Leon Ware’s first mark upon the music scene was a song he co-wrote for the ISLEY BROTHERS, “Got To Have You Back”,
which hit gold for them in 1964. The musical landscape of the time was undergoing a drastic reconstruction. Rock n. Roll was morphing into a more sophisticated sound as the English invasion forced its energy into the mix and traditional soul (a la Motown) was experiencing a psychedelic barrage of artists like SLY STONE and JIMI HENDRIX. Throughout this era of turbulence, Leon wrote hit songs for THE JACKSON 5, THE MIRACLES, JR. WALKER, BOBBY WOMACK, DONNY HATHAWAY, ISAAC HAYES, IKE & TINA TURNER, THE MAIN INGREDIENT, MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS and an emerging young moonwalker named MICHAEL.

It was, in fact, the success of his collaboration on MICHAEL JACKSON’s first solo project, the million seller “I Wanna Be Where You Are”, that enabled Leon to follow the release of his own eponymous United Artists’ 1972 album, with a complete immersion into songwriting. The period was extremely productive, yielding the standard, “If I Ever Lose This Heaven”, a classic that distinguished QUINCY JONES’ 1974 album “:Body Heat” on which Leon’s voice was heard along with MINNIE RIPERTON and on which he also performed and co-wrote the title cut and several others. He and Minnie were to continue their collaboration to create three songs for her classic album,
“Adventures In Paradise” which featured their song “Inside My Love”. Leon was writing prolifically and soon headed back to Motown where he was signed to a recording, writing and production deal in 1975.

Fate has a way of working itself into even the most carefully crafted plan, and so it came to pass that Leon began working on a solo project for Motown in late 1975 - one that was to feature him as a writer, producer and artist. The sessions for the album progressed. Around that same time he and ARTHUR T-BOY ROSS were putting down tracks for a demo of four songs that was to be presented for T-Boy to make an album for Motown. They had three songs done and needed another. Leon had written a song a few months prior entitled “I Want You” and they added it to the session. Berry Gordy heard the tracks and was immediately struck by “I Want You”, but had another plan in mind for the song. MARVIN GAYE was due for another album and he wanted him to hear this, hoping that he would want to record it. Marvin not only heard “I Want You”, but heard the other tracks that Leon had cut for his own album and said he would like to record all the songs.....and so what began as Leon’s solo project went on to become one of Gaye’s signature works, the multi-platinum “I Want You” album and the only Gaye and Motown album composed and produced by a single writer.

Following the release and the immediate success of “I Want You”, Leon resumed his own recording career and released an album entitled “Musical Massage” which contained a few of the tracks he had already cut and several new songs he was inspired to write after he and Marvin had completed the “I Want You” album. This highly regarded solo work was overshadowed by “I Want You” in that he was immediately compared to Marvin and that Motown actually would have preferred that “Musical Massage” be Marvin’s follow up to “I Want You”. The company gave it minimal support and it has remained a treasured collector’s item.***

The man who had quietly helped define quintessential 70’s soul music then demonstrated his uncanny versatility and co-wrote and produced an album on MELISSA MANCHÉSTER entitled “Don’t Cry Out Loud”. That period immersed him in writing new material and beginning work on another solo project which became an album entitled “Inside Is Love” and featured the moderately successful hit single “What’s Your Name” and other favorites like “Club Sashay” and “Small Cafe”. His love affair with Brazilian music began to be expressed in this album when he recorded a song by famed Brazilian writer/artist MARCOS VALLE with whom he continued to collaborate. Leon then signed a major long term recording deal with Elektra Records and that association produced two albums: “Rockin’ You Eternally” and “Leon Ware”. His collaborations with MARCOS VALLE were featured on the title song “Rockin’ You Eternally” and several others. The second album, “Leon Ware” was co-produced by the late MARTY PAICH and featured Marty’s beautiful orchestrations and jazzier elements, one of which is another classic song entitled “Why I Came To California” which Leon co-wrote and performed with JANIS SIEGAL of the Manhattan Transfer.

