MOG - starrjammz's Posts

Objective

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 22:51:51 GMT

Not to want sound harsh , and trying to stay objective , but i miss this kinda power in vocalists of today. I'm sure there are still some of them out there ( especially in the gospel-scene ) , but as far as the commercial-charts concerned , i don't hear any of this vocal-quality. One of the last ones i heard in the charts was Christopher Williams. Okay , rant over ( lol ) ... enjoy the trip

Make It Live

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 08:39:02 GMT

NEWCLEUS :

- Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac - keyboards/synthesizers/drum & synthesizer programming/vocoder/rap/vocals - Bob "Chilly B" Crafton - bass guitar/keyboards/synthesizer/ drum & synthesizer programming/rap/vocals - Yvette Cenac - vocals - Monique Crafton - vocals

Additional personnel :

- Amos Larkins II - keyboards/synthesizer/drum programming/background vocals - Johnny Juice - scratches - Edgar Shaw - guitar - Tony Barnett - guitar - Paul "Kid Fresh" Webb, - rap/bacground vocals - Otis "Lil O Me" Brown - rap/background vocals - Denise Roberts - background vocals - Al "T" McLaran - background vocals

Meeting In The Ladiesroom

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:38:56 GMT

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6A4LbAZ0pg ..............................................................................................

Bernadette Cooper ( doing the intro-rap ) is the female equivalent of Morris Day from The Time. Enjoy the vintage fun(k) ... "Uh-oooh!"

( * - Universal posted the clearest-looking version of the video on YouTube , but it can't be copy-paste-posted here with the video-frame , because they haven't added the embedded code to the clip )

Don't Hide Your Love

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 07:14:12 GMT

Slammin' powerjam & closing-track from their 2nd album. Fierce intro-beat & synths and then it takes off to a partymood , while the returning vocal-chorus has a slight more laidback vibe and a warmer melody ... groove on.

The Man In My Life

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 06:59:45 GMT

Klymaxx
Uploaded by POLOCUP .........................................................................................

One of the 1rst Jam & Lewis-productions , after they had seperated their ways with The Time. The "Girls Will Be Girls"-album is a mixture of uptempo discofunk and slowjams. Besides Jam & Lewis , Stephen Shockley & the Lakeside-crew produced a few tracks. A quality re-issue cd can be found online.

Secret Rendezvous

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 05:07:41 GMT

Solid stepper from their 2nd album , Wall To Wall. Again , a catchy & simultanous instrumental line of guitar & bass is added to the groove. Classic jam.

I've Been Watching You ( Jamie's Girl )

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 04:20:03 GMT

Randy has appeared here on my mog before , with 2 tracks of the group Pleasure. So , here's the opening-track from his debut-album , which features studio-musicians like Ray Parker , Jr. and Robert Irving , III. Robert and Randy were once both part of the Miles Davis Band. Randy sang on the title-track of Miles' album "Man With The Horn" , and left after that album in order to join Pleasure. Robert stayed a few more years with Miles' band until he went to do sessionwork for others , and eventually released a solo-album himself.

www.thelastmiles.com/associates-randy-hall.php

( "...it's a jehri-curl wuuurrrllld ... that we lived in ..." )

Guarantee

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:56:16 GMT

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFfyK3-aiXI

Legion is ( left 2 right ) :

- Waughn " Buddy " Hankerson - vocals / bass / composing / producing - Charles Cedell Carter - synthesizers / saxophone / composing / producing - Sam Carter - synthesizer / composing / producing

After having worked in various power-units like Slave , Steve Arrington's Hall Of Fame , Aurra , Young & Company & Record Player , these 3 members recorded & released one single .

( B-side : City's Jumpin' )

Weak at The Knees

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 03:34:12 GMT

Freak-a-deak track. Phat , insane bassline ... especially during the break ( "And-i-heard..." ) Arrington & crew are delivering it raw & direct.

You Meet My approval

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:53:30 GMT

From Steve's debut-album , produced by Jimmy Douglas , who formerly worked with Slave also. The album has officially been re-issed ( incuding a few formerly unreleased tracks ) by the funk/soul-oriented Rhino-department of Atlantic Records.

I'll Be Gone

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 01:31:19 GMT

From the 1rst album without Steve Arrington and the group Aurra. Around the end of the track you'll hear the monsterbass of Mark "The Hansolor" Adams plucking & popping to a climax along with a sizzling synth-solo and blazin' horns , while you also hear someone who is walking out the door , starts a power-engine of motorcycle and finally takes off ... 2 tight 4 light !

I was able to find a picture of the backsleeve from "Visions Of The Lite" , although the snapshot is kinda blurred/out-of-focus. Too bad because it's a great shot of the group posing in front of a few classic cars , together with a few k-9's :

Steal Your Heart

starrjammz — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 00:38:42 GMT

Funktaztik combination of a deep laidback jam combined with excellent string-arrangements. A topnotch accomplishment by the Jam-patrol from Ohio. One of the times this track has been sampled was around 1996 , on the debut-album of urban-soul female-singer Eli'sha Laverne , who has released most of her work via Japan.

Dreamin'

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:47:03 GMT

The 1996 cd-reissue of STONE JAM contains the original album as well as 3 additional tracks; "Feel My Love (Disco Mix)," "Sizzlin' Hot (Single Version)" and "Watching You (Single Version)."

