The Makeover
Encyclopedia
The Makeover is singer Jody Watley
's ninth studio album
. Watley recruited a diverse group of contemporary dance and electronica
producers for the project, among them King Britt
, 4hero and DJ Spinna
. The album's vintage aesthetic, which saw her take the old and remake it as new, was likely foretold in Watley's updating of her signature classic, "Looking for a New Love
", in 2005. As per the title, The Makeover contained newly recorded (and remixed) versions of some of Watley's signature classics like "Don't You Want Me
" and "Friends
" (re-dubbed "Friendz"), as well as new material. Additionally, Watley paid tribute to musical influences like Diana Ross
, Chic
and Karen Carpenter
on the covers "Love Hangover
", "I Want Your Love" and a medley of the Carpenters' songs, respectively.
commentary on the ever-growing makeover
culture now commonplace in contemporary society. Indeed, the album's photography (contained in the liner notes
) showed Watley theatrically made-up to resemble a cosmetic surgery recipient. These photos caused a bit of a controversy, however, as they were apparently leaked, after which various online gossip columns (most notably the New York Post
's "Page Six"), had falsely reported that Watley had undergone actual cosmetic surgery. Watley jokingly discussed the controversy in the September 11, 2006 issue of the National Enquirer .
cover of "Borderline
", written by Reggie Lucas
and an originally a hit for Madonna in 1984. Upon the single's UK release in October 2009, Watley told noted R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning 'Blues & Soul': "'Borderline' is a song I've always liked. Because - even though the way it was originally recorded was very poppy - for me the song always had a melancholy side to it, which I think my version taps into."
The album's second single was "I Want Your Love", a cover of the Chic
classic. The Watley cover was produced by DJ Spinna and featured Chic's own Nile Rodgers
on guitar. Supported by dance mixes, the track peaked at #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for the week of June 16, 2007.
Jody Watley
Jody Vanessa Watley is an American, singer, songwriter, record producer, and founder of Avitone Records whose music crosses genres from Pop, R&B, Jazz, Dance and Electronic Soul....
's ninth studio 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...
. Watley recruited a diverse group of contemporary dance and electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
producers for the project, among them King Britt
King Britt
King Britt is an American DJ and record producer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.King Britt is his actual legal name.- 1987: Tower Records Years :...
, 4hero and DJ Spinna
DJ Spinna
DJ Spinna is an American hip hop music artist and producer, who, according to Allmusic.com, has "remained strictly an underground artist despite his astonishing talent."-Biography:...
. The album's vintage aesthetic, which saw her take the old and remake it as new, was likely foretold in Watley's updating of her signature classic, "Looking for a New Love
Looking for a New Love
"Looking for a New Love" is the first single from Jody Watley's eponymous debut album. "Looking for a New Love" became one of the biggest pop and R&B singles of 1987...
", in 2005. As per the title, The Makeover contained newly recorded (and remixed) versions of some of Watley's signature classics like "Don't You Want Me
Don't You Want Me (Jody Watley song)
"Don't You Want Me" is the third single from singer Jody Watley's eponymous debut album. The song was produced by Bernard Edwards of Chic-fame....
" and "Friends
Friends (Jody Watley song)
"Friends" is the second single from Jody Watley's second album, Larger Than Life. "Friends", like her previous single "Real Love", became a multi-format top-10 smash, reaching the top ten of the pop, R&B and dance charts in the U.S., as well as being her biggest single in the UK since her debut,...
" (re-dubbed "Friendz"), as well as new material. Additionally, Watley paid tribute to musical influences like Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
, Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
and Karen Carpenter
Karen Carpenter
Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard, formed the 1970s duo The Carpenters. She was a drummer of exceptional skill, but she is best remembered for her vocal performances of idealistic romantic ballads of true love...
on the covers "Love Hangover
Love Hangover
"Love Hangover" was the fourth number one single for Motown singer Diana Ross. It was released in March 1976, and rose to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Hot Soul Singles and Hot Dance Club Play charts simultaneously....
", "I Want Your Love" and a medley of the Carpenters' songs, respectively.
Themes
The Makeover, from its title to its photo media, was a tongue-in-cheekTongue-in-cheek
Tongue-in-cheek is a phrase used as a figure of speech to imply that a statement or other production is humorously intended and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort. In the past, it may also have indicated...
commentary on the ever-growing makeover
Makeover
A makeover is a term applied to changing one's appearance, sometimes through cosmetics. Makeovers can range from something as simple as a new haircut, to the use of cosmetic surgery, to the extreme of the implantation of dental veneers, eye-color-changing contact lenses, and the use of...
culture now commonplace in contemporary society. Indeed, the album's photography (contained in the liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
) showed Watley theatrically made-up to resemble a cosmetic surgery recipient. These photos caused a bit of a controversy, however, as they were apparently leaked, after which various online gossip columns (most notably the New York Post
New York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
's "Page Six"), had falsely reported that Watley had undergone actual cosmetic surgery. Watley jokingly discussed the controversy in the September 11, 2006 issue of the National Enquirer .
