Irving Martin
Born1945 - 1947
GenresVarious
Occupation(s)Record producer
LabelsDeram, Bruton Music, Regency Line, Strut Records
Formerly ofIrving Martin and the M squad, Martin's Magic Sounds
Websitehttp://www.martinruk.net/IrvingMartin/

Irving Martin is an executive producer, creative director and record producer. Not including other record labels he worked with, during the 1960s, he produced more than forty-five singles that were released on the CBS label. He produced Guy Darrell's Top 20 hit, "I've Been Hurt" and had further chart success with the London Philharmonic Choir. In addition to producing solo artists and bands, he has either produced or composed music for television shows or films such as Return of the Saint, The Sweeney, Space 1999 and The Jigsaw Man, and has appeared on Make 'Em Laugh. He has often worked with Brian Dee and has also worked with Des Champ.

Background

In the 1970s he worked as a record producer, writer and film music supervisor. Main companies were ITC, Columbia, "20th Fox and Warners. Several international Gold and Platinum and (RIAA Cert) First producer to successfully make exclusive albums for TV Promotion all made in association with Arcade Records. Composed music for Return of the Saint.

In the 1980s he headed Scores Ltd,. the #1 Company in Europe for trailers, promos, programming, interstitial segment conceptualization/production and film music production. He launched Sky TV in Europe. He conceived and produced the A Year To Remember' series - selling over 3m copies. He won several awards for soundtracks, record production, and logo designs.

1990–1995: Working Title Films, Head of Special Projects, a multi-faceted role interfacing WT with all areas in the Polygram Group, promo production and directing related shoots.

1996–2005: In partnership with The Sanctuary Group - CEO Key Film and Film and TV - the leading infomercial producer in Europe.

He earned top international awards in direct response TV as a Producer and Director. He was credited with creating over $3.25b in sales.

His work as a record producer won US triple platinum (RIAA Cert) on the re-issue of the Dove Awarded recording of The Messiah - John Alldis/LPO/LPO Choir (Sparrow)

Career, artist

On June 21, 1962, Martin's musical outfit, a jazz group, Irving Martin and the M squad appeared on the television show, Make 'Em Laugh.[1]

In 1968, his group Martin's Magic Sounds released their self-titled album on Deram SML 1014. The album contained the tracks, "A Taste of Honey", "Edelweiss", "I Was Kaiser Bill's Batman", "Java", "Mon amour, mon amour" and "Yellow Days".[2] The previous year, the group had also released a single, "Mon Amour, Mon Amour" bw "Midem Melody".[3]

Career producer

1960s

Martin produced Johnny Devlin's cover of the Righteous Brothers' song "Hung on You". It was released on CBS 202085. It was reviewed by Disc and Music Echo in the quick spins section of the June 18, 1966 issue.[4][5] Also that year, Lord Sutch's single, "The Cheat" bw " Black and Hairy" was released on CBS 202080. Martin produced the single and accompaniment was by Des Champ.[6]

Music reporter David Wigg had asked Chris Andrews to write a song for him. With Martin producing and Des Champ handling the arrangements the CBS single, "Life is Complicated" bw "Turning Round" which was released in July, 1966 could have been a winner. With the lack of airplay and sales, the single didn't go anywhere. Wigg carried on interviewing musical celebrities.[7][8]

Martin produced the single "Come Back, Baby Come Back" bw "Since My Baby Said Goodbye" which was recorded by Romeo Z. It was released on CBS 202645 in 1967.[9][10] It was listed in the CB New Hit Singles selection in the April 1 issue of Melody Maker.[11] It got a brief review in the Shop Window section of the April 8, 1967 issue of New Musical Express. The raw vibrant excitement, Latin and R&B influences, congas and brass were noted.[12]

Martin produced the first single for West Midlands group, The Californians. The single was "Golden Apples" bw "Little Ship with a Red Sail", which was released in 1967. He added a lot of orchestration and echo to produce a Spector type of Wall of Sound effect.[13] Later he produced their single, "Follow Me" bw What Love Can Do" which was released later that year.[14]

