Paul Laurence

Paul Laurence (aka Paul Lawrence Jones III; born 1958) is an American songwriter, producer and keyboardist. He had several number one R&B hits Freddie Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)," "Jam Tonight," "Tasty Love," "Hey Lover," "Do Me Again"; Stephanie Mills' "(You're Putting) A Rush on Me"; and Meli'sa Morgan's "Do Me Baby." His other credits include Evelyn King's number one R&B hits "I'm in Love," "Love Come Down," as well as hits by "I'm in Love" Lillo Thomas' "(You're A) Good Girl," "Your Love's Got a Hold on Me," "Settle Down," "Sexy Girl," "Wanna Make Love (All Night Long)". Career Laurence and Jackson attended school and church together at Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church, which is where the duo met in the 1970s. Laurence had been taught piano by a fellow church member Valerie Simpson of the hit songwriting team Ashford & Simpson. Laurence started a group, Laurence Jones Ensemble, which included Jackson, and they performed in New York-area clubs. By the 1980s, both Laurence and Jackson were working for manager Beau Higgins' Hush Productions. Laurence had written Hush signee Melba Moore's "Love's Comin' at Ya" (number five R&B, summer 1982), "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied," and "Love Me Right" and would go on to co-write with Ondrea Dawkins-Duverney the enchanting ballad "I'm Not Gonna Let You Go." Jackson was one of Moore's background singers. He also sang on demos of Laurence's songs. In 1985, Jackson had signed as a Hush artist and began recording his debut album. Laurence wrote a swaying ballad, "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)," especially for Jackson and played keyboards and programmed drums on the track. Also on the date was bassist Timmy Allen, guitarist Mike "Dino" Campbell, and background vocalist Reggie King. Huggins got Jackson a record deal with Capitol Records, the same label Melba Moore was signed to. He produced and wrote Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" which earned gold record status, staying at number one R&B for six weeks on Billboards charts during summer 1985. The album, Rock Me Tonight, went platinum, hitting number one R&B, number ten pop in summer 1985. Laurence produced a cover of Prince's "Do Me Baby" for fellow Hush signee and Capitol recording artist Meli'sa Morgan. The ballad parked at number one R&B for three weeks in early 1986. Laurence co-wrote "Tasty Love" with Freddie Jackson, which held the number one R&B position for four weeks in late 1986.