Along with Jasper, Ernie and Marvin attended C.W. Post College in New York. While in New York, the threesome performed on the older Isley Brothers’ recordings including “It’s Your Thing.”
In 1973, Chris, Marvin and Ernie brought the songwriting and musical component to the older brothers’ vocal trio, making the Isley Brothers a self-produced, self-contained six-member group. Their debut album on the CBS -associated label was the “3+3” album. Jasper was the principal songwriter, producer and arranger of The Isley Brothers’ music for 10 years from 1973 to 1983, which included the “Between the Sheets” album. The Isley Brothers disbanded in 1984 due to internal problems.
Not one to sit on his laurels, Chris, Marvin and Ernie formed Isley-Jasper-Isley in 1984 with Jasper as the lead singer and the primary songwriter, producer and arranger. the group recorded three albums and earned recognition with the number one hit, “Caravan of Love.” The song has since been covered by an English recording group, the Housemartins, who made the song an international hit.
“With that song, I wanted to return to our soulful roots. I wanted people to know that we all need to come together,” Jasper said. “I had no idea that the song would be such a success.”
In 1987, Isley-Jasper-Isley disbanded and Jasper and Ernie embarked on solo careers. Chris formed his own label, Gold City Records, and released 10 albums. His debut single as a solo artist, “Superbad,” reached number one on the R& B Charts.
“This is my 11th solo album. I have recorded four gospel albums in between there. In the music itself I didn’t change that I just sang different lyrics. The messages in the albums are God and scriptures. Both of the audiences who like my music know me from being with both groups and we were popular. When I started the solo career, I was not a new comer.”
Eventually Marvin and Ernie Isley returned to record under the Isley Brothers group name and Jasper continued his solo career. He has also produced a number of artists for the Gold City label and has worked with such notables as Chaka Khan, writing and producing a song called “Make it Last” for her “CK” album. Jasper’s music has been sampled by numerous up and coming and established artists including Whitney Houston, Gwen Stefani, Jay-Z, Jaheim, Tupac, Fantasia, Will Smith to name a few.
“I can’t tell you how many people have sampled ‘Groove With You’ and ‘Who’s That Lady.,’ said Jasper who has been married to his wife Margie for 31 years, and has three sons: Christopher, Nicholas and Michael. “Even though people are rapping over it or whatever the music is still the same and it makes people feel good and they gravitate to it.”
The most recent artist added to his Gold City label is Jasper’s 21-year-old son, Michael Jasper, who released his debut album, “Addictive” at age 16. The record was written and recorded by Michael and co-produced by Chris Jasper who accompanies his son on the talkbox and background vocals. Michael’s new CD, “Dreams,” will be released early next year.
Jasper is currently promoting “The One” and gearing up for a tour.
“I want everyone to get this record,” he said with a smile. “I hope people enjoy the album and I’d like to thank the people who have supported my solo career and through the groups. I thank the media too because it takes people to play the music. It takes a lot to get music to where it is. I will be releasing the single, ‘Still in Love’ in November and I hope to tour soon. I will be hitting all of the major cities and Pittsburgh should be on that list. I haven’t been to Pittsburgh since I came in the 1980’s under Isley-Jasper-Isley so it’s been a long time.”
(For more information on Chris Jasper, visit www.ChrisJasper.com or www.GoldCityMusic.com.)
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