Michael Gray (DJ)
 |
Michael Gray | |
|---|---|
 Gray performing in 2011 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Michael Anthony Shefford Gray |
| Also known as | Mike Gray, M |
| 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 active | 1990–present |
| Labels | Altra Moda Music |
Michael Anthony Shefford Gray, better known as Michael Gray, (born July 25)[1]is a British DJ and house music producer. He is also half of the dance music production and remixing duo Full Intention.[2][3]
Biography
[edit]In 1989, Michael Gray worked at a club in Croydon called East Street when he met Jon Pearn. He 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.[4][5] 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[6] 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 his new label Full Intention Records, he released new versions of 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 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.[7] The same year he released a few remixes with DJ Mark Knight. Since 2020, Gray's club tracks were often real DJ hits, and often in the top 10 of Traxsource's charts.
From 2021 to 2023, Gray collaborated with Australian DJ and producer Dr. Packer to release several remixes of tracks by famous house and disco artists like Brenda Taylor and Siege for example.
2023 saw Gray release his educational music production course Making a Modern Disco Classic.[8]
In April 2024, nearly 30 years after its original mix, Gray released an official remix of Jamiroquai's "Space Cowboy".[9][10][11][12]
In May 2024, Gray released a new album titled "Optimism" on Sultra Records.[13]
Gray has played DJ sets in many countries, notably in Poland, Germany, the Philippines, Australia, Russia, Brazil, Georgia, Spain and the Netherlands.[clarification needed]
Early and personal life
[edit]Gray was born and raised in Croydon, London, England. [14]He started getting into music when he was around 5-6 years old, with his family buying records. He was inspired by his 4 older sisters who were into various kinds of music, including soul and pop. He was inspired to become a musician after one of his sisters’ boyfriends, a DJ, would bring his equipment for Christmas and his family would party.[15] His father, who played keyboard, often organized under-16 disco dances.
Gray currently lives in Surrey, England. He has a son.[16]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]- Analog Is On (2007)
- Optimism (2024)
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [6] |
AUS [17] |
AUT | BEL | FIN | GER | IRE | NED | SWI | ||||||||
| 1990 | "The Brits 1990 (Dance Medley)" (credited to Various Artists) | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Singles only | |||||
| 2004 | "Whatcha Gonna Do" (featuring Maria Lawson) | 193 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||
| "The Weekend" | 7 | 14 | 49 | 11 | 19 | 22 | 22 | 29 | 49 | Analog Is On | ||||||
| 2006 | "Borderline" (featuring Shelly Poole) | 12 | 49 | 63 | 52 | — | 42 | 42 | 78 | 75 | ||||||
| 2007 | "Somewhere Beyond" (featuring Steve Edwards) | — | 100 | — | — | — | 86 | — | — | — | ||||||
| 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) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| 2024 | "Season High" (featuring Tatiana Owens) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Optimism | |||||
| "Save Me" (featuring Leela D) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| "Ivy" (featuring Tatiana Owens) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart. | ||||||||||||||||
Selected remixes
[edit]- 2004 Scape featuring D´Empress – Be My Friend (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2005 Yanou – Sun Is Shining (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2007 Splittr – All Alone (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2008 Seamus Haji, Lords Of Flatbush – 24 Hours (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2008 Cicada – Beautiful (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2008 Priors – What You Need (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2008 Danism – Strike (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2009 Kläder & Vapen Featuring Anna Ternheim – What Have I Done (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2009 Gary Go – Open Arms (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2009 Visage – Fade to Grey (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2010 Izzy Stardust and Dumb Dan – Looking Out For A Bigger Love (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2010 Valeriya – All That I Want (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2010 Cee Lo Green – It's OK (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2011 Sterling Void – Runaway Girl (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2012 Tara McDonald – Give Me More (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2013 Kamaliya – Love Me Like (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2015 Electronic Youth – Be Right There (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Advance – Take Me To The Top (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Alton Edwards – I Just Wanna (Spend Some Time with You) (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Mahogany – Ride On The Rhythm (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Raw Silk – Just In Time (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Billy Porter – Love Yourself (Michael Gray Club Remix)
- 2019 Husky, Brazen – Only One Way (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2019 Karen Harding and Who – I Don't Need Love (Mark Knight and Michael Gray Remix)[18]
- 2020 Bobby D'Ambrosio featuring Lasala – Runaway Love (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Jasper Street Co. – Paradise (Mark Knight & Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Glen Horsborough & IDA fLO – Switched On (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Chevals – Thank You For The Ride (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 World Premiere – Share The Night (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Vicky D – The Beat Is Mine (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Homero Espinosa feat. Tobirus Mozelle – Love Is The Cure (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Serious Intentions – You Don't Know (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Chanelle, Eric Kupper – One Man (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Anané – Get On The Funk Train (Michael Gray & Mark Knight Mix)
- 2020 Lou Casablanca – Move With The Beat (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2020 Kelli Sae – Good Love (Michael Gray Extended Mix)
- 2020 Hi Voltage – Let's Get Horny (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 Supakings – Back and Forth (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 Raze – Break 4 Love (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 Cultural Vibe – Ma Foom Bey (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 Brian Power – Optimistic (feat. Lucita Jules) (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 The S.O.S Band – Just Get Ready (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 Ingram – D.J.'s Delight (Mark Knight & Michael Gray Extended)
- 2021 Risqué Connection - Saturday (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2021 World Premiere - Share The Night (Michael Gray Extended Remix)
- 2022 Rick Assessment - Dance With Me (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2022 Komiko - Feel Alright (Dr Packer & Michael Gray Remix)
- 2022 BB&Q Band - Dreamer (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 Mystic Merlin - Just Can't Give You Up (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 Donna Allen - Serious (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 Spiritchaser feat. Dyanna Fearon - Tonight (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 B. B. & Q. Band - Genie (Michael Gray Extended Remix)
- 2023 Central Line - Don´t Tell Me (Dr. Packer & Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 Artful & Ridney ft Terri Walker - Missing You (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2023 Ten City - That's The Way Love Is (Michael Gray Remix)
- 2024 Raw Silk - Do It To The Music (Michael Gray Extended Remix)
- 2024 Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy (Good Vibe Zone) [Edit, Dub, and Extended Mix][10][11][12]
References
[edit]- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/C92dJdnszrf/?img_index=3&igsh=MXByOGdmODYwdTVlZg==
- ^ "Michael Gray Biography". IMO Records. Archived from the original on 3 August 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Search | Official Charts". Official Charts.
- ^ M/Defected Records 2002 Cat No: M001
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 235. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "Top Artists Of 2020". Traxsource. Retrieved 20 February 2021.
- ^ "Making a Modern Disco Classic". FaderPro. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ "Jamiroquai – Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone)". Discogs. 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Zone) - Single by Jamiroquai & Michael Gray on Apple Music, 19 April 2024, retrieved 20 April 2024
- ^ a b "Space Cowboy (Michael Gray's Good Vibe Dub) - Jamiroquai". www.traxsource.com. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ a b 1001Tracklists. "Jamiroquai - Space Cowboy (Michael Gray Dub Mix) [SONY]". 1001Tracklists. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Optimism on Traxsource". Traxsource. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ https://musictech.com/features/interviews/michael-gray-music-career-tips/#:~:text=Born%20and%20raised%20in%20Croydon,sounds%20of%20disco%20and%20soul.
- ^ "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.
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/C_3o6phAXuD/?igsh=MXQzOGtrdzdraThrZg==
- ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 119.
- ^ "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.
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