Unique74 says to check out THUNDER SOUL!!!!
For anyone who is an aspiring musician of any kind, I highly recommend that you go and check out “THUNDER SOUL” while its in theatres. I am not the kind of cat that goes around breaking out tears in public..but your man had to hold some in after watching this movie…I am going to expound more on another blog that will review this movie (im on limited time due to gearing up for EDL Mondays in DTLA). But I have to give an honorable mention to Mr Conrad “Prof” Johnson (this was a HEAVY, HEAVY…HEAVY MAN..who was way ahead of his time). If anything. “Prof” was a reminder of the great men that I was LUCKY to grow up around that took the role of leadership to the next level. The story of “Prof” and the kids from Kashmere High School in Houston, Texas needs to be heard, it is a testament. I will cover more in the review, but whatever you do..I urge you to run out and take your family, friends and loved ones to to see this movie (It is a TRAVESTY that this movie was not branded or marketed properly..Yet, we are constantly bombarded with bs and tomfoolery. However, I SALUTE JAMIE FOXX for being instrumental in getting this story out to the masses..).
Shout out to Director MARK LANDSMAN (it was great rapping with you man!! The Marvin Gaye story is priceless!!!)
CURTIS | lyrics
“the righteous way to go, little one would know or believe if I told them so.”
-Curtis Mayfield
Unique74 salutes SLY STONE | HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
MAVERICK < MUSIC | FUNK SUPREME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SLY STONE!!
Guess who produced this number?
(proud owner of the 7inch on this jam..)
This next record has haunted me for years. The lead singer is still a mystery to this day..but it is clear as bell that the FAMILY STONE is holding down the rhthym section. Guess who produced this one? (whoever has the 7 inch to this.. you are BEYOND official, not easy to find. I am a proud owner of this and the MIGHTY JOE HICKS version on 7inch).
Guess who was the FIRST to use the talkbox? Which later influenced STEVIE, GUITAR WATSON, FRAMPTON, McCARTNEY, ERNIE ISLEY, TROUTMAN, etc. This was the theme music for the late great FRANKIE CROCKER “The Chief Rocker” (MY HERO!!) in his earlier years whenever he would “rap” on the radio. Stomp down Blues Funk at its finest!!
Update: Thank You Big Time Record Company for making small time moves by not exposing the music to fans on your artist roster..smart move..
Fans: the song is entitled “Sex Machine”…no not the James Brown version..it can be found on their 1969 release “Stand” 
RARITIES >
“I Dont Know What The World Is Coming To” (1975) | Bobby Womack Sly provides background vocals. Put headphones on for it to really become clear, can be heard at the end near fade out.
“You Caught Me (Smiling)” (1971) | 7inch version | Sly and The Family Stone
Okay, for my “diggers” out there..you know where im going with this one..This is an alternate mix compared to the standard lp mix. The difference is that during the first bridge before the chorus, Sly lets out a huge JB-ish growl that can be only found on the 7 inch version.
Motown | The Golden Years {Dahl | McDougal III }
The Great Weldon McDougall III,
Musician, Producer, Former Label Exec for Motown/Philadelphia International states in his book that Sly and The Family Stone’s “STAND” lp was used as reference at Motown quality control meetings in search of direction for The Jackson 5 debut Lp “ABC” .
Funk Gets Stronger | Funkadelic | (1979)
Sly on the background vocals/talk box with Roger Troutman on Rhythm Guitar. A really feel good cut!!
Guess who is the proud owner of a skit with Sly + a live perfomance of “Family Affair” on The Tony Orlando Show (1977)?! Super Rare..Not even YOU TUBE can claim that one..
Unique74 Remembers…Willie Mitchell and Teddy Pendergrass
Willie Mitchell, producer extraordinaire was the vanguard of “The Memphis Sound” and recorded countless classics with Al Green, Syl Johnson, OV Wright, Ann Peebles, Detroit Emeralds, etc. He kept the gritty sound of Memphis Soul alive and was last of the old school producers of his era (next to Booker T Jones, Steve Cropper and Donald “Duck” Dunn). I later learned he used an 8 track board to record many of those classics sessions such as “Love and Happiness” and “I Cant Stand The Rain”. Rest well Sir Willie!
Produced by WILLIE MITCHELL
Like a thief in the night, TP always set the mood for any night while reminding us to “Wake Up Everybody”. North Philly’s own Theodore Pendergrass was the last of the gruff style, pro masculine baritone singers (Ie David Ruffin, Marvin Junior of The Dells, Wee Gee of The Dramatics) who broke the mold with his aggressive style. His signature style not only made waves in the Soul market, he also conquered the Pop market without compromise. As a kid, I remember Teddy was so popular that he had his own line of “Teddy Jeans” and teddy bears (hence his nickname “Teddy Bear”). His dominant urge in emotion was felt on every track and still stands the test of time, beyond a class act. Rest well Sir Teddy.
Unique74 meets the Unique original himself..
I finally shook hands and met THE MAN himself today…it was surreal..im still sky high from the whole experience…
The Night Is On My Mind: Bobby Womack | How Could You Break My Heart | Nobody Wants You When You’re Down & Out
Every now and then I get stuck on these Bobby Womack trips..this week i’ve been channeling him big time. I am confident we will meet in due time.. this track goes hard (the dialogue is priceless..lol)..
dammit where’s KC Hailey?!!
Barry White has a vamp that is very similiar to this track that he recorded around this same time (78-79). I gotta dig up and post it..I think its on the “Barry White :The Man” lp.
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Had to come with the double shotter for “The Poet”…I was literally RAISED on this next selection..this is a remake of an old ragtime blues classic..This is actually my FAVORITE in all of Bobby’s songs..The sessions with his rhythm section during this period (“PEACE” w/David Hood, Roger Hawkins, etc) were off the chain! Listen to that swing and grit! Priceless! A huge shout out to whoever mixed his sessions during the 70′s period..you always felt “the bottom” on all of Bobby’s tracks (observe how the string section “rises” in on the fade out!!).
