Unique74 Remembers… Mr DON CORNELIUS…
I dont even know what to say or how to react..He was the reason why BLACK MUSIC and CULTURE yielded a diverse roster in style, sound, perspective and creative direction. No other television show celebrated Black (dont be afraid to say it with me African Americans..BLACK) expression on a diverse level the way SOUL TRAIN presented. Thus creating a lingering appeal that has lasted 40 yrs plus which helped set the tone for just about every Music outlet on an international scale..As a kid (I understood very clearly) and was proud to see people that looked like me and my family on television be represented with pride, dignity & style..”They” fought him tooth and nail in bringing such a vision that would not only give Black artists a fair shake in exposure in which the world would be privy to an AUTHENTIC experience in sound & style that is presented & celebrated by those very people..This Chi-town native carried the blueprint of his days at WVON which eventually became a audio visual outlet that not only changed the game but it changed minds..I would not dare to dream, create, raise the stakes if it were not for a visionary named DON CORNELIUS..(I was so very lucky to speak, meet and shake the man’s hand 3yrs ago..)..He was an institution..Rest In Paradise..
CURTIS | lyrics
“the righteous way to go, little one would know or believe if I told them so.”
-Curtis Mayfield
Unique74 salutes JEAN CARN | HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
DIVA | SONGBIRD > LOVE SUPREME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN CARN!!!
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!!
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..
Melinda, Gadson and Lockhart
Where I come from..
Classic “Jet Set” LA in the 70′s..
“MELINDA” w/The Great Calvin Lockhart portraying the Legendary ChIef Rocker Frankie Crocker (MY HERO!), little known fact. I believe this was around the time of Frankie’s brief run in LA when he was on KJLH.
Guess who’s the drummer?
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!!).
Unique74 Remembers.. PERCY SUTTON | REST IN PARADISE
A legend beyond words whose shoes will never be filled..Maximum Respect! Thank You for your life long dedication and service to humanity.
Note: It is a travesty that the major media outlets have not given Mr Sutton the proper recognition and coverage.
livin’ 4 the funk: Bohannon | Stop and Go
::SMILES::
Black Music in America | (vintage docu)
WARNING: the narrator is corny and rather narrow minded in his approach..”Primacy in rhythm”? wtf..just say the word FUNK! its that simple.. Overall, the presentation has amazing footage, good intent and is worthy of attention.
REST IN PARADISE: SIR MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael Joseph Jackson was more than a perfectionist, an artist, or an entertainer. He was an institution, a way of life that raised the criteria above and beyond more than any other artist before or after him (Trust me..I was a fan long before Thriller and Off The Wall..). There is no question that he was an extension of the greats before him (ie, Ray Charles, James Brown, Sammy Davis Jr, Fred Astaire, The Nicholas Bros, etd) . There are very few artist that can stay on the pulse of art and culture for over a lifetime, while raising the bench mark. I could go on forever and a day to speak on such a great man and a gift to the world who taught me the ultimate definiton of the word ICON. At the moment, I am still in shock and am having a hard time putting together how I truly feel in its full essence.
Thank you Sir Michael, I will always love you!
Ps: We send all of our Love and Prayers to The Jackson Family and friends.
Msg: To all of the fans, we must stay strong and keep jamming MJ in your boombox, ipod, in your car or truck and lets celebrate his Homecoming! He is at PEACE..No one can hurt him anymore..
Oscar, Quincy, Bruce, Paulhino, George and Patti = Inspiration
I was thinking about the great Osacr Brown Jr (the prototype for Mos Def and many other artists of his caliber today) and ran across his PBS TV series “Jump Street” that premiered in the early 80′s. When I was a kid, I use to look forward to watching this ground breaking series. It represented the essence of Black Music and its various attributes along with a plethora of legendary artists, writers, producers in candid form.
This episode features my Hero and Inspiration, Quincy D. Jones. In the lab cranking out the master guitarist George Benson’s Qwest debut release of “Give Me The Night“. I remember when this record dropped, it was on the heels of Q’s previous hit records (“Masterjam” -Rufus, “Light Up The Night”-Brothers Johnson, “Off The Wall”-Micheal Jackson). I remember during that period (the end of 79′), it was “Q”, Leon Sylvers, Ashford and Simpson and CHIC that were neck and neck in putting out hit after hit, keeping the record stores very well stocked and the streets moving.
I flipped out watching these clips because these are out-takes of now classic Benson pieces “Dinorah, Dinorah” and “Love X Love”. What’s ironic is that a couple of weeks ago I went to one of my favorite parties In LA (whenever I have a moment to relax) “The Do- Over”. That day, I had a chance to catch up with my colleagues Kon and Amir (their set was bananas! Kon: im still recovering from the Rick James “Mary Jane” extended multi track…Thank you for dropping that one!) . Kon starts his set off with an extended multi track of “Give Me The Night” and I am the only idiot at the party going ape s–t over this never released version while everyone else thinks this is the original (yes folks, I take my music VERY serious..). So fast forward, I just so happen to stumble on this YT gem with Q, Bruce Swedien, George Benson, Patti Austin and Paulhino Da Costa laying tracks for the “Give Me The Night” album (props to Billylovesjazz). Simply amazing!
Listen, Learn and Enjoy!
ps: I love it when “Q” speaks of knowing your craft and respecting it (aka “having the chops”), words of wisdom!
They clown on the overdubs for “Love X Love”…Ms Austin is amazing! Pure Class! Notice how they are taking their time and feeling the groove out!
PS: I want Q’s shirt!! 
