Mark Brown, better known by the stage name Brown Mark, also styled Brownmark and BrownMark, is an American musician, bassist and record producer.
Life and career
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Brown's early fame came when he was the bass guitarist of The Revolution, musician Prince's original touring band. BrownMark started working for Prince in 1981, one year out of high school. Noted for his unique, funk-based style of musicianship, he became a record producer and recording artist himself after parting company with Prince in 1986. His early influences on bass are Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Louis Johnson, Mark Adams from SLAVE, Jaco Pastorius, Verdine White, Nate Phillips and Bootsy Collins. Brown joined the band in 1981 for the Controversy album recordings. One of his earliest shows with Prince was opening for the Rolling Stones. From then on, he was connected to the Purple Rain album and movie, the Around the World in a Day album and the Parade album. Additionally, Brown contributed to the music for the aborted Dream Factory album that later became a significant part of Sign o' the Times. Brown created the funk-rock outfit Mazarati that were signed to the Paisley Park label in 1986. One infamous story was when Prince gave Brown a demo with melody and lyrics of a song that became "Kiss." Brown, along with frequent Prince collaborator David Z, worked on a version, intended for the Mazarati album. Prince liked the unique, funky rhythm and background vocals but felt he needed to keep this funky creation for himself. Removing the bass line, and adding signature guitar and falsetto vocal elements; Mazarati's background vocals were retained. The finished, minimalist song was a hard sell to Warner Bros., but Prince insisted and the song was released. Mazarati went on to release their self-titled debut album on Paisley Park, and although the album was not a major seller, it subsequently became a cult classic and has grown in reputation as a hallmark of the Minneapolis sound. Brown achieved minor success after leaving The Revolution. After a lengthy absence from the music business he returned with a new project entitled Cryptic. After the release of the Cryptic CD entitled It's Been Awhile the group disbanded in 2002. Brown moved on to a new project out of Tampa Florida with his newly formed group Syx Mil Breach. The CD was released late 2010 and is titled Syx mil Breach but was immediately pulled off the market by Brown because of contract dispute with his distributors. The Revolution Band was reformed in 2016 following Prince's passing and went on a world healing tour to help fans mourn the loss of their mentor. BrownMark along with Wendy & Lisa and Stokley Williams from the group Mint Condition share in the singing. These days, BrownMark is making music in his own studio; jamming, recording, and performing with inspiring musicians; and encouraging younger artists who have been influenced by his career and who are making real music—cutting edge, skillful, & soulful. BrownMark's memoir is forthcoming from the University of Minnesota Press in late 2020.
