Listen To Some of The Maestro’s “Greatest Hits”

Paul Riser has supplied the “sweetenings” for some of the most famous music ever made. As in-house arranger at Motown, his work adorns classics from “My Girl” to “Rocket Love”. His legacy as one of the "Funk Brothers" is similar to that of most of the other "Brothers", as his career has been overlooked and overshadowed by the stars of Motown that became household names.

After 11 years of working steadily with Motown, Riser found work with other record labels. Artists that Riser has arranged for outside of Motown include: Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Phil Collins, The Carpenters, Carly Simon, The Doobie Brothers, KEM, Quincy Jones, Natalie Cole, Aretha Franklin, Stephanie Mills, Roberta Flack, Michael McDonald, Johnny Mathis, Mary J. Blige, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq, Oleta Adams, Phyllis Hyman, El DeBarge, Natlie Cole, Michael McDonald, Keith Washington, Me’Shell Ndegeocello, R. Kelly, Anita Baker, Cheryl Lynn and more. He won a Grammy in 1972 for "Best R&B Instrumental Performance" for The Temptations' "Papa Was a Rolling Stone", was nominated for another Grammy in 1982 for "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocals" for Stevie Wonder's "Do I Do" and in 2009 Riser was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Among Riser's biggest hits as an arranger are, "My Girl" (The Temptations), "Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" (The Temptations), for which he won a Grammy Award, both versions of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye)(Gladys Knight & The Pips), "My Cherie Amour," (Stevie Wonder), both versions of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (Diana Ross) (Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell), " If I Were Your Woman" (Gladys Knight & The Pips) and "Tears of A Clown" (Smokey Robinson & The Miracles), “Portuguese Love” (Teena Marie), “So Amazing” (Luther Vandross), “6 by 6” (Early Van Dayke and the Motown Brass), “Overjoyed” (Stevie Wonder), “It’s A Shame” (The Spinners), “If I Were Your Woman” (Gladys Knight & The Pips), “Baby I’m For Real” (The Originals), “Promise Me” (Luther Vandross), "Got to Be Real” (Cheryl Lynn),  “I Believe I Can Fly” (R. Kelly), “Rocket Love” (Stevie Wonder), 

He is also composer of "What Becomes of The Brokenhearted" (Jimmy Ruffin). Away from Motown, his hits include, "Never Too Much" (Luther Vandross), "Two Hearts" (Phil Collins) and "I Believe I Can Fly" (R. Kelly). Paul Riser's work in film and television include "Car Wash", "Bamboozled”, "Space Jam", "Standing In The Shadows Of Motown", "Four Brothers", “Hitsville: The Making of Motown”, "Which Way Is Up", “The Woman in Red” and "Mother, Jugs and Speed.”

Want to see a more extensive (not exhaustive) list of The Maestro’s contributions and credits from the past 60 plus years?? Click here!!