Nick Martinelli

For the Sylvester Stallone character named Nick Martinelli, see the 1984 film Rhinestone

Nick Martinelli

Nick Martinelli - 2004
Background information
Birth name Nicholas J. Martinelli
Born (1952-07-05) July 5, 1952
Origin Philadelphia, United States
Genres Pop
Contemporary R&B
post-disco
Years active 1979-Present
Labels Virgin Records
WMOT Records
West End Records
Prelude Records
Associated acts Loose Ends
Five Star
52nd Street
Stephanie Mills
Phyllis Hyman
Regina Belle
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Teddy Pendegrass
Miki Howard

Nicholas J. "Nick" Martinelli (born July 5, 1952) is an American R&B and pop record producer. During the 1980s he worked with many R&B and pop music artists, some of them based in the UK. Acts he has worked with include Loose Ends, Phyllis Hyman, Five Star, Stephanie Mills and Regina Belle.[1]

Early history

Martinelli cut his teeth as a teenager in 1969 in the Chips warehouse, an independent record distributor for Motown. He was promoted to warehouse manager as he developed an understanding of distribution and retail sales. In 1977, Motown rewarded Nick's diligence by giving him additional responsibilities handling dance promotion for the Northeast region which covered from New York to Washington.[1]

It was in the clubs that Martinelli found an outlet to express himself creatively — behind the turntables. In 1978, WMOT Records hired him for a national sales position. He finally made the transition to A&R a year later. This enabled him to sign and develop new talent on the Philadelphia scene at the time.

Influenced by “The Sound of Philadelphia”, Martinelli credits Dexter Wansel for his technical studio training. Although Martinelli and WMOT did well in America with Frankie Smith's "Double Dutch Bus", it took a trip overseas for him to create a niche with his production style; he co-produced "Zoom" for Fat Larry's Band, and it rose to the top of the British pop singles chart in 1981. Martinelli then spent two years remixing many hits for various artists including the Ray Parker Jr. hit, "Ghost Busters".

Martinelli is also accredited to have produced and mixed Lady B's vinyl record "To the Beat Y'all". Lady B was one of the first female rappers to participate in the rap scene.

1980s

Martinelli is perhaps best known for working with the successful English R&B band Loose Ends during the mid-1980s when he produced two of their all time biggest selling albums, So Where Are You? in 1985 and Zagora in 1986. So Where Are You? included Loose Ends biggest hit to date "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" which reached number one on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Zagora featured another highly successful hit "Slow Down", which also reached number one on the same chart. He also worked with members of Loose Ends on Five Star's debut album Luxury of Life, which was released in 1985, including the R&B hits "All Fall Down" (number 16 in 1985) and "Let Me Be The One" (number two in 1986).

In the mid-'80s, Martinelli's accomplishments continued producing some of the most talented signature vocalists in music, including Stephanie Mills (with #1 singles for "I Feel Good All Over" and "Home"), Gladys Knight & The Pips (All Our Love' album - gold), Teddy Pendergrass (#1 Joy album - gold), and Miki Howard (#1 single with "Love Under New Management" and "Baby Be Mine").

In 1989, Martinelli was sentenced to three years in prison for dealing cocaine in the early part of the decade.[2]

1990s

Martinelli entered the 1990s with Regina Belle's #1 album, Stay with Me, spawning two #1 hit singles, one which garnered a Grammy nomination ("Make It Like It Was"). Long-time mentor Kenny Gamble selected him to work with Phyllis Hyman - having written two selections for Hyman, including the Top 10 single, "When You Get Right Down To It" as well as her #1 R&B hit, "Don't Wanna Change the World". In 1993, Martinelli relocated to Los Angeles, where he wrote and produced songs for Jomanda, Regina Belle, Robin S., Howard Hewett, Gerald Alston, Lulu, Ru Paul, Chaka Khan and his lifelong idol, Diana Ross.

He achieved quadruple Platinum status with his new productions on the Diana Ross greatest hits, One Woman Collection. In 1994 he branched out by doing a Gold-BPI certified symphonic Christmas CD, A Very Special Season for Diana Ross in the U.K. In early 1995, Martinelli was called back to London to produce the original cast album for the hit musical Mama, I Want to Sing!, starring Chaka Khan.

Accolades

In 1988, Martinelli received the Philadelphia Music Foundation Award for notching the most Top 10 singles in one year. Two years later they honored him again by naming him Best Urban Producer. In the U.K. he was always included in the Blues and Soul Top 10 producer list.

Selected discography

References

  1. 1 2 Hogan, Ed. "Biography: Nick Martinelli". Allmusic. Retrieved June 7, 2010.
  2. ↑ http://articles.philly.com/1989-02-20/news/26152206_1_cocaine-drug-ring-philadelphia-eagle-dennis-franks
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