Michael Gray (DJ)

Last updated

Michael Gray
Michael Gray w klubie Hunter's.jpg
Gray performing in 2011
Background information
Birth nameMichael Anthony Shefford Gray
Also known asMike Gray, M
Born (1966-07-25) 25 July 1966 (age 57)
Dumbarton Scotland
Origin Croydon, London, England
Genres Dance-pop, nu-disco, house
Occupation(s) DJ, record producer
Instrument(s) Keyboards, synthesizer, music sequencer, samplers, drum machine
Years active1990–present
LabelsAltra Moda Music

Michael Anthony Gray (born 25 July 1966), better known as Michael Gray, is a British DJ and house music producer. He is also half of the dance music production and remixing duo Full Intention. [1] [2]

Contents

Biography

Michael Gray created a megamix entitled "The Brits 1990 (Dance Medley)" for that year's awards ceremony which peaked at #2 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2002, he released the single "So Fly" for Defected Records under the name M, which peaked at number 96 on the UK charts. [3] [4] In 2004, he began issuing records under his own name, the first being "The Weekend", a worldwide hit in late that year. It peaked at #7 on the UK Singles Chart [5] when licensed through UMTV on Eye Industries, and also notched up over 20,000 plays on the radio. In the United States, "The Weekend" was a top 10 hit on Billboard's Hot Dance Airplay chart in 2005, where it was released on Ultra Records. It featured in a Honda commercial and also in an Ugly Betty episode, "Sofia's Choice", in 2007.

The follow-up to "The Weekend" was "Borderline" featuring vocals from Shelly Poole, formerly of Alisha's Attic, released on 24 July 2006. The track peaked at #3 on the ARIA Club Chart and at #12 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2007, an album, Analog Is On, was released briefly only in Japan. A third single, "Somewhere Beyond", peaked at #5 on the Australian ARIA Club Chart.

Gray's 2000s productions include: Full Intention's "I Believe in You" (2005), Miami Ice's "Better Than Perfect" (2005), "Whatcha Gonna Do" as Hi Fashion featuring Maria Lawson (2005), and "Ready for This" as Robot Man featuring Nanchang Nancy (2008). In 2009, with the new label Full Intention Records, he released Full Intention's "Once in a Lifetime", "I Will Follow" and "Forever".

His early 2010s productions include: Michael Gray, Paul Harris, Kid Massive & Sam Obernik's "Home" (2010), Michael Gray, Paul Harris & Jon Pearn feat. Amanda Wilson's "Caught Up" (2010) and Michael Gray, Jon Pearn, Rob Roar & Cassandra Fox's "Lights Down Low" (2010). In 2010, Gray appeared at Belgrade Arena DJing alongside David Guetta. In late 2010, Gray made a remix of the song "It's OK" by Cee Lo Green. In 2011, he released a single titled "Remember" with Marco Lys. In 2013, he released another single with Marco Lys titled "The Underground". In 2013, he released under the name MGNY the single "My World" featuring the vocalist NY.

With Full Intention, the most popular tracks he released recently were "Keep Pushing" in 2016 and "I Miss You" in 2017. In 2016, Michael Gray released new versions of his hit "Walk Into The Sun", notably with a Full Intention remix. In 2018, Full Intention made a remix of a David Penn's song featuring Lisa Millett entitled "Join Us". In 2018, Michael Gray released a single entitled "Keep Moving On", featuring the vocalists Kimberley Brown and Shirley Marie Graham. In 2019, he released the tracks "24 7 People", "Take Me Back" and "Brother Brother". The same year, his remix of Sylvester's hit "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" was real success on the charts and was played by many DJs in clubs and concerts.

In 2020, Gray released a new "Sultra Mix" of his song "The Weekend". The same year, he worked with vocalist RoRoe to produce a track titled "The One", released on Sultra Records. In September 2020, he released a track titled "The Sun" with the Melody Men. Gray was ranked #1 on the "Top Artists of 2020" by Traxsource. [6]

2023 saw Gray release his educational music production course Making a Modern Disco Classic. [7]

In April 2024, nearly 30 years after its original mix, Gray released an official remix of Jamiroquai's "Space Cowboy". [8] [9] [10] [11]

In May 2024, Gray released a new album titled "Optimism" on Sultra Records. [12]

Gray has played DJ sets in many countries, notably in Poland, Germany, the Philippines, Australia, Russia, Brazil, Georgia, Spain and the Netherlands.[ clarification needed ]

