Reminiscin' - Interviews

Probably extensively known for the popular track 'Somebody else's Guy' but her claim to musical stardom didn't start there. As a youngster Jocelyn Brown was surrounded by music; greatly influenced by Rod Stewart, Sting, The Temptations and The Supremes.

Not only did she embark on a musical career that stemmed from her group work with Incognito, Inner Life but she was the backing vocals for John Lennon, George Benson and Luther Vandross. It was not until Jocelyn decided to go solo that the world saw her true potential as an iconic performer.

Reminiscin' caught up with Jocelyn Brown as she explains her reason for going solo and the one man that made her go gaga!

What drew you to disco/club/ dance music?
The thing was I had done some dance stuff with Inner Life in the earlier years. It was all about the group sessions and singing. In return of that, it turns out that, that kind of music was being put in the clubs a lot Studio 54 .The garage and all that stuff was happening at that time too-they were the ones that were being singled out to be played in the clubs. Prior to that out in NYC, in Long Island; that was where the big scene was happening-John Travolta and the Bee Gees, that had taken a big hit. There was also Greg Diamond who had also come out with club orientated music that I had done background session work on-so that is how it kinda progressed.

Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand as an artist in the 80's and 90's did you have any fashion blunders? Any item of Clothing you wished you never wore in your music video's or gigs?
(Screams out laughing) I had a couple of them. I don't know what they put me in, when it came to videos. When I did Right Said Fred-oh my God that outfit and hair do. I mean the hair do was fantastic but the outfit it was deep (laughs). When I did Kym Mazel 'Enough is Enough' they had me in a silver outfit that the crouch was all the way down to my knees. Other examples of fashion blunder - I was dressed as a pineapple (laughs). I also had to wear a dress with the American flag on it and I had to open it up-that was deep 'cos my daughters were like MUMMMMMM why you showing all your cookies (laughs).

What kind of artists do you have in your music/CD collection?
It is quite varied - I have got jazz, Brazilian music-Tania Maria is my favourite-Brazil 66. Omar -I have got drum and bass too (laughs).

Is there one album you can't live without?
Zhane and also I am into Gospel big time - Dorinda Clark -Cole and Frank Macoon…girl girl girl Donny Hathaway rehashed-do you know what I am saying (laughs and shrieks). He is off the hook. He is like Donny Hathaway reincarnated.

Did you always want to be a music artist or did you have other career ambitions growing up?
I wanted to be a teacher. I had a chance to get into it; I got the certificate for doing kindergarten classes.
How far did you get involve in the teaching industry before you decided to become an artist?
I had been singing all the time, but I had a baby by that time. I was like ok, my real love is dealing with the children- I kinda went that way for a minute and then I got snatched back into the music. I was being called to do sessions and so on and that is where it went from one extreme to another. The next thing I knew, I was on stage.

You are now also involved in the production side of music - why did you decide to get into producing and who have you worked with as a producer?
I play the piano for one and I write my own stuff. My daughters sing. Sometimes you can't find people who want to work with new artist and I find that very cheeky you have to handle them when they are brand new. You can't take artists' and mess around - you have to be sweet an understanding.

Does the new company follow the same concept of collaborating with artists?
It sure does and writing too. It also deals with writing lyrics to the music melodies side of things. Find beginnings, artist might sing you a 30 second situation of a song and they don't know where to go-we build it up for them and help them with it vocally and instrumentally and also worldwide.

So who have you dealt with in that kind of arena?
MJ Cole, Louie Vega , Eric Morillo, Todd Terry. I have worked with Greg Carmicheal. I have also worked with Simon Cowell he allowed me to do my own thing with Kym Mazel on 'Enough is Enough' -so Simon Cowell let me be me (laughs).

In regards to your production company who else would you like to work with?
I am getting ready to work with Curtis Lynch Junior, Jon Cutler and Bluey ( Incognito) is who I have just finished working with. I would love to work with Elton John and Sting.

You have worked with endless Dj's , musicans, artists' and performers - Luther Vandross, Bette Midler, John Lennon, Quincey Jones, Michael Jackson, Roberta Flack, George Benson, Teddy Pendergrass and plenty more- who have you been star struck by?
I met Marvin Gaye and I got real star struck and Gregory Hines and Patti Labelle-she got me too. I got star struck by Diana Ross too. My best girl is Bette Midler. There have been a few folks, Luther Vandross. It is funny because we were all peers and they got massive and I was like aaaaaaah (screams enthusiastically) I mean who really star struck me-I mean Elton John he got me really good, Michael too, but definitely Gregory Hines. I saw him walking down the street with his family and when you get in that alter state -you know that state where you just can't move. My mouth dropped open and I was a grown woman I was no kid. He just looked at me and started laughing and came over to me and said 'How you doing?' I just couldn't say anything. He asked me what my names was and I said Jocelyn and he said it was nice meeting you and all I could say was 'me too' (laughs). I messed up bad.

What has been the best surprise you've received as an artist?
The best surprise I have got in the industry is hearing someone else sing 'Somebody else's guy' their own interpretation. That was the best thing in the world - it almost makes your heart jump out your chest. I have been appreciated by so many of my peers you can't runaway from that. That is something so wonderful you can't replace that.

What are your current and future projects you are working on?
We have just launched an album called 'Jocelyn Brown Unreleased' on the internet. We are looking to put that together. I am also working on a project with me and my daughters - we have done some stuff with MJ Cole and we are looking to put that as an album on ourselves.