#Tina marie and gerald levert albums movie#
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But despite the involvement of Soul II Soul's Jazzie B, who produced and co-wrote the single 'Since Day One', 1990's Ivory didn't fare as well and Marie and Epic parted company. Though Robbery, her first Epic release, didn't match her Motown success, her career regained momentum and she made the US Top 100 with Starchild (1984), Emerald City (1985), Naked To The World (1988) and remained a constant presence on the R&B charts there throughout the the '80s. 'At the time it was going on, I was very bitter and frightened, and when I won the suit there was no great euphoria. 'Every good artist needs a lawsuit,' she later told Billboard magazine. However, despite the success of Irons In The Fire and It Must Be Magic, Gordy's meddling and a dispute over non-payment of royalties created an impasse and forced Marie's hand. The strategy worked and empowered Marie, who would grace the covers of the 12 albums she subsequently issued, starting with 1980's Lady T, which was co-produced by Richard Rudolph, the husband of the late Minnie Ripperton. Still, in 1979, Motown wasn't quite sure what to make of this alabaster-skinned girl with red hair who sounded black, and purposely packaged the James-produced Wild And Peaceful in a nondescript seascape sleeve that didn't include a picture of her. Our relationship grew into something really beautiful.' He didn't say: 'This is a white girl, I can't produce her'. 'Rick knew there were feelings in my heart and songs upon my lips.

#Tina marie and gerald levert albums professional#

Marie always recognised the crucial role James had played, both on a personal and professional level, and was devastated when he died in 2004. This heady combination of restraint, yearning and eventual release would remain Marie's vocal trademark, on tour de force slow jams such as 'Casanova Brown' вЂ“ one of several she wrote about James вЂ“ or 'Shangri-La', that became staples of urban radio in the US. 'Why should Rick be able to work with me after everyone else had failed?' She was even reticent when a tie-up with James was suggested. The project got shelved but he wanted me on the label.'Д«etween 19 she worked with various producers at Motown's LA base but grew frustrated when no recording met Gordy's approval.

#Tina marie and gerald levert albums movie#

Berry wanted me for a movie he was planning. 'I was introduced to Hal Davis, who got me an audition with Berry Gordy. 'I used to listen to all the early Tamla things like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye,' she recalled. In her early teens she formed her own soul-flavoured band. I can remember going in my house and sitting in my room and crying.' I was only 13 or 14, and to a young mind, that's heartbreaking. 'I can remember being chased home a couple of times and being called nigger lover.

'All the kids used to call me Off White because I acted sort of black and I was comfortable with the black kids.' Her best friend Mickey, a black girl, accompanied her when she appeared on Soul Train. 'I had a lot of black friends and I learned a lot about blacks and black music,' she said. She was raised in Venice, California, two blocks away from a black neighbourhood.