Customer Reviews

Midnight Lounge

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tracklist: 1>Midnight lounge -4:03 2>Whenever... -5:43 3>Photographs -4:57 4>I love to love -3:39 5>Skin deep -3:34 6>More -4:50 7>Saturday night experience (Ron Trent Remix) -8:29 8>Clouds -3:59 9>Don't give up -5:15 10>Midnight lounge (reprise) 1:40 11>Photographs (Remix) -6:18.

Step back ladies and gentlemen, the legendary Diva, Miss Jody Watley is back for more! Singers come and go but true Stars never fade and "Midnight Lounge" heralds a powerful return for one of pop music's greatest. "Saturday Night Experience Volume 1" was like Jody's "Ray of light"; a set of trend-setting tracks that blended her unique soul music and heartfelt lyrics with fresh, futuristic sounds and upfront dance beats. Frustratingly, "SNE" was only released in Japan and the rest of us had to discover it through the internet and word of mouth. "Midnight Lounge" could have been called "SNE Volume 2" because it continues in the same vein and even includes a classy new US remix of "Saturday night experience" by Ron Trent. However the title does correctly indicate that this album is not full of peak-time dance anthems and "Ray of light" commercial pop jams; this is for late-night listening and chilled out pleasure. That's not to say that this set doesn't have it's peak-time and commercial moments! Far from it. "Photographs" is a truly special, funk-injected flashback to the late 80's, and Jody's high times, that allows the Pop Queen to really get down and let herself go >> "I'm thinking about the good times". The dance remix at the end is fine but doesn't improve on the original version -and criminally only uses 2 lines of vocals! Of course, the brightest track -and sadly one of the shortest!- is the now classic and formerly very-hard-to-find "I love to love". Smoothly produced by Masters At Work and featuring Roy Ayers, "Love" is another brillant showcase for Jody's strong vocals and the woman has never sounded so sweet, so happy. "Whenever..." is another uplifting dance moment with chunky house beats and deep bass lines. This track and a lot of the work on "Midnight" brings back the sweet soul and positive energy from the "Intimacy" days. The drum and bass beats on "More" continue the progressive expression shown on "SNE". The rest of the album is more laid back and it closes with a strong, smooth cover of Peter Gabriel's haunting hit "Don't give up". As always, the lyrics on this album are positive and straight from the heart; reflecting the true survivor inside and inspiring the fans they reach >> "Sunshine and the rain..in time dark clouds will fade away...". It feels so good to support an artist with such musical and personal integrity. A new album from Miss Watley is always a celebration and "Midnight Lounge" does not disappoint. It's just unfair that Japan get to keep her!
Die-hard fans like me are going to be on their knees but this album is also pure listening joy for any lover of contemporary soul and dance. Buy now, hear for yourselves and love this as much as I do! ....

"Midnight Lounge" is Jody Watley's first US release since 1995's "Affection".. and it's another step into a more electronic soul niche, which began with her last album, the Japanese exclusive "Saturday Night Experience" (1999).

Originally released in Japan at the end of 2001, "Midnight Lounge" is a smooth, inviting collection of laid-back chill-out grooves... Described as the "ultimate groove-lounge disc", it clearly lives up to it's billing..

Despite being a solid and even collection, it also manages to be somewhat diverse.. With some trip-hop (Clouds), lite-disco (Photographs, Love To Love), Jazz (Saturday Night Experience) and Drum n' Bass influences (More) in the production, it's still laid back, yet engaging (it's no snooze-fest)... Jody's understated yet, silky smooth voice beings a unique, soulful warmth to the whole atmosphere.. Despite not being prone to the usual diva histrionics, she's managed to become a very strong, unique vocalist over the years..

Produced mostly by Jody Watley and Rodney Lee.. Dave Warrin handles production on "Don't Give Up" (a Peter Gabriel cover) and Masters At Work on "I Love To Love" (on which Roy Ayers also contributes).. This American release also has a remix of "Whenever" that's not found on the Japanese version..

"Midnight Lounge" is a welcome return from a very exceptional artist..

What's an artist to do when formulated records begin topping the charts and established acts are released from their contracts? Go deep and get independent, and that's just what this girl has done. Jody Watley has weathered the good and the bad. Working independently and fusing deep house with late-night chill, her new LP "Midnight Lounge" finds Watley sipping vodka & seven in the corner, pulsing to a sophisticated rhythm.

"Midnight Lounge" grooves to the after-hours vibe, with the opening title track setting the tone. The jazz-infused cadence beckons the listener to begin the weekend, even if press play is on a Tuesday. The mantra of the song is captured in Watley's lyrics: "all I wanna do is just dance / all I wanna do is just dance..."

Recruiting deep house legend Dave Warrin for "Whenever" and "Photographs," Watley knows a thing or two about balancing the weight between the microphone; a savvy vocalist is as good as her producer. The tracks shine and sound just as good on the floor as they do in the lounge. Resisting circuit-style yearnings, Watley's approach is swanky. In fact, producers of the album have a résumé any dance fan can appreciate (given work with Janet Jackson, Ultra Naté, Kim English, Funky Green Dogs).

Originally released as a Japanese import, "Saturday Night Experience" plugs into ambient house with a jazz piano and a thump in tow. "I Love to Love," a throwback to the '70s, captures everything that was good about disco.

Sensual and hypnotic, the trip-hop jams of "Skin Deep" and "More" balance out the dance fare on the album.

The most revealing track on the collection wasn't penned by Watley. "Don't Give Up," a Peter Gabriel remake, allows Watley to find out how fleeting success can be. The lush production and hushed urgency conjures up the same feeling as the signature melancholy of Everything But the Girl. The manifesto of the track resonates. "Don't give up / You're not beaten yet / Don't give up / 'cause somewhere there's a place where we belong."

