Album Notes

FREDDIE JACKSON Transitions Grammy-nominated, American Music Award-winning vocalist Freddie Jackson has dominated R&B with eleven #1 singles on the Billboard charts. His contributions include such era-defining classics as “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times’ Sake),” “You Are My Lady,” “Tasty Love,” “Nice ‘n’ Slow” and “Love Me Down.” Now his legion of fans can rejoice in Freddie’s return with his forthcoming album TRANSITIONS. Having grown up just a few blocks from the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York, Freddie split his time between singing in church and attending the concerts of soulful, seasoned vocalists such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye. “All those guys worked so hard, they’d leave their sweat on the stage,” Jackson declares. “There was no lip-syncing; it was all about giving people their money’s worth, which was a lesson I took to heart. I was able to study those guys, see what they were doing, and then I’d be up in my bedroom with my little tape player and my mother would think I was listening to James Cleveland … when I was actually listening to Sam Cooke!” Some years later, Jackson was discovered at a showcase by Beau Huggins, of Hush Productions, and eventually sang back-up for Melba Moore. A deal with Capital Records followed, reuniting Jackson with producer/composer Paul Laurence, who he’d met years earlier at White Rock Baptist Church in Harlem. The union created the debut album, “Rock Me Tonight”. The single of the same title enjoyed a six-week stay at number one and the album stayed at number one for 27 weeks making Freddie Jackson a household name via urban contemporary radio. It also reached number 13 on the pop charts, which helped provide Jackson the wide audience he continues to enjoy today. Now with his highly–anticipated release, TRANSITIONS, Freddie is doing what he does best – making unforgettable music. Many are already saying this is his best studio album to date. TRANSITIONS is about renewal, relationships and longevity. And Jackson speaks this philosophy through his music poignantly. The album is a story connecting his past and present musical career. “I am looking forward to performing the album and staging each song,” Jackson shares enthusiastically. The first single, “Until The End of Time” which charted as the #1 most added at Radio & Records during it’s first week of play, shows the same muscle as other Jackson chart-topping ballads. “I am so excited about this album. I believe “Until The End of Time” will be the wedding song of the year and go into the book of great love songs right next to “You Are My Lady”. For me, “Until The End of Time” is the continuum to “You Are My Lady”. A couple who started their romance with that song can put on “Until The End of Time” and celebrate two decades of unconditional love”, Jackson says. TRANSITIONS also reunites Jackson with long-time producer/composer Paul Laurence. Additional production talent includes long-time Orpheus collaborator Yasha, and Marc Nelson, formerly with the group Az Yet. The 12-song album also includes the smooth, sexy feel of the self-titled single, “Transitions” which will have you lost in each of Freddie’s melodic notes as well as the heart-felt medley of “Superstar” and “Wind Beneath My Wings”, Jackson’s special tribute to the late Luther Vandross, from whom he says he learned a great deal about the execution and presentation of a ballad. Sometimes an effective transition is achieved by merely adding one word… Freddie Jackson.