SLAVE "1979-1980" : - Starleana Young ( Aurra / Deja ) - vocals - Curt Jones ( Aurra / Deja ) - vocals / guitar - Danny Webster - vocals / guitar - Steve " The Invade" Arrington ( Hall Of Fame ) - vocals / drums / percussion - Mark "The Hansolor" Adams - WooWooMonsterbass - Floyd " The Brother Slide" Miller - vocals / trombone / percussion - Steve "The Fearless Leader" Washington ( Aurra / Civil Attack / Slave Hall Of Fame Tribute Band ) - trumpet / background vocals - Charles "Cedell" Carter ( Aurra / Hall Of Fame / Legion / Record Player ) - saxophone - Tom Lockett ( Aurra ) - saxophone / background vocals - Mark "Drac" Hicks - guitar - Raye Turner - keyboards - Jimmy Douglass - background vocals

- Producers: Jimmy Douglass / Steve "The Fearless Leader" Washington - Engineer : Jimmy Douglas - Recorded at : Atlantic Studios / NYC / New York.

CD-booklet includes liner notes by Rickey Vincent , author of the funk-bible : Funk & The Rhythm Of The "One"

www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=1118281

Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:08:05 GMT

A rollercoaster-riding track. Great leadvocal-skills by either Desi "desire" White or Sheri "ayo" Snyder ( pictured in the previous Don Blackman-post below ) & both part of Don's powerband , called The Family Tradition. The album-link above will take you to the page where the original "Don Blackman"-titled album is called "Yabba Dabba Doo" ( also the 1rst track of the album ). This refers to the Japanes cd-title which was released on the P-Vine label ( pictured right here below ) :

Holding You , Loving You

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 22:27:51 GMT

Magical , sparkling & timeless ( imo ) slowjam. Sampled by a few hiphop-artists like "People Under The Stairs" and "Master P". Don released only 2 albums . The track where this album is taken from has grown to a legendary status among collectors. Don is quite a hero in the UK , where he has performed many times. I had the opportunity to visit one of them shows in 2000 ... an un4gettable experience. After having the album for about 15 years , i could finally hear them performed live by the original funkateer.

Honey

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:45:17 GMT

What a great new track & fly video with an ol'skool-flava by Badudah ! Note : albumcover-check in the clip ... which ones you got ?

Looking forward to her upcoming album :

Without U

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:22:50 GMT

verse 1 : ............ Palm trees, green leaves colors in the fall happiness of spring a sun ray, peaking through a, light rain sharing a nightfall feeling pleasures pain a sunrise a night gone perfect scenery a perfect background song your melody your harmony the beauty of your song to the point I can't respond

hook: ........ This how I feel when I'm around you sky would fall without you heaven's lost without you and it's gone be alright when I'm around you sky would fall without you heaven's lost without you and it's gone be alright

verse 2 : ............. I'm reminded of my first crush the wobble in my knees, first touch summer love ice cream cone nights shared with you nights spent alone butterflies, first love sweaty palms embracing a first hug I'm moved to say in thought of you I can't imagine living life without you

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The spacefly-track which Dwele also refers to as "Number 12" ... since most of his concert-visitors ask for that specific track-number , lol. I've seen about 3 gigs of this talented cat. 1rst show i saw was on a music-festival when i arrived slighty late at the live-spot , and he was just getting into the performance of this track. He had brought an awesome band as always , and there was this guitarist in it which was smokin ! ... he lifted the track up to the next level with his solo during the song. The concerts after that , he unfortunately wasn't with the band anymore ... the cat added some serious funk to the live-mix. Anyway , the shows were always tight , and some last few gigs of him in my city were cancelled. That was around the time of his album "Some Kinda". I really would have liked to see those shows.

Groove DJ

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:54:24 GMT

- Official CD Release Date : September 18 / 2007 - Producer : Darren Bowls / Dave Whipple - Engineer : Darren Bowls / Nick Moon

Album Credits :

- Liv Warfield - lead & background vocals

- keyboards : Chris Turner / Dave Whipple / Sedell Jones

- guitar : Jay 'Bird' Koder / Eddie Martinez / Steve Smith / A.G. Donnaloia

- bass guitar : Osama Afifi / Ben Jones / Sean Foote

- drums : Tyrone Hendricks / Dave Owens / Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

- percussion : Derek Rieth

- hand claps : Clapadelic / The VonClapp Family

- trumpet : Farnell Newton

- background vocals : Tim Kendall, Saeeda Wright

Embrace Me

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:47:13 GMT

- Official CD Release Date : September 18 / 2007 - Producer : Darren Bowls / Dave Whipple - Engineer : Darren Bowls / Nick Moon

Album Credits :

- Liv Warfield - lead & background vocals

- keyboards : Chris Turner / Dave Whipple / Sedell Jones

- guitar : Jay "Bird" Koder / Eddie Martinez / Steve Smith / A.G. Donnaloia

- bass guitar Osama Afifi / Ben Jones / Sean Foote

- drums : Tyrone Hendricks / Dave Owens / Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

- percussion : Derek Rieth

- hand claps : Clapadelic / The VonClapp Family

- trumpet : Farnell Newton

- background vocals : Tim Kendall / Saeeda Wright

Get Away

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:39:13 GMT

- Official CD Release Date : September 18 / 2007 - Producer : Darren Bowls / Dave Whipple - Engineer : Darren Bowls / Nick Moon

Album Credits :

- Liv Warfield - lead & background vocals

- keyboards : Chris Turner / Dave Whipple / Sedell Jones

- guitar : Jay "Bird" Koder / Eddie Martinez / Steve Smith / A.G. Donnaloia

- bass guitar Osama Afifi / Ben Jones / Sean Foote

- drums : Tyrone Hendricks / Dave Owens / Bernard "Pretty" Purdie

- percussion : Derek Rieth

- hand claps : Clapadelic / The VonClapp Family

- trumpet : Farnell Newton

- background vocals : Tim Kendall / Saeeda Wright

Favor ( Ain't Fair )

