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An Interview with Jocelyn Brown

Singer Jocelyn Brown is renowned for her powerful voice, which she has been committing to record for more than 30 years.

Jocelyn Brown is the vocal power behind many disco and clubland hits

The 58-year-old, who was born in the US but has lived in London for nearly 20 years, has lent her vocals to a whole host of club acts.

Her biggest hits include Always There with Incognito and Somebody Else’s Guy, a track in her own name from 1984, while her voice was sampled for Snap’s 1990 chart-topper The Power.

She also took part in two series of the BBC’s duet show, Just The Two of Us.

With another single in the pipeline, the diva discussed her career to date, her famous friends – and her idea for a TV show.

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You’ve spent much of your career lending your voice to other artists. Do you ever wish you were the party hostess rather than the guest?

No. It’s never brought to me like that. It’s because someone’s asked me if I’ll sing for them.

Is it important for you to meet acts before getting involved with them?

It’s very important because you want to know how they think and function. If things aren’t going the way they hoped, I stress to them that the music business is like having a baby, but might take more than nine months! I don’t hold back from telling them to prepare themselves for the unexpected.

Have you ever been disappointed by any of your projects?

The singer performed on BBC duets contest Just The Two of Us

No. I have no regrets. If you’re going to be in this business, you have to deal with what you’ve done.

How do you get on with the other dance record divas, such as Martha Wash and Kym Mazelle?

We’ve been friends for years and we’ll stay that way. The music does two things for us – it brings us together and helps us to survive together. It will always be like that.

Have you ever heard a track and wished you had performed it?

I’m Every Woman is one of the baddest tunes I’ve heard in my life, and hearing Chaka Khan sing it was even more intense because the woman delivered it.

But wanting to have done it instead of her? Naah.

You’re considering putting together a greatest hits record. What tracks would you like to be on it?

It’ll reflect the good old times, especially the club era when I worked with Chic and Change.

Is it a sign that Jocelyn Brown is about to slow down?

No, I think that’s cashing in on the goods! [chuckles heartily]

Club divas aren’t necessarily associated with live performances. What’s your take on going on stage?

It’s really cool, but it’s a lot of work. I’m not saying I couldn’t give you a three-hour show, but I’d definitely be calling on my friends and saying ‘come and help’! [laughs] Back home that would be a kind of Las Vegas show.

I’m Every Woman [by Chaka Khan, pictured] is one of the baddest tunes I’ve heard in my life Jocelyn Brown

Folks like myself are more club-orientated, like the Jazz Cafe and Ronnie Scotts.

It’s been 20 years since dance act Black Box used a model to lip-synch their hit Ride On Time. What did you make of that?

I wouldn’t have let them get away with it – taking my voice and not putting me in a video. At least have me in the video so people can see where the voice comes from. It was hard for a model to try to mimic those voices. Folks know she didn’t do the voice. It was all about image.

You took part in Just The Two of Us for the BBC. Is there any more in the pipeline?

I’m not sure, but I’d like the BBC to come to me about a situation I’ve got stuck up my sleeve that I think they’d love, which would include music from back in the day, duets – and cooking.

I’m a chunky mamma, with the size to prove that food is really good. I think it’s important for people to know that singers can cook too.

Food tastes so much better if you sing while you’re making it.

Love Alibi by Camboso featuring Jocelyn Brown is released in the UK on 24 August. The singer talked to BBC News entertainment reporter Michael Osborn.

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