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Biography
Freddie Jackson has a new life, a new attitude, and a new album
A consummate performer, he has managed to weather the tempestuous
climate of stardom and maintain his status as a pop icon. He
drops his 12 set, It’s Your Move, in August 2003, a move
that is certain to delight his legions of loyal fans as well
as garner many new fans. It’s
Your Move is a seductive blend of soaring ballads and hot mid-tempo
grooves that teases and delights the senses like a flirtatious
lover. Jackson’s “I Do” is the new classic
love song extolling the virtues and values of true love. Although
Jackson keeps his sound contemporary, the first single “You
Only Get One Love” delivers a nostalgic fix for those
fiending for just a taste of the vintage Freddie Jackson.
The
Harlem native has proven his staying power with the record for
the most No. 1 urban chart singles in the 80s. He dominated
the airwaves with his 1985 double platinum debut album, Rock
Me Tonight.
“I
had no idea that Rock Me Tonight was going to do anything,”
remembers Jackson. “I was coming from a full-time job
as a word processor. I went from eating Kanishes to eating filet
mignon in a matter of a few weeks.”
“Rock
Me Tonight,”
a sensuous slow groove, hit just the right note and turned listeners
into fans and garnered Jackson a Grammy nomination for Best
New Artist. His sultry smooth vocals spawned 30 charted singles
including 11 #1 songs and earned him the distinction of being
ranked among the top 20 best-selling black music artists of
the '80s and '90s.
Some
things are just meant to be. “My mother went into labor
with me when she was performing a concert at church,”
laughs Jackson, “and 15 hours later Freddie Jackson was
born into singing.”
He
hasn't stopped since. He performed his first church solo at
13. He grew up on a steady diet of weekly trips to the Apollo
Theater where the seeds of a dream were planted as he watched
artists such as the Jackson 5 and Otis Redding perform. Marvin
Gaye and Sam Cooke also influenced a young Jackson.
Flash
forward to the new millennium. Jackson’s latest venture,
It’s Your Move, explores the complexity of love and the
human spirit.
“The
new album is a testament of love and time and experience,”
explains Jackson. He recorded the album in Clearwater, FL. The
inspiration was flowing and it took only a month to complete.
The result is a 10-track cd showcasing Jackson’s growth
as an artist. It deftly captures a contemporary R&B edge
with “How About Us” which has the earmarks for success
in the clubs while “Over and Over Again” is a beautiful
mix of longing and hopefulness a perfect fit for a Quiet Storm
hit.
Jackson
returned to his writing roots on the new cd and penned nine
tracks. No stranger to creating lyrics, Jackson has written
for Lilo Thomas, Howard Johnson and Melba Moore.
It
was Moore who spotted him performing in a New York supper club.
He honed his chops by singing back-up for Moore, Evelyn “Champagne”
King, and others.
“The
Melba Moore tour was the most exciting,” says Jackson.
“She taught me so much about the stage and pacing myself,
I think that was really the beginning and highlight of my touring
education in mastering the stage. It’s something I will
never forget.”
Jackson
has since circled the globe headlining his own tour and has
performed with such notables as Jeffrey Osborne, Ashford &
Simpson, and most recently Dionne Warwick, one of his favorite
singers. He continues to tour and enjoys a huge
following in Europe.
As
with the evolution of many icons, there comes a time when they
have to take the reigns and control their own destiny. Jackson
has new management ME Entertainment and a new record label,
Martland Entertainment, where he is part shareholder. More importantly,
he shares ownership of his master recordings. His recent cleaning
house includes shedding 107 lbs.
After
20 years in the business, it’s his personal philosophy
that keeps him centered.
“Hold
fast to your hopes and dreams. Through prayer and faith all
things can be conquered,” says Jackson.
If you want to experience a sensuous journey into the uncertain
realm of love guided by honey-dipped vocals caressed in rhythm
and blues, It’s Your Move.