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:29:52 GMT

- CD/DVD Release Date : September 25 / 2007 - Producers : Rick Robinson / VaShawn Mitchel - Engineer : John Jacszs - Musical director : Daniel Witherspoon

Band : - Daniel Witherspoon / Rick Robinson - keyboards - Brian Lofton - organ - Joey Woolfolk - guitar - Maurice Fitzgerald - bass guitar - Calvin Rodgers - drums - Corey Raymond - percussion - Lloyd Barry - horns

http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/vashawnmitchellpromises.html

For My Good

starrjammz — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:12:35 GMT

- CD/DVD Release Date : September 25 / 2007 - Producers : Rick Robinson / VaShawn Mitchel - Engineer : John Jacszs - Musical director : Daniel Witherspoon

http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/vashawnmitchellpromises.html

Okay , a few fresh gospel-flava's right here. There are a serious amount of incredible singers and musicians represented in this area ... you'll hear & see it in the clip here above ... they perform outrageously tight ! By browsing through YouTube , i bumped into 2 impressive performances of Vashawn & his crew ... actually 3 , because there used to be another amazing performance from that Vashawn-show with the mighty Kim Burrell , singing a re-arranged version of her composition "Over & Over" , but unfortunately removed from YT. Enjoy & raise yo hands up !

Peace

It Burns Me Up

starrjammz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 03:22:14 GMT

Change - It Burns Me Up
Uploaded by Camelboy1

From the album which title-track launched them more into the spotlights with the help of Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Together with groups like the BB & Q Band , High Fashion , Peter Jaques Band , Zinc , etc , these all were part of the productionhouse of the late Fred Jaques Petrus. A Swedish collector has constructed one of best resources about that US-Italian company ... an interesting read :

www.jacquespetrus.com

Check also this link :

www.freestylegrooves.com/docs/roots10_bio.htm

What Have You Got To Lose ( 1982 / Salsoul Records )

starrjammz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:38:05 GMT

The Jammers - WHAT HAVE YOU GOT TO LOOSE
Uploaded by funky-stylee ......................................................................................

Very energetic production by Richie Weeks from Weeks & Company , with a guest-appearance of Jocelyn Brown. Together with the style of D-Train , these productions kinda represented the vibe of the NYC-clubscene of that time. The remastered cd of this album has been re-issued by Unidisc , a Canadian distribution company specialised in dance-classics. More info about the album in the link below :

www.discogs.com/release/1041569

The Sound Of Music

starrjammz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:04:13 GMT

Dayton - The Sound Of Music
Uploaded by funky-stylee

A classic anthem of this particular era. Former bandmembers of funkgroup Sun , Shawn Sandrigde ( 2nd from left ) , Chris Jones ( 3rd from left ) and Dean Hummons formed the group Dayton after they left , and released their selftitled debut around 1980. This is taken from their 4rth album. The 2nd one which features multi-producer Rahni P. Harris ( far left ) , who previously recorded gospel which he picked-up with his group "Kingdom" after he left Dayton. Another funky track , written by the late Roger Troutman ( Zapp ) , is recorded for the album , plus some more jams like "Out Tonight" & "Promise Me"

Surprisingly , Dayton briefly visited Europe & my country arounf 1983/1984 for promotion-activities. They performed "The Sound Of Music" @ 2 tv-shows here and were interviewed for a music-magazine.

Dayton - The Sound of music (LQ)
Uploaded by LarryDJ_Brazil .......................................................................................

The 1rst clip i've posted on top is a soundclip from their album-version , though there are also various other clips of special remixes on YT , DailyMotion & Imeem , but i dig the specific doobop-intro from this original mix. A few years back i heard a catchy remix of this by another & current artist , which i still have on my searchlist.

I Am Somebody

starrjammz — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 00:08:33 GMT

Glenn Jones - I Am Somebody
Uploaded by coolfunk .........................................................................

Great jam with a powrful message ... nuff said ;)

Fresh Idea ( 1983 / QWest Records )

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:03:14 GMT

This duo were singer Philip Ingram and musician/producer Attala Zane Giles. Philip has been a member of the group Switch , and Attala had been writing for Switch as well. After leaving the group , they started to record for this project , which is a Brownsugar-production by percussionist/drummer Ollie B. Brown , who scored a hit ( "There's No Stoppin Us" ) with Jerry Knight for the "Breakin"-movie.

After this album , Philip did guest-appearances for various artists. In 1987 he did a duet with ex-Supremes Sherrie Payne , released on Supertronic Records. Attala formed another duo with Billy Osborne ( brother of Jeffrey ) and released one album as "Osborne & Giles" in 1985 on Red Label Records. In the 90's , Attala worked for the album "Large & In Charge" recorded by Chunky A , an alter-ego of Arsenio Hall. The latest appearance of Philip were a few reunion-concerts of Switch. Philip can also be watched on the excellent filmed dvd from the West Coast All Stars , a project by the talented producer , Gerald McCauley.

The Deco-album is originally released on QWest Records , the label of Quincy Jones. Other album-tracks worth to mention are mid-tempo cuts like "Delicious" & "I'm So Glad I Met You" , plus the raw uptempo groove from "Let This Be Your Night". The Japanese cd-reissue is occasionally available online.

Attala & Philip

Come And Get My Lovin'

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:19:41 GMT

The powerful track-intro drops so direct into the groove. The excellent remastered cd-issue from Japan is surprisingly still available online. Usually those pressings have a limited release-endurance. Grab it if you're hip 2 this.

