Unique74 Remembers… GENE PAGE | NARAS HONOR NOMINATION | PLEASE SUPPORT
When you ask the average person, who is GENE PAGE? Many will not have a clue. But if you ask any great musician or authentic music fan, there will be high praise. He truly was one of the major innovators of THE LOS ANGELES SOUND. Having arranged and produced many great artists such as Dobie Grey, Barry White, The Jackson 5, Pop, Soul and Country..Mr Page was truly a gem that set a platform of excellence and richness in sound that has yet to me matched to this day. I had the honor of doing a session at the legendary Sunset Sound in Hollywood and I just so happen to be sitting in the conductor’s chair. My Mentor and Hero, the great WAH WAH WATSON looked at me said “this chair is very special, this was the chair that belonged to Gene Page“. I’d never seen a room become so quiet in my life, it was like a spell had taken hold on all of us when his name was mentioned.
Mr Page has been recently considered for a NARAS Trustees Award in his honor. Please Support! He truly deserves it, for his work is a lifetime testimony of enrichment and excellence.
Learn More…
courtesy of STUBASS (Soulful Detroit)::
I was recently contacted via musician-producer David Paich informing us that a nomination has been submitted to NARAS in an effort to honor the late legendary arranger-producer Gene Page with a NARAS Trustees Award. Los Angeles based (via Detroit) and well respected musician-arranger Sylvester Rivers is leading this effort, which has been supported by a who’s who of music industry leaders, from David Foster, Dionne Warwick, Tom Scott, Bruce Miller, and many many more. I spoke with Sylvester yesterday, and offered my enthusiastic support for this most well deserved recognition for Gene Page.
http://www.sylvesterrivers.com
Gene Page, as many of you know, was the musical inspiration behind those beautiful arrangements for artists such as Barry White, Laura Brannigan, Michael Jackson, many Motown and Solar Records projects, along with an impressive list of top performers from the 60′s, 70′s and 80′s. In addition to his musical virtuosity, Gene was always willing to help his fellow musicians, and served as a mentor to many of todays contemporary producers and arrangers.
I would urge you all to take a few minutes and drop an e-mail to Jennifer Dugas at NARAS in support of this most well deserved recognition.
jennifer.dugas@grammy.com
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..
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN COLTRANE!
Unique74 remembers…
4 The Real Micheal Fans, Thriller’s cool but..
Yes, he is back to claim his throne. The man has paid his dues and paved the way for every artist after him. Respect long over due.
Here are just a few of many that are my personal MJ staples:
I damn near cry when listening to this record mainly due to Jamerson’s performance. Perfection!
Pure Philly magic! This has to be one of the most brilliant albums they cut. I can put this song on repeat for a whole day and be content. Timeless. (I figured out that ending part where he does the vamp, that part is looped! He was the first to loop a vocal on a record! Thats if Zappa didnt beat him to it.. -)
Put your jacket on..too cold.. Its not the same w/o Jermaine but they handle it.
Should’ve been a HIT! They put this on a few “B sides”.
I would’ve done an extended mix with a bass break down/build up,etc, but this is STILL the jam. He does amazing background vocals! (Check for “All I Do” by Stevie)
03|15|09: Its SLY’s Birthday Party! Pt3!
The wait is over. The details revealed…
SLY STONE wants to celebrate his birthday with you. Yes you! And he wants you to come dressed in the appropriate attire: 60S/70S THEME…requested, but not required.
In return, you will be part of an amazing edition of THE SLY STONE VARIETY SHOW…truly a family affair
with live performances by Sly, BabyStone and as always, special surprise guests (George Clinton funked it last time)
Plus your favorite DJs: JEREMY SOLE (KCRW, Afro Funke), A-SKI (Unique 74), and ANTHONY VALADEZ (KCRW)
And lots of other goodies and surprises.
(every birthday has a cake and party favors, right?!)
This may be the last of the infamous Sly Stone Variety Show for a while and it’s his birthday to BOOT! Who else can say they went to Sly Stone’s birthday party???…so you don’t want to miss it!
DOORS 8PM
$15 b4 9pm, $20 after
$10 LIMITED RECESSION PRICED PRESALE!!!
(Sly knows times is hard) templebarconcepts. tickets. musictoday. com
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all about SLY
Wow! round 2! I feel like a kid again..As a double OG Funk head since the day I first heard a record by Mandrill called “Fencewalk” (I was like 2 years old..changed my life..). I knew Funk is something that you cant explain, its a way of life and being, an attitude. I’ve been blessed to shake hands and work with some giants but this just takes it over the top for me. I felt as though I earned my Ph.d in Funk when I met the man himself, so surreal. I hope to see you all…its gonna be sweet. 