Also in the late 1960s, Irving Martin was sending out demos to musicians for them to think about doing. John O'Hara of the Wolverton band, The Californians recalled that one of the demos that was sent to them in a brown paper bag was "Let's Go to San Francisco". Ohara rung Martin and was told that the group who did the demo, The Flower Pot Men were releasing it as a single. Ohara would later wonder what would have happened if they themselves had released it.[15] The CD compilation, Early Morning Sun: 60s Harmony Pop Produced by Irving Martin was released on the Teensville label in 2019.[16] It contains all of the group's output. It has been described as "comprehensive look at producer Irving Martin's big-budget harmony pop productions in the mid-to-late 60s".[17]

Producing singles for artists, his productions were released on more than 45 singles on the CBS label in the UK between 1965 and 1969.[18]

1970s

In the week ending, August 25, 1973, Guy Darrell's record I've Been Hurt" which he produced had entered the British chart at no. 41.[19] It would eventually peak at no. 12.[20][21]

On the week of December 18, 1976, the London Philharmonic Choir's album, Sounds of Glory which he produced had been in the Music Week Top Albums chart for six weeks. It had moved down from no. 21 to no. 23.[22] The following week it was at no. 20.[23]

Martin co-wrote the song "Dance the Night Away" that was recorded by Sheer Elegance. Backed with "Don't Wanna Miss My Bus", it was released on Pye 7N 25734 in early 1977.[24][25] It did get airplay with spins on Piccadilly Radio. It was also one of the five top add-ons on Radio City for the week of January 8.[26] On the week of February 5, along with "Saturday Nite" by Earth, Wind & Fire, "Soul Cha Cha" by Van McCoy, "Baby I Know" by The Rubettes and a few others etc., Music Week recorded it as a Star Breaker.[27] Two weeks later on the week of February 19, Record Mirror also recorded it as a Star Breaker.[28]

He produced the four-record set, The Messiah by The London Philharmonic Orchestra & Choir that was released on Birdwing BWR-2011 in late 1979. The album featured four soloists. The reviewer called the work awesome and made note of the Christian story being delivered in a new and vibrant way. The executive producer was Billy Ray Hearn. It received the Gospel Music Association's highest award The Dove for outstanding achievement [29]

Martin and Brian Dee contributed the song "Funko" to the TV series The Sweeney[30][31] which ran from 1975 to 1978.[32]

In 1978, Bruton Music released the Heavy Rock album. Side one had thirteen tracks by Mika Antony and Tom Parker, and Side two had ten tracks by Irving Martin and Brian Dee, and one by Norman Warren.[33]

Martin composed theme music for the late 1970s televesion series, Return of the Saint.[34] Working with Brian Dee the jazz pianist, a theme for the title sequence was created. The prominent saxophone and synthesizer parts worked in with the animation parts.[35]

Working with Billy Ray Hearn on The Messiah album, released on the Christian Sparrow label in 1979 earnt a Dove award.[36]

1980s

Martin produced the 1980 John Michael Talbot gospel album The Painter. Talbot was joined by his brother, Terry Talbot, and backed by the London Chamber Orchestra. It was given a positive review by Cash Box in the May 24 issue with the reviewer saying, Super package and super cuts make this a great album.[37]

Present

Presently works as a consultant, mentor, freelance producer and director. Main Areas – D2C, B2C, B2B, Entertainment, TVCs, Infomercials/Spot Ads, Promotions, Podcasts, Edit Producer, Post Production Supervisor, Research/Casting, Conceptual Writer, Music Production.

