While his time in significant public spotlight was limited to a single song, singer, songwriter and musician Michael Sembello is anything but a “one hit wonder.” A talented musician who also possesses a powerful voice, Sembello got his start as a session guitarist, working with legends like Stevie Wonder—most notably contributing to the landmark album Songs in the Key of Life. His mastery of guitar and songwriting made him a go-to musician in the ’70s and early ’80s, with credits on albums by Diana Ross (“Mirror Mirror”), George Benson (“I Just Wanna Hang Around You”), Jeffrey Osborne (“Don’t You Get So Mad”) and others.
In 1983, the Philadelphia native stepped into the spotlight with his debut solo album Bossa Nova Hotel. The LP blended pop, rock, and funk with touches of Brazilian rhythm, showcasing his wide-ranging musical influences. “Maniac,” a high-energy dance-rock anthem, was placed in the movie Flashdance and became a smash, rising all the way to the top of the pop charts and earning for Sembello Grammy and Oscar nominations. He landed another top 40 hit from that project with “Automatic Man.”
Sembello followed up with the underrated 1986 release Without Walls, featuring the excellent songs “Wonder Where You Are” and “Tear Down These Walls.” Unfortunately, the album gained little commercial traction, with the same fate six years later on Caravan of Dreams. Sembello was increasingly leaning toward world music sounds, and he took his most loyal fans with him, even as pop radio wasn’t quite ready.
Throughout the ’90s and 2000s, Sembello continued to work behind the scenes, writing and producing for other artists while also further exploring diverse sounds on projects like Backwards in Time and The Bridge. He also formed the group The Bossa Nova Hotel (named after his debut album), which mostly delivered tasty Brazilian-influenced covers of popular songs.
While most casual music fans will only know “Maniac,” Michael Sembello has created much, much more, and has given the world four-plus decades of adventurous, always interesting music.
By Chris Rizik