Who's Stickin' It

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:02:47 GMT

Slammin' vintage partyshaker with sizzlin' synths & a tight rythm-section , produced by the Isley Brothers. Released on the Boardwalk-label , which was owned by Cecil Holmes who formerly run the management for the Chocolate City Records , a sub-label of Casablanca Records.

Sunrize recorded one album before this , including coverwork of songs from other artists :

Anything Goes

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:23:42 GMT

T connection - Anything goes
Uploaded by Hot-n-Cold_Prod

Miami-funk. Infectious partygroove from the 2 talented Coakley Brothers and other bandmembers. Their recorded work is versatile and absolutely worth to check. A few of their albums + some good samplers ( with tracks from various of their albums ) are issued on cd and available online.

Love Me Like This ( performed @ Soultrain )

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:23:08 GMT

Couldn't believe what i saw when this Soultrain-appearnce of them popping up @ YouTube. The group released 2 singles from their unreleased album , produced by Leon Sylvers,III ( The Sylvers / Dynasty / many productions for Solar Records /etc )

Recorded around the time that Leon was producing for artists outside the Solar Records-camp. Too bad that the album never had an official release , but i'm so glad to be able seeing this rare past-blast from them.

Find Yourself ( 1984 / Arista ( GRP ) Records )

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 16:00:49 GMT

BOBBY BROOM
Uploaded by newjack59

........................................................................................

One more joint from Bobby , recorded on his 2nd album @ Arista Records. The GRP-label is still printed somewhat on the backsleeve , but i believe that during this time , Dave Grusin & Larry Rosen were getting their label totally independed.

This is a cool vocal-jam and is written by bassplayer , Victor Bailey ( earlier part of fusiongroup , Weather Report , and doing solo-work in the past decades ). The bass-sound is mostly done on the synthesizer , with a few bassguitar-popz&pluckz added to the mix. Terry Burrus plays also on here as one of the keyboardists.

Share My Love ( 1981 / Arista-GRP Records )

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:42:49 GMT

Great vocal-track , with a a solid clap-crew added to the rhythm-section , and again a sphereful string-arrangement by Dave Grusin. Bassplayer Marcus Miller is all over the place and does a tight uni-solo line with a guitar-riff from Bobby.

Clean Sweep

starrjammz — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:32:01 GMT

Bobby Broom Clean Sweep 1981
Uploaded by diego952

.........................................................................................

Another jazzfunk-flava , by guitarist/singer Bobby Broom. This is the instrumental title-cut & album-opener from his debut-album on the label of Dave Grusin & Larry Rosen. Dave arranged the full strings-orchestra , like he did on many productions.

Bobby is a native from Manhattan/NYC , and performed /recorded with fellow-musicians from NYC , like Poogie Bell ( drums ) / Don Blackman ( keys/synths ) / Clifford Branch ( keys/ synths ) / Tom Browne ( trumpet ) / Sekou Bunch ( bass ) / Terry Burrus ( keys/synths ) / Omar Hakim ( drums ) / Marcus "Thriller" Miller ( bass ) / Lessette Wilson ( keys/synths ) / Bernard Wright ( keys/synths ) . Some of them also appear on Bobby's debut-project and some were introduced to the music-scene by the mighty Weldon Irvine ( r.i.p.).

( the info above has been updated after Bobby's valuable post beneath , thanks again brother ! )

Every Generation ( 1980 / United Artists Records )

starrjammz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 05:13:00 GMT

Ronnie Laws - Every Generation
Uploaded by PeteRock

.....................................................................................

The artist who comes from a musical heritage and once recorded the song "Always There" in the beginning of his carreer ... a track which received commercial exposure when the UK-band , Incognito , re-did it with Jocelyn Brown on lead-vocals.

Ronnie delivered a great catalogue of work through the years. During the late 70's and early 80's , he worked on a few of his albums with the mighty Larry Dunn from Earth , Wind & Fire.

As you'll see in the clip above , Ronnie also sings on some of his performed and recorded songs. I'm not shure , but one of the 2 background-singers in the clip could be his sister Debra , who recorded a solo-album. Together with other singing sister Eloise , and brother/jazz-fusion flautist Hubert Laws , they perform any now and then at various clubs worldwide.

Keep It In The Family

starrjammz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 04:28:58 GMT

Laidback jam with a cool blend of horn,- & string-arrangements and a subtle but phat keyboard-bass flowing through this groove-wave.

I heard this track for the 1rst time on his album "It's Me Again" released in 1983. The song though has a strong 70's vibe , and there excists also an earlier album from him with "Keep It In The Family" as the album-title. Another thing is that on the 1983-album is a track called "I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You" which is also originally recorded earlier by him in the 70's. I haven't yet checked the 70's versions but i'm curious though if they're all the same versions though.

The "It's Me Again"-project has a few more solid tracks on there like "Secret Rendezvous" ( one year later re-done by George Duke ) and "I'm Out To Catch" ( with a female-singer on the lead ) :

Music Is The Key

starrjammz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 03:23:47 GMT

Here's one from the archives of Mog-brother , Old School C. Classic slowjam , originally composed by the late and legendary Weldon Irvine. Check also OSC's mog-blog for an interesting review of "Morning Sunrise" , another classic song from Weldon.

"Music Is The Key" is a sparkling melody which starts with a dreamy intro of rich keyboard-chords and is followed by the subtle funkbass of Marcus "Thriller" Miller. The track speaks for itself if you ask me ... the key to enjoy the music ...