While at Elektra Leon co-wrote and produced two albums on a group called SHADOW which was made up of some members of the OHIO PLAYERS. He made several trips to London and one to Brazil to continue his writing relationships and develop others.
His trips to the UK brought him in touch with his fan base there and he did several personal appearances over the years. He continued to write and collaborate with JAMES INGRAM, BILLY VALENTINE and more of his songs were covered by JOHNNY MATHIS, ROBERT PALMER, VESTA, SYBIL AND CARL ANDERSON who had a hit with “How Deep Does It Go”. When asked to do a demo for his publisher, who also published the song “Blue Velvet”, the demo evolved into an album entitled “Undercover” which was released by a small, independent label. Frustrated with the lack of support the label was giving his project, Leon continued his visits to the UK where he wrote and produced debut artists such as MICA PARIS, LOOSE ENDS, OMAR and worked with UK legend LABI SIFFRE and had a big hit throughout Europe with another UK legend LULU.

With yet another album not realizing its potential, Leon was determined to get his own product out into the market on his own label. Establishing Kitchen Records several years ago, he completed the production of an album entitled “Taste The Love”.
The recording is filled with all the sensuality, romanticism and “classic” Leon Ware phrasing, songwriting and production. He re-records “Come Live With Me Angel” and “Musical Massage”, the musical bookends that mark the period of the “I Want You” album. The new songs range from funky rhythm to sensual ease and include several collaborations with another Brazilian composer of note, GUILHERME VERGUIERO. Due to developments surrounding the distribution company that handled the product, the CD had limited exposure, however it continues to be available on the Internet.

On a visit to New York in 1996 Leon was introduced to MAXWELL, a young artist who had just signed his first recording deal with Columbia Records. MAXWELL was inspired to meet Leon as he had studied his work and was hoping they could create something together. “Sumthin’ Sumthin” which they wrote together appeared on his “Urban Hang Suite” debut and was a breakthrough single for him. It later appeared in the film and on the soundtrack for “Love Jones”. Leon continued to promote his own project and visited the UK to support its release there. While in London, he was introduced to a young artist named HINDA HICKS and played her a song he had co-written entitled
“When I Touch You There’ which he later produced for her.

His home studio was home to several projects which unfortunately did not get released for various reasons not in his control. Undaunted, he continued to explore other musical opportunities which brought him to Amsterdam a year ago to produce a new young band named THE JUIZE. The project remains unfinished at this time as the record company is sorting out its affiliations. While in Amsterdam, Leon discovered another fan base and hopes to return one day to perform as well as complete the project with the band.

Returning home, he heard from an old friend and musical colleague who was moving back to Los Angeles from New Orleans.
His friend had adopted the performing name of KEB’MO’, but had been playing guitar on many of Leon’s demos and written some tunes together “back in the day”. As KEB’MO’ was beginning a new album, they got together and created a song entitled “The Door” which is now the title of KEB’MO’’s current album released by Epic. KEB’MO’ strongly suggested that Leon make an album that would feature just his voice and simple piano accompaniment. With that thought going through his head, Leon ran into another musician friend from “back in the day”,. DON GRUSIN. Don had some tracks he wanted Leon to hear and add words and vocals. In this same time period, Leon was hoping to get all the musicians together who played on “I Want You” and stage a show which would feature the music of the “I Want You” album played instrumentally. On June 21st 2000, the “I Want You “Live” show was performed in Santa Monica. Although there were plans to record it and later release it on CD, the technical facilities needed were not available, but the show was an outstanding success in gathering these great musicians together to play to a very appreciative audience.

The experience of playing “live” with great musicians coupled with the thought of doing a simple album featuring vocals and piano led Don Grusin and Leon to plan to record together. They picked an array of jazz standards and a few of their own tunes. The studio was booked, a few very special musicians were enlisted to play and “Candlelight” was recorded. This project is a testament to Leon’s vocal expression and Don’s musical fluency.
The project is being shopped to labels and they are both ready to support their effort with live performances. “Candlelight” is another title that will be available on the Internet.

Most recently Leon has continued his international connections and has been collaborating with a very talented musician/singer from Sweden named ERIC GADD. Eric has had many successes in his country and plans to record an album for the US market featuring some of the material they have created.

***
“Musical Massage” will have been released 25 years ago and Expansion Records in the UK have just received permission to re-release it along with several unreleased tracks. Leon just completed new liner notes for this much anticipated release.

His new album "Candlelight will be released at August 13^th by Expansion Records.  A review about this album by Chris Mann do you find here.