The Shapeshifters

Shapeshifters are a house music production duo based in London, England. They have a recording contract with Defected Records, and were previously signed to Positiva. Max Reich is originally from Gothenburg, Sweden, while Simon Marlin is British.

They are known in the United States as Shape:UK, in part due to a conflict with the Los Angeles based hip-hop act The Shape Shifters. However, the UK duo still uses "The Shapeshifters" name when they are releasing material in other countries outside the US.

Biography

The Shapeshifters are best known for their single "Lola's Theme" which went to #1 in the UK Singles Chart in July 2004. The track was originally released as an instrumental promo in 2003 and was inspired by Simon's wife, Lola.

Their second single, "Back to Basics", was released in March 2005 and reached #10 in the UK chart, while the third single "Incredible" reached #12. Their debut album, Sound Advice, was released in March 2006 and peaked at #76 in the UK Albums Chart, before being released in the United States on Ultra Records in September 2006. The fourth single which featured Nile Rodgers of Chic, was called "Sensitivity" and charted at #40 on July 2006.

David Morales

David Morales (born 21 August 1961) is an internationally acclaimed Grammy-winning American house music DJ and producer. In addition to his production and DJ work, Morales is one of the most prolific remixers of all time, transforming many pop music songs into club-friendly dance tracks. Born in New York City, he is of Puerto Rican ancestry.

Career

Record producer

Morales' work as a house music producer began in 1993, with a full 11-track album titled The Program, which was released by Phonogram Records. "Gimme Luv (Eenie Meenie Miny Mo)" was the most successful single to be lifted from the album and was a major dance hit that spent two weeks on top of the Billboard dance chart in August 1993. After his debut release, Morales produced few original records, focusing instead on carving out his career as one of the first true "superstar" DJs and as a prolific remixer, working with some of the biggest names in music. In 1998, under the pseudonym 'David Morales presents The Face', he released his biggest hit to date, "Needin' U". Featuring samples from The Chi-Lites' "My First Mistake" and Rare Pleasure's 1976 release "Let Me Down Easy", which had been the backbone of British band Spearmint's single 'A trip into space' released only months before "Needin' U". Morales' record became an overnight classic and introduced Morales into mainstream airplay.

Steve Mac

Steve Mac (real name Steve McCutcheon) is a British musician, songwriter and record producer. He has worked with Shakira,One Direction,The Wanted,Westlife,Susan Boyle,Il Divo,JLS,Kelly Clarkson,Leona Lewis,The Saturdays and James Blunt.

Mac has collaborated with songwriters Wayne Hector, Ina Wroldsen, Benny Blanco, John Newman, Ammar Malik, Ross Golan, Charli XCX, Karen Poole, Lindy Robbins, Lily Allen, Emeli Sandé, Jason Derulo.

Awards

Mac received the ASCAP Songwriter of The Year 2013 award for works including co-writing The Wanted single, "Glad You Came". The composition was also named ASCAP Song of the Year, honouring Mac, Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett. Mac had previously won the ASCAP Song of The Year 2012 award for producing and co-writing "You Make Me Feel..." recorded by Cobra Starship that has sold over two million downloads. Mac has been nominated twice for a Brit Award (Best Single category). First in 2011 for The Wanted song "All Time Low"", and in 2012 with fellow songwriters Wayne Hector and Ed Drewett for Glad You Came by The Wanted. In 2010, Mac's song "Beat Again" (performed by JLS) won a Brit Award for Best Single and a MOBO Award.

Time management

Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity.

It is a meta-activity with the goal to maximize the overall benefit of a set of other activities within the boundary condition of a limited amount of time.

Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects, and goals complying with a due date. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Time management is usually a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope.

The major themes arising from the literature on time management include the following:

Lola's Theme

"Lola's Theme" is the debut single by British house duo The Shapeshifters. It was released on 12 July 2004 as the lead single from their debut album, Sound Advice (2004).

Background

The name "Lola's Theme" was originally a working title for this record; Lola is Simon Marlin's wife and it was while listening to her record collection that the initial idea for the track was conceived.

"Lola's Theme" features a sample from the introduction of Johnnie Taylor's 1982 R&B hit "What About My Love" and it was originally released as an instrumental at the end of 2003 on their own Nocturnal Groove label. Due to its immense popularity, "Lola's Theme" was licensed from Nocturnal Groove to Positiva Records. At the same time, the sample of "What About My Love" was then completely replayed by Mark Summers at Scorccio Sample Replays, recreating all elements of the sample (strings, brass sections, piano, etc.). The duo then set about finding a vocalist. After a long search they met Cookie, a gospel singer from the London Community Gospel Choir who recorded the vocals for the full release.