Jody Watley, an original member of Shalamar has a voice, style and sound that remains a distinct and identifiable piece in the legacy of classic hits, millions of albums sold worldwide.
In 2015, the Grammy Award winning Pop/R&B/Dance icon Jody Watley established the new vocal trio Shalamar Reloaded, SRL. "We decided we didn't want to be a new version of a group with a long past, after releasing our single and video 'Slowdance' which was picked up by Spectra Music Group. We could be inspired by that part of my past but turn it into something new, new music and videos, new elevated live concerts and making our style our own and relevant to this era and generation while also giving fans from other eras something fresh and exciting as well. We officially became Shalamar Reloaded or SRL for short, our own registered mark. For the second single and video O.R.I.G.IN.A.L the trio went for an edgier sound and statement single putting into music some of what they experienced with initial naysayers, internet trolls and haters. "Each of us had something to touch upon and we want people to know we are originals to this group - no replacements, wannabees or imposters. We're on a mission to build a broader fanbase not locked into days gone by."
Always forward thinking, it felt best to have a fresh start. Our 'SlowDance' Remixed was released as Shalamar Reloaded to kick off 2016 and on the heels successful concerts in America, and Japan. One of the concerts in Tokyo was broadcast on Fuji Next TV to a live national audience. Up next the new single and video "The Mood" with a full length album titled "Bridges" also in the works.
Shalamar Reloaded features Ohio native Nate Allen Smith and renowned choreographer Rosero McCoy (Usher, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Toni Braxton, Keke Palmer, America's Best Dance Crew..). In a short timespan, Shalamar Reloaded have performed to sold out concerts around the United States (Oakland, New York, Washington D.C., Atlantic City to name a few) performing the classic hits with fervor and renewed energy, as well they've traveled abroad for concerts in Amsterdam (Melkweg), Brazil (Sao Paulo AudioClub), the UK (Let's Rock London, Happy Days Festival) add to the new mix the high profile television appearances that have followed (WGN Morning News Chicago, KTLA Morning News Los Angeles with Sam Rubin, MY Fox5 DC Morning Show), a one hour special on SIRIUSXM's The Groove with BK Kirkland for the first edition of "In The Groove", countless features from Essence, JET, Eurweb, popular music blog SingersRoom to name a few.
“I respect my past,” says the singer-songwriter-fashion icon Jody Watley, “but I’m not nostalgic. I hate it when people say, ‘Oh, the good old days…’ Well, the good old days are now, what you make of the now. Some of the music may take people back, however it's about creating new moments, new memories - with fresh ingriedients.”
That attitude, which is the core of her work ethic and creative approach, recently earned Ms. Watley the distinction of being named “one of the most prominent visionaries of her era” by Wax Poetics magazine.
The trio’s dynamic stage show breathes new life into a few Shalamar classics “A Night To Remember” and "Take That To The Bank" "Full of Fire" of which Watley originated and then also puts a spotlight on their own new music now becoming fan favorites. Watley's set includes signature solo hits like “Friends,” “Looking For a New Love,” and “Don’t You Want Me,” as well as music from her 2014 critically acclaimed Paradise EP. That album’s first single “Nightlife” – her 19th Billboard Top 20 Dance hit; a UK Top 10 Commercial Pop and UK Top 5 soul hit – added another notch to her impressive chart history: six Top 10 Pop singles; thirteen #1 Dance Singles; seven Top 5 R&B Singles; two Top 20 pop albums; 2 Top 10 R&B albums; and a Top 5 R&B album. Paradise celebrates dance music’s classic sounds and motifs (nodding to disco, House, soulful R&B,) while looking squarely to the future. As an artistic statement, it’s a perfect encapsulation of Ms. Watley’s career thus far: This is where I’ve been / this is what I’ve done / this is where I am and what I’m doing right now / this is how I’m mapping the future and SRL are now a part of that. That's a part of what our forthcoming "Bridges" album is about; building pathways for those what want to be on it and new connections."
“There’s new merchandise for fans to purchase, more music and video on the way as well other exciting projects in the pipeline. We're just getting started.”
