Jeff and his new album

From www.myspace.com/sewtoe

What can I say? Speechless actually...it's common that most artists boast about the current album they're working on as the best they've ever done &/or made, naturally we as artists not only like to believe in ourselves as much as pimp the hell out of new stuff but once in a while, the sentiments match the emotions.

It's 32º outside (0º Celcius), snowing a bit & I am just returning from the gym here. I'm happy to report we're into the final stretch of the new album here (not yet titled) in Gothenburg Sweden & I'm over the moon, beyond leaps & bounds on what I expected on this one (and I had huge expectations going in!).

Monstrous credit & kudos go out 1st to my producer/collaborator/co-writer & outright genius, Paulo "The Mendo" Mendonça. If I haven't stated it before, the guy has music & creativity flowing through his soul like no one I've ever worked with!! I was a huge fan of his 2nd album (Different Phases), the one I discovered this guy & his music, from then I knew I had to meet & work with him someday. I discovered 'this' album in 1994 while doing a promo tour for one of my own (Love Parade) in Germany...the label exec/record store owner knew I loved the R&B laced rock handed me Paulo's album as he knew it was right up my alley. Paulo grew up in Sweden (parents from Angola & Portugal, growing up in Sweden, how's that for complex?) so naturally he was considered a Swedish artist but his success came more in Germany & Switzerland where he released 3 successful solo albums in the 90's. Out of frustration of where my sound seemed stagnant, I knew I had to do something new, something fresh, if not for me but for the longevity of my career. I was in England on the Lost In The Translation tour in 2004 & had one of those 'where am I going' nights I happened to be listening to Different Phases & realised 'this is what I want, this is the guy who can do it for me!'.

In my overly ambitious manner, I spent the next day calling contacts & associates who might know where to find Paulo, he'd dropped out of the scene as an artist shortly after his 3rd album, 11PM. The internet was no help & it was a needle in a haystack regarding info on the guy but I eventually found him, luckily for me, as part of a new international publishing company he co-owns called Phrased Differently where he was now strictly a writer/producer...could this situation get any better? Yes it can.

After finally getting his contacts, the 1st text to him explaining who I (thankfully he already knew!) & what my idea of collaborating was, his initial reply was 'anytime, anywhere!'. We finally met & wrote our 1st couple of songs early 2005 which leads us here now....

2 + years in the making, tours with Soul SirkUS/Journey/Talisman/solo, albums & sessions galore & trying to squeeze in as much as we could in between to put priority on this album, I can finally say I am a week away from completing it finally.

With all of this said, I can summarize my opening statement....this is quintessentially the best album I have ever done!! I know a lot will disagree because it doesn't really fit in with the last 2 AOR/melodic rock style albums, this one taps onto a whole new territory for me. It mixes soul, R&B, pop, & groove with rock edge at times but the bottom line is it KICKS ASS! The album is mostly co-written by Paulo, myself & other writers from the Phrased Differently house as well as along with my Aussie buddy Ben Carey (Savage Garden/Lifehouse) & newcomer Sam Grow. It may alienate the traditional JSS fan who wants more 'Stand Up & Shout' or 'Lost In The Translation' but I know the diehards who understand what I am truly about will hear this as the new beginning for me as I do. It is the perfect musical smorgasbord of influences I love all in one stew! You'll have to wait until we're completely happy with mixes & mastering before any samples will be unleashed but this for me has to be treated like the bottle of fine wine it is.

There you go, my final peace on it until it reaches your ears, I had to release my enthusiasm a bit before continuing. Wish us luck!!

JSS

As usual, I can't wait!

Me neither - any ideas on a release date??

He told us "before Firefest" last night.

Yeah, this is going to be an album of such special significance that Jeff wants to get it absolutely right, and he said it will take as long as it takes.

Marty

Can't wait to hear it!

Jeff played me (and a couple of very close peeps) a 'final' mix of one of the tracks last Sunday - absolutely wonderful. You guys are in for a treat - perhaps towards the end of the Summer, it takes time to bring something special to market, but the wait will be worth it.

Watch this space

Uncle

I'm excited, can't wait for it to be released, it's sure to be amazing!

I agree, Sherrie. Nice to see you back!

I've been neglecting all of message boards lately, sorry