Narada Michael Walden's career spans three decades. He is a drummer, a songwriter, a producer and an excellent vocalist. Born 23rd April, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Walden was given the name Narada by guru Sri Chinmoy. After college graduation, he trekked to Miami, Florida, playing in various rock bands.

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 sweet 'So Long' and the radio-aired LP tracks the languid 'I Need Your Love,' the delicious 'I Remember,' and the charming 'Better Man.'

Even though these tracks received airplay in Chicago and other markets, other than 'Better Man,' none were released as singles.

Instead, the label picked 'Soulbird' and 'Manago Bop.'

'The Awakening' proved to be his breakthrough album, going to number 15 R & B in spring 1979 on the strength of the dancer 'I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You).' 'Awakening' also featured top session bassist Keni Burke, formerly of the Five Stairsteps and best known for his own 'Risin' to the Top.'

His second highest charting single, 'I Shoulda Loved Ya,' hit number four R & B in late 1979.

It was on his 'The Dance of Life' (number nine R & B, late 1979), which included the gentle ballad 'Why Did You Turn Me On', covered by the late Phyliss Hyman on one of her albums 'Goddess Of Love'. 'You're No.1' and 'Summer Lady' were both on his 'Confidence' LP from summer 1982.

Walden's cover of the Four Tops' 'Reach Out I'll Be There,' 'Reach Out,' a huge dance hit, was listed on 'Looking at You, Looking at Me', which charted in spring 1983.

Switching to Warner Bros., his duet with Patti Austin, the Motown-ish pop confection, 'Gimme Gimme Gimme,' issued as Narada Michael Walden with Patti Austin, went to number 39 R & B in early 1985 and was listed on his 'The Nature of Things' album.

His single 'Divine Emotions' on the Warner Bros. subsidiary Reprise Records appeared in the Michael J. Fox movie 'Bright Lights, Big City'.

The 'Divine Emotion' LP included the charting mellow single 'Wild Thing' and the smooth 'That's the Way That I Feel About Cha.'

In late 1985, Walden opened Tarpan Studios, a state-of-the-art recording studio located near San Francisco.

Walden's work appears on releases by Stacy Lattisaw ('Let Be Your
Angel'), Al Green (Your Heart's in Good Hands), Shanice Wilson ('I Love Your Smile,' 'I Hate to Be Lonely'), Ray Charles, Diana Ross, George Michael, Wild Orchid, Tevin Campbell, Angela Bofill, Steve Winwood, Phaze II, Regina Belle-Passion ('Baby Come to Me'), Andy Vargas, Debelah Morgan, Jai, Jermaine Stewart ('We Don't Have to Take Our Clothes Off'), Natalie Cole ('Good to Be Back'), Clarence Clemons, Puff Johnson, Eddie Murphy ('Put Your Mouth on Me'), and Carl Carlton ('The Bad CC'), among many many others.

Other Narada Michael Walden-related releases are Stacy Lattisaw and Johnny Gill ('Perfect Combination'), Lisa Fischer ('So Intense'), and the movie soundtracks to 'Beverly Hills Cop II', 'Perfect', 'Waiting to Exhale', 'License to Kill', 'The Bodyguard', 'Jason's Lyric', '9 1/2 Weeks', 'Crooklyn', 'Free Willy', and 'The Associate'.

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 top session musician
playing on countless recording sessions.

Walden has played on all kind of sessions from rock, jazz, pop, R & B, to fusion, sharing the recording and concert stage with the likes of John McLaughlin, the Mahavishnu Orchestra (a 21-year-old Narada replaced drumming legend Billy Cobham), and Jeff Beck (his 'Wired' album) to name a small few.

During the '80's, he became a Grammy-winning 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.'

His 1995 he released on Toshiba / EMI 'Sending Love to Everyone'.

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 16th May, 2000.

2010: Tour with Jeff Beck and

Source: soulwalking.co.uk

Among a handful of the most innovative, original and influential artists of our time, Narada Michael Walden's stature as an authentic musical renaissance man is a matter of record.

Producing Hits for Artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin (including the platinum "Freeway of Love."), Steve Winwood, Ray Charles, Wynonna Judd, Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Lionel Ritchie, Lisa Fischer, Stevie Wonder, Tom Jones, Jeff Beck and The Temptations, the EMMY and multi-GRAMMY winner (Producer, Album and Song of The Year) has been at the helm of hit music that spans decades. His music flows freely from pop, rock and soul, to the rarified realms of jazz, fusion and world music. With Jeff Beck, Narada wrote and played drums on the seminal album “Wired” that earned them both their first Gold Album. Walden was an integral part of introducing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey to millions of fans worldwide, producing and writing their breakthrough hits that first brought these divas to the spotlight. Billboard Magazine honored him as one of the Top Ten Producers of all time.

As impressive a production and songwriting resume as Narada Michael Walden has assembled over the past thirty years and counting, he has earned equal acclaim as a recording and performing artist in his own right. Beginning as a drummer first with the pioneering Mahavishnu Orchestra (replacing Bill Cobham at 19 years old), Narada also toured with Jeff Beck, Tommy Bolin, and Weather Report. Through eleven acclaimed solo recordings, along the way he has branched into a wide range of sonic arenas. Walden’s music includes groundbreaking soundtrack work on such blockbuster films as The Bodyguard, Free Willy, Beverly Hills Cops II, 9 ½ Weeks and Stuart Little to the EMMY-winning "One Moment In Time," the theme to the 1988 Olympic Games.
The list goes on, but the artistry of Narada Michael Walden is about more than charts positions and record sales. There is a powerful spiritual component at the heart of everything this richly gifted artist undertakes, an attuned and intuitive approach with a deep appreciation for music's transforming power. Simply put, the artistry of Narada Michael Walden gets to the heart of matter, about matters of the heart.

It's a commitment that reaches into the philanthropic arena as well, where Walden consistently lends his time and talent to causes ranging from the Cancer Society to funding music programs in the nation's schools through his own foundation. For six straight years he has served as Music Director for the Rainforest Foundation Concert at Carnegie Hall, the high profile conversancy benefit spearheaded by Sting and Trudie Styler that has featured the likes of Elton John, Billy Joel, Ravi Shankar, James Taylor, Brian Wilson and, of course, Sting himself.

His “Narada Michael Walden Foundation” delivers its services through a network of non-profit organizations with proven records of success in youth education and community empowerment. They partner with organizations that provide instruments, music education, and mentoring to students. The Foundation also endows college scholarships for aspiring musicians and enables the stars of tomorrow by offering talented, emerging young artists from around the world access to recording facilities, coaching and production support.

Walden's prodigious energies have consistently kept him on the cutting edge of the music industry. For 25 years now he has also successfully run his Marin County-based Tarpan Studios recording studio.

With awesome abilities matched by a truly humble spirit, Narada Michael Walden is not only one of the most sought-after talents of our era: he is also one of the most admired, emulated and authentic. You can hear it in his music.

Source: Jeff Beck Website