J. D. (Puma) Lewis - Shake It / Make It Loose [The Outer Edge]

--> Deluxe Gatefold sleeve.

First reissue of this highly collectible 1984 Funk/Boogie album!

We are proud to present a true gem on our label: the first ever vinyl reissue of J.D. (Puma) Lewis’ much sought-after Shake It - Make It Loose album. Originally released on the infamous Metrovynil label in 1984, this record stands as the best and most authentic 80s boogie and funk album produced in Germany.

However, little is known about this legendary release, and credits are scarce and often confusing. In reality, Shake It - Make It Loose was a collaboration between only two musicians: John Davis (R.I.P., later one of the actual voices behind Milli Vanilli for producer Frank Farian) and Reginald Hudson (of Hudson People). Both were top-notch American musicians and songwriters, who spent much of their lives living and working in Southern Germany.

Hudson describes their creative process: “It was just Johnny and me, playing all instruments. Johnny handled the bass, guitar and vocals, and we programmed the drum machine together. Almost everything else was keyboards.” He recalls that they:

Recorded the album in just six or seven days at Hartmann Digital studio.
Includes two unreleased bonus tracks.
Deluxe gatefold presentation.
The combination of their musical talent and the cutting-edge technology at the studio resulted in a masterpiece of pure, modern funk and boogie. The album includes all the distinctive elements of great 80s music: fresh synthesizers, drum machines, and powerful lead vocals from John Davis. Upbeat tracks like “El Gato (Puma)” and the title track sit comfortably alongside more emotional numbers like “Tears” and “Hearts Of Gold,” while “Dance Shoes” remains one of the catchiest dance tunes of the era.

Even so, Shake It - Make It Loose holds a few mysteries. Why was it released under the unusual name J.D. (Puma) Lewis? And what’s the story behind tracks like “El Gato?” While J.D. Lewis stood for John Davis’ full legal name, Hudson explains the connection to “Puma”: “At the time, I was working as a promotion manager for the sports brand Puma. Jörg Dassler, son of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler, was a friend of mine, and he financed our studio sessions.” Said sessions took place at Hartmann Digital, a state-of-the-art studio in Untertrubach, Bavaria, where iconic artists such as Nena, Yello, Visage, DAF, and Soft Cell recorded.

Using such an expensive studio would have been unattainable for the two musicians without Puma’s backing, which also explains the title of “Dance Shoes.” When we licensed this track for the Boogie On The Mainline compilation in 2018, we had the opportunity to speak with John Davis (who sadly passed away in May 2021 due to COVID-19). Davis revealed that there were plans to make a video for the track in cooperation with Puma, but they never materialized. Ultimately, the album was signed by the Deggendorf-based Metrovynil label.

Interestingly, the original contract reveals that the album’s first version only contained six tracks. Metrovynil added two more: “Sexy Highschool Lady,” a track recorded solo by Davis, and “Party Rap” by The Dynamite Two, which had no connection to Davis or Hudson. The album credits also list a certain “Fred Fiore” as the person “who made all this possible.” Hudson, who considers himself to be the producer, has no idea who Fiore was, probably another label invention. “That’s just the kind of things Metrovynil did,” Hudson comments with some regret.

Despite the behind-the-scenes confusion, the music spoke for itself. The original issue looked and sounded fantastic, with an elegant cover depicting John Davis in a sharp suit. Now, with this first vinyl reissue, we are excited to include additional photos and more background information in a deluxe gatefold sleeve.

This reissue includes the six original tracks from the Hartmann Digital sessions, plus two additional tracks. From the original master tapes, we unearthed additional material that Hudson and Davis produced together in the early to mid-80s. We are excited to share the unreleased tracks “Life Is A Party” and “Let Me.” The digital version of the reissue will also include two more tracks: “Red Drops” and “Pick It Up Off The Ground.”

Shake It - Make It Loose is a classic boogie-funk album that belongs in every serious funk and disco collection. It highlights the undeniable talent of two true musicians and remains a testament to the friendship between Reg Hudson and John Davis.