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..

“the righteous way to go, little one would know or believe if I told them so.”
-Curtis Mayfield

Happy Birthday!!!

http://djspinna.podOmatic.com/entry/2010-04-02T22_51_05-07_00

DIVA | SONGBIRD > LOVE SUPREME
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEAN CARN!!!

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..

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?

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.