Smoove Jones

Smoove Jones
Studio album by Mýa
Released February 14, 2016
Recorded 2013–15
Genre
Length 46:56
Label Planet 9
Producer
  • Mýa Harrison (exec.)
  • Yonni
  • The Hit List
  • Delivery Boy
  • Terrell Sass
  • T-Town Productions
  • Desmond "BigHeadDez" Peterson
  • Philip "HardWork" Constable
  • Lamar "Mars" Edwards
Mýa chronology
K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple)
(2011)		 Smoove Jones
(2016)
Singles from Smoove Jones
  1. "Welcome to My World"
    Released: October 10, 2015
  2. "Team You"
    Released: December 8, 2015

Smoove Jones is the eighth studio album by American recording artist Mýa. It is the singer’s eighth independent studio project and twelfth overall. It was released February 14, 2016 by Planet 9 (Harrison’s label) exclusively through iTunes and Apple Music, with physical copies (standard, autographed, or personalized) available on the singer’s official website. The project commemorates the release of the singer’s debut single "It's All About Me" and 18th anniversary in the entertainment industry. Conceptually, Smoove Jones incorporates R&B/soul/hip-hop with old school elements from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.[1]

Background

Harrison took business advice from mentor Prince regarding ownership of her records and decided to go the independent route.[2]

Prior to Mýa recording and releasing her first independent album overseas, she released three successful studio albums in the United States; 1998's Mýa, 2000's Fear of Flying and 2003's Moodring. In 1998, Mýa released her debut self-titled album, which peaked at No. 13 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. Fear of Flying (2000) fared even better at No. 7, with the single "Case of the Ex" reaching No. 2 on the Hot 100. In 2001, she took home a Grammy for "Lady Marmalade", her massive No. 1 single with Pink, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, and Missy Elliott. A role in the hit film Chicago and other acting opportunities followed. After she released Moodring in 2003, with the exception of a popular stint on Dancing with the Stars in 2009 (she finished second), it seemed as if Mýa had left the entertainment industry.[3]

In 2004, after the Moodring album, she ended up in a year-long litigation with management. In late 2005, Harrison made a transition within the Universal system from Interscope to Universal Motown. In 2007 her fourth studio album Liberation was accidentally released in Japan when the release date changed. At the time, she was with Motown/Universal; her lawyer advised that she not waste time and money taking the issue to court, so Harrison decided to go independent instead. Japan loved the Liberation album so much, that a company by the named Manhattan Recordings located there approached her about doing business with them. In 2008, Harrison released her first independent album, titled Sugar & Spice, in Japan, a year after her split with Motown.[4]

Planet 9

In 2008, Harrison created her own label imprint, Planet 9. Since parting ways with Universal Motown, Harrison has released four independently self-funded, self-executive produced projects; 2008's Sugar & Spice, 2009's Sugar & Spice: The Perfect Edition, 2010's Beauty & the Streets Vol. 1 and 2011's K.I.S.S. In 2009, Harrison spoke with Rolling Out magazine, elaborating more on her hiatus from music and decision to go independent:

"I've never stopped doing music. I've created a label called Planet 9 and I released an album in Japan. I invested in my own studio and it cut the recording cost down 95 percent. I have my own in-house producers and they are not as expensive as an established producer. The return is greater and now I own my masters. I see six dollars per album sold versus 10 cents. You may not sell as many units because you don't put as much money in promotions, but the returns are better."[5]

Later in the interview, Harrison voiced her opinion on the major difference between major record labels and independent labels, saying, "Major labels have a system that you have to go through. The people in power dictate how things should sound and where the money is spent. But when you become your own boss, you check every line item and you have to be cautious."[5]

Album title

Speaking with KMW exclusive, Mýa said she chose Smoove Jones as the title because it best describes the laid back, smooth essence and approach to this project. Her friend and fellow artist Cliff Lewis also gave her the nickname "Smoove Jones" in the studio.[6]

Development

As she did before on her previous project K.I.S.S. (Keep It Sexy & Simple), Harrison served as executive producer for Smoove Jones which entailed her scouting for producers, songwriters, arranging the album’s track listing, and keeping track of the accounting. With her sixth and seventh studio album K.I.S.S., Harrison catered to Japan’s J-pop sound and popular culture.[7] Originally, her eighth studio project was to feature her EP’s Love Elevation Suite (2015) and Sweet XVI (2014) along with bonus tracks manufactured as a CD.[8] However, Harrison scrapped that idea in favor of a new project, approaching Smoove Jones, Harrison incorporated R&B/soul/hip-hop with old school elements from the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s.[1] Chatting with KMW exclusive, Harrison said for this album most of the music was already created.[6] She chose tracks based on the "R&B/Soul" genre feeling, because that’s what her fans have requested from her.[6] To avoid early leakage of the project or any of her music, Harrison drafted and services a pre- and post-recording agreement to hold the producers, writers, artists, and engineers liable for leakage, sharing, placement, and playing of her music.[9]

