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..

He was the underdog from the gate. As a fellow Aquarian, MJ has a method to his madness in his business acumen. Very few NBA players post the MJ era can say they have marketed and branded themselves in over 3 generations. Congrats to his new soon to be marriage and the skyrocketing of his sneaker brand amongst his other epic business ventures.

(Dont blame him for the bad management at shoe stores and the lack of bad parenting of the kids who participated in rioting the moment his shoe was released…the parents need their ass whipped, not the kids).

#props

Cloud nine right now…I flipped the first four bars of this in high school when making one of my first series of beat tapes…this is taking me back..just came from record digging and got reunited with this record. (Big shout to Michelle, Jaman and the entire Laws family!!) 

Hubert Laws – Flute, Main Performer, Arranger
Ronnie Laws – Sax (Tenor)
Gene Bertoncini – Guitar
Ron Carter – Bass
Steve Gadd – Drums
David Friedman – Percussion, Vibraphone
Airto Moreira – Percussion
Bob James – Piano
Clare Fischer – Piano, Arranger
Rodgers Grant – Piano
Hilary James – Piano, Arranger
Richard Tee – Organ, Strings
Emanuel Vardi – Viola
Amanuel Vardi – Viola
David Nadien – Violin
George Ricci – Cello

Rest well SMOKIN’ JOE..my kids will know about you..will never be forgotten..