A bit deep this one.
this in another voice memo demo, I used a famous drum loop from 'When the Levee Breaks' by Led Zeppelin and built on top it.
 this track is about all those we've loved and lost, it's meant to be a positive spin on grief -which only comes with age & time. It's a miracle any of this ever happened, and if we think hard enough, the one's we miss most aren't even gone, because they're inside us... all around us, memories and comforting thoughts and sayings, jokes, music and photos. But most of all in our hearts and minds. This song could be about your parents, grandparents, aunties uncles, brothers sisters, sons daughters, babies, and pets, favourite teacher or friend, even a famous person you adored -even our favourite exes, and the loss because someone has left us, but may still be alive out there loving someone else.... it's ok, the time you had is real. It happened, it will always exist, it's just the barrier of time that fools us into thinking that any of this is real, or that we are alone. Love is Love, Grief is Grief and loss is loss, but at least we lived and had time together once. With Love and Respect. 
Marky J

Lovely Ghosts *remix

This is my latest composition. It's a High Octane DANCE track and vocal pop house music. inspired from 1989 - to the present day.
I grew up listening to 'Life is a Dance' the remix album by Chaka Khan - I'm hugely influenced by artistes such as Ashford and Simpson, Dancin' Danny D, Marley Marl, Arif Mardin, Paul Simpson, Russ Titelman, Womack & Womack Giorgio Moroder...oh the list goes ON!!!!
& Also many remixes and dance hits produced by the legendary Shep Pettibone, and although inspired by I didn't want to 'copy cat' so it's a no samples recording, me playing every snare, every high hat, and syncing it all up (only took me a few weeks) by hand. almost as if recording on old Dat Tape... 
I've also taken inspiration from vintage disco & clubby sounds.
It's not meant to be any particular sound and I wasn't aiming for anything, but his is truly how it came out of my mind and body in it's own time
* The speak & Spell was the second to last thing to go on the mix It is REAL & is my original learning toy which I've kept al these years -it mysteriously switched itself on whilst I was recording the vocals (So I heard it in my ears phones)and then I got it out the cupboard to see why it turned itself on... and then I pressed D.A.N.C.E & then got very excited! and on it went!
*The last thing is the talented Shagzy playing his sax for me. I found him in the park on a bench or did he find me? -but knew instantly he could deliver the audio-gasm I kept hearing in my head in saxophone at the end of the song. Thank you oh talented one!
ENJOY!!!

You Cant Stop Me Dancing! (I Came From A Place mix)

So when dear Becky left us, a friend showed me an amazing video of her singing a hymn literally days before she passed... After the funeral I couldn't sleep and also couldn't get it out of my head that her beautiful little voice won't be heard by many, so I just got busy making music... the result is a heart felt song, which I'm going to donate 100% of any proceeds to Cancer research. Becky Evans was such a Talent and also a lovely human. I can't thank her enough for being my friend and helping me to find joy in all things and love life, and accept myself. She was a fantastic friend & artist and actor/singer /performer with the most attractive qualities and infectious laugh! The world needs more people like Becky. 
So if you listen to this & like it, please make a donation to Cancer research . peace. Mark x
Homage to Soul II Soul (Enigma) who's Roland TR 909 drum Beat I used, and also Strawberry Switchblade who's wonderful single was a favourite of mine and Becky's and our friend Emily - After recording I just dropped the horns over it - seemed meant to be!

Painting Skies

Celebrating 150 years of Levi 501 jeans!
so this is my little song about one of my favourite things, vintage denim & Selvedge Edge sometimes 'Big E' on  the red tab (LEVIS treasure).
Think of Bros, Bananrama, Magenta De Vine, Nick Kamen, Madonna & Melanie Griffith's (in Working Girl) back in the 1980s & the craze for soft , faded denim in 1989 maybe with ripped knees, DMs (doctor martins) or Paraboots. YUM! I've kept most of mine, but although I can't fasten that top button on some-  I still fit into most pairs, I treasure them all!
This song was inspired by my recent trips to the Levi's Regent Street branch & then Brick Lane and Camden markets,

 
*I have utilised two samples to enhance the sound of this record... 
the squealing upward vintage HipHop loop made famous by various artists of the 1980s. And the first guitar chord by Madcat in their song Sunset - which was the actual track playing in Bricklane's London Vintage Market when I was inspired to write this track! Homage and the utmost RESPECT to the artists mentioned and sampled! thank you for the music! x
& THANK YOU Levi's for my favorite item of clothing!
(in the end I decided to let go & take the track into party mode - full out DISCO party vibes - soz, that's just me LOL) Enjoy! x

Vintage Denim

Hi, 
this is my latest tack this time it comes with a music video! https://youtu.be/ilKZ9K5ESDw
This little dance track just came out of me- plop!
It's about self care and recovering a new version of happiness after a painful break up and a dark time.
I knew instantly that was the summer vibe I was going for when this song came out of me.
I played every instrument and produced it at home - it's house music.
Thanks for listening , or not... what ever!

