Happy Birthday Mr JAMES GADSON!!!
His sound is a dignified staple in a plethora of gems that span over 5 decades to this very day, resonating rhythm at its apex. He has been a huge influence in my musical DNA and is one of the main reasons of me making a brave attempt at playing drums as a kid. His signature sound has been the blueprint for Funk, Blues, Soul, Rock, Disco, Hip Hop, and the list goes on. His groove continues to be a driving force and the standard in sound. Happy Birthday Mr James Gadson!!! Enjoy to the max sir!!!!!
Happy Birthday Dr MAYA ANGELOU!!!
Happy 85th Birthday Marguerite Ann Johnson aka Dr. Maya Angelou!
Happy Birthday Mr MARVIN GAYE!!!
Many TRY to emulate him but cannot duplicate. He had no formula or trick bag. He had a mission. Spiritual awakening laced with sensual groove and street rhythms. Becoming a standard after being the total under dog at one point in his career. Producer, Writer, Performer to the epitome. To call him an icon or a genius would be short changing his true shine and legacy..he was a Prophet and a Shaman. Taking creative risk as an artist that many celebrate today in their musical own contributions today. A class act, a standard, a healer, a hero. Happy Birthday Sir MARVIN PENTZ GAYE Jr.
Happy Birthday Mr GIL SCOT HERON!!!
An artist/icon that gave what he lived..very few made the attempt to delve into an intense direction of the Black experience and its triumph while detailing the mountains and valleys of that very experience with vigor; which spawned a new generation of writers and freedom fighters that searched for the ultimate nirvana in celebrating the human experience. Happy Birthday Mr GIL SCOT HERON!!!
Remembering Marvin.
In my top 3 favorite artist/producers/writers of all time..Tomorrow is his born day. Thus, im not going to lay too heavy in it but I have to start heavy in it..There were many before him and after but there is only ONE Marvin Gaye.
He proved that an artist has a civil responsibility to produce music that inspires yet remain multidimensional . Backed by the iconic production team, the mighty Mizell Brothers (aka The Corporation) on this won. It is a travesy that this was not released as a single but a relief that they went into the vaults to unearth this masterpiece. #MGP
Happy Birthday Mr TEDDY PENDERGRASS!!!
Not since Wilson Pickett, David Ruffin, Eddie Levert or Marvin Junior (The Dells) that you had a vocalist that not only commanded your attention but demanded it. No compromise..No begging or whining..TP laid the law and that was all there was to it (which led him to eventually be the first to introduce the concept of an all ladies show). In that same sense, he was also able to balance deliver vulnerability that of a Al Green, Marvin Gaye or Eddie Kendricks. He sang to the women from a man’s perspective with an urgency that put him in a class of his own. He was the last of what I like to call the “Grown Man vocalist”. Happy Birthday to Philly’s own Mr THEODORE DeREESE PENDERGRASS!!!
Happy Birthday Mr RUFUS THOMAS!!
What’s so unique about this next great artist is that he was the oldest of all his peers at STAX, yet was able to garner a young audience (yes, there was a time where age did not matter..it was quality). His popularity crowned him as “The World’s Oldest Teenager”. Im pretty sure his experience as a Disc Jockey at WDIA in Memphis gave him his fair with the audience as well. Just as funky as James Brown yet had the love of grandfather to his audience for decades to this day. Also he is also father the great CARLA THOMAS. Happy Birthday to Sir Breakdown himself..Mr RUFUS THOMAS!!!
Happy Birthday Ms DIANA ROSS!!!
(Taurus is kickin’ ass!! the past few weeks!!) One of the few artist that still stands the test of time for over 5 decades..defining and redefining not only musically being the ultimate centerpiece in fashion and flair as well. Pop, Rock, Soul, Standards, Jazz,etc…she has remained to be a criteria and standard in a class of her own, opening the door for many after her. Happy Birthday to “The Boss” Ms DIANA ROSS!!! (now you can “bow down” people..lol)
Happy Birthday to the Queen Of Soul Ms ARETHA FRANKLIN!!!
There are very FEW artist that can withstand fickle taste, corporate shift and changing trends yet somehow remain a centerpiece of artistic validity and a cornerstone of expression. Being one of the prominent voices of the Civil Rights Movement while conquering Jazz, Classic, Blues, Funk, R&B and co author of a blueprint what is now known as Soul Music. Not to mention, she is a very underrated pianist (she should cut an instrumental album like a long time ago..). If you are going to “bow down” to anyone..(lol)..Happy Birthday to the Queen of Soul Ms ARETHA FRANKLIN!!!
