News of the untitled series arrives the same day Netflix's newest Beatles-centric kids show debuts.
It's easy as one, two, three. Netflix is at work on an original animated series for kids based on the famed Jobete catalog of Motown hits from artists including Marvin Gaye,the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, the Temptations and Stevie Wonder.
Robinson is serving as executive music producer of the series, whose first-season soundtrack of songs covered by contemporary artists will be released on Melodia/Motown Records to coincide with the as-yet-unannounced launch date of the show.
"I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new series that will embrace the magic of Motown and present our songs to a whole new generation of fans and their families," says Robinson, who's played an integral role in the cultural impact of Motown and will curate the song choices and select cover artists.
The Miracles: Grammy Museum Unveils Next Motown Exhibit
The untitled Motown project marks the second musically inspired animated show for the streaming service. It follows the Beatles-flavored Beat Bugs, which features covers of Fab Four songs performed by artists including Jennifer Hudson, Pink, Sia, Rod Stewartand Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Beat Bugs is available to stream globally beginning today (August 3); its soundtrack is out today from Melodia/Republic Records exclusively with Apple Music.
The latest series follows the adventures of an 8-year-old boy named Ben, who lives in the imaginary city of Motown and possesses the ability to bring street art to life. Striking a similar chord as Beat Bugs, each episode will draw inspiration from Jobete classics, bringing 52 songs from the label to the small screen.
Both series are enabled by agreements with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for worldwide rights to the respective Jobete and Lennon-McCartney songs, and both are being produced by Netflix in conjunction with indie production house Grace: A Storytelling Company and Sydney, Australia-based producer/distributor Beyond International. Grace founder Josh Wakely serves as director, showrunner and producer.
"Having been raised on the music of Motown, I am very grateful to have been entrusted with these songs as I draw inspiration from the stories and characters found within them," says Wakely.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7460934/netflix-motown-animated-series-jobete-catalog
It's easy as one, two, three. Netflix is at work on an original animated series for kids based on the famed Jobete catalog of Motown hits from artists including Marvin Gaye,the Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, the Supremes, the Temptations and Stevie Wonder.
Robinson is serving as executive music producer of the series, whose first-season soundtrack of songs covered by contemporary artists will be released on Melodia/Motown Records to coincide with the as-yet-unannounced launch date of the show.
"I am thrilled to be a part of this wonderful new series that will embrace the magic of Motown and present our songs to a whole new generation of fans and their families," says Robinson, who's played an integral role in the cultural impact of Motown and will curate the song choices and select cover artists.
The Miracles: Grammy Museum Unveils Next Motown Exhibit
The untitled Motown project marks the second musically inspired animated show for the streaming service. It follows the Beatles-flavored Beat Bugs, which features covers of Fab Four songs performed by artists including Jennifer Hudson, Pink, Sia, Rod Stewartand Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Beat Bugs is available to stream globally beginning today (August 3); its soundtrack is out today from Melodia/Republic Records exclusively with Apple Music.
The latest series follows the adventures of an 8-year-old boy named Ben, who lives in the imaginary city of Motown and possesses the ability to bring street art to life. Striking a similar chord as Beat Bugs, each episode will draw inspiration from Jobete classics, bringing 52 songs from the label to the small screen.
Both series are enabled by agreements with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for worldwide rights to the respective Jobete and Lennon-McCartney songs, and both are being produced by Netflix in conjunction with indie production house Grace: A Storytelling Company and Sydney, Australia-based producer/distributor Beyond International. Grace founder Josh Wakely serves as director, showrunner and producer.
"Having been raised on the music of Motown, I am very grateful to have been entrusted with these songs as I draw inspiration from the stories and characters found within them," says Wakely.
http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7460934/netflix-motown-animated-series-jobete-catalog