Sequencing aside, "Midnight Lounge" is a stellar release. Reflective and relevant, Watley has successfully found the deeper rhythm of nightlife. Released on the indie label Avitone, the album, spared from being run through a corporate filter, glimmers with just the right amount of energy for a mellow but groovable evening. Let's hope the release finds the audience it deserves; the careless whisper in Watley's voice resounds with that familiar feeling of survival. "Don't give up / I know you can make it."

I had mix feelings about buying this CD. So without hearing any of the music I decided to take a chance, and i'm GLAD I DID. Each song is such a breath of fresh air from todays repetitive, jaded, and non-creative "Radio" music. I still can't get enough of this album and it's been more than a year, it's AWSOME from beginning to end. The title track Midnight Lounge sets the tone for the rest of album: smooth, mellow, jazzy and hard groove beats. Through out the album Jody plays around with the different sounds of dance music from Chill Out, House, Funk, Drum & Bass, to everything in between. Her low sexy voice becomes an extra special bonus on each track. Jody also does something most artists never do; She lets the music be the star. On most songs the music plays without vocals, allowing the audience to relish very instrument, very sound, very beat. This has to be one of the best dance albums I heard since Madonna's 1998 " Ray of Light ". I just hear Janet Jackson will be experimenting with dance music for her next album: " HEY JANET, TAKE NOTES FROM JODY'S MIDNIGHT LOUNGE ".

Too bad the 'tired' radio stations are missing out on this one!

First of all, I am a big fan of Ms Watley's music. Her voice is soothing and not as annoying and over-produced as Celine's and Maria's. Secondly, her music is always fun and groovy (beat-wise).
This is the first album in years, since Kristine W, that I've bought and been fully satisfied. This is a beautifully produced album with such quality. It is even a plus that Ms Watley writes most of the songs on this album.
"Midnight Lounge," the album's opening track, is so cool and loungey. It's like watching hot liquid bubbles in lava lamp forming their own unexpectedly beautiful shapes and forms. It's very relaxing and soothing without the show-off over-vocalization.
"Photographs" is a stark reminder of Le Freak's "Good Time." The other tracks are very restropective and wise.
Ms Watley's lyrics showcase her maturity and experiences that can be only traced through growth, both emotionally and musically.
Finally, I am so SICK and TIRED of the music scene out there. I am so worn of the same faces: Christina, Britney, J-Lo, etc....
Truly, this is a great album -- refreshing and cool.

Welcome back Jody.

Jody is back and back strong! This is a must have cd! I recently saw Jody perform live in Los Angeles at The Temple Bar and it was by far one of the best shows I have ever seen. Jody has the most beautiful voice and a beautiful personality to match. You will not be disappointed in this soothing, R & B, with a touch of disco, sound. "Midnight Lounge" proves that Miss Jody Watley is not going anywhere but up again! "Saturday Night Experience" will engulf you with the most exasperating trance. "Whenever" and "Photographs" are sure to get you back on the dance floor! This is by far, the best cd of 2003!

Miss Jody Watley is back! This CD is probably the best one I've purchased in quite some time. These cuts have a deep, hypnotic groove that's perfect for listening or dancing. None of the cuts are overlong like a lot of dance-type CDs, and the one that is, "Saturday Night Experience" would be slighted without its eight-minute running time. "Whenever" is my favorite track on the whole CD, its funky as hell. "Love to Love" is great, and features the awesome Roy Ayers. "Saturday Night Experience" is a masterpiece - I'm not even a club kid, and I liked it. It's hot. The lyrics on this CD are very thoughtful and introspective, like much of her recent material has been. This is just good stuff. Jody never ceases to amaze me. Do you thing mama!

What a marvelous achievement. My unexpected encounter with this album has been one of my great musical pleasures of 2006. The synthesis Watley achieves here is simultaneously thoughtful, relaxed, pleasant, warm, and yes, timeless. This record is THAT good.

Midnight Lounge, indeed. This is sophisticated modern music that not only showcases Watley well, but many of her influences too. Los Angeles never sounded so good. And Watley's iconic historical knowledge of thirty years of dance/R&B music is not just put to good use here, but fulfills much of the emotional promise of that music for so many of us. Hhhhhhmm, so good!

I just thought about the Jody Watley marathon I had today while spring cleaning. I went from the first CD Jody Watley upstairs to Intimacy, which I just got last week to finally replace my tape. Then, I blasted some Affairs Of The Heart and Larger than Life downstairs. Midnight Lounge has been in heavy rotation since 2002, plus last week. Your music has a feel good quality to it, and bring back good vibes and memories. I mentioned in a previous email on how my friend damaged her Midnight Lounge last year, and panicked when she couldn't find it in her town. Your music never gets old, which is a sign of great writing. Besides, people tend to say that Jody haven't gotten the recognition deserved. Yet, those that hear her older stuff for the first time are pleasantly surprised. Many flocked to the new trends after "Larger Than Life" her sophomore release. I let a few co-workers hear midnight lounge in 2004 RI and 2005 NC. They all had great responses. One even thought it was Sade. Again, they all wanted to add it to their collection. We played it at one of many parties around 2003, and family from out of town responded by popping their fingers and swaying to the great sounds. They were feeling it!!! Plus, they knew who it was right away. Some of the best music out there is not included among the seven or so songs rotated on radio day after day. We are being deprived of some of the best songs that tell a great story, and can even add some wisdom to our lives. This CD does just that. I am so glad a co-worker alerted me that Midnight Lounge was in the Import section at Tower Records 2002!!! Miss Watley thanks for continually surprising us CD after CD. Now it's time to make us over with the upcoming release "The Makeover" this spring 2006.