Sharon Brown I Specialize In Love

by Justin Kantor
Harlem-born soul vocalist Sharon Brown grew up admiring the sounds of '50s vocal groups such as the Teenagers and the Bobbettes. The latter -- a quintet from Brown's hometown who scored a number one R&B and number six pop hit with the seminal girl group classic "Mr. Lee" -- inspired the youngster to pursue music as her profession of choice, but only after another career exploration. At merely 13, she moved to Alabama to study theology at Oakley College and work toward becoming a preacher. Eventually, Brown returned to her love of music, studying at the New England Conservatory. Her love was nurtured by her father, drummer William Brown, who played with the likes of the Isley Brothers and Cannonball Adderley, and connected his daughter with many of his musician friends. She was, in fact, planning to record with Adderley before his sudden death in 1975. During this period, Motown's Gwen Gordy was a mentor to the aspiring singer/songwriter, who now had the chance to collaborate with producers Norman Whitfield and Hank Cosby. She also penned and arranged songs for Blood, Sweat, & Tears and Ronnie Dyson -- serving as the latter's musical conductor. Session work with a diverse palette including Aretha Franklin, Todd Rundgren, and Michael Kamen followed suit. Brown's uncle, Phil Medley, was a heavyweight in songwriting during the '60s -- co-penning "Twist and Shout" for the Isley Brothers (and later the Beatles) as well as tunes for the Mamas & the Papas, Barbara Lewis, and Donny Osmond. The knowledge she gained from his experiences encouraged her writing even more, and, ultimately, she started her own publishing company, Tshaym. In addition to her growing songwriting tasks, she continued to arrange, produce, and conduct -- albeit not without much resistance from a male-dominated industry somewhat threatened by an unknown, black female who did it all. Simultaneously, she recorded one of her own compositions, "The Family Tree," which has been officially unreleased to this day but remains an underground favorite on the U.K. soul scene. In 1981, Brown finally gained widespread recognition as an artist in her own right. Reluctantly answering a management company's ad seeking a tall, thin, black female with a willowy voice, she won a contract with then-thriving dance label Profile. Her first release, "I Specialize in Love," reached number two on the dance charts in May 1982, crossed over to R&B, and even won the singer a 1983 Rhythm & Blues Award for Best Single. Despite the quick success, the business side of her label association quickly turned sour. She had no money when she went to Las Vegas to accept her awards, and had to hitchhike a ride from the airport to the ceremony. Unbeknown to her, an unfinished demo she had recorded called "Love Don't Hurt People" was released by Profile in 1982 to follow-up the first hit. Unable to attain an album deal despite the international sales and airplay she had achieved, she recorded "You Got Me Where I Want to Be" (1983) and "Programmed Heart" (with Craig Peyton, 1984) to fulfill her contract. Relocating to Boston, where she had spent some in her earlier childhood, she released the self-penned "I'll Make You Feel Like the First Time" on her own TAZ Records in 1986. With an unexpected pregnancy after the record was pressed, however, she wasn't fully able to promote the record. During the '90s, Brown continued to record, as well as further explore her love of theology. In 2001, she collaborated with the U.K.-based Easy Rollers on several songs she wrote. "You Never Know" appears on the group's Moving Shadow release. Deeply affected by gun and gang violence on a personal level, she aims to spread positive messages through her writings and recordings and also through prison ministry. She continues to perform live regularly in the New York area, as well as playing small roles in major motion pictures. - Justin Kantor

The following is an interview with singer and songwriter Sharon Brown kindly conducted and provided by DiscoMusic.com member, Dayna Newman....

First off I must say that I LOVE your new single "Thinking of You" it's fresh hip and it would keep me on the dance floor and I'm not just going to stay on the floor for any ole song~! Where and how can we pick up a copy of "Thinking of You?"

(Sharon) it has been posted on Soundcloud and on my Facebook page and iTunes.

(Dayna) I have heard this, but wanted to ask you: Is it true that
"I Specialize in Love" is the number one most requested song in dance clubs? I wouldn't doubt it, as it still stands up to any dance song that has ever been put out.

(Sharon Brown) Yes, It was the number one requested song in the clubs and it kept you on the dance floor!

(Dayna) OKAY~!! It sure did and still does. I'm not scared to fly up to the DJ booth and ask them to play my Jam~!!

Sharon you have worked with some wonderful producers and artists which one or ones did you really enjoy working with the most?

(Sharon Brown) Norman Whitfield! He has taught me all I know about writing and producing music!

Norman was the only person in my life who said to me "You do not need a producer, You can produce yourself " and I have been doing just that ever since! Along with Curtis Mayfield and Hank Cosby from Motown, these men have all took time to teach me. Curtis taught me to pay close attention to lyrics and Hank taught me the commercial format of songwriting.

Norman gave me free reign in the recording studio and gave me the push and confidence to do what I love to do, he also dropped a hint on my way out of the studio one day that my boyfriend had to go! I did not understand at that moment, but after many years of bull with that boyfriend then I married the clown did I realize what Norman had meant... The man was clearly in the way!