Release and promotion

The release date for a new project was first reported in January 2015.[10] In a correspondence with a member of Mýa’s team, Juicy’s THE SCOOP disclose Harrison’s next project was intended to be a joint venture with a major label so she can acquire support of radio.[10] During that time, no release date was set as of yet, but 2015 was the projection.[10] However, in December 2015, Harrison announced on her Instagram account that her eighth independent project Smoove Jones was available for pre-order exclusively on her official website set to be release (2/14/2016) Valentine’s Day worldwide.[11] Through her online music shop, Harrison offer fans the option of purchasing her new project in; standard, autographed, or personalized edition.[12] To further promote her new project, Harrison offer fans the option of purchasing a 17 month zodiac calendar (2016-2017) as an early Christmas gift as well with or without the purchase of the new project.[12]

Singles

Two singles have been released. On October 10, 2015, Harrison released the first single from the project, titled "Welcome To My World" on all digital formats.[13] The second single, "Team You" was released December 8, 2015.[14][15]

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "Smoove Jones Radio (Intro)"  
 0:59
2. "Welcome to My World"  
  • Harrison
  • Damar Beckett
  • Dejan Howerton
  • Fred "DJ" Jenkins
  • Terence Odige
  • Michael Williams
Delivery Boy 4:10
3. "Hold On" (featuring Phil Adé)Harrison  · Kalenna Harper  · Phil AdéPhilip "HardWork" Constable 3:22
4. "Elevator" (featuring Smoove Jones)Harrison  · Shaunice “Sha Sha” Jones  · Cliff LewisYonni  · Desmond "BigHeadDez" Peterson 2:57
5. "Phya"  Harrison  · John DoeYonni  · Desmond "BigHeadDez" Peterson 3:18
6. "Spoil Me"  Harrison  · Cliff Lewis  · Shaunice "Sha Sha" Jones  · Eric BellingerYonni 2:13
7. "Team You"  Harrison  · Fred "DJ" Jenkins  · Damar Aaron BeckettTerence "Delivery Boy" Odige 4:12
8. "Coolin'"  Nikki FloresDennis-Manuel Peters  · Daniel Coriglie  · Mario Bakovic 4:01
9. "One Man Woman (Ol' Skoo' Joint)"  Harrison  · Cliff Lewis  · Melissa DogonyaroTerrell Sass  · Yonni 4:45
10. "Circle of Life (Ol' Skoo' Joint)"     4:12
11. "Smoove Jones Afta Glow Show (Outro)"   Lamar "Mars" Edwards 6:42
Bonus track
No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
12. "One Man Woman (Unplugged)"  Harrison  · Cliff Lewis  · Melissa DogonyaroTerrell Sass  · Yonni 4:45

Release history

List of release dates, showing region, formats, label, editions and reference
Region Date Format(s) Label Edition(s) Ref.
Worldwide February 14, 2016
  • Standard
 [12][16]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mýa Is Fearless". Heroic. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  2. ↑ "Liife&Such: Mya". jadoresliife. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  3. ↑ "Mya Talks 'K.I.S.S.' Deluxe Album, New 'Catty' Single, & Trina Collabo". Billboard. Retrieved 2012-01-07.
  4. ↑ "Mya Interview 4Eight Media". four8media. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  5. 1 2 "Mya’s Last Dance?". Rolling Out. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  6. 1 2 3 "Mya Talks About Her 18th Year Anniversary In The Business, 12th Studio Project “Smoove Jones,” Her Legacy & MUCH MORE During Our Exclusive Chat!". KMW Exclusive. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  7. ↑ "Interview: Mya Talks New Album "K.I.S.S.", Releasing Albums in Japan First, Importance of Her Music". youknowigotsoul. Retrieved 2012-01-21.
  8. ↑ "Likeable, Long Legs and Love Give Mya Longevity". Chicago Crusader. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  9. ↑ "Mya's Advice on How Not to Get Your Album Leaked". Miami New Times. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
  10. 1 2 3 "Remember Me? Mya Preps For Comeback With Plans For New Project". Juicy. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  11. ↑ "Mýa Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  12. 1 2 3 "Mýa Official Store". myamya.com. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
  13. ↑ "Mya - Welcome To My World". singersroom. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  14. ↑ "Mya Gives Thanks To Fans With “Team You”". Vibe. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  15. ↑ "Mya Gives a Teaser to Her New Single 'Team You'". The Source. Retrieved 2016-01-04.
  16. ↑ "Smoove Jones". iTunes. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, February 15, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.