Joi Cardwell#Discography

Born in New York City in the late-1960s and raised in various areas of Queens. Cardwell appeared on stage at Carnegie Hall at the age of five in a dance recital, and was used to being on a stage by the time she was a teenager. She worked as a back-up session singer for Melba Moore, Jermaine Jackson, LL Cool J, and The Pointer Sisters. After graduating from New York University with degrees in English and Music in the mid-1980s, she studied voice for a year primarily to master control, as she had already developed and retained her own personal style. After her studies, she wrote and published songs for major R&B acts such as Kashif, L.A. Posse, and Malika Thomas.

Her close affiliation with Kashif led to an album deal with Arista Records in 1988 for her pop R&B girl-group, The Promise.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/305114/joi-cardwell/biography Biography > Joi Cardwell]. Billboard. Retrieved February 8, 2017 Since the market in the 1980s was already saturated with sweet-sounding, bubbly R&B groups, it was difficult for The Promise to stand. As a result, Cardwell decided to answer an ad in the Village Voice that read, "Epic recording artist looking for a background singer for a live tour." The recording artist turned out to be house-music innovator Lil Louis. She recorded two songs; "Club Lonely" and "Saved My Life" for Lil Louis' album Journey with the Lonely, which both peaked at number 1 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/307307/lil-louis/chart?f=359 Chart History > Lil Louis]. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017

Cardwell's experience as a vocalist and songwriter turned out to be exactly what Lil Louis had been searching for in a singer. He proved to be an early influence for Cardwell's sound, which melds a new dance beat with a thoughtful lyrical twist. Cardwell creates material that sounds as though she's musing quietly about life while a dancing throng gyrates with joy nearby, and her lyrics are soulful, romantic, and thought-provoking. Shortly after meeting Lil Louis, Cardwell conceived the single "Dancing in My Sleep", and within a week of penning it, she was in Chicago cutting demos and well on her way to a career as a dance-hall diva and R&B songstress. When "Club Lonely" reached the number one mark, Cardwell distanced herself from the Lil Louis project. In 1993, she toured in Japan for eight months as a background singer for Japanese soul singer Toshinobu Kubota. Cardwell gleaned experience from the large overseas tour returned to the U.S. significantly more focused and ready to tackle a solo singing career.

In 1994, Cardwell signed a recording contract with Eightball Records, an independent label based in New York. In 1994, Cardwell released her first single "Trouble" on Eight Ball Records, which was a double-pack single including remixes from Junior Vasquez, Sotoshi Tomiie, and Deep Dish. The song charted at number 11 on the Dance chart.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/305114/joi-cardwell/chart Chart History > Joi Cardwell]. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017 She also released a non-album single "Holdin' On" with Jay Mac. Her first solo album The World Is Full of Trouble was released on May 15, 1995. The album spawned the top-charted singles "Jump for Joi" and "Love & Devotion". In 1995, she recorded the single "Luv Connection" for Towa Tei's album Future Listening!. Cardwell contributed guest vocals on the single "The Creator Has A Master Plan" for the Brooklyn Funk Essentials' album Cool & Steady & Easy. She also toured with the group throughout the year. In 1996, she toured as a backing vocalist for Toshinobu Kubota on the Oyeees! Tour. In July 1996, she released the single "You Got to Pray".[http://www.allmusic.com/album/youve-got-to-pray-remixes-mw0000613546 Joi Cardwell – You've Got to Pray (Remixes)]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 The single peaked at number 1 on Billboard's Dance Club Play chart.

Cardwell's eponymous second solo album Joi Cardwell was released on November 11, 1997, in the US. The album's lead single "Soul to Bare" reached the top five on the Billboard Dance Club Play chart. The second international single "Run to You" was a commercial success, reaching number one in the United States. The album also produced two other singles; "Found Love"[http://www.allmusic.com/album/found-love-mw0001072519 Joi Cardwell – Found Love]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 and "Power".[http://www.allmusic.com/album/power-mw0000047492 Joi Cardwell – Power]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 By December 1997, Cardwell had sold a total of over 1.5 million records worldwide.[http://www.musicdish.com/mag/print.php3?id=2567 Interview with Joi Cardwell]. Music Dish Magazine. Retrieved February 11, 2017 In 1998, Cardwell left Eightball Records. In November 1998, she released a two-disc compilation Clubland's Greatest Hits which features a few club mixes of her earlier singles on Eightball Records.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/clublands-biggest-hits-mw0000601748 Joi Cardwell – Clubland's Biggest Hits]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017