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
UK
[5]
AUS
[13]
AUT BEL FIN GER IRE NED SWI
1990"The Brits 1990 (Dance Medley)" (credited to Various Artists)2Singles only
2004"Whatcha Gonna Do" (featuring Maria Lawson)193
"The Weekend"71449111922222949Analog Is On
2006"Borderline" (featuring Shelly Poole)1249635242427875
2007"Somewhere Beyond" (featuring Steve Edwards)10086
2008"Ready for This" (featuring Nanchang Nancy)Singles only
2011"Piece of You" (featuring Laura Kidd)
2012"Can't Wait for the Weekend" (featuring Roll Deep) X
2013"My World" (featuring NY)Singles only
2016"Walk into the Sun" (featuring Ann Saunderson)
2018"Keep Moving On" (featuring Kimberley Brown and Shirley Marie Graham)
2019"24 7 People"
"Take Me Back"
"Brother Brother" (featuring Kimberley Brown)
2020"The One" (featuring RoRoe)
"The Sun" (featuring The Melody Men)
"MacArthur Park" (featuring Kelli Sae)
2021"Over & Over" (featuring Kelli Sae)
"Jump In" (featuring RoRoe)
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Selected remixes

Related Research Articles

<i>The Return of the Space Cowboy</i> 1994 studio album by Jamiroquai

The Return of the Space Cowboy is the second album by English funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai. The album was released on 17 October 1994 under Sony Soho Square. The album continues the musical direction of their debut, Emergency on Planet Earth (1993), and is characterised by its complex songwriting as a result of Jay Kay's creative block mid-production. Its lyrics addressed street life, hope, loss, Kay's drug use, and social matters regarding Native Americans and youth protests.

Full Intention are an English house music duo consisting of Michael Gray and Jon Pearn. They are best known as prolific producers and remixers. They have reworked songs for varied artists such as the Sugababes, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Frankie Knuckles, among others.

M-22 are a British-German DJ and producer duo consisting of Matt James and Frank Sanders. On March 22, the duo met, through a joint production, which is the reason for their stage name.

<i>High Times: Singles 1992–2006</i> 2006 greatest hits album by Jamiroquai

High Times: Singles 1992–2006 is a compilation album by the British band Jamiroquai that was released on 6 November 2006 in the United Kingdom and 8 November 2006 in Japan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Cowboy (Jamiroquai song)</span> 1994 single by Jamiroquai

"Space Cowboy" is the international lead single from British funk and acid jazz band Jamiroquai's second studio album, The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994). Released on 26 September 1994 by Sony Soho Square, the single peaked at number 17 on the UK Singles Chart, number six in Italy, and number three in Iceland. In the United States, it gave the band their first number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. In June 2006, it re-entered the UK Dance Chart at number one. Its music video was directed by Vaughan Arnell and Anthea Benton. The single contains remixes by David Morales, which further put the single in club circulation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Show Me Love (Robin S. song)</span> 1990 single by Robin S

"Show Me Love" is a song performed by American singer Robin S. The song was written by Allen George and Fred McFarlane, originally released in October 1990 by Champion Records in the United Kingdom. In 1992, it was remixed by Swedish house music production duo StoneBridge and Nick Nice, and re-released in many European countries as well as the United States and Japan. It became one of the most well known house anthems in the United Kingdom, and Robin's biggest hit to date. It helped to make house more mainstream. In 1993, it was included on Robin S.'s debut album of the same name. Confusion arose with the 1997 hit "Show Me Love" by Swedish singer Robyn, due to their homonymous names and identical titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Calvin Harris</span> Scottish DJ and record producer (born 1984)

Adam Richard Wiles, known professionally as Calvin Harris, is a Scottish DJ, record producer, singer and songwriter. His debut studio album, I Created Disco (2007) was preceded by the singles "Acceptable in the 80s" and "The Girls", both of which peaked within the top ten of the UK singles chart. His second album, Ready for the Weekend (2009), debuted atop the UK Albums Chart; its lead single, "I'm Not Alone", became his first song to peak the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Half the Man (Jamiroquai song)</span> 1994 single by Jamiroquai

"Half the Man" is a song by British funk/acid jazz band Jamiroquai, released in November 1994 by S2 Records as a single from their second studio album, The Return of the Space Cowboy (1994). The song peaked at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart. Its music video was directed by Paul Boyd. "Half the Man" is in the key of D major.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pjanoo</span> 2008 single by Eric Prydz

"Pjanoo" is a keyboard-based house track by the Swedish DJ and producer Eric Prydz. It received moderate airplay amongst British radio stations, being heavily used by BBC Radio 1 in advertisements for their "Radio 1 Big Weekend" and "Weekend in Ibiza" events. The single peaked at number six on the Swedish Singles Chart. "Pjanoo" found success outside Sweden, particularly in the United Kingdom, where it peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and topped the country's Dance chart for ten non-consecutive weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MNEK</span> English singer, songwriter and record producer (born 1994)