Official SRL Facebook: HERE
SRL on Twitter: Here
Instagram/ShalamarReloaded
Shop SRL Merchandise: Here
Official Jody Watley: Here
Booking:
Seth Cohen, Pyramid Entertainment scohen@pyramid-ent.com
PR
Tom Estey PR http://www.tomestey.com/
Watch the new beginnings and some highlights from 2015 starting with the audition of new male lead vocalist and entertainer extraordinaire Nate Smith. Here
It was a year to remember, see where Shalamar Reloaded ranks on Dave Higdon's Poptastic Confessions with first single SlowDance: Here
"Shalamar was always a place for new taent to emerge..The new male lead Nate Smith has his own style and osero McCoy is a renowned choreographer.." Read more: Here
"The new era of Shalamar is in full effect.." Read the rest: Here
In one of the biggest surprises this month..read the rest: Here
Shalamar Make That Move Again With Jody Watley, Nate Smith and Rosero McCoy, Read the Full Article: Here
See what Soulbounce has to say about the new Shalamar video SlowDance: Here
Shalamar shines in sparking new video and Jody Watley still has the Soul Train moves! By Patrik Henry Bass: Here
Spectra Music group is proud to welcome Shalamar and Jody Watley announced via their company blog: Here
Read the Full Article by Eileen Shapiro
Visit the Official Shalamar® Blog to see what's up and check out the photo's of the week pulled from group and individual social media. http://www.shalamaronline.blogspot.com
A blend of classic and new soul. - Dominique Carson Read the review: Here
See what 94.7 The Wave has to say about the new soulful single: Here
A perfect blend of classic and contemporary soul by Patrik Henry Bass on ESSENCE.com
Read it on Eurweb
Jody Watley, Nate Allen Smith and Rosero McCoy sit down with music journalist Brian Pace in New York city at soundcheck to talk about the new group, new music and touch upon history of Shalamar. The interview is interspersed with live concert footage of their performance for "Midsummer Night Swing" at Damrosch Park Lincoln Center: Watch - Here
Tune in to KTLA 5 Morning News at 9:20 am
It was disco funk and pop music heaven at Melkweg Amsterdam with Jody Watley, nate Allen Smith and Rosero McCoy : Maxazine Review
An in depth convo with Eddie 'Stats' on Okayplayer - Read it Here
Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded on Amsterdam Radio 6: Here
"..the fashionable hitmaker didn’t just put the focus on her many individual talents, but also brought along Shalamar Reloaded to revisit those often overlooked beginnings.." Read the rest : here on ChicagoConcertReviews.com
Watch the video of the performance and interview with Jody Watley, Nate Allen Smith and Rosero McCoy see which classic they put a new spin on: WGN
By Andy Argyrakis: Chicago Concert Reviews
Read the feature with a focus on the new members, new music and upcoming plans: Chicago Defender with Mary L. Datcher
Jody Watley always keeps it fun, candid and enlightening on matters of the business of music http://www.soulinterviews.com/jody-watley-2015/
Te Second Time Around: Jody Watley "Reloads" SHALAMAR read the revealing article by Gerald Radford on Eurweb
ARISE Entertainment 360 Speaks With Grammy Winning Icon and Talk about the New SHALAMAR: Watch
New on JET Mag Jody Watley takes the new SHALAMAR on Tour: Here
Check out Dave Higdon's review on Jody Watley and SHALAMAR, it was a party: http://poptasticconfessions.blogspot.com/2015/03/jody-watley-and-shalamar-reloaded-in.html
Read the review on Jody Watley and SHALAMAR via Soultrain.com http://soultrain.com/2015/02/24/concert-review-jody-watley-gets-party-started-new-york/
Jody Watley Gets Real About Her Legacy, Message and New Music : Here
Jody Watley sets the record straight with mega receipts, Op-Ed Blog
Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded Review, EurThisandThat:by Michael P Coleman: Here
Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded a tough act to follow, review: Eurweb
Review by Michael P Coleman Sac Cultural Hub: Here
O.R.I.G.in.A.L Surge in Views. Read all about it: Here
Shalamar Reloaded Take on Internet Trolls and Haters. Read it on Singersroom
Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded film new video for forthcoming "O.R.I.G.in.A.L" video: Source
Jody Watley Reloades Shalamar and Keeps on Stepping in Her Jerome S. Rousseau Shoes by A. Scott Galloway http://interview.theurbanmusicscene.com/2016/02/jody-watley-reloads-shalamar/
Review by Harriet Kaplan SoCalToday http://socalmusictoday.com/shalamar-reloaded-jody-watley-roxy-01292016/
Bill Vaugh's Tasty Clips, by Bill Vaughn: Here
Watch the performance and Interview with Sam Rubin: Here
Jody Watley and Shalamar Reloaded Will Blow Up The Roxy Theatre in Los Angeles Jan.29: Here by Michael P. Coleman
"There was a fistfight the last time I played there.." Read the article :Here
Dave Higdon's Poptastic Confessions: Here