Imaginary Playmates ( 1982 / Capitol Records )

starrjammz — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 02:48:59 GMT

Power-duo who composed a strong catalogue of uptempo grooves & slowjams during their career from 1980 - 1985. Catchy and imaginative tracktitle too ...

Bad Times ( 1979 / Capitol Records )

starrjammz — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:11:39 GMT

As far as i know , there are 3 versions of "Bad Times" ... this one , one from jazz-fusion violist Michael Urbaniak ( 1981 ) , and one from session-guitarist Doc Powell ( 1987 ). Doc's version was the 1rst i heard , then Michael's and finally the Tavares-mix at a friend's home-studio. It totally caught me by surprise because all the arrangements are sparkling with a sphereful instrumental intro , plus the bonus that after the brothers have sung their last line of the chorus , the song ends in an another instrumental wave of the rhythm-section , atmospheric horn-arrangements and ad-libbed vocals of Tavares. From the 3 "Bad Times"-versions , this one has totally grown on me.

Originally on their "Supercharged"-album. There are still some Japanese cd-pressings available online :

Your Love Means Life ( Memories ) ( 1978 / Fantasy Records )

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:28:38 GMT

I just re-discovered this wonderful piece of performance. The arrangements of orchestrated strings and horns are at their finest here. What more can i say ... this track really blows my mind. Pleasure is a hidden treasure ... enjoy the journey ...

What's It Gonna Be ( 1982 / RCA Records )

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:15:34 GMT

It literally was gonna be their final recording together. Original Pleasure-guitarist Marlon McClain had already left the group when they recorded this. He had a brief contract with Fantasy Records and recorded one album in 1981 :

During those years he was doing production,- and session-work for the funkgroup Shock on 3 of their albums. After that , Marlon joined the Dazz Band on a few albums. Around 1985 , Nate Phillips formed the group Cool'R , and released their hard-2-find debut-album. In 1988/1989 , their 2nd album was released. This project also included ex-Pleasure guitarist Douglas Lewis. Between those 2 Cool'R-albums ( 1986/1987 ) , Marlon & Nate formed the funkgroup Franchise , which recorded one album and a few singles on the independent Panoramic South label.

Marlon kept doing some occasional work for The Dazz Band , Shock and other artists , and eventually , both he and Nate joined The Dazz Band again and recored a few studio-albums and a live-album with them. Recently they formed the group Shades Of Soul , together with jazzfunk-keyboardist Jeff Lorber. Lead-vocalist on that project was ex-Dazz Band member Terry Stanton , who sadly passed away too soon.

Another sad moment was when Pleasure-drummer Bruce Carter passsed away also. He had been an active studio,- and tour-drummer for various artists. In 1987 he left an impressive mark as drummer for the European Cameo-Tour.

Saxophonist Dennis Springer also already left the group after Pleasure's last-recorded album for Fantasy , "Special Things" around 1980. In the late 80's/early 90's he recorded a solo-album.

2 years after Pleasure's "Give It Up"-album , Randy Hall released his first solo-album on MCA Records . It was followed by a 2nd album in the late 80's.

Sending My Love - 1982 - RCA Records

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:35:52 GMT

2 posts here from Pleasure's last recorded album , and the only one on RCA Records , after their solid catalogue on Fantasy Records. Bassplayer Nate Phillips introduced us directly to the funk. I believe it's their then new-singer Randy Hall ( in the red jacket ) who does the lead-voice , but Sherman Davis ( on the left next to Randy ) , their original lead-singer was still part of the group.

The track is released as an single on red-colored vinyl :

Alakazam

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 20:24:28 GMT

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPWTD7OH5_g

Gritty & instrumental cut with a clear Cameo-flava , because ex-Cameo guitarist/singer Anthony Lockett produced the album. Closing track from their debut-project.

A 2nd album followed , called "Pretty Girls Everywhere" , and was this time under the production of legendary bass-player , Larry Graham , together with his brother Johnny :

You ( 1982 / Epic-CBS Records )

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:50:54 GMT

Whew ! ... what can i say about this . I've played this album numerous of times ... almost every track is a winner. George is using here his trademark falcetto-voice and it's backed-up by a rich blend of instruments. "Dream On" might 've been one of the 1rst album i bought from his expanded collection. Since then i've tried to check much of his vesatile catalogue which he accomplished through the years ( like his early years with innovative musicians like jazz-saxophonist Cannonball Adderly and multi-writer/guitarist/singer Frank Zappa ). Through a friend who has arranged concerts for him , i was able to have a meet & greet with Mister Duke ... a great and humble dude who takes all the time for his fans ...

Sunshine ( 1985 / London Records ) / ( 1984 / Total Contrast Records )

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:04:40 GMT

Total contrast - sunshine
Uploaded by funky-stylee

The duo from the UK who got exposure with jams like "Takes A Little Time" / "Hit And Run" / "The River" / etc... Before this album came out , they recorded a few singles ( including "Sunshine" ) and distributed/released it through their own "Total Contrast Records" during 1983 and 1984. A few of those early singles have become rare and in demand by collectors. Both "Sunshine" and another track eventually appeared on the final mix of their album in 1985 , from which the early cd-pressing has become another sought-after collector's item.

Hip-Notic Lady ( 1981 / Capitol Records )

starrjammz — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:12:38 GMT

A few following post with mellow-grooves. This one is a production by the legendary Lamont Dozier , who's son recently worked for Joss Stone. The track contains a smooth flow , along with the high-pitched harmony of vocal-arrangements , which is a recognisable trademark-sound of Lamont. The project is a great mixture of infectious slowjams and uptempo cuts. It was the only album which they ever released. There are still some Japanese cd-reissues available @ Amazon ... worth to check.