I have lost contact with Norman. I wish somehow we could re-connect; I owe him big time! I would just love to be able to say to him THANK YOU NORMAN! I have gone on to win the "BEST NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD" for " I Specialize in Love" and Norman said that I could! It would be so wonderful to see him again.

(Dayna) Well maybe he will read this because if anyone wants to know anything about disco or dance music they come to DiscoMusic.com.

You wrote a song for legendary rock group "Blood Sweat & Tears called "Love Looks Good On You." How did that come about and did you enjoy working with them?

(Sharon Brown) Well, Heck Yeah!
BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS, How good was that! My very first big gig ever!

I had been down town New York City looking around with music only on my mind and I happened to pass by the CBS recording studio and I went in the building and the security guard was in the lobby, he questioned me as to what and where was I going! I said to him I have no place to go, but I would love to know who was in the building recording at that moment and he told me that " Blood Sweat & Tears was in the building recording on the second floor. I asked if I could go up and peek in and he took a real long look at me and said OK! You go up and come right back!

I went up and I peeked in the room and there was Hank Cosby sitting at the controls and he saw me and said can I help you? I said Yes! I am Sharon Brown and I am a singer/songwriter! He laughed and stopped the session, signaled the group to come into the room and said meet this cocky woman who says she's a songwriter and a singer!
Anyway Hank Cosby and Bobby Colomby put me to the test and sent me home that day with a track and said to me: "bring this track back tomorrow and have a song ready to record!" I DID! "Love Looks Good on You!"
Released on CBS records " Mirror's Image" by " Blood ,Sweat & Tears" third song on side A...

(Dayna) How exciting and wonderful for you and for them as well because they had the benefit of using your talent.

I recently did interviews with Linda Clifford and Melba Moore and am proud to add you to my list of Legendary Divas, are you friends with either of these lovely talented ladies?

(Sharon Brown) RESPECT! Is what we have for each other, I would not say we are friends, but I will say we do love each other and would love working together.

(Dayna) I have to give it to you old school diva's… you look fabulous, your skin, your hair and you have kept your shape. Time has been very kind to you, what do you do to maintain your look?

(Sharon Brown) STARVE! L.O.L. Exercise and drink plenty of WATER! Ladies, water is the key to health.

What artists do you listen to these days, what's in your DVD player right now?

(Sharon Brown) REGGAE MUSIC! The Marley Family! Mind Control by S. Marley and Ky-Marni Marley also Damian Marley Jr. Gong also " Sizzla", Capelton King Shango, Third World, Rita Marley and the list goes on and on RASTA FARI!

(Dayna) Well as Stevie Wonder said, BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN. L.O.L.

Sharon, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. You have given us some great insight into your world and I wish you more and more success you are a lovely lady inside and out... PEOPLE, don't forget to go to http://www.iTunes.com/ to purchase Miss Sharon Brown's fabulous new single "Thinking of You" Since this interview Sharon Brown has been able to link up with her beloved mentor Norman Whitfield , as sad as it could possibly get it was ,, Sharon spoke to Norman while in his final hours.. and it was grand.... a chance to say thank you and I love you Norman... and he replied... I Love You Too.... - Dayna Newman

The following is an interview with singer and songwriter Sharon Brown kindly conducted and provided by DiscoMusic.com member, Dayna Newman....

First off I must say that I LOVE your new single "Thinking of You" it's fresh hip and it would keep me on the dance floor and I'm not just going to stay on the floor for any ole song~! Where and how can we pick up a copy of "Thinking of You?"

(Sharon) it has been posted on Soundcloud and on my Facebook page and iTunes.

(Dayna) I have heard this, but wanted to ask you: Is it true that
"I Specialize in Love" is the number one most requested song in dance clubs? I wouldn't doubt it, as it still stands up to any dance song that has ever been put out.

(Sharon Brown) Yes, It was the number one requested song in the clubs and it kept you on the dance floor!

(Dayna) OKAY~!! It sure did and still does. I'm not scared to fly up to the DJ booth and ask them to play my Jam~!!

Sharon you have worked with some wonderful producers and artists which one or ones did you really enjoy working with the most?

(Sharon Brown) Norman Whitfield! He has taught me all I know about writing and producing music!

Norman was the only person in my life who said to me "You do not need a producer, You can produce yourself " and I have been doing just that ever since! Along with Curtis Mayfield and Hank Cosby from Motown, these men have all took time to teach me. Curtis taught me to pay close attention to lyrics and Hank taught me the commercial format of songwriting.

Norman gave me free reign in the recording studio and gave me the push and confidence to do what I love to do, he also dropped a hint on my way out of the studio one day that my boyfriend had to go! I did not understand at that moment, but after many years of bull with that boyfriend then I married the clown did I realize what Norman had meant... The man was clearly in the way!

I have lost contact with Norman. I wish somehow we could re-connect; I owe him big time! I would just love to be able to say to him THANK YOU NORMAN! I have gone on to win the "BEST NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD" for " I Specialize in Love" and Norman said that I could! It would be so wonderful to see him again.

(Dayna) Well maybe he will read this because if anyone wants to know anything about disco or dance music they come to DiscoMusic.com.