Love and light to all
Marky J

Looking After Number ONE

'Let down'
I wrote this to get a feeling out, to move on... it's not an unhappy song, it's just making the best out of a sad situation-it's about acceptance.
Thanks to Alison Holford once again for her awesome talent, patience, creativity & bowing skills.  and for just 'getting me' LOVE is all!!!
& the wonderful Benjamin B Smith's talents are borrowed for the guitar, which definitely brings that soft tenderness as well as the funk & groove to the track, Thanks to you both for collaborating!
& Thank YOU for listening. Mark x

Let Down

my track Sunny Sun is inspired by my absolute love of Acid House music and Chicago style Acid groove, Hip House and the late 1980s era from when I was a kid.
I've generated all the sounds here with one exception, the bouncing BASE line is of course a sample of the classic Acid Thunder by The Man himself Fast Eddie the original OG, who I respect and whole heartedly thank as one of his biggest fans, for the joy and pleasure his music has brought me over the years!

I have used a recording of myself as a 12 year old trebble to get that pure innocent 'The Beloved' vibe on this track. (yes it's ME - it's from a Hymn called 'Blessed be the God and Father' by Samuel Wesley. I recorded it as head chorister & soloist trebble of The Clifton College Chapel choir directed by John Davenport. We recorded it in 1987 when I was 12 years old, as part of the album 'In This Place' the timing of this record was perfect as shortly afterwards I had my tonsils out - which triggered my voice breaking.
 *A point of interest is that when I was singing in the church choir, I was in fact deeply into the underground music emerging acid house scene, religiously tuning into FTP radio in Bristol and receiving cassettes from my DJ friends, whilst unknowingly hanging out with Tricky and Massive Attack in the Berkley Brasserie - were I often played the piano as they say drinking beer and taking the mickey out of me. lol 
. and Fast Eddie's anthem came shortly afterwards! I get a special feeling that these two totally different ends of music spectrum were recorded pretty much at the same time 87/88!

As I say the only sample on my track is from Fast Eddie, I've generated everything else on my vintage Roland TR 909 and my KORG X5 and with my voice. (and a few royalty free purchased flute sounds) Enjoy!

Sunny Sun

Hi ,This is my song, celebrating 10 years of teaching DANCE at Pineapple Studios. instagram @markyjmoves.
Inspired by the London club scene,  particularly FABRIC, this is my song about going every week to see that special someone you can't take your eyes off shake their booty & hopefully notice you amongst the crowd of everybody moving their body! (get it)lol
Colaborated with Jules B Hill, Steve Stephenson, Smudge Music Management & Heaven night club.
* think I actually performed this one at Heaven on the main stage way back when!* such fun!
Love & respect,
MarkyJ x

Move Your Body Baby (single mix)

I was inspired to write and record this rap/ or song in my style which is true to me and my upbringing and how I express myself musically. *referencing my rap/spoken words from 'When The Love Has Gone' because of the lyric 'we're all the same inside'. A fact which I feel is getting lost in the anger and violence in the world. I am a peaceful , loving, man with respect & love for all - who has experienced online trolling & bullying for expressing myself through Rap music and Hip Hop dance, or being inspired by the genre. I'm being accused of cultural appropriation and racism. It's affecting my mental health and happiness, so this is what I do I create and communicate through my music. I LOVE Hip Hop, Black people and it makes me so sad. But I think I understand where they're coming from too. (discuss). I am in a period of learning, re-evaluation and being open minded, I'm listening. I am not saying the bullies are wrong, nor am I silencing voices by blocking or deleting. There is a better way. I am willing to do better also myself in my thoughts, my considerations and actions in everyday life. Peace everyone. MarkyJ x🌈

In Support Of Back Lives Matter. BLM Where's The Love Gone (pls Don't Bully ME)

Dance and move your feet!!!
Well this one is a throw back, and It is kind of my anthem!
I wrote it in an era when house was more hard disco.
I can hear my influences are the likes of Dead or Alive, Chic, Chuka Khan, Madonna, & early Hed Kandi & FABRIC night club vibes.
I've never been big into the club scene, but I was lucky enough to have this one played on the main floor at Heaven, FABRIC and a few of SOHO's Gay Bars. It had a GREAT reaction, but the labels & some DJ producer types told me they thought the female vocalist sounded a bit lazy or that she didn't give a shit! When I told them its me singing, they were shocked and non plussed. I LOVE IT!

*dedicated to Dead Or Alive's Pete Burns, who I met once or twice in soho and was very sad to hear of his passing. A childhood hero (He'd hate me saying that LOL) RIP Pete. x

Move Your Body Baby Extended Club Mix (Aaron Freedman, MarkyJ & Jules B Hill)

Hi, My name is MarkyJ (MarkJames) I am a singer/song writer and performer.
I just enjoy making music! I sincerely want to get my music out there & heard, maybe enjoyed by someone else. 
I gave up chasing the dream many moons ago after years of record labels, managers and production deals (including George Michael's cousin Andrew Georgiou & Polydor's Peter Loraine), brought me a little but ultimately no success. But being a positive soul, I never gave in! & once up on a time a record label sent me to Pineapple dance studios to dance with Nicky B, SHE was the one and only person in the industry who did believe in me, and gave me a break!(for which Im eternally grateful). 
So I am proud to introduce my collection of songs & recordings Entitled 'voice memo demos' - which I have written/arranged, produced and sung, with a little help from some guest instrumentalists & sound engineers and hope that people feel the positivity, hope, and enjoy my attempt at funky music! 
You only live once, so why not eh?
peace and stay safe all!
MarkyJ ;- ) x

MarkyJ

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