Enjoy the ride ... ;)

Shout For Joy

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 04:13:33 GMT

Dunn & bruce street - shout for joy
Uploaded by coolfunk

The record-label in the clip is the UK-pressing on Satril Records :

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Uplifting party-track by this duo , including Dunn Pearson , a keyboardist/writer/producer who worked and toured with Mtume , and who did sessionwork for other artists like and jazzfunk-organist Charles Earland ( on his infectious Street Themes-album from 1983 /CBS Records ) , jazzfunk-vibraphonist Roy Ayers ( on his album "You Might Be Surprised" , 1985/CBS Records ). The track "Programmed For Love" from Roy's album ( below ) , was redone on Dunn Pearson's solo-album from 1989.

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The track "Up On The Hill ( Mt. U )" from D&BS's Official Business-album has been redone in 1983 by The Trammps.

Klaps - All The Way You Move - 198(4?) - Cynetic Records ( France )

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 03:31:45 GMT

KLAPS - All The Way You Move
Uploaded by funky-stylee

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Obscure & raw funk-single from this unknown group. I always thought that these were musicians from the French/Canadian-group , Black White & Co. , who had a clubhit with "Action For Love" in 1981. The original copy ( below ) are much in demand by collectors , and a re-issue has been printed on vinyl ( pictured in the clip above ).

Get Ready , Let's Party ( extended mix )

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:55:24 GMT

New Horizons - Get Ready Let's Party
Uploaded by funky-stylee

Taken from their 2nd album ( below ) , which is a Zapp-production. This family-group includes the Thomas Brothers. Drummer Bart Thomas used to perform with Zapp on various shows. Besides that it's an extended mix , many musical parts in the track have been completely re-arranged for this single-version.

"Gonna Have Big Fun" had a brief cd-release in Japan , and has been re-issued on vinyl. Other strong cuts on the album are "Searching For That Lady" and "Dance Frite".

From their 1rst album , the track "You Can Do Your Thing" is a popular track , and is also released as an extended remix.

Stay Her With Me ( 1984 / RCA Records )

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:45:37 GMT

EVAN ROGERS stay here with me
Uploaded by funky-stylee

Powerjam by Evan. Another great uptempo-track worth checking is "Secret Love" , recorded in the same year , on the same label. Both tracks never appeared on his 2 upfollowing albums.

1985 ( album ) - RCA Records

1989 ( album ) - Capitol Records

www.discogs.com/artist/Evan+Rogers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sturken

You Got Something Special ( 1982 ) + A Man Like You ( 1983 )

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:13:28 GMT

Funk tuerie
Uploaded by funky54140

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LEMELLE - a man like you
Uploaded by funky-stylee

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Female duo with only these 2 singles out in the early 80's. Both singles are produced by Carl Sturken , who later formed The Rhythm Syndicate with Evan Rogers , and eventually the went producing for recent commercial artists. Evan also was part of the funkgroup Dayton in 1982 , on their "Hot Fun In The Summertime"-album , and he released a few singles and 2 albums. More of that in my next post ...

Tight trax , and "A Man Like You" has a blazin' hornsection ...

Cindy Mizelle was also part of the group Attitude around 1983b , a project by Mic Murphy and David Frank of The System. In 1984 she did a single for the Beat Street-movie and the years after she did a few singles and one album. Through the years she has done much session-work for many artists. Her background-work is recorded on the last live-album of Luther Vandross ( Radio City Hall-concert ). Last year she toured with pop-soul group , Steely Dan.

Single ( mid-90's )

Album ( mid-90's )

Marvin Gaye Project featuring Bobby Depasois - Music Feel The Soul

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:41:46 GMT

The Green Eyed Bandit a.k.a. Eric Sermon also remixed this track once. This is a smooth mid-tempo mix , done by UK-remixer , Madhatter :

http://www.myspace.com/choonzincrecords

Confection ( album )

starrjammz — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:06:07 GMT

This is a surprising new vintage-duo from the land down under. Check the linx below & n-joy ...

www.myspace.com/confectionsweetfunk

www.soulchoonz.com/Album_Reviews/Confection.html

www.soulchoonz.com/Featured_Artists/Confection.html

Funkmix , including Eddie Craig : Funktime ( 2005 - Spazzoid Records ) + William Bell & The Strangers

starrjammz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:35:33 GMT

More fresh-produced vintage ... the mix here starts with a more recent cool & instrumental jam from Eddie Craig , and is mixed with 2 classic trax , "Passion" from William Bell ( from about 1986 ) , and "Step Out Of My Dream" by The Strangers ( 1983 - Salsoul Records ). The Strangers-project included producer/musician/writer , Hubett Eaves III , and you might recognise his sound which he produced for James D-Train Williams from the clubjams "Keep On" / "Music" / "Hustle & Bustle Of The City" / "I Treasure Your Pleasure" / "You're The One For Me" / etc ...

No More Love ( Diskonauts Remix )

starrjammz — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 23:15:37 GMT

http://www.soulchoonz.com/featured-tracks/No%20More%20Love%20-%2090s.mp3

A few more posts of recent stuff with a touch of vintage funk. This track in particular above has that classic vibe , and it's a brief sample of a remix from "No More Love" , by the singer Ward Brown from the project Browns Bag. I dig that popping-bass and keyboards , with the horn-riffs added to it ... slamming party-track ...

http://cdbaby.com/cd/brownsbagmusic/from/crizik

www.soulchoonz.com/Featured_Artists/browns_bag.html

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=149366965

Those Things ( Simon Grey Phase II Vocal Mix )

starrjammz — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:41:56 GMT

There have been great developments within the era of Soulful Garage/House. This track in particular is a remix done by synthesizer-wizzard Simon Grey , who is much influenced by jazzfunk-legends like George Duke , Herbie Hancock and many others. There is some serious funk in this housejam and the way it is building up makes it a masterpiece ... great stuff for clubs and parties ... enjoy the ryde !

