David Nathan (music writer)

For other people, see David Nathan.

David Nathan (born 15 February 1948) is a British-born soul music historian, journalist, author, founder of Soul Music.com, record producer and singer/songwriter, who lived in the U.S. from 1975-2009 and now resides in London.

Early life

Born in London, he set up the UK's first Nina Simone Appreciation Society at the age of 16. In 1966, with Dave Godin and Robert Blackmore, he established Soul City, the first record store outside the US specialising in American rhythm and blues and soul music and which also became a record label. It was credited with helping to inspire the popularity of the music in the UK.

Writing and media career

From 1970, he worked for Contempo Records and as a journalist for Blues & Soul magazine in London. In 1975 he moved to America as the magazine's correspondent and contributing editor, interviewing hundreds of musicians and record producers until the magazine's ownership changed in 1981. After a period working for Werner Erhard and Associates, he wrote the book "Lionel Richie: An Illustrated Biography," began writing biographies and doing freelance journalism, writing for Billboard, USA Today and others including Blues & Soul which he rejoined in the mid-1980s. He also began writing record company bios for major artists and producers such as Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Usher, Luther Vandross, Patti LaBelle, Gamble & Huff, Raphael Saadiq and others. producing over 500 reissues of classic rhythm and blues and soul music CDs. An extensive list of his credits including 2008 co-production of "Songs 4 Worship Soul" (with Melba Moore, Teddy Pendergrass, Deniece Williams, Jody Watley, Peabo Bryson, Regina Belle and others) for Time Life can be found at Allmusic

In 1990 he set up a media coaching and training service for R&B artists, was given the first journalist award by The International Association of African-American Music (IAAAM) and authored his second book, "The Soulful Divas" in 1999. In 2001 he started www.soulmusic.com, a top-rated soul music website which now features much of the archival content that Nathan wrote from 1967-1979 including articles on legendary artists such as Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Minnie Riperton, Phyllis Hyman, Earth, Wind & Fire, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Esther Phillips, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Labelle, The Isley Brothers and dozens more. In 2010, Nathan relaunched Soul Music.com Records as a reissue label via Cherry Red and since September 2010, the imprint has released original albums by Mtume,The Dynamic Superiors, The Chi-Lites, The Stylistics, Esther Phillips, Marlena Shaw, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole and Dionne Warwick. He also served as secretary and board member of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation for ten years. In 2004 he co-wrote a biography of Nina Simone, "Break Down and Let it All Out".

Recording career

In the 1990s, encouraged by friends including Doris Troy and Bonnie Raitt, he began a parallel singing career, releasing his first CD, Reinvention, in 2003 on his own Nefer Music label. The album featured guest appearances by saxophonist Najee and vocal group The Sweet Inspirations. In 2007, he released his second album, Wistful Elegance, with jazz/R&B group Pharaoh's Dream. with guests Will Downing, Kenny Lattimore and others and production by Preston Glass.

In 2010, after returning to the U.K. a year earlier, David introduced his musical alter ego, Nefer Davis via Facebook and Reverbnation and in February 2011, Nefer released his first CD, "I Used To Rule The World..." with covers of Coldplay's Viva La Vida, The Bee Gees' To Love Somebody and Billy Stewart's "Sitting In The Park" among key tracks.

External links

• soulmusic.com
• reverbnation.com