Maybe I didn't make myself very clear. I was not suggesting that Stevie make 'neo-soul' as that is not a genre but more a mood, but some artists do find themselves in a rut and, frankly, I think he's in one. I agree it's crass getting established artists to work with 'hot' names but Bob Powers is an independent player. Wonder could benefit from working with someone from a fresh perspective who has enthusiasm and in the case of Poyser and Powers they have that - as well as an appreciation for timeless classic soul. Chaka Khan is an artist who has always stretched herself - and there is an Australian veteran Renee Geyer who has likewise not buckled to making MOR music. And it's even harder for older female artists in the modern marketplace with the deeply expressed agism that is out there and projected onto women. The major record labels are in crisis and do very little promotion these days, it's as if they've lost the war. Their ad spends are low, there is low morale... The medium sized and indies are reclaiming that space. Motown is nothing anymore, it's been rendered into an imprint. Best for Stevie is to split with a major and do his own thing - as Prince has done. I would think that thought has already occurred to him. He will thrive in that environment.
> ...sorry i didn't share this with the list...i don't think i'll post there > much anymore although i still lurk... > alas, the people at the record companies are too young to remember that > stevie was an innovator in his day!! > he would be doing the type of music that innovators of today are...not neo > soul or whatever...if they turn him loose (yes a reference to slavery) > they would get quality...and it would sell more than 500 copies :) > > .02 > > b >
