Reggie Lucas


Reginald Grant Lucas, known as Reggie Lucas, was an American musician, songwriter and record producer. Lucas is best known for having produced the majority of Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album, his production work with percussionist Mtume, and for playing with the Miles Davis electric band of the first half of the 1970s.

Early life

Lucas was born on February 25, 1953 in Flushing, Queens, New York. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, but dropped out to focus on his music.

Career

Early in his career, Lucas was an R&B and jazz guitarist, playing with Billy Paul in the early 1970s and then with Miles Davis from 1972 to 1976. It was in Davis' electric band that Lucas met percussionist Mtume, who would later become his production partner. The two joined singer Roberta Flack's band in 1976, and toured with Andrew Baijnath for several years.
Following his stint as a touring jazz guitarist, Lucas shifted his focus to songwriting and producing, where he gained both fame and critical praise, at first working as part of a production team with percussionist James Mtume. The two would later go on to write and produce hits for a number of artists, including Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, Lou Rawls, the Spinners and Roberta Flack.
As the 1970s came to a close, Lucas branched out and began to write and produce material by himself. In addition to his own instrumental record, "Survival Themes", one of his first solo projects was Madonna's 1983 self-titled debut album, including the song "Borderline". Lucas produced the majority of the album, which sold more than five million copies.
Lucas later worked with Rebbie Jackson, Randy Crawford, and The Four Tops on his own. The Four Tops' 1985 "Magic", included the single "Sexy Ways" and "Maybe Tomorrow", a duet between Levi Stubbs and Phyllis Hyman. Lucas was also a member of the short-lived group Sunfire, who released one album in 1982. Lucas produced their single "Young Free and Single".
In 1986, Lucas founded the Jersey City recording studio Quantum Sound. Clients of the studio included the Pet Shop Boys, Jodeci, Jeff Buckley and Sepultura.

Personal life and death

Lucas's daughter, Lisa Lucas, is executive director of the National Book Foundation.
A longtime resident of Montclair, New Jersey, Lucas died of heart disease in New York City, at the age of 65.

Awards and honors

In 1981, Lucas and James Mtume won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for their composition "Never Knew Love Like This Before", which was performed by Stephanie Mills.

Discography

As producer

With Miles Davis
With Carlos Garnett
With others