Ocean Serenade

Ocean Serenade is the final composition from the Soft Wave album that was not released with the original six tracks. The song was pitched to the Narada record label (MCA) as the title track. All artists on a major label have gone through similar experiences. During the production of the demo, the label decided to make Soft Wave the title track and eliminate Ocean Serenade. Of course, at the time, Rick, Mark, and I were very disturbed about their decision; however, in the end, the song Soft Wave ended up becoming my most popular song to date. Narada was always afraid that the music they were releasing would step out of their New Age sound. At the beginning of New Age music, drum set drumming performances and funky bass, at least, in their estimation, just didn’t fit the mold they were creating. Looking back, that way of thinking affected my songwriting and what I would present to them. But I never allowed them to supersede my decisions regarding writing and producing songs. Decisions made in the trenches of writing, recording, and releasing music are sometimes incorrect. In the case of the song Ocean Serenade, I believe it was just ahead of its time.

— Jessie Allen Cooper

Credits

Produced by Jessie Allen Cooper & Rick Krizman
Written by Jessie Allen Cooper & Mark Cohen
Sequenced & Mixed by Rick Krizman
Recorded at Krizman’s Farm in Venice, CA

Soprano Saxophone: Jessie Allen Cooper
Keyboards: Mark Cohen & Rick Krizman
Drum Sequence: Rick Krizman
Bass: Reggie McBride
Percussion: Arno Lucas
Vocalese: Robin Minerly