Compositions

  • "We Want Love" sung by Cheryl St. Clair - 1966[38]
  • "Death's Other Dominion" Space 1999 (co writer) - (1976)
  • "Black Sun" Space 1999 (co writer) - (1976)[39]
  • "Dance The Night Away" by Sheer Elegance - 1977[40][41]
  • "Earthy" by Monaco - 1978[42]
  • "Return of the Saint" (Theme to Return of the Saint) (composer) - 1978[43][44]

Discography

Singles
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes
Martin's Magic Sounds "Mon Amour, Mon Amour" / "Midem Melody" Deram 1967 [45]
Martin's Magic Sounds / Engelbert Humperdinck "Mon Amour, Mon Amour" / "Last Waltz" Decca 45 JB AS. 2, AS. 2 1967 [46]
A. The Mark Duval Big Band, Ensemble Roger Roger

B. Irving Martin & Brian Dee

 "The Race Machine (The Bobby Hughes Experience Remix)", "Afro Syn (The Bobby Hughes Experience Interlude)" / "Indianapolis 2 (The Bronx Dogs 'Funkanapolis' Mix)" Strut 12STRUT 008 2001 12" 45rpm[47]
Albums
Act Release Catalogue Year Notes
Martin's Magic Sounds Martin's Magic Sounds Deram SML 1014 1968 [48]
Irving Martin, Brian Dee Tension Unlimited Regency Line RL 1036 1975 - 1976 [49]
Louis Clark, Irving Martin, Brian Dee Drive / The Living City Bruton Music BRJ 19 1980 [50][51]
Appearances
Album title Credited act Track(s) Catalogue Year Notes
Music For Dancefloors
The Cream Of The Chappell Music Library Sessions		 Irving Martin & Brian Dee "Indianapolis 2", "Deadline Destination" Strut STRUTLP 010 2001 2LP[52]