In April 1999, Cardwell self-produced and released the lead single "Last Chance for Love" of her forthcoming album. The song peaked at number 17 on the Dance Club chart. She later released her third album Deliverance on her new independent recording label "No-Mad Industries". A second single "Superstar", an interpretation of Delaney & Bonnie's "Superstar", was also released. In 2000, "Last Chance for Love" won for "Best Dance Song" by the GLAMA Awards.[http://www.billboard.com/artist/305114/joi-cardwell/biography Biography > Joi Cardwell]. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017 In February 2000, a remixed version of "Jump for Joi" was released on Nervous Records.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/jump-for-joi-nervous-mw0000648407 Joi Cardwell – Jump for Joi]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 The remix single peaked at number 7 on the Dance Club chart. In 2001, she toured again as a background vocalist for her long-time friend Toshinobu Kubota during the Nothing But As One Tour.

In September 2003, Cardwell released a compilation album More (1992–2003), which featured unreleased songs and new remixes.[https://music.apple.com/us/album/more-1992-2003/6691820 Joi Cardwell – More (1992–2003)]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (August 9, 2003). Cardwell Compilation Covers 'More' Ground. Billboard, Volume 115: No. 32, Page 52. Retrieved from https://books.google.com The album spawned the singles "After the Rain" and "If You're Ever Lonely", which were released on her manager's label, Junior Vasquez Music. In 2004, she participated in the Keep Hope Alive Project to benefit LIFEbeat, the music industry AIDS-awareness organization. Cardwell appeared alongside other house-genre singers on the song "Keep Hope Alive" and she also co-wrote and recorded a song "Be Yourself", which appear on the Underground Dance Artists United For Life: Keep Hope Alive album.[http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/65869/keep-hope-alive Keep Hope Alive]. Billboard. Retrieved February 7, 2017 In 2004, she released her greatest hits album entitled Hits and More.

On November 18, 2005, Cardwell released her fourth studio album, The Plain Jane Project. The album features more R&B-styled songs as opposed to her earlier electronic dance and house records. The album's lead single "Freedom" spent thirteen weeks on the Dance Club Play chart before peaking at number 7. The second single "It's Over" peaked at number 4 on the chart. The album's final single "What It Feels Like" peaked at number 30 on the Dance chart.

Her compilation album A Beautiful Life was released on May 7, 2007, in Japan-only.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-beautiful-life-mw0001099109 Joi Cardwell – A Beautiful Life]. All Music Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017 The eleven-track album featured a combination of past singles and DJ mixes. On April 7, 2009, she released her fifth album Wanderlust (The Soundtrack). The album spawn the singles "Imperfect",[https://music.apple.com/us/album/imperfect/345295101 Joi Cardwell – Imperfect]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Happy",[https://web.archive.org/web/20160330065111/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/happy-feat.-joi-cardwell/id281846587 Joi Cardwell – Happy]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "People Make the World Go Round",[https://music.apple.com/us/album/people-make-the-world-go-round/285614940 Joi Cardwell – People Make the World Go Round]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Come Together",[https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-together/295595275 Joi Cardwell – Come Together]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 "Change the World",[https://music.apple.com/us/album/change-the-world-ep/299704121 Joi Cardwell – Change the World]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 and "What's Freedom".[https://www.discogs.com/Groove-Junkies-Joi-Cardwell-Whats-Freedom-/release/5483106 Joi Cardwell – What's Freedom]. discogs. Retrieved February 7, 2017 Her single "People Make The World Go Round" received an IDMA Awards' nomination for "Best House/Garage Track".[http://www.wintermusicconference.com/events/idmas/index.php?wmcyear=2009 IDMA Winners for the year 2008 presented in 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308114612/http://www.wintermusicconference.com/events/idmas/index.php?wmcyear=2009 |date=March 8, 2016 }}. Winter Music Conference. Retrieved February 8, 2017

In June 2010, she released a maxi-single "All Night", which features the original version and various remixes of the song.[https://web.archive.org/web/20170211080718/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-night/id380016036 Joi Cardwell – All Night]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 A single "We Got the Night" was released, which featured production and mixing by Chus & Ceballos and DJ Koutarou.A.[https://music.apple.com/us/album/we-got-night-chus-ceballos/388916423 Joi Cardwell – We Got the Night]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 Caldwell released her sixth album Must Be the Music on March 19, 2011.[https://music.apple.com/us/album/must-be-the-music/650465643 Joi Cardwell – Must Be the Music]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017 In July 2011, she released her original song "How Deep Is Your Love?".[https://music.apple.com/us/album/how-deep-is-your-love-feat/448894818 Joi Cardwell – How Deep Is Your Love?]. iTunes Store. Retrieved February 7, 2017

In 2013, she released a single "Love Somebody Else", which earned an IDMA award for "Best House/Garage/Deep House Track of the Year". In September 2014, Cardwell released her seventh album The Art of Being on her own independent recording label Curly Gurly Records. The album spawned the singles "Return to Love", "Feels Like Heaven", "Indian Giver", "Lucky Charm", "Shot through the Heart", and new remix of "Jump 4 Joi".

