The Makeover

The Makeover is singer Jody Watley's ninth studio album. Watley recruited a diverse group[1] 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.

The Makeover
Studio album by
ReleasedAugust 8, 2006
GenreR&B, pop, soul
Length53:00
LabelAvitone
ProducerKing Britt, Chris Brann, DJ Spinna, 4hero
Jody Watley chronology
Midnight Lounge
(2001)
''The Makeover''
(2006)
Super Hits Live
(2007)

Themes

The Makeover, from its title to its photo media, was a tongue-in-cheek 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.[2]

Track listing

American Edition

  1. "Ms. Jody Watley Intro" - 0:04
  2. "Don't You Want Me" (King Britt Scuba Mix) - 7:06
  3. "Waiting in Vain" - 7:11
  4. "A Beautiful Life" - 4:38
  5. "Bed of Roses" featuring 4hero - 4:06
  6. "I Want Your Love" - 4:20
  7. "Love Hangover" - 4:43
  8. "Borderline" - 4:59
  9. "Close To You/Superstar/We've Only Just Begun" - 4:50
  10. "Friendz" featuring Voshaun Gotti - 3:23
  11. "The Makeover Superstar" - 3:29
  12. "Midnight Lounge" (Mark De Clive-Lowe Makeover Mix) - 4:58
  13. "A Beautiful Life (A Beautiful Dub)" - 7:33

International Edition

  1. "Ms. Jody Watley Intro" - 0:04
  2. "A Beautiful Life" - 4:41
  3. "I Want Your Love" - 4:42
  4. "A Little Respect" - 3:59
  5. "Don't You Want Me" (King Britt Scuba Mix) - 7:09
  6. "Looking For A New Love" - 3:48
  7. "Love Hangover" - 10:04
  8. "Midnight Lounge" (Mark De Clive-Lowe Makeover Mix) - 4:58
  9. "Waiting in Vain" (Single) - 5:51
  10. "Borderline" - 4:57
  11. "Bed of Roses" featuring 4hero - 4:07
  12. "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" - 3:54

Singles

The first single to be released from The Makeover was a downtempo 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."[3]

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.

Personnel

  • Jody Watley - Vocals
  • Mark Boyce - Moog Synthesizer
  • Chris Brann - 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 Rodgers - Guitar
  • DJ Spinna - Drum Programming
  • Selan Lerner - Keyboards
  • Ali Black - Assistant Engineer
  • Rodney Lee - Programming, keyboards
  • Mark De Clive-Lowe - Instruments, programming
  • Voshaun Gotti - Flow

Production

  • Producers: 4hero, King Britt, Mark De Clive-Lowe, 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

References

  1. Jody Watley - The Makeover
  2. Jody Watley interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 2009
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