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ TV Pop Diaries - 1962, Thursday 21st June 1962
  2. ↑ Second Hand Songs - ALBUM, Martin's Magic Sounds by Martin's Magic Sounds (Irving Martin)
  3. ↑ Film Music Site - Mon Amour, mon Amour, Martin's Magic Sounds
  4. ↑ 1960s British Beat Music Producers & Labels - Discographies - CBS Records - U.K. and European Singles Discography (1965-1969), CBS 202085 |Johnny Devlin |Hung On You / Prove It
  5. ↑ Disc and Music Echo, June 18, 1966 - Page 15 QUICK SPINS
  6. ↑ Popsike - V Rare 1966 Screaming LORD SUTCH The Cheat 7" Vinyl Pop Rock CBS Record 202080
  7. ↑ 1960s British Beat Music Producers & Labels - Discographies - CBS Records - U.K. and European Singles Discography (1965-1969), CBS |202233 | Life Is Complicated/ Turning Round
  8. ↑ BBC - Sounds of the 60s with Tony Blackburn, Brian's Weekly Sleevenotes - 28 November 15, Life Is Complicated - David Wigg (1966)
  9. ↑ 1960s British Beat Music Producers & Labels - Discographies - CBS Records - U.K. and European Singles Discography (1965-1969), CBS 202645 |Romeo Z |Come Back Baby Come Back/ Since My Baby Said Goodbye
  10. ↑ Martin Roberts UK family home page - IRVING MARTIN PRODUCTIONS, 60s Productions by Irving Martin on 45
  11. ↑ Melody Maker, April 1, 1967 - Page 8 The Sound of Entertainment on CBS RECORDS new hit singles
  12. ↑ New Musical Express, Week Ending April 8. 1967 - Page 4 SHOP WINDOW
  13. ↑ Brum Beat - BRUMBEAT "Summer of Love" 50th Anniversary Special, Golden Apples, The Californians April 1967
  14. ↑ Brum Beat - BRUMBEAT "Summer of Love" 50th Anniversary Special, Golden Apples, The Californians October 1967
  15. ↑ "N Between Times - The Californians
  16. ↑ AllMusic - Early Morning Sun: 60s Harmony Pop Produced by Irving Martin, The Californians
  17. ↑ Amazon - Early Morning Sun (60s Harmony Pop Produced by Irving Martin)
  18. ↑ 1960s British Beat Music Producers & Labels - Discographies - CBS Records - U.K. and European Singles Discography (1965-1969)
  19. ↑ Billboard, August 25, 1973 - Page 50 Billboard Hits of the World, BRITAIN, This Week 41, Last Week _
  20. ↑ Music VF.com - Guy Darrell Top Songs
  21. ↑ Billboard. October 6, 1973 - Page 85 Billboard Hits of the World, BRITAIN, This Week 12, Last Week 15
  22. ↑ Music Week, December 18, 1976 - Page 39 TOP ALBUMS, This week 23, Last week 21, Weeks on chart 6
  23. ↑ Music Week, December 25, 1976 - Page 23 TOP ALBUMS, This week 20, Last week 23, Weeks on chart 7
  24. ↑ Hitparade.ch - Sheer Elegance – Dance The Night Away
  25. ↑ Music Week, January 8, 1977 - Page 32 MUSIC WEEK LISTINGS, D
  26. ↑ Music Week, January 8, 1977 - Page 22 NEEDLETIME
  27. ↑ Music Week, February 5, 1977 - Page 53 STAR BREAKERS
  28. ↑ Record Mirror, February 19, 1977 - Page 2 Star Breakers
  29. ↑ Cash Box, November 3, 1979 - Page 30 GOSPEL, REVIEWS
  30. ↑ muziekweb.nl - Shut it! : the music of the Sweeney
  31. ↑ Popsike - THE SWEENEY Shut It VINYL 2Lp Cult TV Soundtrack Funk Jazz Breaks Library Kpm NM, SIDE THREE
  32. ↑ BFI Screenonline - Sweeney, The (1975-78)
  33. ↑ Vinyl Connection, February 9, 2018 - HEAVY SCENE AT BRUTON LIBRARY
  34. ↑ Soundtrack Collector - Return Of The Saint (1978)
  35. ↑ Crime and Spy Jazz on Screen Since 1971, By Derrick Bang (2020), ISBN 978-1-4766-8163-4 - Page 116
  36. ↑ The Sound of Light: a History of Gospel and Christian Music, by Don Cusic, 2002, ISBN 0-634-02938-X- Page 413 DOVE AWARDS
  37. ↑ Cash Box, May 24, 1980 - Page 28, GOSPEL, 4LBUM REVIEWS
  38. ↑ Who Sampled - My Heart's Not in It by Cheryl St. Clair
  39. ↑ The Catacombs, Comprehensive guides to Space: 1999 - SPACE: 1999 AN ORIGINAL TELEVSION SOUNTRACK RECORDING (RCA)
  40. ↑ Hitparade.ch - Sheer Elegance – Dance The Night Away
  41. ↑ Music Week, January 8, 1977 - Page 32 MUSIC WEEK LISTINGS, D
  42. ↑ Vinyl Heaven - God Only Knows / Earthy
  43. ↑ Crime and Spy Jazz on Screen Since 1971, By Derrick Bang (2020), ISBN 978-1-4766-8163-4 - Page 235 Appendix B: Discography, Return of the Saint
  44. ↑ WFMU - Morricone Island with Devon E. Levins: Playlist from September 12, 2023, Brian Dee / Irving Martin Theme from Return Of The Saint
  45. ↑ Film Music Site - Mon Amour, mon Amour, Martin's Magic Sounds
  46. ↑ Discogs - Martin's Magic Sounds, Discography
  47. ↑ Discogs - Various – Music For Dancefloors: The Best Of The Chappell Music Library Sessions
  48. ↑ Film Music Site - Mon Amour, mon Amour, Martin's Magic Sounds
  49. ↑ MusicBrainz - Tension Unlimited, ~ Release group by Irving Martin / Brian Dee
  50. ↑ MusicBrainz - Drive / The Living City, ~ Release group by Louis Clark, Irving Martin & Brian Dee
  51. ↑ Internet Archive - Bruton BRJ 19 Drive & The Living City (1980)
  52. ↑ Popsike - Music For Dancefloors CHAPPELL MUSIC LIBRARY 2-LP strut
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