In 2016, Cardwell released a single "What Love's Gonna Do". In May 2017, she re-released her business book titled "Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame",[http://www.blurb.com/b/7943861-keep-your-eye-on-the-game-and-not-the-fame "Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame" by Joi Cardwell]. Blurb Books. Retrieved June 10, 2017 which was originally released in 2001.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (August 18, 2001). The Art of the Deal. Billboard, Volume 113: No. 33, Page 26. Retrieved from https://books.google.com On May 26, 2017, Cardwell announced through her Facebook that she would be retiring from the music industry, following a few more music releases and that she would open a wellness center.[https://www.facebook.com/joi.cardwell/posts/1854311194582854 Joi Cardwell Facebook Post on May 26, 2017]. Facebook. Retrieved June 10, 2017 On June 2, 2017, she released a single called "We Can Do Better".[https://www.traxsource.com/title/804165/we-can-do-better Joi Cardwell — We Can Do Better]. In collaboration with DJ Gomi, a maxi-single was released featuring six remixed version of "We Can Do Better".[https://www.discogs.com/Joi-Cardwell-DJ-Gomi-We-Can-Do-Better/release/10317192]. Traxsource. Retrieved June 10, 2017 On June 16, 2017, Cardwell released another single titled "Days of Our Lives".[http://urbanorecords.com/audio/joi-cardwell-days-of-our-lives/ Joi Cardwell — Days of Our Lives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306052902/http://urbanorecords.com/audio/joi-cardwell-days-of-our-lives/ |date=March 6, 2019 }}. Urbano Records. Retrieved June 10, 2017

On October 13, 2017, Cardwell was featured on the track "State of Confusion" from the debut album by DJ and producer Honey Dijon, The Best of Both Worlds.{{Cite web |title=Honey Dijon's debut album is 'The Best Of Both Worlds' on Classic |url=https://mixmag.net/read/honey-dijons-debut-album-is-the-best-of-both-worlds-on-classic-news |access-date=2022-08-19 |website=Mixmag}} In March 2018, Cardwell released a new version of her single titled "Trouble 2018".[https://music.apple.com/ca/album/trouble-2018-single/1359152155 Joi Cardwell – Trouble 2018]. iTunes Store. Retrieved June 3, 2018 On June 1, 2018, Cardwell released her eighth album "Pride and Joi".[https://music.apple.com/us/album/pride-and-joi/1385153448 Joi Cardwell – Pride and Joi]. iTunes Store. Retrieved June 3, 2018 The album contained new remixes of her previous singles.

Cardwell's voice is a mezzo-soprano despite sometimes being classified as an alto.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 17, 1996). Spreading Joi. Billboard, Volume 108: No. 7, Page 32. Retrieved from https://books.google.com Barry Walters of The Advocate highlights her tone and timbre as particularly distinctive, described her voice as "more subtle, more ethereal and seductive."Published by Here Publishing. (December 23, 1997). Sapphic Soul Sister. The Advocate, No. 749, Page 56. Retrieved from https://books.google.com Other critics praise her vocal abilities, with Larry Flick of Billboard saying she "proved her potential as a multiformat star with a funk version of "Jump for Joi" that exploded with Ella Fitzgerald-style scatting."Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 4, 1995). Divas Unplugged Icing On Rich 2nd Dance Summit. Billboard, Volume 106: No. 6, Page 11. Retrieved from https://books.google.com

Cardwell's music is generally house,Published by Gay & Lesbian Group of the American Musicological Society. (February 17, 1996). GLSG Newsletter for the Gay & Lesbian Study Group of the American Musicological Society. Gay & Lesbian Group of the American Musicological Society, Volume 9–15, Page 28. Retrieved from https://books.google.com but she also incorporates traditional jazz, funk, and blues into her songs.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (July 29, 1995). Album Reviews. Billboard, Volume 107: No. 30, Page 86. Retrieved from https://books.google.com Deliverance demonstrated Cardwell's exploration of neo soul, as well as further use of soul and hip hop than compared to previous releases.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (January 15, 2000). Reviews & Previews. Billboard, Volume 112: No. 3, Page 22. Retrieved from https://books.google.com While she exclusively releases English songs, Cardwell have performed several Japanese songs for Toshinobu Kubota (as a backup singer during his concert tours for a Japanese audience). To perform them, Cardwell was coached progressively by Kubota.

