Our next release sees us bring new life to a sentimental classic record from 1991! The track in question is "Holdin' On" performed by the late legendary gospel singer Michael Watford on vocals, which was his first ever release on Atlantic Records produced with Roger Sanchez and Eddie Perez, for the Jersey house Smack collective.
Fast forward to 2025 and London DJ / producer Leigh Howlett who has always loved the original record, decided to produce his own mix which he started to play on his weekly House FM radio show. Makin' Moves heard the track and immediately loved it. Then deciding to go about letting the rest of the world hear this updated mix, also with the blessings from Michael's son Solomon Watford, the rest they say is now history in the makin'!
Michael Watford was trained as a gospel singer in his youth, growing up in Virginia and New Jersey. That training remained key to his music as he began releasing house records in the early 1990s. Watford earned a No. 1 single on the Billboard dance charts in 1994 with 'So Into You', from his first and only solo LP. Michael was one of the stand out vocalists to come out of New Jersey in the 1990's with other huge hits such as "Luv 4-2" and "It's Over".
The prolific singer contributed vocals to records by Barbara Tucker, Kerri Chandler, En Vogue, Masters At Work, Robert Owens, Jamie Lewis and more. His music has been a staple of house mixes and compilations since the '90s, appearing in hundreds of releases by the likes of Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Pete Tong, Defected founder Simon Dunmore, Paul "Trouble" Anderson, Roger Sanchez, as well as Masters At Work and "Little" Louie Vega solo.
Vocals performed by Michael Watford
Remix produced by Leigh Howlett (Our House Matters)
Mixed and mastered by Clinton McCreery
Executive producers : Matt LS & Jamesey
Special thanks to Michael Watford's family and son Solomon Watford for blessings on this soulful gem.
Original mix credits :
Written by R. Sanchez, R. Goode, M. Watford, M. Cameron.
Production : R. Sanchez, Smack Productions
Keyboards : R. Sanchez, Eddie Perez
Mastering : Greg Calbi
Fast forward to 2025 and London DJ / producer Leigh Howlett who has always loved the original record, decided to produce his own mix which he started to play on his weekly House FM radio show. Makin' Moves heard the track and immediately loved it. Then deciding to go about letting the rest of the world hear this updated mix, also with the blessings from Michael's son Solomon Watford, the rest they say is now history in the makin'!
Michael Watford was trained as a gospel singer in his youth, growing up in Virginia and New Jersey. That training remained key to his music as he began releasing house records in the early 1990s. Watford earned a No. 1 single on the Billboard dance charts in 1994 with 'So Into You', from his first and only solo LP. Michael was one of the stand out vocalists to come out of New Jersey in the 1990's with other huge hits such as "Luv 4-2" and "It's Over".
The prolific singer contributed vocals to records by Barbara Tucker, Kerri Chandler, En Vogue, Masters At Work, Robert Owens, Jamie Lewis and more. His music has been a staple of house mixes and compilations since the '90s, appearing in hundreds of releases by the likes of Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, Pete Tong, Defected founder Simon Dunmore, Paul "Trouble" Anderson, Roger Sanchez, as well as Masters At Work and "Little" Louie Vega solo.
Vocals performed by Michael Watford
Remix produced by Leigh Howlett (Our House Matters)
Mixed and mastered by Clinton McCreery
Executive producers : Matt LS & Jamesey
Special thanks to Michael Watford's family and son Solomon Watford for blessings on this soulful gem.
Original mix credits :
Written by R. Sanchez, R. Goode, M. Watford, M. Cameron.
Production : R. Sanchez, Smack Productions
Keyboards : R. Sanchez, Eddie Perez
Mastering : Greg Calbi
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