Track listing
- "Intro"
- "Don't You Want Me" (King Britt Scuba Mix)
- "Waiting in VainWaiting in Vain"Waiting in Vain" is a song written by reggae musician Bob Marley and recorded by Bob Marley & The Wailers, for his 1977 album Exodus. Released as a single, it hit number twenty-seven in the UK Singles Chart.-Annie Lennox version:...
" - "A Beautiful Life"
- "Bed of Roses" featuring 4hero
- "I Want Your Love"
- "Love Hangover"
- "BorderlineBorderline (song)"Borderline" is a song by American pop singer Madonna from her self-titled debut album. It was released on February 15, 1984 as the fifth single from the album, by Sire Records. Written and composed by producer Reggie Lucas, the song received remix treatment from Madonna's then boyfriend John...
" - "CarpentersThe CarpentersCarpenters were an American vocal and instrumental duo, consisting of sister Karen and brother Richard Carpenter. The Carpenters were the #1 selling American music act of the 1970s. Though often referred to by the public as "The Carpenters", the duo's official name on authorized recordings and...
Medley" - "FriendzFriends (Jody Watley song)"Friends" is the second single from Jody Watley's second album, Larger Than Life. "Friends", like her previous single "Real Love", became a multi-format top-10 smash, reaching the top ten of the pop, R&B and dance charts in the U.S., as well as being her biggest single in the UK since her debut,...
" featuring Voshaun Gotti - "The Makeover Superstar"
- "Midnight Lounge" (Mark De Clive-LoweMark De Clive-LoweMark de Clive-Lowe is a musician and producer originally from New Zealand, and now based in West London. He has been one of the key musicians in the Broken Beat and Nu Jazz movements, blending jazz, ethnic music and urban grooves into a 21st Century sound...
Makeover Mix) - "A Beautiful Life (A Beautiful Dub)"
Singles
The first single to be released from The Makeover was a downtempoDowntempo
Downtempo is a laid-back electronic music style similar to ambient music, but usually with a beat or groove unlike the beatless forms of Ambient music. The beat is sometimes made from loops that have a hypnotic feeling...
cover of "Borderline
Borderline (song)
"Borderline" is a song by American pop singer Madonna from her self-titled debut album. It was released on February 15, 1984 as the fifth single from the album, by Sire Records. Written and composed by producer Reggie Lucas, the song received remix treatment from Madonna's then boyfriend John...
", written by Reggie Lucas
Reggie Lucas
Reginald "Reggie" Lucas is an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is most famous for his production work with percussionist Mtume and for producing the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album.-Biography:...
and an originally a hit for Madonna in 1984. Upon the single's UK release in October 2009, Watley told noted R&B writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning 'Blues & Soul': "'Borderline' is a song I've always liked. Because - even though the way it was originally recorded was very poppy - for me the song always had a melancholy side to it, which I think my version taps into."
The album's second single was "I Want Your Love", a cover of the Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
classic. The Watley cover was produced by DJ Spinna and featured Chic's own Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers
Nile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
on guitar. Supported by dance mixes, the track peaked at #1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart for the week of June 16, 2007.
Personnel
- Jody Watley - Vocals
- Mark Boyce - Moog SynthesizerMoog synthesizerMoog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
- Chris BrannChris BrannChris Brann is an American electronic music producer and remixer. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia. Brann is known for his work under the monikers Wamdue Project and Ananda Project.-Career:...
- Keyboardss, programming - Marc Mac - Piano, Rhodes, Arp Synthesizer, Programming
- Luke Parkhouse - Drums, Percussion
- Brad Munn - Acoustic Guitars
- Andy Hammill - Double Bass
- Hillside Stings - Strings
- Nile RodgersNile RodgersNile Gregory Rodgers is an American musician, producer, composer, arranger, and guitarist.-Biography:...
- Guitar - DJ SpinnaDJ SpinnaDJ Spinna is an American hip hop music artist and producer, who, according to Allmusic.com, has "remained strictly an underground artist despite his astonishing talent."-Biography:...
- Drum Programming - Selan Lerner - Keyboards
- Ali Black - Assistant Engineer
- Rodney Lee - Programming, keyboards
- Mark De Clive-LoweMark De Clive-LoweMark de Clive-Lowe is a musician and producer originally from New Zealand, and now based in West London. He has been one of the key musicians in the Broken Beat and Nu Jazz movements, blending jazz, ethnic music and urban grooves into a 21st Century sound...
- Instruments, programming - Voshaun Gotti - Flow
Production
- Producers: 4hero, King Britt, Mark De Clive-LoweMark De Clive-LoweMark de Clive-Lowe is a musician and producer originally from New Zealand, and now based in West London. He has been one of the key musicians in the Broken Beat and Nu Jazz movements, blending jazz, ethnic music and urban grooves into a 21st Century sound...
, DJ Spinna, Rodney Lee, Chris Brann, Milan "The Mad Scientist" Ross - Executive Producer: Jody Watley
- Project Coordinator: Van Roy for VRC Entertainment
- Photography: Mike Ruiz
- Make-Up: Billy B.
- Hair: Ruth Roche
- Special Effects Makeup: Branan Edgans
- Art Direction: Jody Watley and Van Roy
- Design: David Stafford