Lisa Shaw

Miguel Migs

Simon Grey , who's doing amazing remixes for many artists in the Soulful Garage/House-genre. Currently with his own album out , exclusively released in Japan.

www.simongrey.com

Jack Splash & Cee-Lo Green - Right Now

starrjammz — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:03:11 GMT

A recent & fresh flava with an ol' skool vybe , including the Goodie Mob/Gnarls Barkley rhymer/singer Cee-Lo Green ... he's got a unique voice and it fits very well in this vintage groove. The brief-released & exclusive promo-single also includes "Gangsta Boogie".

Mixing credits : "Crazy Remix" by Dave Ghetto

Stacked To The "T"

starrjammz — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 18:08:10 GMT

Raw & unpolished underground-funk from the New Orleans-area. Dorian Williams is family-related to the co-writer , Johnny Boy a.k.a. John Williams a.k.a. Mikki Bleu ( lol ).

"Stacked To The T" had been released before , in 1982 on "Jus Fresh Records" and under the groupname "The Glass" which became "Glass featuring John Williams" one year later , with an album called "Introducing" on "HCRC Records".

Since discovering the Glass-album i've been tryin to find other productions/recordings by this group. I soon found out that in 1984 , John wrote "Jack It Up" for Captain Jack , released on "ALA Records" :

www.discogs.com/viewimages?what=R&obid=770379

In 1985 , John wrote "Turn The Music Up" for Con Funk Shun :

In the same year he wrote the track "Shake Dancer" for an independent-recording funkgroup called "Perfect Timin" :

Not shure which year , but John briefly joined the group Club Nouveau ( from their "Rumours" and "Lean On Me"-fame ) , but he never recorded with them.

Around the late-80's into the 90's , he continued to record a few solo-albums with a new artist-name , Mikki Bleu.

Dorian Williams ( below ) did guest-appearances for the Gap Band , recorded one single on the "Total Experience"-label , and one album called "Get This Party Started" on "Bellmark Records" in the early 90's.

John and Dorian formed the gospel-group "Tabernacle" around the mid/late-90's and recorded one album.

ONE WAY - Sugar Rock - 1983 - MCA Records

starrjammz — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:03:20 GMT

Fierce and gritty groove by this funk-crew from Motor City. Al Hudson sings the lead-vocals here , accompanied by the synth-layers of Kevin McCord , Corky Meadows and Dave Roberson , plus the continuous guitar-chops from either Cortez Harris or Dave Roberson. The year after this album they released an lp called "Lady" , and it contains a similiar jam called "Mr. Groove" . Also 2 years later , another kind of same-sounding track was recorded under the title of "Set It Out" on the album called "IX".

Give Me One More Chance ( 1982 / MCA Records )

starrjammz — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 02:21:15 GMT

Yet another blast with silly synthesizers , backed-up by a tight , pulsating drum-beat and bass which keep the groove in the pocket , while a few from the band do a harmonised vocal-part. Outrageous jam and composition by Mister Kevin McCord.

Current dance-act Groove Armada used a sample of this track on one of their productions ... haven't figured out yet from which specific project exactly. I once wrote it down on a memory-note but lost it ... since then i haven't been able to spot it again , so if some of you listeners/visitors recognise the used synthesizer-sample then you can let me know in the comments. Thanx in advance and Fonk-it-UPP !!!!!

The Word Is Out

starrjammz — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:38:19 GMT

Slave .The Word Is Out - 1984
Uploaded by capitainfunkk

FREAKSHOW ! A wild jam by the Ohio-based Jam-Patrol. Although Slave flourished during the late 70's/early 80's with Steve Arrington and members of Aurra as members of the band , this is from the era when most of those former members went their own way while Slave continued doing their thang. The album on which this particular track appears ( "New Plateau" / Cotillion-Atlantic Records ) wasn't a big seller but still there was made a video for this joint. I guess that at the time it might've still been possible to get a budget from a major label for filming a video.

I dig the way the video has been filmed in this underground atmosphere ( check Floyd Miller on the keyboards , rocking a fro around the era of jehri curls and soul-glo's , LOL ! ) . Also wonder if this video appeared often on tv-shows around 1984.

With the bandmembers in the video , Slave did a UK-Tour in 1984 which got much exposure and resulted in extra sold-out dates ... I've read a review of one of those UK-shows which described that at the beginning of the gig the stage was litten-up with an impressive Slave-logo in blue-neonlight and that their horn-section smoked like crazy , hence Mark " Hansolor" Adams on his booming woo-woo-bass ... wish i had been there ...

In My Pants ( Larry Blackmon-production )

starrjammz — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 01:06:27 GMT

In the year that Larry Blackmon from Cameo received airply with his commercial succesful hit "Single Life" , he co-produced this partyjam for the sons and nephew of the late and legendary Otis Redding. The 3 members of the Reddings , including Otis III , Dexter ( on his funk-loaded bass ) , and nephew Mark Lockett ( on most of the lead-vocals ) , were backed by musicians from the Cameo-camp , like Eric Rehl on keyboards an others but also Wayne Cobham on trumpet ( bother of jazz-fusion drummer Billy Cobham ). This track appears on their for-last album , from which another single called "Parasite" was released. Cameo-guitarist Charlie Singleton did also some production on the project besides Hubert Eaves , who produced most of the albums from singer James "D-Train" Williams. Hubert co-produced "Third Party" , the brilliant and uplifting closing-track for this particular Reddings-album.

