Jody Watley (album)

Jody Watley is the eponymous debut studio album by American singer Jody Watley, released on February 23, 1987, by MCA Records. Although the singer already found success as a part of the trio Shalamar, the impact of this album made Watley a cultural style icon in contemporary R&B, pop and dance music. Its success culminated in Watley winning a Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1988 against fellow artists Breakfast Club, Cutting Crew, Terence Trent D'Arby and Swing Out Sister. The album also produced three top-ten singles on the US Billboard Hot 100: "Some Kind of Lover", "Looking for a New Love" and "Don't You Want Me". The album has sold 2 million copies in the United States and 4 million copies worldwide.

Track listing

Personnel
Jody Watley – lead vocals, background vocals
Jeff Bova – keyboards (5, 6, 9)
Gardner Cole – background vocals (8)
André Cymone – all instruments (1-4, 7, 8, 10)
Bernard Edwards – bass (5, 6, 9)
Terrence Elliot – guitar (5, 6, 9)
Bruce Gaitsch – guitar (8)
Roy Galloway - background vocals (5, 6, 9)
Tampa Lann – background vocals (8)
Patrick Leonard – synthesizers (8), drum programming (8)
Eddie Martinez – guitar (5, 6, 9)
George Michael – vocals (9)
 Larry Schneider – saxophone (2, 3) 
John "LBJ" Staehely – guitar (5, 6, 9)
Tony Thompson – drums (5, 6, 9)
Fonzi Thornton – background vocals (5, 6, 9)

Production
Producers: André Cymone (Tracks 1-4, 7, 8 & 10); Bernard Edwards (tracks 5, 6 & 9); Patrick Leonard (track 8); David Z (tracks 1-4, 7, 8 & 10).
Engineers: Josh Abbey, Darren Chadwick, Bridget Daly, Jon Ingoldsby, Glenn Kurtz, Csaba Petocz, Chris Porter, Erik Zobler
Assistant engineer: Scott Church (tracks 5, 6 & 9).
Mixing: André Cymone (track 9); Coke Johnson (tracks 1-4, 7, 8 & 10); Michael Verdick (track 8); David Z. (tracks 1-4, 7, 8 & 10).
Remixing on tracks 1 & 10: Taavi Mote and Louis Silas, Jr.
Mix assistant: Michael Blum (track 8)
Art direction and design: Lynn Robb
Cover art concept and hair stylist: Jody Watley
Photography: Victoria Pearson
Make-up: Beth Katz

Awards

1987 - American Music Award Nomination for R&B Single of the Year [Looking For A New Love]
1988 - Grammy Award for Best New Artist
1988 - Soul Train Award Nomination for Album of the Year
1988 - Soul Train Award Nomination for Single of the Year [Looking For A New Love]
1988 - Soul Train Award Nomination for Best Music Video [Looking For A New Love]
1988 - MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Female Video of the Year [Some Kind Of Lover]
1988 - MTV Video Music Award Nomination for Best New Artist Video of the Year [Some Kind Of Lover]
1988 - Billboard Music Award for Top Dance / Club Play Artist of the Year

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Singles

See also
List of number-one R&B albums of 1987 (U.S.)

References

External links
 Jody Watley at Discogs

Category:Jody Watley albums
Category:1987 debut albums
Category:MCA Records albums
Category:Albums produced by Bernard Edwards
Category:Albums produced by Patrick Leonard
Category:Freestyle music albums