Marcel Sanders
In the entertainment business, a mentor is an essential tool in paving your way through an ever changing industry, and at the prime age of 15, Marcel Sanders was fortunate enough to be mentored by the production mastery of industry icons Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam. Under the tutelage of arguably one of music's most dynamic duos, he developed the tools that would prove to be instrumental in his future success becoming a noted producer in his own right. Blessed to have the guidance of not only his mentors, but, also legendary vocalist Ms. Natalie Cole who introduced him to esteemed vocal coach to the stars Seth Riggs. Sanders had the fortune of being surrounded by music royalty including Dr. Funkenstein George Clinton who during an all night recording session gave him his funky nick name Delic Vibe.
Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Sanders began playing instruments as a child and by the time he was in his teens was quite accomplished at keyboards, lead/ rhythm guitar, bass guitar, drums, as well as being a skilled vocalist. Honing his musical skills and implementing the lessons of his mentors, he began producing, writing and recording for local rappers, singers and other musicians and by age 17 decided it was time for his own music to be heard. Marcel delivered his first 3 song self produced EP record through a Canadian Label called Imperial Records. The response from that record put his artistry on the radar and gained the respect of recording groups like Tease, Lakeside, Bootsy Collins, Georgio, Atlantic Starr, Mastering legend Bernie Grundman, Magazine publishers Steven Ivory, Graham Armstrong, Belma Johnson, songwriter Thea Austin, Seth Riggs, and Entertainment Attorney Curtis Shaw.
Radio was a fan of the new producer's fresh sound as he quickly found success with the release of his follow up projects by way of the single "Two Faces" and later followed by "Lay Your Pretty Head Down", garnering Top 5 status on various Urban and Pop Stations around the country. In 1989, Sanders teamed up with his childhood friend Ishmael Butler (Butterfly of the group Digable Planets) to demo 4 songs that were instrumental in leading Butler to his connecting with Mecca and creating the group Digable Planets. Keeping himself busy as a musician and producer he began collaborating with fellow Producer DJ Skill, to lay the guitar work for C-Bo's "Straight Killa", as well as guitar work on the remix of Bay Area rap group 415's "Gaffled Like That" (feat.Tupac Shakur and Richie Rich). In 1996, he collaborated with fellow Producer Kevin Gardner creating the guitar work for B-Legit's "Gotta Buy Dope From Us" (feat. Lil Bruce) and the unreleased "Ain't No Joke". In 1997 he re-connected with Butterfly to co-produced a solo album titled "Ishmael Since 1999(The 10 Commercials)" which was released thru Red Ant Records, as well as producing and recording the demo for Cherrywine, Butterfly's band, which secured the deal with D-cide. Their magnetic grooves caught the ear of actress Nia Long and prompted her to want to join them in the studio and ad her verbal spice to the track "In Here". Soon after, 2001 found Cherrywine 12" single release of "16th Minute" / "In Here" becoming #1 seller at www.sandboxautomatic.com. Incidentally it was this same body of work that left footprints in the memory of super producer Teddy Riley at a chance meeting between the two, encouraging efforts to collaborate on Riley's solo record.
The multi-talented musician's most recognized work came in 2003, when he and Grammy Award winning engineer Dave Darlington, co-founded NYC based smooth jazz group D>Tour. The accomplished producer recorded and wrote 5 tracks for D>Tour's debut album "Leave A Message". The album was released in 2005 and debuted at #2 on CD Universe. Staying in the Top 5 for the summer.
The young producer's grasp of musical themes and concepts allows him to orchestrate the perfect stream of melodies and harmonies into a systematic flow and just when you think you've arrived at the perfect groove he switches it up and takes you higher. He meaningfully marries generations of jazz and funk and hip-hop into a relevant composite of contemporary music. His vast knowledge of instrumentation has allowed him to join forces with Open labs. "I'm Blessed! My NeKo LX5 is the quickest access point to my rawest ideas." Currently the producer/songwriter is creating new music for licensing in film and television.
Artist Q&A:
1.) How did you first hear about Open Labs?
Morris Hayes introduced me to Open Labs. He gave me a rundown of his set up backstage at a Prince concert in Las Vegas.
2.) What Production Station do you have?
The NeKo LX5.
3.) How has the gear changed your method of work?
Centralized my production set up, which is key in today's market place!
4.) What is your production station's primary function, live or studio?
In the studio.
5.) What is your favorite software on the board?
My favorite software is mFusion.
6.) How do you use it?
I am able to create fully programmable templates for any and all software. My template for Steinberg's Cubase 5 is taking me to incredible levels as we speak!
7.) Which kind of equipment have you owned in the past and how do they compare to your Open Labs equipment?
I was heavy into Alesis, everything from the HR Drum Machines, MMT8 Sequencer, 1622 Mixer, Monitor Ones & Adats. I ran with the Akai MPC series, Roland XP80 & Fantom series, Roland VS-2480 DAW. Custom built computer production set ups. But by far.....my NEKO LX5 completes my all in one needs.
8.) Has the gear changed the way you write songs?
Absolutely!!!
9.) How different is the composition process compared to the standard computer or laptop system?
It is the quickest access point to my rawest ideas & inspiration.
10.) Do you think the quality of your production now would be possible with another keyboard?
Depends.....What Y'all got instore? Lol.
11.) Have you had any experience with our Tech Support and how does it rate with you?
Yes I have. I'd rate it a 6 on a scale of 1-10. Seems as if the 2 Techs, are at times are overwhelmed. With the landscape that each of the products cover NEKO, MIKO, DBEAT, etc ...more Techs are needed! It's not only a career change in production for most of us, but it's also an investment. Also, as an Artist I don't want to be limited in Tech Support help when trying to learn the system.
12.) What is next for you and your Production Station?
Several major projects in the next few weeks.
Equipment used:
Purchased the NeKo LX5.
Artist Link:
http://www.sandboxautomatic.com