Michael Stokes (musician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Stokes is an American record producer and songwriter, who is best known for producing Enchantment
and Creative Source
.
on his Sussex Records
label, when writing for and producing acts such as Bill Withers
, Creative Source
, The Soul Searchers, Faith, Hope & Charity, and Dennis Coffey
. When Sussex folded in June 1975, Stokes moved over to Roadshow Records. More success came writing and producing Enchantment's
first three album
s, along with writing songs for Brass Construction
, BT Express, and Shirley Caesar
. In the early 1980s, Stokes took over as A&R
at A&M Records
where he signed Janet Jackson
. Stokes has continued to songwrite and produce, working with Patti LaBelle
, Morris Day
, Smokey Robinson
, Gladys Knight
, and Jesse Powell
.
Enchantment (band)
Enchantment is a 1970s R&B band formed in Detroit, Michigan by Emanuel "EJ" Johnson, Bobby Green, Mickey Clanton, Joe Thomas and Dave Banks. Best known for the hits Gloria and It's You That I Need.- Beginnings :...
and Creative Source
Creative Source
Creative Source was an American R&B group from Los Angeles, who had several funk and disco hits in the middle of the 1970s.-History:Creative Source was formed in 1972 by several veterans of the West Coast recording studios. They were managed by Ron Townson, who was previously a member of The Fifth...
.
Biography
Stokes first rose to prominence in the early 1970s working with Clarence AvantClarence Avant
Clarence Avant is an American music executive, entrepreneur, and film producer. He was also known as the Godfather of Black Music.Avant's 75th birthday was celebrated by Billboard magazine, on its February 2006 issue....
on his Sussex Records
Sussex Records
-History:It was founded December 18, 1969 by Clarence Avant. Initially, it was located first at 6430 W Sunset Blvd at the corner of Sunset and Cahuenga Blvds. In 1972, it moved to 6255 W Sunset Blvd Suite 1902 both in Hollywood. From 1969 to 1974, all records were distributed by Buddah Records &...
label, when writing for and producing acts such as Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
, Creative Source
Creative Source
Creative Source was an American R&B group from Los Angeles, who had several funk and disco hits in the middle of the 1970s.-History:Creative Source was formed in 1972 by several veterans of the West Coast recording studios. They were managed by Ron Townson, who was previously a member of The Fifth...
, The Soul Searchers, Faith, Hope & Charity, and Dennis Coffey
Dennis Coffey
Dennis Coffey is an American guitarist. He was a studio musician for many soul and R&B recordings.-Biography:Coffey learned to play guitar at the age of thirteen, in the Michigan Upper Peninsula town of Copper City...
. When Sussex folded in June 1975, Stokes moved over to Roadshow Records. More success came writing and producing Enchantment's
Enchantment (band)
Enchantment is a 1970s R&B band formed in Detroit, Michigan by Emanuel "EJ" Johnson, Bobby Green, Mickey Clanton, Joe Thomas and Dave Banks. Best known for the hits Gloria and It's You That I Need.- Beginnings :...
first three album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s, along with writing songs for Brass Construction
Brass Construction
Brass Construction was an American funk group formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1968. They were originally known as Dynamic Soul, and went on to record a string of hit singles and albums through to 1985.-Career:...
, BT Express, and Shirley Caesar
Shirley Caesar
Shirley Ann Caesar is an American Gospel music singer, songwriter and recording artist whose career has spanned six decades...
. In the early 1980s, Stokes took over as A&R
A&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
at A&M Records
A&M Records
A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
where he signed Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
. Stokes has continued to songwrite and produce, working with Patti LaBelle
Patti LaBelle
Patricia Louise Holte-Edwards , better known under the stage name, Patti LaBelle, is a Grammy Award winning American singer, author and actress who has spent over 50 years in the music industry...
, Morris Day
Morris Day
Morris E. Day is an American musician and composer. He is best known as the lead singer of The Time.-1970s and 1980s:...
, Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight
Gladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, and Jesse Powell
Jesse Powell
Jesse Powell is a Grammy-nominated American R&B/soul songwriter-singer. Discovered by Louil Silas, Jr, he is best known for his hit "You," which peaked at #2 R&B and #10 Pop. Powell has released 4 studio albums to date...
.