Nick Martinelli
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Nicholas J. Martinelli (born 5 July 1952) is an American R&B and
pop Pop or POP may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Pop music, a musical genre Artists * POP, a Japanese idol group now known as Gang Parade * Pop! (British group), a UK pop group * Pop! featuring Angie Hart, an Australian band Album ...
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 Phyllis Linda Hyman (July 6, 1949 – June 30, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Hyman's music career spanned the late 1970s through the early 1990s, and she was best known for her expansive contralto range. Some of her most ...
,
Five Star Five Star (also styled as 5 Star) were a British Pop music, pop group, formed in 1983 and comprising siblings Stedman Pearson, Stedman, Lorraine, Denise Pearson, Denise, Doris, and Delroy Pearson. From 1985 to 1988, Five Star had four top-20 a ...
,
Stephanie Mills Stephanie Dorthea Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to stardom as Dorothy Gale in the original seven-time Tony Awards, Tony Award winning Broadway theatre, Broadway run of the musical ''The Wiz'' ...
and
Regina Belle Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter who started her career in the mid-1980s. Known for her singles "Baby Come to Me (Regina Belle song), Baby Come to Me" (1989) and "Make It Like It Was" (1990), Belle is most notabl ...
.


Early history

Martinelli cut his teeth as a teenager in 1969 in the Chips warehouse, an independent record distributor for
Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...
. He was promoted to warehouse manager as he developed an understanding of distribution and retail sales. In 1977,
Motown Motown is an American record label owned by the Universal Music Group. Founded by Berry Gordy, Berry Gordy Jr. as Tamla Records on January 12, 1959, it was incorporated as Motown Record Corporation on April 14, 1960. Its name, a portmanteau ...
rewarded Nick's diligence by giving him additional responsibilities handling dance promotion for the Northeast region covering the territory from
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York New York may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * ...
to
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. 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, transitioning to an A&R position 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 Dexter Gilman Wansel (born August 22, 1950) is an American R&B/jazz fusion artist, singer, arranger, musician, composer, conductor, synthesist and A&R director. Early life Dexter Wansel began as an errand boy backstage at the Uptown Theater i ...
for his technical studio training. Although Martinelli and WMOT did well in America with
Frankie Smith Franklyn Leon Smith (January 29, 1940 – March 8, 2019) was an American funk musician and R&B/soul songwriter. He was best known for his 1981 hit single " Double Dutch Bus". Career Smith went to college in Tennessee for elementary education ...
's "
Double Dutch Bus "Double Dutch Bus" is a funk song by Frankie Smith, made famous for its extensive use of the "izz" infix form of slang. It was released in February 1981, although some sources indicate 1980 as the original release date. The single capitalized ...
," it took a trip overseas for him to create a niche with his production style; he produced "Act Like You Know" and co-produced " Zoom" for
Fat Larry's Band Fat Larry's Band was an American R&B and funk band from Philadelphia, which enjoyed some commercial success in the late 1970s and early 1980s, particularly in the United Kingdom. Career Formed by drummer and vocalist "Fat" Larry James (August ...
, and it rose to the top of the British pop singles chart in 1982. Martinelli then spent two years remixing many hits for various artists, including the
Ray Parker Jr. Ray Erskine Parker Jr. (born May 1, 1954) is an American guitarist, songwriter, and record producer. As a solo performer, he wrote and performed the theme song for the 1984 film '' Ghostbusters'' and also sounds from the animated series '' The ...
hit, "
Ghostbusters ''Ghostbusters'' is a 1984 American supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd, and Ramis as Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler, three eccentric ...
". Martinelli also produced and mixed a record by seminal female rapper Lady B called "To the Beat Y'all". The music was actually from another song that Martinelli produced, "Everybody Here Must Party" by the sibling girl group Direct Current. It peaked at number 21 on Billboard's Disco Chart in April 1979. Throughout the 80's and 90's Martinelli continued his streak by producing an array of hits for a variety of artists.


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) "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" is the seventh single by British soul band Loose Ends from their second studio album, '' So Where Are You?'', and was released in February 1985 by Virgin Records. In the group's native UK, the single made th ...
," which reached number one on the ''Billboard''
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs The Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart ranks the most popular R&B and hip hop songs in the United States and is published weekly by '' Billboard''. Rankings are based on a measure of radio airplay, sales data, and streaming activity. The chart had 100 ...
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 Five Star (also styled as 5 Star) were a British Pop music, pop group, formed in 1983 and comprising siblings Stedman Pearson, Stedman, Lorraine, Denise Pearson, Denise, Doris, and Delroy Pearson. From 1985 to 1988, Five Star had four top-20 a ...
's debut album ''
Luxury of Life ''Luxury of Life'' is the debut album by the British pop group Five Star. Though not a great success when it was first released in the summer of 1985, the album eventually peaked at number 12 in early 1986, and spent a total of 70 weeks in the U ...
'', released in 1985, which included 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 Stephanie Dorthea Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She rose to stardom as Dorothy Gale in the original seven-time Tony Awards, Tony Award winning Broadway theatre, Broadway run of the musical ''The Wiz'' ...
(with No. 1 singles for " I Feel Good All Over" and "
Home A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or more human occupants, and sometimes various companion animals. Homes provide sheltered spaces, for instance rooms, where domestic activity can be p ...
"),
Gladys Knight & the Pips Gladys Knight & the Pips were an American Rhythm and blues, R&B, soul music, soul, and funk family music group from Atlanta, Georgia, that remained active on the music charts and performing circuit for over three decades starting from the early ...
('' All Our Love album—gold),
Teddy Pendergrass Theodore DeReese Pendergrass (March 26, 1950 – January 13, 2010) was an American Soul music, soul and R&B singer and songwriter. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pendergrass lived most of his life in the Philadelphia area, and initial ...
(#1 ''
Joy Joy is the state of being that allows one to experience feelings of intense, long-lasting happiness and contentment of life. It is closely related to, and often evoked by, well-being, success, or good fortune. Happiness, pleasure, and gratitu ...
'' album—gold), and
Miki Howard Alicia Michelle "Miki" Howard (born September 30, 1960) is an American R&B singer who had top 10 hit songs in the mid-1980s and early 1990s, including "Baby, Be Mine" (1987), "Come Share My Love" (1986) and "Love Under New Management" (1990). ...
(#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.


