Narada Michael Walden discusses a half dozen songs from his new album

Goldmine spoke with the multi-platinum Grammy and Emmy winning producer, musician, and recording artist Narada Michael Walden in 2023 about his album Euphoria. Now he is back with the fifteen-song collection Still Yours for the Summer,which includes his version of Sly & the Family Stone’s “Hot Fun in the Summertime,” which we shared ahead of the album’s release in June as part of Sly Stone’s In Memoriam piece, and an updated 45th anniversary recording of Walden’s 1980 45 “I Shoulda Loved Ya.” Goldmine discussed six of the songs from the new album with Walden.

NARADA MICHAEL WALDEN

Still Yours for the Summer

Tarpan Records (CD and digital formats)

Narada Michael Walden pays tribute to the Mahavishnu Orchestra leader Mahavishnu John McLaughlin on the spoken word track “Last Night I Dreamed of Mahavishnu” followed immediately by the soothing instrumental “Mahavishnu,” featuring guitarist Vernon “Ice” Black. Walden told Goldmine, “Vernon is awesome on the track. This song was inspired by my love for Mahavishnu. He gave me an opportunity to come into the music world in the ‘70s. He told me that his spirituality, filled with prayer meditation, was a big part of his life and that he would let his guru know about me. I few weeks later, I met his guru, and he gave me acceptance, hope, and connection. I went from being a busboy to playing with the Mahavishnu Orchestra, working with The Beatles’ producer George Martin, touring the world, and playing with Jeff Beck, too. It all came from Mahavishnu’s love for me.”

“Mahavishnu”

The beautiful title song “Still Yours for the Summer” includes Justus Dobrin on piano, a choir of voices, and a strong guitar solo. Walden continued, “This song is a tribute to my mother, Ms. Peg, who passed away a couple of years ago. It captures the fun of the summer, going to a lake cottage, and hanging out. My mom and I were so close. The choir is comprised of my wife Katie, her twin sister Kristie Issacson, and Cornell Carter, who is a genius singer, and the guitar solo is from the legendary Neal Schon, the founder of Journey, who I played with from 2020 through 2022.”

“Still Yours for the Summer”

The anthemic “I Love My People Now” is powerful and sounds like it would fit well in a musical play. Walden shared, “In Europe, I saw a tour of Kendrick Lamar and was inspired. There is a strong following of American pop rap music there, especially in Germany, where it is like a religious experience. The audience chanted to a beat, and I wanted to tap into that. Ralphe Armstong from the Mahavishnu Orchestra plays bass on the track.”

“I Love My People Now”

The positivity continues with “Keep Shining” and includes musician shout outs beginning with Lionel Richie. Walden stated, “My righthand man Cornell insisted that this song make it on the album. Lionel is a dear friend of mine. I co-wrote and produced ‘Night Train’ for his Dancing on the Ceiling album. He had a great love of Aretha Franklin’s ‘Freeway of Love’ and wanted a song with a similar sound.”

“Keep Shining”

“Bougie Cherry Bomb” is a fun ‘80s style dance song. Walden said, “I like to honor what I have lived through. All that music is in me, and I tap into it like a switchboard operator. Jim Reitzel did a great job of engineering, mixing, and mastering this track and working with me and Cornell on the album.”

“Bougie Cherry Bomb”

“I like to honor what I have lived through. All that music is in me, and I tap into it like a switchboard operator.” – Narada Michael Walden

Walden first broke through on the charts in the disco era and “Cowboy Disco” captures that style with the background vocalists sounding like a blend of Chic and Sister Sledge. Walden concluded, “I had fun writing this with my wife and drawing on my disco experience. I produced Sister Sledge’s All American Girls album, and they were so cool.”