Jody Watley's ninth solo album, appropriately titled ‘The Makeover’ (Avitone Recordings), puts a pop-tronic spin and proverbial twist on the concept of "the cover record." The result is a groove-laden odyssey of fresh sounds that find the Grammy Award winning artist doing "makeovers" of contemporary classicssuch as Bob Marley’s "Waiting in Vain," Diana Ross' "Love Hangover," Chic’s “I Want Your Love” and Madonna’s “Borderline” in addition to inspired new material, including “A Bed Of Roses” with the UK’s sublime powerhouse Drum and Bass outfit 4 HERO. The lead single from the project, “Borderline," is an ambient slow jam that flips the original, bringing new depth and poignancy to the song.

‘The Makeover’ showcases this venerable artist, arguably a pop icon that helped define an era, thinking "outside the box” as Watley chooses to forego a conventional pop approach, opting to embrace a bold musical statement that includes collaborations with some of today's most sought-after DJ/producers of electronica, nu-soul and deep house. As she states in the liner notes, this personal project is heavily influenced by the DJ and club culture she's come to love and be inspired by. It’s no wonder that her collaborations with King Britt, 4 Hero, DJ Spinna, Ron Trent, and Chris Brann on ‘The Makeover’ have yielded top-shelf, beat-savvy and breathtaking results.

On the title track, the self-penned ‘The Makover (Superstar)’, Watley denounces the current obsession with celebrity and perils of low self-esteem often associated with it, encouraging the listener to take a stand and be their own “superstar.” It is at once unapologetically refreshing and thoroughly modern. Clearly, this is not the Jody Watley of the 80’s and 90’s, but a contemporary artist making the music she wants to make on her own terms. After listening to ‘The Makeover,’ it becomes very clear why Jody Watley has become a force to be reckoned with on the global modern music scene.