Marvin Eugene Smith

While a high school student gigging around as a guitarist with future Earth, Wind and Fire bassist and recording engineer extradonaire, Danny Leake, Marvin Smith was a frequent guest at recording sessions of the 5 Stairsteps who were then produced by the legendary Curtis Mayfield. Just out of his teens, during college her became the youngest vice-president of A & R for Golden Tone Productions where he wrote and produced R & B hits “Remember The Rain?” and “Child” (RCA, 1975) for then heartthrobs, the 21st Century.

Both records zoomed up the charts and many national playlists. Motown artist, Jerry Butler recorded Marvin’s tune, “The Devil In Mrs. Jones” as his debut single for the label. Berry Gordy, Jr. believed in the song’s potential so much he ordered its re-release the following year.

Marvin relinquished the producer’s reins when the 21st Century and Golden Tone Productions moved to Motown in 1977. There he worked with Willie Hutch, Hal Davis, Wah-Wah Watson, Iris Gordy, Suzanne DePasse, Art Stewart and many, many others.

At the behest of former Motown great and Cannes Film Festival winner, Norman Whitfield, Marvin became a full time resident of Los Angeles and joined the newly-formed Whitfield Record Corporation distributed by Warner Bros. Under Mr. Whitfield’s aegis Marvin created songs and recordings for Rose Royce, Stargard, the Undisputed Truth, the Dream Machine and others. Between Whitfield Records projects he created material with Grammy winner Chuck Jackson for his protégé, Donna Washington (Capital) and jazz great, Stanley Turrentine.

Then he founded Excalibur Entertainment.

Though off to a slow start, best friend and fellow songwriter, Lorrin “Smokey” Bates (who serves on the company’s Board of Directors) delivered the company’s first success . . . the title tune to the hit film “Twins” (1988) starring Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwartzenegger and Nancy Wilson’s “Lady With A Song” (Capital, 1990.) In addition to recording new acts and developing new producers, Marvin is busy working on several projects designed for film and television.

During late 2003 he re-named his firm, Dangerous Minds Entertainment-Worldwide. Several releases from their roster of exciting new artists are due beginning November 2004.

“I remember one Grammy Award presentation when Anita Baker warned us not to throw away rap lest others would claim the creation of it.” Mr. Smith told one recent interviewer. “ But early in their careers the Beatles, Elvis, Little Richard and even Duke Ellington were also targeted with harsh criticism. Look how it turned out. History always repeats itself.”

“We are, however, an artist-development oriented company intent on taking the high road. One of our artists, Relioues Webb has already appeared in “Judgment Nights,” and “There Are No Children Here.” We’re doing something right. The new technologies, innovations and the Internet hold so many possibilities. We’re excited about pursuing that journey.”

Recently, Marvin has enjoyed a resurgence of commercial success as a songwriter with the Grammy nominated “There Goes My Baby” by soulster Charlie Wilson, “Sisters N Brothers” by Snoop Dogg, “Do It Don’t Stop” by Lil’ Zane and the breakout single “Gotta Go” by young superstar, Trey Songz.

Marvin Smith divides his time between Chicago and Los Angeles. He guarantees the hits will just keep coming.