J. Moss

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J. Moss
Background information
Birth name James Moss
Also known as Ricky Styles
Origin Detroit, Michigan USA
Genre(s) Gospel, R&B
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger
Years active 1996-present
Label(s) Island Inspirational
GospoCentric Records
Associated
acts		 PAJAM
Karen Clark Sheard
The Clark Sisters

J. Moss is a Detroit-based songwriter and record producer.

Contents

[edit] Biography

As one-third of the writing and production team PAJAM, J. Moss has quietly become one of the most powerful forces in modern gospel and soul music.

Combining traditional spiritual messages with modern arrangements and hip hop beats, PAJAM's groundbreaking work with Trin-i-Tee 5:7, Hezekiah Walker, Michelle Williams (of Destiny's Child) and others has helped bring an accessible style of Gospel music to general urban audiences. And the team's subsequent contributions for secular artists such as Patti LaBelle, Dru Hill, Boyz II Men and Kelly Price have made PAJAM one of modern music's most sought-after production teams. Hidden behind PAJAM's success as writers and producers, however, is the fact that J. Moss is a formidable gospel vocalist.

Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan as James Moss, the son of Gospel star Bill Moss, Sr., James spent much of his childhood on tours with his father's popular group, Bill Moss and the Celestials, and his cousin's group The Clark Sisters. As an early teen, Moss was teamed with his brother Bill Jr. in the singing duo The Moss Brothers. They toured on weekends around the midwest and recorded two major label albums during their seven years together.

In this period James developed as a keyboardist and burgeoning songwriter. He also learning first-hand the business of music. He attended Michigan State University for two years, but the desire to write and perform was too strong, and he left to seek a career in music.

Upon his return to Detroit, Moss signed with a small local Christian label Aviday Records[1] and released two albums to little fanfare. Yet, during this time he became acquainted with Paul Allen and Walter Kearney. The three began working together as PAJAM. Moss spent the mid-90s touring with The Clark Sisters and was signed, along with Karen Clark-Sheard, to Island Records in 1996 to record a solo album.[1] While a proper release never materialized for Moss before Island Black Music shut its doors,[2] Clark's became a smash and introduced the Gospel world to the production powerhouse of PAJAM.

Over the next seven years, the PAJAM team became Gospel music's most prolific hitmakers. However, Moss' desire to perform never went away, and in 2003 he and Allen began writing songs for what would ultimately become The J. Moss Project, released in September 2004 on GospoCentric Records.

Though PAJAM's work has been seen as a revolutionary blend of gospel and hip-hop style, The J. Moss Project is a surprisingly traditional affair. The set largely relies on familiar arrangements, and keeps its focus on Moss's clear tenor voice and strong backing choir vocals. The album made a grand entry with the upbeat lead single "I Wanna Be".

The disc includes a number of upbeat gospel numbers such as such as "Don't Pray and Worry" and "Psalm 150". J. Moss' lithe falsetto at times draws comparison to the likes of Prince and Tonéx on "Livin' 4". There are also several gentle ballads such as "Give You More" and the album's anthemic single "We Must Praise" that display J. Moss' range as a vocalist and songwriter.


The concept cover for J Moss' expected 2007 release
The concept cover for J Moss' expected 2007 release[3]

Several channels have reported that a sophomore release entitled V2... The Voice Returns would be due Fall of 2006 on GospoCentric Records, however the target release date looks more likely to be in April of 2007 [3]. A music video for its would-be lead single "Operator" has been made available on YouTube[4], yet an official release date has not been set. It should be noted that there is also a video on YouTube that shows J Moss performing this same song[5]. Some of the tracklistings have leaked through as well; some songs that can be expected include [3]

  • Nobody
  • Everybody
  • Operator (lead single)
  • Aubundancy
  • 73 Degrees
  • Afraid
  • Everybody Aint Got A Word

There are expected to be 3 extra tracks in addition to the aforementioned.[3]

[edit] Insured by PAJAM

Main Article: PAJAM

J. Moss, Paul D. Allen, and Walter Kearney make up the production team of PAJAM, and affectionately refer to their works as being "PAJAM insured". [6] The following is an excerpt from their complete list:

[edit] Discography

NOTE: This discography is specific to J. Moss as a featured singer only, not producer, writer, arranger, or background vocalist.

[edit] Albums

  • The J. Moss Project (GospoCentric, 2004)
  • V2... The Voice Returns (GospoCentric, 2007)

[edit] Singles

  • "I Wanna Be"
  • "We Must Praise"
  • "Operator"

[edit] Other

  • Patti LaBelle: "More Than (He Loves You) (featuring J. Moss)" The Gospel According To Patti LaBelle (Umbrella, 2006)
  • Byron Cage: "We Love You (feat. J. Moss)" An Invitation To Worship (GospoCentric, 2005)
  • Kirk Franklin: "Could've Been (featuring J. Moss)" Hero (2005)
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Bonner, Gerard. Interview With J. Moss: The Y2J (Moss) Factor. GospelFlava.com.
  2. ^ J Moss Interview. Livin Right.
  3. ^ a b c d J Moss V2 at MusiChristian.com.
  4. ^ J Moss Operator Music Video.
  5. ^ J Moss Performing His Song Operator.
  6. ^ Complete list of works by PAJAM.

[edit] External link

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../j/2E/_/J._Moss_298b.html"