all about NATALIE..
June 22, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: FUNK, Icon, Natalie Cole, Pop, Rock, Soul, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Unique74 Remembers…MARVIN ISLEY
The First Family of Funk, Rock and Soul produced one of the greatest (though criminally underrated) bass players ever..Rest In Paradise MARVIN ISLEY..
here’s a taste of Marvin Isley at his finest…
(yes when you hear that BASSLINE..you are listening to the man himself..)
(the original blueprint..)
The Isley Bros 70′s performances are VERY RARE on You Tube for some odd reason.. The Isley estate dont play man!! ..Enjoy while you can
June 8, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: First Family of Soul, FUNK, Icon, Isley Brothers, Marvin Isley, Pop, Rock, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Unique74 salutes MILES DAVIS
May 25, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Black Music Legacy, Dj A-Ski, FUNK, Icon, JAZZ, Miles Davis, Pop, Rock, Soul, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
all about MAURICE WHITE | Unique74 | Props
Lately, i’ve been putting together final tracks for upcoming releases this summer. During that process, i’ve been wanting to incorporate elements outside of my “normal” recording process. I’ve been pondering the idea of playing rhythm guitar, I also have been overdubbing a lot of my own live drums just to explore new rhythms. During this past month I have been listening to a lot of early Chicago Funk-Soul (mainly Chess-Brunswick and other off beat labels). When I think of Chicago Soul, I cant help but think about my hero the great Maurice White. Besides being leader of the iconic funk-jazz-soul unit Earth Wind and Fire, he was a also a drummer on many of the sessions at Chess records (along with Morris Jennings). Countless sessions such as “Rescue Me”, “Sitting In The Park, “Grits Aint Grocery” (been wearing out Little Milton’s collection this week!) bear the back beat of Maurice White.
I just so happen to have a kalimba at the lab and I couldn’t help thinking about the story from my uncle (who is very close to Mr White) explaining to me how Mr White and the kalimba came about. According to his recollection, it was at a music store located in Chicago called “Frank’s” where Mr. White’s first encounter with the kalimba took place during the mid 60′s and he has been playing it ever since.
I remember seeing Mr White a couple of times during my early college days (he was always at my bank, amazing!!) and I always felt nervous in going up to shake his hand. But I waved at him, he waved back and my day was made just on that alone. There are very few like Mr. White that went through the various stages of growth and mastered the art of production and recording. There is a leadership quality (reflecting the work ethic of a Mr. White) that is lacking in today’s so-called “modern era” where there are very few artists who take risk and plentiful are willing to follow the depreciated sound pallet only to become flavor of the month. I write this in showing recognition and appreciation to one of my musical heroes who went against the grain and is a constant inspiration. Thank You Mr. White!
May 18, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: A-SKI, Chess, CHICAGO, Dance, Earth Wind and Fire, FUNK, Icon, JAZZ, MAURICE WHITE, Pop, PROGRESSIVE!, R&B, Soul, Unique74 | 2 Comments »
Unique74 Remembers..LENA HORNE
May 11, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Activist, Blues, Civil Rights Movement, Fashion, Film, Icon, JAZZ, Legend, Lena Horne, Pop, Television, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
livin’ 4 the funk: Jimmy Castor | Space Age
“dont be a robot..you’ll lose your soul”. peep the keyboard..”settings and LFO” all day!!
April 10, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Black Music Legacy, Boogie, Dance, Disco, Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers, FUNK, Hip Hop, Icon, Jimmy Castor, Pop, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
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.
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
April 8, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Arranger, FUNK, Gene Page, Genius, Icon, Los Angeles, NARAS, Pop, Producer, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Unique74, Writer | Leave A Comment »
Happy Birthday MARVIN GAYE pt 1 | DJ SPINNA
April 3, 2010 | Categories: Unique 74 | Tags: Motown, Soul, FUNK, Unique74, Hip Hop, Pop, Marvin Gaye, Icon, Rhythm and Blues, Black Music Legacy, Dj Spinna, Beyond Real | Leave A Comment »
The Night Is On My Mind: Bobby Womack | How Could You Break My Heart | Nobody Wants You When You’re Down & Out
Every now and then I get stuck on these Bobby Womack trips..this week i’ve been channeling him big time. I am confident we will meet in due time.. this track goes hard (the dialogue is priceless..lol)..
dammit where’s KC Hailey?!!
Barry White has a vamp that is very similiar to this track that he recorded around this same time (78-79). I gotta dig up and post it..I think its on the “Barry White :The Man” lp.
========================
Had to come with the double shotter for “The Poet”…I was literally RAISED on this next selection..this is a remake of an old ragtime blues classic..This is actually my FAVORITE in all of Bobby’s songs..The sessions with his rhythm section during this period (“PEACE” w/David Hood, Roger Hawkins, etc) were off the chain! Listen to that swing and grit! Priceless! A huge shout out to whoever mixed his sessions during the 70′s period..you always felt “the bottom” on all of Bobby’s tracks (observe how the string section “rises” in on the fade out!!).
