lyrics. George Benson
“remember the days when we never had a dime
and our dreams seemed a million miles away.”
“Love X Love”-George Benson (written by Rod Temperton)
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!! 