Happy Birthday Mr AL BELL!!!
There are many who are celebrated, decorated and called upon..bet few who are of the chosen.. Visionary, Maverick, Icon, Pioneer who created a landscape of Southern Soul that echoed the Civil RIghts Movement in time with a changing generation who wanted and deserved..more. STAX records embraced innovation and a new style of Funk dipped in “HOT BUTTERED SOUL”. His contributions as an A&R inspired me to chase my dreams to one day become the master of my own creativity and inspire others as he inspired me. Happy Birthday to an Icon named Mr AL BELL!!!
Happy 80th Birthday Mr QUINCY JONES!!
Happy Birthday FRANKIE BEVERLY!!
quality wins again..SHUGGIE OTIS
Mr Shuggie Otis. Echoplex. LA. Tonite. SOLD OUT!Happy Birthday Sir LITTLE RICHARD!!
I dont care what you have been sold..it is further from the TRUTH..even the hype appointed “King of Rock & Roll” himself never claimed himself as such (he knew better..no disrespect..facts are facts..)..This is the same man who brought you …
Mecca and The Soul Brother | 20
“Mecca and The Soul Brother” was a very important album during the time of its release 20 years ago (where does the time go..) and still remains celebrated today. It explored a very wide spectrum of Soul, Jazz, Funk on an aggressive level but it bears an assortment of moods in each of those generes under the Hip Hop drawing board. Rhythmically, it was raw yet smooth while balancing its cutting edge. This album made me step my game up in terms of record digging and sound exploration.
Happy Birthday ISAAC HAYES!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfbeSCNatb8&feature=share | look
http://djaski.podomatic.com/entry/index/2009-10-04T05_16_59-07_00 | listen
I finally met “The Bravest Man In The Universe”..Mr BOBBY WOMACK!!
The ICON himself Mr BOBBY WOMACK and yours truly choppin’ it up at Ameoba (Sunset)..Beyond EPIC moment..(He is too funny!!! He got some jokes!! ha ha!!) I kept thanking him for being that voice for a little brother who has gone through a lot and the hard working everyday man who’s voice is overlooked.
A very special THANK YOU to the staff at AMOEBA & my main man ERVIN ARANA for the photography!!
ORDER HIS NEW RELEASE “THE BRAVEST MAN IN THE UNIVERSE” on iTUNES TODAY!! http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/bravest-man-in-universe/id522068118
when Smokey sings..
Been trying to find “Smokey’s Family Robinson” on CD for eons…finally copped it yesterday. His most left field and under recognized gem. I use to pick this record apart as a kid..still sounds fresh and innovative as it did in its ’75 release. If “Quiet Storm” had a sequel, “Family Robinson” is the perfect follow up..”Like Nobody Can” is the apex!! #Smokey #Motown
Happy Birthday Mr JAMES BROWN!!!
We love him..always will. He enhanced my life and musical foundation..period…Happy Birthday to the Author, Creator, Innovator of The FUNK…Mr JAMES BROWN
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PATRICK ADAMS!!!!
He is one of the reasons I take the craft of production serious. ICON.
P
Happy Birthday QUINCY JONES & SLY STONE!!
Happy Birthday to a Hero, Icon, Creator, Maverick, Mogul, Producer, Mr. QUINCY JONES!
Icon. Innovator. Style. Fly. Left field. Definitive. Funk101. Maverick. Genius. Creator. Producer. Writer. Happy Birthday Mr SLY STONE!
living for the funk: Sly and The Family Stone + Little Sister “Somebody’s Watching You”
pretty pretty pretty as a picture
witty witty witty as you can be
blind cause your eyes see only glitter
closed to the things that make you free
ever stop to think about a downfall
happens at the end of every line
just when you think you’ve pulled a fast one
happens to the foolish all the time
somebody’s watching you (4’xs)
games are to played with toys etcetera
love is to be made when you’re for real
ups and downs are caused by life in general
some are yours no matter how you feel
shady as a lady in a mustache
feelings camouflaged by groans and grins
secrets have a special way about them
moving to and fro among your friends
somebody’s watching you (4’xs)
live it up today if you want to
live it down tomorrow afternoon
sunday school don’t make you cool forever
neither does the silver of your spoon
the nicer the nice the higher the price
this is what you pay for what you need
the higher the price the nicer the nice
jealous people like to see you bleed
somebody’s watching you (4x’s and fades out)
Bonus*
Happy Birthday BOBBY WOMACK!!
(we have very close and mutual friends..somehow I know we will meet!!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY to an icon named BOBBY WOMACK!!!
