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Junior Giscombe Signs Deal with Kassner Music
Kassner Music is proud to have signed an exclusive deal with British singer-songwriter Junior. One of the pioneers of modern UK soul and pop music, Junior is best known for his transatlantic hit “Mama Used To Say”, which reached the UK Top 10 and Billboard Top 30 in 1982 and propelled him to that year’s Billboard ‘Best Newcomer’ award, presented to him by the iconic James Brown.
Following on from his breakthrough single, Junior’s 1982 release “Too Late” was another UK Top 20 hit and he received further international recognition when his track “Do You Really Want My Love” was included in the soundtrack of 1984’s highest grossing film, Beverley Hills Cop. Debut album ‘Ji’ reached the Top 30 of the UK charts and was the first of a series of critically acclaimed album releases across his career, the tenth of which, ‘Everyting Set’, will arrive in spring this year.
Alongside his own recording projects, Junior has been a prolific songwriter for other artists such as Sheena Easton, Phil Lynott and perhaps most notably The Lighthouse Family, to whose debut album ‘Ocean Drive’ he contributed the songs “Keep Remembering” and “What Could Be Better”. The album went on to sell over 5 million copies worldwide and spent 175 weeks on the UK chart. Junior was also one of t he creative forces behind his nephew Richard Blackwood’s musical career, which in 2000 yielded several UK chart hits in the form of “Mama – Who Da Man” (UK #3), “1.2.3.4 Get With The Wicked” (UK #10) and “Someone There For Me” (UK #23).
Meanwhile, “Mama Used To Say” remains a fertile source of inspiration for other performers, with multiple covers by artists such as Beverley Knight and interpolations in Warren G’s “Do You See” and Heavy D and The Boyz’ “Is It Good To You” amongst many hip-hop tracks.
Referring to his recent deal with Kassner, Junior said “I decided on Kassner Music because they showed the greatest desire in taking my catalogue forward. I believe that being with a smaller outfit will benefit me as there are a lot of avenues for my songs to explore. With a new album due March/April the timing couldn’t be better”.
Head of Legal and Business Affairs, Alex Kassner said “We are delighted to have secured the representation of one of the statesmen of British black music. Junior is a consummate artist who has been an ever-present of the UK music scene over the last 40 years and we are proud that he has chosen to make Kassner Music the new home for his publishing rights. As well as working the hits we look forward to introducing the depth of his catalogue to potential licensees worldwide”.