The Paradigm Shift
The Paradigm Shift is V. Jeffrey Smith and Melanie Athena
Mix up a Bahamian African American born in Harlem and raised in Brooklyn with the heart & soul of a Greek Italian born to classical musicians….. V. Jeffrey Smith & Melanie Athena bring you diverse perspectives and musical backgrounds… their unique partnership conjures up intense creative energy apparent in their newest releases!
V. Jeffrey Smith & Melanie Athena are The Paradigm Shift, a musical partnership with a signature song by the same name. The song reflects the current state of our World in these uncertain times - social unrest, calls for change, and a nation divided - all amidst a global pandemic unprecedented in our lifetime. Now available through links below.
A timely and touching song with a strong social message that is a soundtrack to this revolution!
The Paradigm Shift
Our newest release, Mother Earth, celebrates our love for our beautiful planet while raising awareness and calling us all to action to do our share! This song is a duet featuring the amazing vocals of Lisala Beatty and Melanie Athena, as well as a children’s choir on intro, outro and breaks. A beautiful, inspiring and uplifting song that is so relevant to our times and that all should hear!
Mother Earth is available through links below
Melanie started playing bass late in life, and quickly found herself a part of NYC’s musical community, and in the inner circles of some of America’s greatest musicians such as The Neville Brothers, Will Lee, Hiram Bullock and Night Music, B.B. King, The Meters, and Les Pauls’ band. Soon she was playing in bands with such luminaries as Charles Neville, Bill Sims and the Bullet Proof Blues Band, Lew Gatewood, and legendary folk writer and co-creator of The Fast Folk Cafe, Jack Hardy. Melanie co-founded the band “Gatewood”, playing in the same venues and sharing the stage with their peers John Popper, The Spin Doctors, Joan Osborne and Jimmy Vivino in their pre-fame years. After 12 years playing bass on the NYC scene, she shifted her focus to song writing. As a member of Jack Hardy’s weekly songwriter’s group she wrote hundreds of songs, including “Do it for love”, a co-write which was chosen for a Michael Kors TV ad campaign.
V. Jeffrey Smith is a musical phenomenon whose career spans more than 4 decades. He’s a master musician, multi instrumentalist, singer, writer and producer who has played on countless gold and platinum records.
V. Jeff’s vast credits include his iconic and instantly recognizable sax solo on Billie Ocean’s “Caribbean Queen”, and his equally notable sax solo on “Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car”; and his trademark sound can be heard on hundreds more memorable albums!
His talents are showcased as an arranger on Stephanie Mills’ “If I were your Woman”, and as a writer on hits like Paula Abdul’s “Promise of a new day”, and The Family Stand’s “Ghetto Heaven”. V. Jeff was signed to Atlantic records first as an artist and soon became part of the Atlantic production team with his partner Peter Lord. He’s worked with Whitney Houston, produced Daryl Hall, Johnny Kemp, Kashif, Corey Glover, Heather Headley, Tamia, and hit songs like Paula Abdul’s “Rush Rush”, along with Average White Band’s “Shower The People” on their latest album. V. Jeff most recently produced, co-wrote, played and sang on The Family Stand’s newest soon to be released album, “Evolve”, on which he and Melanie Athena also co-wrote the song “Blindsided”.
V. Jeffrey Smith and Melanie Athena have achieved the perfect creative energy as writers in their new release!
Recommended If You Like:
Amos Lee, Gnarls Barkley, The Neville Brothers, Burnt Sugar The Arkestra, The Family Stand
Let the people sing! Ah la la la, la la la, la la la!