Cyanide Love

starrjammz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:21:31 GMT

This monstergroove is a popular collector's item and often sells for many bucks online. It's an independent single-only release besides a few more singles which appear on an even so rare album by her , released on Optune Records. "Cyanide Love" also saw a second single-release on that label. The synth-bass in this jam is just ruthless , while sizzling synthesizers fill up the rest.

She's A Star ( 1986 / Mercury Records )

starrjammz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:30:28 GMT

NASTAY !...power-booming bass and crisp synths. There exists an official and ultra-space video from this jam ... once there was a snippet to be seen from it on YouTube. Hopefully one day the full clip will be posted there. This is from their last official and full recorded album with studio-work , with a slight exception of a few later productions from CFS like :

- A live-album ( "Live Fo Yo A$$" , including a new studio-track called " Throw It Up , Throw It Up" ) in 1996 on Intersound Records.

- Contributions on a few projects ( studio & live-cd + live-dvd ) of the United We Funk All Stars ( with The Bar-Kays / Dazz Band / Gap Band / SOS Band and incidental appearances of The System , the late Rick James and Roger Troutman )

Most consistent member of the group is Michael Vernon Cooper who has released about 6 or 7 solo-albums after the last CFS-album. Other member Felton Pilate also released recently a solo-album and received much recognition for his production of MC Hammer's commercial and succesful album , "Please, Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em".

The solid groove in this post though , is one of their fiercest tracks in my opinion.

Give It Up

starrjammz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:30:06 GMT

A strong & synthesizer-driven groove by this classic vocal-group. Notable is keyboardist John Barnes on the synths ... a versatile and popular studio-musician who had his own band called Madagascar , with a strong album which came out in 1982.

The producer for Enchantment's "Utopia" is Michael Stokes, who did great production-work for other artists like female-group Magic Lady ( including his wife , Linda Stokes ) , the group Active Force , Ronn Matlock and the singer Sherrick ( who unfortunately passed away too soon ).

More info about Enchantment and Michael Stokes can be found here :

http://www.soultracks.com/enchantment.htm#

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Enchantment.html

http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Michael%20Stokes.html

Enjoy , Sander

Hangin' Downtown ( 1984 / Atlanta Artists Records )

starrjammz — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 18:39:29 GMT

Taken from their 10th album , which was also their second album-release on their own label , Atlanta Artists ( distributed through Polygram Records ). In my opinion one of the best ballads which Cameo created during their career. This project is interesting , because when recording the first 7 albums of the group , the productions included a fully line-up from about 10 to 11 bandmembers. The sound on those recordings are backed-up by strong & solid horn-arrangements. By the time of 1982 , the line-up was paced down to a core of 5 members and this unit moved away from New York in order to start their headquarters and new label in Atlanta , an area which became a rich pond for fresh talent in the following decades. The horns-driven sound from earlier albums was replaced by a more new-wave synthesizer-vibe which evolved in their album called Alligator Woman. This album received much recognition because of the drastic changes which Larry Blackmon had taken , all as a result of the crucial economics ... Larry simply couldn't afford to pay all the bandmembers from the earlier days , with the exception that during concerts though , they still represented with a full armed funkforce onstage.

After the Alligator Woman-project , they recorded the album Style in 1983 . This album was a direct follow-up of the sound which they headed to with the release of "Alligator Woman". As there were still some horns to be heard on the "AW"-project , on "Style"there were none and it was even more synthesizer-driven. Larry as an original graduated drummer from the Juilliard School Of Music , experienced with a new fabricated & electronic drum-kit from the Simmons-brand ... back then a favourite instrument used by various musicians in the scene. Larry also mentions this new designed drumkit in the liner-notes of "Style" : "There are no conventional drums used on this album , all drums are electronic. The new age sound."

Although a solid album , "Style" didn't get the recognition as it got with "Alligator Woman" , because the Reagonomics had even gotten worse. So after this unfortunate result , Larry focussed even more on his next project by moving back to New York in a more modest appartment , and by starting to do a daily routine of training early in the morning , and work intensively on the new album during the rest of the day. The project evolved in She's Strange and together with the former 2 albums , these 3 were the raw blue-prints for their next 2 albums which launched them in the commercial charts. "She's Strange" is the most known track from this album , but the album also contains the hard-hitting and political-driven "Talking Out The Side Of Your Neck" , an infectious jam called "Groove With You" with strong vocal harmonies , plus 2 slowjams like the jazz-flavoured "Love You Anyway" and another strong one on this particular post here , with guitarist Charlie Singleton starting the lead-vocals , followed by Tomi Jenkins and finally Larry Blackmon finishing it off together Charlie and Tomi ... this all accompanied by Kevin Kendricks on the warm Fender-Rhodes keyboards , and saxophonist Melvin Wells doing a solo towards the end. I was surprised to find a copy of it on YouTube. In the late 90's , Oran Juice Jones sampled this slowjam in his song "Make Love To Your Mind".

A final note , By reading the liner-notes of the album , it seems that this project was a dream-come-true for the late Bill Haywood , who was an artists-representative for Cameo at Polygram Records. The band remembers their friend on the back-cover by writing : "This is dedicated to the memory of Bill Haywood - the album he always wanted"

Peace , Sander