She has received co-writing credits for most of the songs recorded with Lil Louis and her solo efforts. Her songs were personally driven by dance themed compositions like "Run to You" and "You Got to Pray". Cardwell believes that, "Lyrics have to be meaningful and memorable enough that people will insist on keeping the vocals on the tracks."Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (February 5, 1994). Dance Music Confab Passes in a Twirl of Activity. Billboard, Volume 106: No. 6, Page 11. Retrieved from https://books.google.com She has also received production credits for many of the records in which she has been involved, especially during her solo efforts. As an accomplished pianist, Cardwell incorporates piano into a majority of her songs and often writes about love. She also played a violin, and piano, on the song "Brittany" for Lil Louis' album From the Mind of Lil Louis.[https://www.discogs.com/Lil-Louis-The-World-From-The-Mind-Of-Lil-Louis/release/233848 Lil' Louis & The World – From the Mind of Lil Louis]. discogs. Retrieved February 11, 2017

Her musical influences included Billie Holiday, Barbra Streisand, and Minnie Riperton. Cardwell credits Ashford and Simpson, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield as her songwriting influences.[http://djbuddybeaverhausen.blogspot.com/2014/09/the-art-of-joi-cardwell-exclusive-q.html The Art of Joi Cardwell: EXCLUSIVE Q&A]. Dj Buddy Beaverhausen. Retrieved February 11, 2017 Her influences also include Sarah Vaughn and Donna Summer, the latter of whom she has been compared to.Published by Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (June 17, 1995). Single Reviews. Billboard, Volume 107: No. 24, Page 57. Retrieved from https://books.google.com

In 2017, Cardwell announced her plans to open a wellness center. She later earned certifications in yoga, meditation, and as a holistic health coach.[https://www.jumpforjoi.com/about_us About Us] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190619181847/https://www.jumpforjoi.com/about_us |date=June 19, 2019 }}. Jump For Joi. Retrieved June 19, 2019 She also trained in trauma informed practices, yoga as a peace practice, and yoga nidra. In 2019, Cardwell opened the Jump for Joi Wellness Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The wellness center offers classes and programs in gentle yoga, asana, yoga nidra, pre-natal yoga, and guided meditation for children.

{{Main|Joi Cardwell discography}}

• The World Is Full of Trouble (1995)
• Joi Cardwell (1997)
• Deliverance (1999)
• The Plain Jane Project (2005)
• Wanderlust (The Soundtrack) (2009)
• Must Be the Music (2011)
• The Art of Being (2014)
• Pride and Joi (2018)

Headlining

• Brooklyn Funk Essentials Tour (1995)
• My First Christmas with You Japan Tour (1995–1996)
• The Joi Cardwell Tour (1997)
• Greatest Hits Album Tour (2011)
• The Art of Being Tour (2015)
• European Tour (2016)

Supporting

• Évry'ting Cook An Curie! Tour (1993) (with Toshinobu Kubota)
• Oyeees! Tour (1996) (with Toshinobu Kubota)
• Nothing But As One Tour (2001) (with Toshinobu Kubota)

• Keep Your Eye on the Game and Not the Fame (2001)[https://www.blurb.com/user/joicardwell Member Profile Joi Cardwell | Blurb Books]. Blurb Books. Retrieved June 19, 2019
• Jump for Joi: Thoughts for Inner Strength Vol. 1 (2017)
• Jump for Joi: Thoughts for Inner Strength Vol. 2 (2017)

{{awards table}}

|-

|1997

|"You Got to Pray"

|rowspan="2"|Best Dance Song

|{{won}}

|-

|2000

|"Last Chance for Love"

|{{won}}

|-

{{end}}

{{awards table}}

|-

|2009

|"People Make the World Go Round"

|Best House/Garage Track

|{{nom}}

|-

|2013

|"Love Somebody Else"

|Best House/Garage/Deep House Track

|{{won}}

|-

{{end}}

• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.joicardwell.com|Joi Cardwell}} – official site
• {{Discogs artist}}
• [https://www.jumpforjoi.com Jump for Joi Wellness Center] – official site

{{Joi Cardwell}}

{{Brooklyn Funk Essentials}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardwell, Joi}}

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