Kashif
Kashif Saleem, born Michael Jones on December 26, 1956, in Harlem, New York City, faced significant challenges from a young age. After his mother was incarcerated, he entered the foster care system at just four months old. His upbringing was deeply influenced by these early experiences, and music became a sanctuary for him during his childhood and adolescence.
Kashif's career began in the late 1970s when he joined the funk band B.T. Express as a keyboardist. His involvement with this seminal group laid the groundwork for his future success in the music industry. In the early 1980s, he transitioned into a solo career and became an innovator in the R&B genre. Kashif's electronic funk stylings were pivotal in defining the sound of R&B during this era.
He adopted the name Kashif Saleem after converting to Islam, which marked a significant turning point in his life and career. Under this name, he garnered attention as a singer, songwriter, and record producer, working with notable artists and contributing to iconic tracks that shaped the musical landscape of the time.
Kashif is celebrated for his influence on the genres of R&B and funk, with his innovative production techniques and distinctive sound. His work not only achieved commercial success but also paved the way for future artists in the music industry. He is remembered as a key figure who helped to modernize and evolve the sound of R&B music in the 1980s.
Kashif Saleem passed away on September 25, 2016. His legacy continues to live on through the music he created and the generations of artists he inspired.
Overall, Kashif's contributions to music are significant, marking him as a powerful force in shaping contemporary R&B and funk. His life story is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of music.
Love Changes
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Audrey Wheeler, Brenda White, Yogi Lee
Bass – Wayne Braithwaite
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer [Additional] – Dennis Mitchell
Keyboards – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio, Michael O'Reilly
Programmed By – Larry Williams
Vocals [Duet] – Meli'sa Morgan
4:51
2 Loving You Only
Backing Vocals – Yogi Lee
Guitar – Ira Siegel
Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Eric Rehl
Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer [Synclavier], Arranged By [Rhythm] – Kashif
Mixed By, Programmed By [Synclavier, Vocals] – Darroll Gustamachio
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
Rap, Vocals [Vocal Percussion] – Doug E. Fresh
4:35
3 It All Begins Again
Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Gene Page
Backing Vocals – Johnny Kemp, Yogi Lee
Bass [Bass Guitar] – Nathan East
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer [Additional] – Russ Terrana
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards – Robbie Buchanan
Keyboards, Percussion, Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio, Michael O'Reilly
4:40
4 Love Me All Over
Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Gene Page
Backing Vocals – Audrey Wheeler, Brenda White, Fonzi Thornton, Greg Phillinganes, Yogi Lee
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer [Additional] – Russ Terrana
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Synthesizer, Arranged By [Rhythm Track], Programmed By – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio
Piano, Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Greg Phillinganes
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Robbie Buchanan
5:18
5 Midnight Mood
Drums, Percussion – Paul Leim
Engineer [Additional] – Russ Terrana
Keyboards – Kashif, Robbie Buchanan
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio
Saxophone [Soprane] – Kenny G
2:32
6 Fifty Ways (To Fall In Love)
Backing Vocals – Whitney Houston
Guitar – Ira Siegel
Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio
Saxophone – Vincent Henry
4:50
7 Somebody
Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Gene Page
Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Cliff Dawson
Engineer [Additional] – Russ Terrana
Guitar – Ira Siegel
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio
Saxophone [Alto] – Kenny G
4:32
8 Who's Getting Serious?
Backing Vocals – Exposé
Backing Vocals [Additional] – Debra Byrd, Fonzi Thornton, Michelle Cobbs
Co-producer, Engineer, Keyboards, Programmed By [Percussion] – Lewis A. Martineé
Engineer – Mike Couzzi
Engineer [Additional] – Darroll Gustamachio, John Guess
Guitar – Nestor Gomez
Keyboards, Programmed By [Percussion] – Mike Bakst
Mixed By – Michael O'Reilly
4:36
9 Reservations For Two
Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Gene Page
Backing Vocals – Yogi Lee
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Paul Leim
Engineer [Additional] – Calvin Harris, Russ Terrana
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Drums, Percussion, Synthesizer, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Kashif
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes
Mixed By, Engineer – Darroll Gustamachio
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Larry Williams
Vocals [Duet] – Dionne Warwick
4:23
10 Vacant Heart
Backing Vocals – Fonzi Thornton, Michelle Cobbs, Phillip Ballou, Suzanne Slaughter, Yogi Lee
Engineer – Dennis Mitchell, Kurt Upper
Guitar – Ira Siegel
Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion – Kashif
Mixed By – Darroll Gustamachio, Michael O'Reilly
3:59
Label: Arista – ARCD-8447
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Pop
Kashif's 1987 album Love Changes is a smooth, late-80s R&B/pop record known for its duets, particularly the hit title track with Meli'sa Morgan, and features Whitney Houston on background vocals for "Fifty Ways (To Fall in Love)". Shifting from his earlier funk roots, the album leans into slick, electronic balladry, showcasing Kashif's signature production with guest spots from Dionne Warwick and Doug E. Fresh, delivering polished tracks like "Love Me All Over" and "Who's Getting Serious?".
With this album he moved away from the boogie-funk style of his earlier work towards mainstream R&B/pop. It heavily featured collaborations, most notably with Meli'sa Morgan and Dionne Warwick, and background vocals from Whitney Houston.
It's characterized by slick, electronic arrangements typical of mid-80s R&B, with songs often produced for vocalists.
Notable Tracks: "Love Changes" (with Meli'sa Morgan); "Fifty Ways (To Fall in Love)" (with Whitney Houston on background vocals); "Love Me All Over"; "Loving You Only" (with Doug E. Fresh); "Who's Getting Serious?" (with Exposé).
While praised for its hit singles and star power, some critics noted it marked a departure from Kashif's original innovative funk sound, focusing more on contemporary R&B sounds. It remains a significant album in his catalog, representing a commercially successful phase of his solo career on Arista Records.
The album remains a staple of 80s R&B, with the title track "Love Changes" often being cited as one of the era's definitive duets. A digitally remastered and expanded edition was released in 2012, featuring bonus tracks such as extended remixes and instrumental versions.