'The Makeover' is the follow up to 2003's critically acclaimed Top 20 Electronic Release 'Midnight Lounge'. Dj inspired, ambient pop-tronic soul reworkings of pop classics including: Borderline, Love Hangover, Waiting in ... more »Vain, CHIC's 'I Want Your Love' among others, all anchored by stellar new compositions from this singer songwriter producer. Collaborators include: King Britt, 4Hero, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent, Mark de Clive Lowe (Verve Remixed), Chris Brann (Wamdue, P'Taah, Ananda Project).« less
'The Makeover' is the follow up to 2003's critically acclaimed Top 20 Electronic Release 'Midnight Lounge'. Dj inspired, ambient pop-tronic soul reworkings of pop classics including: Borderline, Love Hangover, Waiting in Vain, CHIC's 'I Want Your Love' among others, all anchored by stellar new compositions from this singer songwriter producer. Collaborators include: King Britt, 4Hero, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent, Mark de Clive Lowe (Verve Remixed), Chris Brann (Wamdue, P'Taah, Ananda Project).
"Jody's new CD is truly amazing. This lady is so talented. Sadly, she has not received the label support she deserves in recent years. I lost track of Jody after "Off The Hook" only to reconnect with her masterpiece "Midnight Lounge".(If you do not have it buy it now) After such a wonderful project I was abit nervous about this project. I should have known Jody knew exactly what she was doing. This is not a covers CD. This will show you some old favorites in totally new ways. The highlight would have to me The Carpenters Medley. WOW is all I can say. Actually, there are no low points on this album. I just discovered Jody's blog last week and she is everybit the class act that I always pictured. If you are still thinking this is just an 80s act please check out her new music.(I love 80s music but Jody is so much more) This is the work of a true artist that continues to grow. I can't wait to see where she takes us next."
MODERN AND SOPHISTICATED...SHEER PERFECTION!
Doctor Roc | New Orleans | 08/31/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"From the sultry and confident intro clear through to the last sterling beats of 'A Beautiful Dub'...this latest project from the iconic Ms. Watley delivers. What a contemporary and compelling project. It is truly unfortunate that people such as Tommywood are allowed to posts such negative and vicious attacks on artists and their work. I don't consider that a "review", but rather someone on a mission with too much time on their hands. He must be called out and stopped. And not just where Ms. Watley is concerned, but any artist he's attacking on any level. Absolutely disregard his comments.
Clearly, one can see that Jody Watley's "The Makeover" is receiving rave reviews both on this site, other sites and also in the mainstream press. BRAVO!!! This disc would enhance any music lover's collection and is a must!"
Ms. Watley has done it again!
Ostrich | Cleveland, OH | 02/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music business is very strange indeed. While the charts are full of one hit wonders and talentless performers that the record companies choose to promote, they then choose to ignore truely gifted artists like Jody Watley.
This is Ms. Watley's 9th solo album, and one of her finest too! Released on her Avitone label, Ms. Watley has complete artistic control over this project. It is a celebration of underground DJ culture, dance music, R&B and pop, and no one does this better than Ms. Watley! It is a continuation of her last CD, the very excellent "Midnight Lounge", except that she has taken the club sound one step further here, with her new interpretation of previous hits and other artists' songs. Despite the heavily electronic sound and club influence, the songs have a timeless feel and mood. The production is flawless, as are Ms. Watley's vocals. You can spot her unique voice from miles away and Ms. Watley looks as fierce as ever, oozing star quality in every photo - very few newer female artists possess the same qualities these days! Just why she was abandoned by the major labels is a total mystery to me. Maybe she just did not fit into their cookie cutter mold.... but guess what? That's exactly why she is so good!
It was a shame that being a small label, Avitone probably did not have the same promotional power as the major labels and the more established independent labels. Therefore, this record did not get its recognition that it truly deserved.
If you like underground club music with soul and class, then this is definitely unmissable."
Ladies and Gentlemen...
American Doll | Los angeles CA USA | 09/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ms. Jody Watley has done it again! With each new release she gets better and better. From Saturday Night Experience to Midnight Lounge to The Makeover. I hate when artists keep pedaling out the same stuff over and over again, not taking risks, or even not giving quality music. Ms. Watley IS NOT one of those artists.
I first heard Jody on the song 'Still A Thrill' and I have been hooked ever since. I would sit in such anticipation for a new album. I own every one. I have followed her through her journey of funky diva to dance goddess to r&b soul goddess to her current reign as queen of electronic soul. And she has never ceased to amaze me.
The Makeover is a classic. The whole ambiance of the album gives off an after hours lounge type of vibe. Jody gives us her versions of classics as well as new songs. Fast paced to slow moving, this album has it all. She even did one of my all time favorites...'Love Hangover'. 'Borderline', originally done by Madonna, is just as smooth. Not every one can do a remake but Jody is on another level. Her voice, attitude and style make her one of the few artists that I can remain a fan of for life.
When Jody came to the Virgin Mega Store on Sunset she was kind, humble and sweet as can be. I was extremely nervous in meeting her because she is in the top 5 of my favorite artists. Her performance was spectacular. She really connected with the audience; and her voice was even more amazing. It's smooth, sexy, and not to mention jazzy. She signed my entire collection of her cd's that I own. I will be forever grateful for that.
I only have one issue with this cd which really isn't anything bad. I wish there were more songs on the album. With an artist like Jody you really cannot get your fill. She has the kind of voice you could listen to all day every day. This album is highly recommended especially if your taste in music lies within the trip-hop, trance, ambient territory. Here's to Ms. Watley continuing to make GREAT music and keeping her fans coming back for more!
I love every song on The Makeover but key tracks include:
*Beautiful Life
*I Want Your Love
*Love Hangover
*Borderline
*Friendz
*A Bed Of Roses
"
It doesn't seem like it's been twenty years!!!
Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 06/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the benefits of being an Amazon reviewer is that one gets to share thoughts and recommendations with others that have the same inclinations. As a result of browsing my "friends and favorites," I came upon this new one from 80's superstar Jody Watley. Inasmuch as the singer has been out of the limelight for some time, I was not aware of the fact that she has still been making music, albeit being marketed in foreign markets.
Well, am I glad that I "rediscovered" this talented diva. Not only does she sound as if the past twenty years since her solo debut album was just yesterday, she looks as though she hasn't aged a day.
The album itself is pure delight, with the singer revisiting two of her hits ("Don't You Want Me" and "Friendz") and performing new songs that add to her bevy of danceable tunes. "Don't You Want Me" segues seamlessly with the toe-tapping-makes-ya-wanna-move "Waiting in Vain" and "A Beautiful Life." Following these three songs comes the socially-conscious "Bed of Roses" which then leads to Watley's version of some "standards."
By that, I mean the singer's covers of songs that could be labeled modern classics: Chic's "I Want You Love," Diana Ross's "Love Hangover," Madonna's "Borderline," and a medley of The Carpenters "Close to You/Superstar/We've Only Just Begun." Not only does Watley rework them, she adds a seductiveness that was noticeably absent in their original forms.
She definitely comes across as a woman of experience but still maintaining her sexual allure.
And the piece de resistance, dancewise, is the "makeover" of the title cut from her last album, "Midnight Lounge." This is retro disco for a modern audience and it works to the max.
It is hoped that Watley gains new fans and that this disc is not limited to those of us that were around when she danced on "Soul Train" so many years ago."