Uzoechi Osisioma "Uzo" Emenike, professionally known by his stage name MNEK, is an English singer, songwriter and record producer. He has been nominated for a Grammy and a Brit Award, and has received the ASCAP Vanguard Award. His writing and production credits include H.E.R., Jax Jones, Zara Larsson, Little Mix, Dua Lipa, FLO, Sugababes, Clean Bandit, Julia Michaels, Craig David, Christina Aguilera, Becky Hill, Selena Gomez, Years & Years, Kylie Minogue, Beyoncé, Hailee Steinfeld, Madonna, KSI, Mabel and Twice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Newman (singer)</span> English singer, songwriter, musician, DJ, composer and record producer

John William Peter Newman is an English singer, songwriter, musician, DJ, composer and record producer. He is best known for the track "Love Me Again" which peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart in July 2013 and appeared in FIFA 14, as well as co-writing and singing on Rudimental's 2012 singles "Feel the Love" and "Not Giving In", which peaked at number one and number 14 on the chart, respectively. In 2014, he featured in the Calvin Harris single "Blame", which also topped the UK charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel the Vibe</span> 2005 single by Axwell

"Feel the Vibe", also released as "Feel the Vibe (Til the Morning Comes)" and "(Can You) Feel the Vibe", is a song by the Swedish dance producer Axwell, co written by and featuring the English/Irish singer-songwriter Tara McDonald. It was a breakthrough record for both Axwell and McDonald and was a number-one club record and a radio hit as well.

The discography of Dutch DJ and record producer R3hab consists of two studio albums and 120 singles, including three as a featured artist.

The discography of American electronic music producer and DJ Illenium consists of five studio albums, four remix albums, four extended plays, thirty-six singles and eight music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonas Blue discography</span>

This is the discography of Jonas Blue, an English DJ, record producer and remixer. His debut studio album, Blue, was released in November 2018 and peaked at number thirty-three on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Schneider discography</span>

American singer Max has released three studio albums, five extended plays, 39 singles, seven promotional singles and nine other album appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raye discography</span>

The discography of British singer-songwriter Raye consists of one studio album, one live album, six extended plays (EPs), thirty five singles, ten promotional singles and twelve guest appearances. In addition to her own releases, Raye has also been a songwriter for other artists including Beyoncé, Little Mix, Mabel, Zara Larsson, Ellie Goulding and Hailee Steinfeld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conan Gray</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1998)

Conan Lee Gray is an American singer-songwriter and former YouTuber. Born in Lemon Grove, California, and raised in Georgetown, Texas, he began uploading vlogs, covers, and original songs to YouTube as a teenager. In 2018, Gray signed a record deal with Republic Records, which released his debut EP, Sunset Season (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Corry</span> English DJ, producer and TV personality (born June 10, 1989)

Joel Corry is an English DJ, producer and television personality. He came to prominence in 2019 with the release of his single "Sorry", featuring vocals from Hayley May, which reached number six in the UK Singles Chart. In 2020, Corry released the singles "Lonely" and "Head & Heart". The latter, which features MNEK on vocals, spent six weeks at number one in the UK Top Singles Chart and also became Corry's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Jubël is a Swedish duo originating from Halmstad, Sweden and made up of Sebastian Atas and Victor Sjöström. They are signed to Warner Music. They had worked separately for many years. But a collaboration in "Illusion" resulted in some fame with it being chosen for the theme of a global advertisement for the retailer and fashion line H&M. But it was their remix of the song "Dancing in the Moonlight" originally recorded in 1970 by Kelly Sherman's band Boffalongo and made a huge hit by King Harvest. Jubël's version released 2018 and featuring vocals by Neimy initially charted in Sweden, Norway and Belgium. A rerelease in 2020 gave a bigger international boost with charting in the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 11. It also charted on ARIA, the Australian Official Singles Chart also in 2020. The song was used in series 6 of the reality show Love Island in 2020 and spread to TikTok. and reached the top of the British radio list.

References

  1. "Michael Gray Biography". IMO Records. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  2. "Michael Gray talks about Full Intention, the Weekend, the Scottish House & Disco Festival, remixing classics, Number 1 singles, his studio and much more (Audio Interview) - le Visiteur Online". April 2022.
  3. "Search | Official Charts". Official Charts .
  4. M/Defected Records 2002 Cat No: M001
  5. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 235. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. "Top Artists Of 2020". Traxsource. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
  7. "Making a Modern Disco Classic". FaderPro. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
  8. "Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone)". Discogs. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  9. 1 2 Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone) - Single by Jamiroquai & Michael Gray on Apple Music, 19 April 2024, retrieved 20 April 2024
  10. 1 2 "Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Dub) - Jamiroquai". www.traxsource.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  11. 1 2 1001Tracklists. "Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy (Michael Gray Dub Mix) [SONY]". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 20 April 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. "Optimism on Traxsource". Traxsource. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  13. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 119.
  14. "I Don't Need Love (Mark Knight & Michael Gray Remix) - Single by Karen Harding on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 20 October 2019.