Club Nouveau ushered in a new sound in music, It was 1986 and “Rumors” took the music business by storm, But Club Nouveau was more than just a new group with a new sound and a new hit. Club Nouveau brought a new attitude, Led by Jay King & Valerie Watson (as the Timex Social Club) “Rumors” was Independently Produced, Manufactured, Distributed, Marketed & Promoted without the help of a Major Record Company on any level.
This was amazing not because it was Independent, but because it was a successful Nationally released Independent record by a Black owned record label and it would lead to the future of other Artist who would soon follow in the footsteps of Jay King Artist such as M.C Hammer, 69 Boys, Gary Taylor and Charlie Wilson.
Club Nouveau’s success brought them to the attention of a young up and coming record executive by the name of Benny Medina who had just come to Warner Brothers as the Head A&R Rep for their R&B Division. Medina made the King Jay Record Label and Club Nouveau his first signing and “Jealousy” (#8 Billboard R&B) was released as the first single from the album titled “Life, Love & Pain” (released in 1986). Jealousy was followed by “Situation#9”(#4 Billboard R&B) both released in 1986.
The next single to be released would be the single that would put Club Nouveau on the map. In February of 1987 “Lean On Me”(#1 Billboard Pop,#2 billboard R&B) steamed on to the top of the pop charts and blasted Club Nouveau off into the stratosphere right in the middle of the “Ready for the World” (love you down), “Bobby Brown”(girlfriend) tour which they were the opening act for, but things were changing fast and Club Nouveau could feel the audience feeling them and soon they were no longer opening up the show but second on the bill and in some markets closing the show.
By the time Club Nouveau’s 4th single “Why You Treat Me So Bad” (#2 Billboard R&B, #39 billboard Pop) was released Club Nouveau was headlining their own tour. In 1988 Club Nouveau released it’s Critically acclaimed second album titled “Listen To the Message” who’s first single “It’s A cold, Cold World” #25 Billboard R&B and second single “Envious” #76 Billboard R&B didn’t live up to the same kind of commercial success as it’s first release although critically it was praised by Billboard and other prestigious publications things were changing for Club Nouveau.
In 1989 Club Nouveau would release it’s third and final album on KingJay/Warner Brother records “Under A Nouveau Groove” would spawn a top 15 R&B hit with the only single to be released from this album “No Friend Of Mine” (#12 Billboard R&B), but things were not going well for Jay King or his KingJay record label which also boasted the talents of Michael Cooper (lead singer ConFunkShun), Chant’e Moore, Brian Morgan(producer of SWV) and many others (King had 6 acts signed to Warners at 1 time). KingJay records and Warner Brothers parted ways in 1992 and this same year Club Nouveau released its first Independently released album.
“A New Beginning”(released in 1992) was favorably received but failed to have the impact needed to keep it alive, because Club Nouveau no longer had the power of the Major Label to push the single “Oh Happy Day” stalled on the Billboard R&B charts at #39. “Steve Ivory” wrote in the BRE’s Grapevine section feb 21, 1992. “Whatever you think about this often misunderstood producer, you cant deny he’s got a golden ear and barring politics he should re establish himself as a music force with this project.
Club Nouveau is now stepping into the new millennium with a new single, new album and new tour with the single and album set for release sometime in the spring or summer of 2005 and the tour to soon follow so look for Val, Jay & Mario to be in a city near you. Currently Jay King is running Thump Classic R&B record label (distributed through Universal Music Group) Val Watson Has released a new solo Album (Urbal) and Mario is working on the new Club Nouveau project and a solo effort.
