The 80s – Cinema and soundtracks
Morris starts to take an interest in writing scripts, storylines, and soundtracks for movies and television. In 1980, becomes a member of the W.G.A. (Writers Guild Of America) and the American Film Institute.
In 1981, he produces and releases his fifth album “Solitude”, with the hit “Do You Miss Me”, his last album recorded in Brazil.
Morris follows the international release and tours in Brazil and South America.
Still, in the same year, he’s invited to the Philippines as a guest at the first Cecil Awards. Falling in love with the country, its history and people, decides to explore the Asian musical industry, making Manila his home.
In the 1982 film “An Officer And A Gentleman”, directed by Taylor Hackford, one of his songs is used as part of the soundtrack.
Between 1982 and 1983, Morris designs and builds a modern and high-level recording studio in Manila.
Here, he dedicates himself to writing, arranging, and producing many artists for the recording industry in Asia and Internationally. Among them Martin Nievera, who, in 1985, goes platinum with the song “Please don’t throw my love away”, written by Morris.
The activity as an independent producer with his Tasha Records and Tapes begins in 1983 when releasing his sixth album, “Beginnings”, with the songs Love Me and I Look At The Sun.
For three consecutive years, 1984, 1985, and 1986, ASCAP – The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, gives Morris the awards certifying that Feelings is among the most played standards in the world in the past twelve years.
In 1985, Morris returns to California and writes for new productions.
In 1987, he produces his seventh album, “Back To Love”, released in Italy by Fonit Cetra, with the hits So Lonely and Please Don’t Throw My Love Away.
The album promotion takes him to various television shows, part of the European promotional tour.
In 1988, he writes for the soundtrack of the film “Un Amore Di Donna”, directed by Nelo Risi, where the main themes are “Tema di Gabriella”(instrumental), “So Lonely”, and “What if I said I was sorry”.
In 1988, Morris returns to Rio De Janeiro, where he writes many new songs, among them “Paradise”. This song, with the lyrics in Italian, written by Paolo Limiti and with the title “Che Nome Avrà”, is chosen by Mina to be part of her 1989 album “Uiallalla”.
In the same year, Louis Gasté sues Morris for the similarity of Feelings with one of his songs. After a controversial procedure, the court decides that both authors would share the royalties equally.
In 1989, Michelle Pfeiffer sings Feelings in the movie “The fabulous baker boys”, written and directed by Steve Kloves.