1990s

Martinelli entered the 1990s with
Regina Belle Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter who started her career in the mid-1980s. Known for her singles "Baby Come to Me (Regina Belle song), Baby Come to Me" (1989) and "Make It Like It Was" (1990), Belle is most notabl ...
's No. 1 album '' Stay with Me'' spawning two No. 1 hit singles, one of which garnered a Grammy nomination ("Make It Like It Was"). Long-time mentor
Kenny Gamble Kenneth Gamble (born August 11, 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Leon A. Huff (born April 8, 1942, Camden, New Jersey) are an American songwriting and production duo credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as P ...
selected him to work with
Phyllis Hyman Phyllis Linda Hyman (July 6, 1949 – June 30, 1995) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Hyman's music career spanned the late 1970s through the early 1990s, and she was best known for her expansive contralto range. Some of her most ...
, having written two selections for Hyman, including the Top 10 single, "When You Get Right Down to It," as well as her No. 1 R&B hit " Don't Wanna Change the World". In 1993, Martinelli relocated to
Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...
, where he wrote and produced songs for Jomanda,
Regina Belle Regina Belle (born July 17, 1963) is an American singer-songwriter who started her career in the mid-1980s. Known for her singles "Baby Come to Me (Regina Belle song), Baby Come to Me" (1989) and "Make It Like It Was" (1990), Belle is most notabl ...
, Robin S.,
Howard Hewett Howard Hewett Jr. (born October 1, 1955) is an American singer–songwriter. Hewett rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the group Shalamar. In 1985, he left the group to pursue his solo career, but he later returned to the group in 2001. He si ...
,
Gerald Alston Gerald Alston (born November 8, 1951) is an American soul/R&B singer, and the lead singer of the Manhattans. Between late 1970 and 1988, the group had 25 top 40 R&B and 12 Hot 100 hit singles. Alston was lead singer on their most successful 1976 ...
,
Lulu Lulu may refer to: Companies * LuLu, an early automobile manufacturer * Lulu.com, an online e-books and print self-publishing platform, distributor, and retailer * Lulu Hypermarket, a retail chain in Asia * Lululemon Athletica or simply Lulu, a C ...
,
RuPaul RuPaul Andre Charles (born November 17, 1960) is an American drag queen, television host, singer, producer, writer, and actor. He produces, hosts, and judges the reality competition series ''RuPaul's Drag Race'' and has received List of awards ...
,
Chaka Khan Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan ( ), is an American singer. Known as the " Queen of Funk", her career has spanned more than five decades beginning in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of ...
, Chris Walker, and his lifelong idol
Diana Ross Diana Ross (born Diane Ernestine Earle Ross March 26, 1944) is an American singer and actress. Known as the "Queen of Motown Records", she was the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes, who became Motown#Major divisions, Motown's most suc ...
. He achieved quadruple Platinum status with his new productions on the Diana Ross greatest-hits ''One Woman Collection''. In 1994 he branched out by producing a BPI-certified Gold symphonic Christmas CD, '' A Very Special Season'' for Diana Ross in the U.K. In early 1995, Martinelli was called back to
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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

* 1982: Fat Larry's Band - "Act Like You Know" * 1984: The Real Thing - "We Got Love" * 1985: Loose Ends - "
Hangin' on a String (Contemplating) "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" is the seventh single by British soul band Loose Ends from their second studio album, '' So Where Are You?'', and was released in February 1985 by Virgin Records. In the group's native UK, the single made th ...
" * 1985: Five Star - " Let Me Be the One" * 1985: 52nd Street - "Tell Me (How It Feels)" * 1986: Phyllis Hyman - "Ain't You Had Enough Love" * 1986: Loose Ends - " Slow Down" * 1987: Miki Howard - " Baby Be Mine" * 1987: Sheena Easton - " The Last To Know" * 1988: Miki Howard - " Love Under New Management" * 1988: Teddy Pendergrass - "This is the Last Time" * 1989: Stephanie Mills - "
Home A home, or domicile, is a space used as a permanent or semi-permanent residence for one or more human occupants, and sometimes various companion animals. Homes provide sheltered spaces, for instance rooms, where domestic activity can be p ...
" * 1989: Kiara and Shanice Wilson - " This Time" * 1991: Phyllis Hyman - "Don't Wanna Change The World" * 1991: Chris Walker - "Giving You All My Love" * 1992: Regina Belle: "If I Could" * 1993: Jomanda: "After All This Love"


References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinelli, Nick 1952 births Living people Record producers from Pennsylvania American people convicted of drug offenses American people of Italian descent West End Records artists American disco musicians