Multiplatinum smooth jazz record producer Shaun LaBelle says that releasing singles only, instead of albums and EPs, looks like the new normal in the music biz.
And so LaBelle, who is also a TV commercial producer, is releasing his latest smooth jazz single, "Wave," which has a May 8 worldwide radio release. The cut features Ricky Peterson, keyboardist who tours with David Sanborn and Stevie Nicks; Everette Harp, sax great; Dave Barry, guitarist for "The Voice" and Cher, and Stokley, whose new single "Level" is hitting the top 10 R&B charts this week. "We're hoping for one," LaBelle said of "Wave."
I had a chance to sit down with my buddy, Shaun, who keeps residences in California and Minnesota, ahead of his upcoming big interview with Huntsville, Ala.'s WJAB, a jazz station.
Q: The first thing I want to ask about is your new single. What was the inspiration for it?
A: You know I love travel to the Caribbeans. I love the water and there is something soothing and tranquil about the water in the Caribbean for me. So the title of the single is called "Wave." You'll remember the last album was "Desert Nights" because I live in Palm Springs [in addition to Minneapolis] because I love the desert. I like to have a little bit of a theme, so "Wave" seemed like a good title.
Q: Tell me your Motown experience with Berry Gordy's son?
A: Shortly after I got my first publishing deal with Warner/Chappell, with Warner Bros., my manager at the time was Gary Reid, who had a very close relationship with a guy named Richard Perry, I started doing some work with Motown. I got a call to work for an artist on Motown named Nikita Germaine. She was sort of the new Whitney Houston. Phenomenal voice, amazing singer. I produced the record and none of the Gordys were around for the recording. They just send you into the studio to study with the artist. Well, the record turned out great and the single I produced came out and did tremendously well on the R&B charts. They liked my work so they called my manager, and said We need some help, as far as house producer. I went down to Motown and I'm waiting in the lobby to have my meeting with Berry Gordy's son and it's two hours. I keep looking over and I see this guy who looks like Berry Gordy. Finally 2½ hours later he comes to the lobby again and says Where the heck is Shaun LaBelle? I'm like "I'm here." Well, he was expecting a black guy. The story of my career.
Q: What is the common thread between your passion for producing music and TV commercials?
A: It's all production. For me, it's all the same thing. Music or television are all kind of doing the same thing, producing from your gut whether on a record or on screen. For me to be able to move from one to the other is sort of a natural progression. Obviously my father was a famous television producer. I learned a lot from him through the years watching, and I really enjoy doing both.
Q: There was a famous ad campaign your dad, Lorney LaBelle produced?
A: Several come to mind. He was an intricate part in creating the Hamm's bear for Hamm's beer. I remember waking up in the middle of the night, my father would be drawing a lot of these story boards by hand; he did Grain Belt for Stanley and Albert. He was part of the creation of the Minnegasco Indian. He worked on the early Land O'Lakes commercials, sky blue waters. There were so many ad campaigns and so many jingles.
Q: We lost your dad in 2010 and we just lost your mom, Joan LaBelle, who was a star in that "Keeping Up with the Sholomians" commercial for Sholom, the senior community.
A: She's a character. It's sad to lose her but spiritually I feel like they are with me right now so I am ready to persevere. It has been a rough few years, as close of a family as we are, it's been tough.
Q: I was hanging out with you and your folks at dinner the night you found out who inspired your middle name.
A: It's Harrison. I was named after George Harrison, one of the Beatles. Makes sense where I ended up, yeah.
C.J. can be reached at cj@startribune.com and seen on FOX 9's "Jason Show." E-mailers, please state a subject; "Hello" does not count.
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