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..
U know my blends & styles are GQ smooth..check me out at my new FRIDAY NITE weekly 2moro!!
WEEKEND WARRIOR FRIDAYS | ALL MY AQUARIUS BIRTHDAY HEADS & PARTY PEOPLE report to [LITTLE CAVE . Highland Park} 5922 N Figueroa St | No Cover | Full Bar #Unique74 #FRIDAY #TeamAQUARIUS
She played a very pivotal role in bridging and branding the sounds of post 60′s Soul/Funk to taking on an untapped market in Hip Hop culture in the late 70′s. I remember getting very excited and blushing when “Pillow Talk” came on the radio as a kid. Rest In Paradise SYLVIA ROBINSON.
My heart hangs very heavy for Mrs V and the entire Ashford & Sipmson family..The chemistry they shared was a testament that was bigger than any chart position or trend. SIX decades. They were the living fairy tale of true love expressed through music in which they lived out every lyric.
Ashford and Simpson were and STILL are a very huge part of my musical development and upbringing. They were the epitome of what a real relationship means and stands for. Like Bonnie and Clyde, Romeo and Juliet…there was ASHFORD and SIMPSON aka “NICK-O-VAL”. As a kid growing up, I never knew the significance or witness the genuine union of a real husband/wife-real relationship other than second hand stories of my Grandparents, Aunts/Uncles . Ashford and Simpson‘s presence went above and beyond just making records-they were a living testament of what a true, undying, unconditional love means. Nick Ashford’s style and swag was beyond definitive..it was flair and dare. His style and delivery was dipped in Gospel with a strong urgency within every word. As a team they demonstrated absolute magic..lending their magic dust to artists such as Ray Charles, CHIC, Diana Ross, Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell, Chaka Khan, Amy Winehouse and a plethora of many more. Ashford and Simpson were a revered couple that served as a template of perfection in every sense of the word. Nick Ashford will be sorely missed, please keep him and his family in thought. For those that were way too young to have witness such excellence..please do your self a favor and open the treasure chest of ASHFORD and SIMPSON..
My man in the yellow goes hard!! Saturday Nite Fever (with a pinch of “Tommy” and “Sgt Pepper”) was a major gateway for dance culture to a great degree, as we can see in these clips.
and Jimmy came back for that ass!! get em’ Jimmy!!
When I was a kid I use to sit and daydream while listening to this song..total bliss..
the layering on the vocals..the tones..the melody..perfection! I aspire to make records like this one day..
(indeed, i’m a music snob..I was raised on top shelf and spoiled from it..)
Much Love and shout out to my good friend and the super talented Len Burke and the entire Burke family! Bless!
It’s the top of August and we’ve got some loveliness in the works, kicking off this Thursday.
Our very special live guest is QUINCY MCCRARY. www.myspace.com/qemistrysoul Quincy, a native to Los Angeles, is in such high demand, working with other artists (Michael Jackson, George Duke, Sheila E, Patrice Rushen, Little Richard, Dolly Pardon, Harry Belafonte, John Williams, Marvin Hamlish, The Manhattan Transfer, Rose Stone, Quetzal) that he rarely does his own show. But when he does….WOW! He truly graces the stage, reminiscent of a young Stevie Wonder with the keys to please and a voice like butter on your breakfast toast. Check him out with full band @ StereoLove!
Also joining us are the 5 SIGNS dj crew (Quality Collective) throwing in some of their special sauce in the Stereo Lounge
PLUS our resident DJ’s with two rooms of stellar sounds lightin’ up the atmosphere on the 1′s & 2′s like fireflies in the southern sky:
DJ A-SKI (Unique 74) DJ Lotuspetal (Unique 74) The Plush One
we’re also celebrating the fly LEO babies + the b’day of DEE JAY MIKECHECK w/ an opening Dj set
All of this for NO COVER so there’s NO EXCUSE for not coming! $5 valet parking + ample free street parking Affordable Cocktails
Much love to everybody that came out last week! Very special thanks to the Extra Mild Sauce and fam! A super shout out and Massive Respect to the Legendary STEVE “SILK” HURLEY who came out to party with us last week and blessed the night! Big shouts to DJ FRANE and DJ MIKECHECK in the building that nite!
Dooley’s Junkyard Dogs!! I dont think this song was ever released, its not even listed in his catalog. The bridge part was later used on his “comeback” record called “Jam 1980″. This recording sounds like the last of the Pee Wee Ellis era before Bootsy, Catfish and The New JB’s were formed.
Boosty is freaking it on this one!! I consider this a serious Jazz Funk piece.
This was after Boots/Catfish left Mr Brown.. a little bit before they joined the P Funk army. Bootsy also recorded under the name “Boots”. I have an import of some rare Westbound Recordings I got in my early college days..havent seen that record since then. I NEED this 45, this a serious local pressing..good luck on I Tunes..
OG Swag. That suit & the great Jimmy Nolen!!
Mother Popcorn vs the ST kids! They are getting it! You can tell the “Popocorn” was ‘The Funky Chicken” in its earliest form.
This live version is f—-n’ fire!! waaaay HOTTER than the studio version (which was a huge hit and I like as well!). This record was HUUUUUGE in the hood when I was a little Ski. Good times..if I only learned how to SKATE..argghh
Thursday Nite LA…My peoples is at it again..Pt2..These are some truly solid cats throwing a really great party..please support! No frills..I promise u!
The 80′s like every great era before it had a definitive sound, David Williams played a pivotal role in forming that sound. From Quincy to Micheal to Madonna and countless others, Mr Williams and Tony Maiden (Rufus) had a very distinctive tone in their style of rhythm guitar playing that has been emulated by many musicians. Sadly, Mr. Williams has recently joined a higher calling. Mr. Williams left a body of work that will forever live in our dancing feet and hearts. Love, Good Energy, Strength and condolences to family and friends of Mr. Williams.
Born into a family of creative artists, Erik began his professional career 10 years ago as a self contained artist/producer on Sony’s Columbia Records after being discovered by American Idol’s Randy Jackson, then V.P. of Columbia Records. Prior to Jackson’s introduction to Erik, he had only briefly been producing, writing and arranging for independent hip hop and soul acts on the east coast. However, after only two years of being immersed in the confinements of corporate music, Erik felt his creativity could be better expressed elsewhere. He broke his contract with Sony, returned east and then to Europe in search of musical freedom.
Eventually, Erik returned to California in pursuit of his musical career as an independent producer/artist where he was tapped to do his first major label production, coupled with various multimedia projects encompassing network and TV shows, feature films for the Showtime network, PBS as well as a two year stint as sound designer for famed photographer David LaChapelle and currently with Producit Inc. whose clients include: All major TV & Film networks, international advertising agencies, private events and celebrity clients such as Elton John, Gene Simmons, Mariah Carey and Jessica Alba.