You wrote a song for legendary rock group "Blood Sweat & Tears called "Love Looks Good On You." How did that come about and did you enjoy working with them?

(Sharon Brown) Well, Heck Yeah!
BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS, How good was that! My very first big gig ever!

I had been down town New York City looking around with music only on my mind and I happened to pass by the CBS recording studio and I went in the building and the security guard was in the lobby, he questioned me as to what and where was I going! I said to him I have no place to go, but I would love to know who was in the building recording at that moment and he told me that " Blood Sweat & Tears was in the building recording on the second floor. I asked if I could go up and peek in and he took a real long look at me and said OK! You go up and come right back!

I went up and I peeked in the room and there was Hank Cosby sitting at the controls and he saw me and said can I help you? I said Yes! I am Sharon Brown and I am a singer/songwriter! He laughed and stopped the session, signaled the group to come into the room and said meet this cocky woman who says she's a songwriter and a singer!
Anyway Hank Cosby and Bobby Colomby put me to the test and sent me home that day with a track and said to me: "bring this track back tomorrow and have a song ready to record!" I DID! "Love Looks Good on You!"
Released on CBS records " Mirror's Image" by " Blood ,Sweat & Tears" third song on side A...

(Dayna) How exciting and wonderful for you and for them as well because they had the benefit of using your talent.

I recently did interviews with Linda Clifford and Melba Moore and am proud to add you to my list of Legendary Divas, are you friends with either of these lovely talented ladies?

(Sharon Brown) RESPECT! Is what we have for each other, I would not say we are friends, but I will say we do love each other and would love working together.

(Dayna) I have to give it to you old school diva's… you look fabulous, your skin, your hair and you have kept your shape. Time has been very kind to you, what do you do to maintain your look?

(Sharon Brown) STARVE! L.O.L. Exercise and drink plenty of WATER! Ladies, water is the key to health.

What artists do you listen to these days, what's in your DVD player right now?

(Sharon Brown) REGGAE MUSIC! The Marley Family! Mind Control by S. Marley and Ky-Marni Marley also Damian Marley Jr. Gong also " Sizzla", Capelton King Shango, Third World, Rita Marley and the list goes on and on RASTA FARI!

(Dayna) Well as Stevie Wonder said, BOOGIE ON REGGAE WOMAN. L.O.L.

Sharon, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and feelings with us. You have given us some great insight into your world and I wish you more and more success you are a lovely lady inside and out... PEOPLE, don't forget to go to http://www.iTunes.com/ to purchase Miss Sharon Brown's fabulous new single
" Give Love A Chance" Since this interview Sharon Brown has been able to link up with her beloved mentor Norman Whitfield , as sad as it could possibly get it was ,, Sharon spoke to Norman while in his final hours.. and it was grand.... a chance to say thank you and I love you Norman... and he replied... I Love You Too.... - Dayna Newman

 
 
Testimonial Tuesday: Dance/R&B hit Sharon Brown
December 21st
 

Sharon Brown, the voice behind the 1982 club smash “I Specialize in Love” dropped us a note via Facebook recently.  Ms. Brown delivered cross-over R&B/dance hits in the early 1980s, but because she wasn’t the songwriter, never saw proceeds from the skyrocketing sales and nightclub plays which pushed her up the Billboard club charts. When she won the 1983 Rhythm & Blues Award for Best Single, she reportedly had to hitchhike across Las Vegas to receive the award, unable even to afford cab fare. She wrote to SoundExchange:
“I was never paid one red cent or any other color of money for my performance on this track. THEN CAME SOUNDEXCHANGE, many years later. Now get royalty payments and statements. THANK YOU Sound-Exchange, I feel like an artist now, and a businesswoman too. Common has the right idea: I will be dropping in on you as well. I’ll check in and say thank you. Happy Holidays to all the staff and reps at SoundExchange.”
Thanks, Sharon, and we’re glad you’re finally getting compensated for your hard work. Now we know what color performance royalty money is – it’s SoundExchange orange!
- SoundExchange

Dance/R&B hit Sharon Brown

Sharon Brown, the voice behind the 1982 club smash “I Specialize in Love” dropped us a note via Facebook recently. Ms. Brown delivered cross-over R&B/dance hits in the early 1980s, but because she wasn’t the songwriter, never saw proceeds from the skyrocketing sales and nightclub plays which pushed her up the Billboard club charts. When she won the 1983 Rhythm & Blues Award for Best Single, she reportedly had to hitchhike across Las Vegas to receive the award, unable even to afford cab fare. She wrote to SoundExchange:

“I was never paid one red cent or any other color of money for my performance on this track. THEN CAME SOUNDEXCHANGE, many years later. Now get royalty payments and statements. THANK YOU Sound-Exchange, I feel like an artist now, and a businesswoman too. Common has the right idea: I will be dropping in on you as well. I’ll check in and say thank you. Happy Holidays to all the staff and reps at SoundExchange.”

Thanks, Sharon, and we’re glad you’re finally getting compensated for your hard work. Now we know what color performance royalty money is – it’s SoundExchange orange!



- SoundExchange