Michael Gordon (Investigators)
@ the Indigo 02
27 October 2012

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Biography

Michael Gordon was born in South London, England. At the tender age of 4 years old Gordon was taken to Jamaica where he was raised in the parish of St. Mary until the age of 14 years old. He returned to the UK in 1974 with a passion for Reggae, Soul and R&B music which was influenced by the likes of John Holt, Ken Boothe, Dennis Brown, 'Slim Smith, Gregory Isaacs, Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Heatwave, Earth Wind And Fire to name a few. Gordon began practicing and experimenting with his voice to some of his favourite songs and artist.

In 1976 Gordon reluctantly joined a local reggae band from Battersea London England which soon became well known as the 'Investigators.’ Lacking musical experience, Gordon was encouraged by band member Colin Burton (the guitarist) to front as lead vocalist.This was the start of something wonderful for Michael Gordon as the band went on to record Lover's Rock gems such as “Turn Out The Lights,” “Baby I'm Yours,” “Love Is What You Make It,” “Woman I Need Your Loving,” “Living In A World Of Magic,” “Summertime Blues” and many more, on their own Inner City' & 'Private Eye recording labels.

All the above singles were No. 1 hits in the UK reggae singles charts, with the exception of “Woman I Need Your Loving'”entering the top one hundred and climbing to no. 67 in the UK national charts, around the period of 1984/1985, with the band just missing out appearing on Top Of The Pops which was the leading recognised, televised, chart show in the UK.

In 1985 the band split and Gordon was signed to UK based Fashion records in early 1986, working with the likes of Drummie Zeb and Tony Gadd from (Aswad). This collaboration spawned hit tracks such as '”Magic Feelings,” “Ready And Waiting For You” and “Love Is In The Air” to name a few, which subsequently lead to his debut album entitled “Feelings Of Love” which went to No.1 in the UK reggae album charts and remained there for four weeks.

In 1988 Gordon’s recording contract ended with Fashion records and in 1991 he started his own recording label, ‘Sweet Freedom Muzik’ records publishing enterprise. The company released the “Investigators Greatest Hits” package in June 1991 and within a week the album reached No.1 in the UK reggae album charts.

This was a massive success for the label, as the album remained at the No.1 position for 14 weeks. As a result of this success, the Investigators reformed briefly and went on a UK and European tour for a period of 18 months, some seven years after disbanding and enjoyed their richest musical period ever, cementing the Investigators music in the hall of Lover's Rock Fame. Michael Gordon and the Investigators are widely regarded as one of thee true pioneers of the Lover's Rock phenomenon.

Michael Gordon has released many singles on his own ‘Sweet Freedom Muzik’ recording label, but notably his most critically acclaimed works to date is undoubtedly the “Investigators Greatest Hits” compilation and the albums “Changing Circles” and “Poems and Rhymes.”

Michael Gordon has established himself as one of the UK’s most consistent, prolific, ground breaking and original singer/songwriters of his generation, who is truly respected amongst his peers and fans alike and after persevering and staying in the game for some 35 years, shows no sign of slowing down and is still mentally fertile, imaginative and enthusiastic as ever, with his songwritng and productional creative skills and abilities that have been developed, maintained, honed and sustained over the years since 1976.