documentary "the beginnings of European House" Discography Sources: Discogs http://www.discogs.com and Allmusic http://www.allmusic.com