I'm not sure where to utimately put Narada in the panthenon of Music History... "eclectic" is probably putting it mildly...the man is really something of a chameleon. Narada Michael Walden's career spans three decades as a drummer,Keyboardist,Vocalist and songwriter, producer for Everybody...

His musical career ranges from Santana, Jeff Beck, Weather Report and John Mclaughlin all the way over to Shanice, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey...
drop a needle anywhere on his 70's and 80's solo albums, and you're likely to land on Jazz/Funk,Fusion, Rock, Soul, Pop or even Disco, often on the same disc!

The music he writes and produces for others covers the same wide range: R&B, Rock, Jazz, Pop, and country,with multiple gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards. He's produced and/or (co) written number one hits by Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey ("Vision of Love"), Aretha Franklin ("Freeway of Love"), and Lisa Fischer ("How Can I Ease the Pain"). His proficient drumming skills have made him a first-call session musician, playing on countless recording sessions.


Michael Walden was Born April 23, 1952, in Kalamazoo, MI, . After college graduation, he trekked to Miami, FL, playing in various rock bands. His driving mision? He was "trying to get the chance to play with Jimi Hendrix, who unfortunately passed away before I ever got to meet him". But along the way, he managed to cross paths with guitarist John Mclaughlin, then going by his spiritual name , Mahavishnu, given by his guru Sri Chinmoy. (Carlos Santana was also a follower at the time, and was going by "Devadip Carlos Santana"). Mike soon became a follower as well, and was given the name "Narada", which means "Supreme Musician"...he joined the Mahavishnu Orchestra at 21 years old, replacing drumming legend Billy Cobham. During that time, he became friends with Jeff Beck, and ended up not only playing but also writing half of the songs on Jeff's "Wired" Album...

Walden's own solo career began in 1976. Signing with Atlantic Records, his debut album, Garden of Love Light, included the mid-tempo "Delightful," which charted at 81 R&B in spring 1977. His next LP, I Cry I Smile, boasted the songs "So Long" and the radio-aired tracks "I Need Your Love,", "I Remember," and "Better Man."
"Awakening" proved to be his breakthrough album, going to number 15 R&B in spring 1979 and yielding the hit, "I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You)."
His second highest charting single, "I Shoulda Loved Ya," hit number four R&B in late 1979, from The Dance of Life album, which also included the ballad "Why Did You Turn Me On." "You're #1" and "Summer Lady" were both on his Confidence LP from 1982. Walden's cover of the Four Tops' "Reach Out I'll Be There," was a huge dance hit from his "Looking at You, Looking at Me"Lp, which charted in spring 1983.
Switching to Warner Bros., his duet with Patti Austin, the tune, "Gimme Gimme Gimme,"hit the charts in early 1985, from his album, "The Nature of Things". His single "Divine Emotions" appeared in the Michael J. Fox movie Bright Lights, Big City and his 1988 album of the same name. His last solo album, 1995's "Sending Love to Everyone" (Toshiba/EMI)was released only in Japan . the single of the same name went to#2 on the japanese charts.

In the '80s, he became a Grammy-winning mega-producer: Producer of the Year in 1987, Album of the Year for the 1993 movie soundtrack The Bodyguard (Narada Michael Walden, producer), and the Song of the Year award in 1985 for writing Aretha Franklin's "Freeway of Love." The song helped the Queen of Soul land her first platinum album. Walden was named one of the Top Ten Producers With the Most Number One Hits by Billboard magazine. Narada produced the Temptations' "Stay," the group's first number one record in 25 years from their platinum-plus Grammy-nominated Phoenix Rising. He also produced tracks for their follow-up album, Ear-Resistable issued by Motown/Universal on May 16, 2000.

a partial list of some of the people and albums he's written, produced and played for:

Mahavishnu (Apocalypse,Visions of the emerald beyond, Inner Worlds)
Jeff Beck (Wired)
Weather Report - (Black Market)
Carlos Santana- (Silver Dreams,Golden Reality)
Roy Buchannan - Loading Zone
Tommy Bolin - Teaser
Don Cherry - Hear and Now
Stacy Lattisaw - (Let Me Your Angel, With You, Sneaking Out)
Sister Sledge - All American Girls
Phylis Hyman -
Angela Bofill (Something About You, Too Tight, Teaser)
Lionel Richie
Aretha Franklin (Who's Zoomin Who, Aretha)
Kenny G (Duotones)
Whitney Houston (Whitney Houston [How Will I know], Whitney, I'm Your Baby Tonight)
George Benson (While The City Sleeps - [Shiver])
Herbie Hancock (Lite Me Up)
Jermaine Stewart ("We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off"),
Carl Carlton (The Bad CC)
Starship (No Protection)
Clarence Clemmons( Hero)
Eddie Murphy (Put Your Mouth On Me)
Brenda Russell ( Kiss Me With The Wind)
Patti Labelle (Yourself)
Lisa Fischer
Cherelle (The Woman I Am)
Natalie Cole ("Good to Be Back),
Regina Belle-Passion ("Baby Come to Me"),
Mica Paris (Whisper A Prayer)
Al Jarreau (Heaven and Earth)
Mariah Carey -(Mariah Carey [Vision Of Love, I don't Wanna Cry])
Lou Rawls (Its Supposed To Be Fun)
Shanice Wilson - (Inner Child[I Like Your Smile, Silent Prayer)
Tevin Cambell(T.E.V.I.N.)
Curtis Mayfield (New World Order)
Hendrix tribute Concert - Bumpershoot
Steve Winwood(Junction Seven)
George Michael - [I knew You Were Waiting for Me (With Aretha Franklin)]
The Winans (Phase 2)
Patti Austin (Rhythm Of The Street, Jukebox Dreams)
Ray Charles
Al Green (Your Heart's In Good Hands)
Temptations (Phoenix Rising, Awesome)
Tatyana Ali (Kiss The Sky)
Diana Ross(Take Me Higher)
Sting - Rainforest Benefit
Wynona Judd
Barbara Streisand



I used to wonder if all his Pop productions ever sofftened his drummimg chops, But as Jazz Drummer Dan Gottlieb said a few years ago, "Man, Narada's still got it..we were doing a session for pearl drums, and I came by to lend some sticks for the shoot, and he and I started jammin together... Man, I was throwing some stuff at him I learned with Mahavishnu, and he was taking it, turnin' on its side , adding stuff, and then throwin' it back at me... he's such an inspiration to play with."

BTW, there's an interesting interview with NMW here:http://www.roland.co.uk/power_online/NARADA.htm
[Edited 9/19/04 7:27am]

Confidence is one of my favorite early 80's albums. Dude just went way to pop after that album. I did like "How Will I Kow" and few others pop cuts he produced. He lost me as a fan when he released "Divine Emotions"

He also wrote a few tracks for new kids on the block's 1994 album "face the music"!

"keep on smilin'" (midtempo uplifting track)
"I'll still be loving you" (great twinkly sounding ballad)
"I can't believe it's over" (same as above but not as good)


Also don't forget most of Al Jarreau's 1992 album "heaven and earth"!

"Heaven and earth" (didn't write but he produced)
"If i break" (gorgeous twinkly sounding ballad)
"Blue angel" (funky,uptempo Newjackish track)


Aswell as Tracie Spenser "Don't slip away" form Super Mario bros. soundtrack too!

"'till the money's gone" by Eddie Murphy is one of my fav's!