Michael J. Powell
Encyclopedia
Michael J. Powell is an American R&B musician
, record producer
and arranger
who is best known for his work as producer for eight time Grammy Award
-winning soul
/ R&B vocalist Anita Baker
.
Michael Powell was born in the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, Illinois and lived there until his family moved to Detroit at the age of 9.
As a self taught musician in Detroit in the late 60’s, Michael became a well known guitar player and musician at a young age, cutting his chops around town when Detroit was producing some of the greatest music in history.
Those influences served him well when in 1974 he formed a band called Chapter 8. A year later, Anita Baker joined Chapter 8 and they spent a couple of years playing in and around as the hottest band in Detroit. They eventually got a record deal with Ariola.
The self-titled album came out in Fall 1979. Two singles hit the R&B charts: "Ready for Your Love" and "I Just Wanna Be Your Girl". Ariola Records was bought by Arista. The executives at Arista thought Anita couldn't sing and didn't want to renew Chapter 8's contract.
In 1983 Michael reunited with Anita Baker and had a hit single with “No More Tears” featured on her “Songstress” album. In 1986 choosing her friend Michael Powell, as her producer, they created 3 multi-million selling albums …“Rapture”, “Giving You the Best that I Got” and “Compositions”.
Michael Powell began to focus his talent on writing and producing for other artists and establishing Vanguard as one of Detroit’s hottest studio’s.
This launched a whirlwind career for Michael, winning multiple Grammy nominations and awards and working in a multi faceted role with many great artists.
What makes Michael J. Powell unique is everything he brings to an artist in a recording project. He is an accomplished guitar player, vocal arranger, music arranger, writer and Producer. His relaxed demeanor and knowledge in the studio brings out the best in every artist that Michael works with.
“In all my work I always try to bring the best quality to every artist and song, so that it will stand the test of time”,Michael stated recently.“I’ve had the great pleasure to work with some of the greatest artists in history, but I am equally excited about some of the new projects I am working on as well. There is some great new talent and we are excited about the many new ways to get the music out to the masses”.
Recently rising star Lorenzo Owens wowed Oprah and her celebrity judges as a finalist on the show's "Popstar" contest. He had patiently searched for his best opportunity and was floored when he learned that his management had secured a deal with the legendary Powell. “Michael Powell is a singer's producer. Owens stated. “I am blessed to be taken under Michael’s wing”.
His production skills were an integral part of her success and rise to fame as one of the most respected and successful R&B vocalists in recent times. He produced the multi-platinum and critically acclaimed award-winning Baker albums Rapture in 1986, Giving You the Best That I Got
in 1988 (which reached Number 1 on The Billboard 200) and Compositions
in 1990.
After Compositions, Powell was replaced by several different producers including Tommy LiPuma
, Barry J. Eastmond and Baker herself on her next studio album, Rhythm of Love
, in 1994.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
who is best known for his work as producer for eight time Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
/ R&B vocalist Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Anita Baker is an American R&B/soul jazz singer-songwriter. To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards, and has four platinum albums and two gold albums to her credit....
.
Michael Powell was born in the Robert Taylor Homes in Chicago, Illinois and lived there until his family moved to Detroit at the age of 9.
As a self taught musician in Detroit in the late 60’s, Michael became a well known guitar player and musician at a young age, cutting his chops around town when Detroit was producing some of the greatest music in history.
Those influences served him well when in 1974 he formed a band called Chapter 8. A year later, Anita Baker joined Chapter 8 and they spent a couple of years playing in and around as the hottest band in Detroit. They eventually got a record deal with Ariola.
The self-titled album came out in Fall 1979. Two singles hit the R&B charts: "Ready for Your Love" and "I Just Wanna Be Your Girl". Ariola Records was bought by Arista. The executives at Arista thought Anita couldn't sing and didn't want to renew Chapter 8's contract.
In 1983 Michael reunited with Anita Baker and had a hit single with “No More Tears” featured on her “Songstress” album. In 1986 choosing her friend Michael Powell, as her producer, they created 3 multi-million selling albums …“Rapture”, “Giving You the Best that I Got” and “Compositions”.
Michael Powell began to focus his talent on writing and producing for other artists and establishing Vanguard as one of Detroit’s hottest studio’s.
This launched a whirlwind career for Michael, winning multiple Grammy nominations and awards and working in a multi faceted role with many great artists.
What makes Michael J. Powell unique is everything he brings to an artist in a recording project. He is an accomplished guitar player, vocal arranger, music arranger, writer and Producer. His relaxed demeanor and knowledge in the studio brings out the best in every artist that Michael works with.
“In all my work I always try to bring the best quality to every artist and song, so that it will stand the test of time”,Michael stated recently.“I’ve had the great pleasure to work with some of the greatest artists in history, but I am equally excited about some of the new projects I am working on as well. There is some great new talent and we are excited about the many new ways to get the music out to the masses”.
Recently rising star Lorenzo Owens wowed Oprah and her celebrity judges as a finalist on the show's "Popstar" contest. He had patiently searched for his best opportunity and was floored when he learned that his management had secured a deal with the legendary Powell. “Michael Powell is a singer's producer. Owens stated. “I am blessed to be taken under Michael’s wing”.
His production skills were an integral part of her success and rise to fame as one of the most respected and successful R&B vocalists in recent times. He produced the multi-platinum and critically acclaimed award-winning Baker albums Rapture in 1986, Giving You the Best That I Got
Giving You the Best That I Got
Giving You The Best That I Got is the third album by the American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker. It was Baker's first and only #1 Pop album in the US, the second #1 R&B Album, and was certified 3x platinum in 1989 by the RIAA....
in 1988 (which reached Number 1 on The Billboard 200) and Compositions
Compositions
Compositions is the fourth album by the American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker. The album peaked at #5 on Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in 1990, making it Baker's third platinum selling album...
in 1990.
After Compositions, Powell was replaced by several different producers including Tommy LiPuma
Tommy LiPuma
Tommy LiPuma is an American music producer. In his long career, he has worked with many musicians, including Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Claudine Longet, Dave Mason, the Yellowjackets, Michael Franks, Diana Krall, and The Story...
, Barry J. Eastmond and Baker herself on her next studio album, Rhythm of Love
Rhythm of Love (Anita Baker album)
Rhythm of Love is the fifth album by the American R&B/soul singer Anita Baker. Released in 1994, the album peaked at #2 on Billboard 200 and #1 on Billboard Top R&B/Hip Hop chart...
, in 1994.