January 11, 2010 | Categories: The Night Is On My Mind, Unique 74 | Tags: American Music Legacy, Black Music Legacy, Blues, Bobby Womack, Country, FUNK, Guitar, JAZZ, Pop, Rock, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Soul, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Soul Clap Saturday | Bobby Womack | Looking For A Love
Legend has it this classic was based off a spiritual entitled “Im Looking For The Lord”. Superbaaaad Bobby Womack! His two step is mean!!
PS: Not mad at the lyrics either (as long as the man is doing his part in keeping things together) ..this is actually one of my Mom’s favorite records..
January 9, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: American Music Legacy, Black Music Legacy, Bobby Womack, Eric Clapton, FUNK, Icon, Pop, Rock, Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame, Sam Cooke, Soul, Soul Train, The Rolling Stones, The Valentinos, UK Invasion, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Happy Birthday Bowie
January 9, 2010 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: American Music Legacy, David Bowie, Icon, Pop, Rock, Soul, Style, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Unique74 Vid Pick | James Brown: Soul Brother Number One | docu (RARE)
December 30, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: American Music Legacy, Black Music Legacy, Dance, Docu, FUNK, Icon, IkeTyson, Innovator, James Brown, Pop, PROGRESSIVE!, R&B, Rare, Soul | Leave A Comment »
Sunday BBQ | The Temptations | Hey Girl (I Like Your Style)
Richard Street OWNS this song..another magnificent vocalist.
December 27, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Sunday BBQ, Unique 74 | Tags: Black Music Legacy, Icon, Legend, Motown, Norman Whitfield, Pop, R&B, Soul, ST Fans, The Temptations, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Unique74 Vid Pick : Mad Lads | Dont Have To Shop Around
taken from the film “Darktown Strutters”.
December 21, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74, Vid Picks | Tags: Darktown Strutters, Legend, Oldies, Pop, R&B, Rare, Soul, Stax, The Mad Lads, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
The Night Is On My Mind | Nancy Wilson | Sunshine
December 21, 2009 | Categories: The Night Is On My Mind | Tags: Black Music Legacy, Icon, JAZZ, Legend, Life, Nancy Wilson, Pop, PROGRESSIVE!, R&B, RESPECT, Soul, Vocalist | Leave A Comment »
Sunday BBQ | The Isley Brothers | Midnight Sky (RARE Live ST Performance)
Ronald is lovin’ them maracas..lmao! Big Rudy got them claps to a science..Ernie was and will always be a pure BEAST (in my Post- Hendrix Top 5 Greatest Guitarist EVER next door to Eddie Hazel/Mike Hampton..Van Halen and Slash are decent..). What’s cool about this clip is that it’s the rarest of clips with all six brothers and The Great George Moreland on drums. They brought the amps and all..poor roadie..
Im STILL trying to find The Isleys Live @ Yankee Stadium (71′) DVD..I have the original vinyl (good luck finding it..super rare).
FREE RON (he deserves the Roman Polanski deal..)
November 29, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, UP-liftment, Unique 74, Vid Picks | Tags: Cleavland, FUNK, Icon, Isley Brothers, Legend, Life before BET, Life before Clear Channel and MTV, Live Performances, Pop, R&B, Rare, Soul, Sunday BBQ, T-Neck, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
Sunday BBQ: The Impressions | Just Another Dance
November 22, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Sunday BBQ, UP-liftment, Unique 74 | Tags: Black Music Legacy, Chicago Soul, Curits Mayfield, Curtom, Legend, Pop, R&B, Soul, Sunday BBQ, The Impressions, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »
“all about Isaac” (a Tribute to ISAAC HAYES) | Dj A-Ski
Unique74 & WheatBread presents..
“all about Isaac” (a Tribute to Isaac Hayes)
carefully picked selections with love by
Dj A-SKI

http://djaski.podOmatic.com/entry/2009-10-04T05_16_59-07_00
October 5, 2009 | Categories: Beats, RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Black Moses, Caktuz..?, Dance, Disco, Dj A-Ski, FUNK, Fuse Green, Hip Hop, Isaac Hayes, Pop, Rhythm and Blues, Soul, Stax, Unique74, Wheatbread | Leave A Comment »
Walter Orange speaks on it..
June 28, 2009 | Categories: Members Only, Unique 74, Vid Picks | Tags: Motown, Soul, FUNK, Pop, The Commodores, Icon, Legend, Hero, Brick House, Timeless, Analog, Digital | Leave A Comment »
Mr Warren vs The Isley Bros
Lately, i’ve been thinking about The Mighty Isley Bros (Please Free Ron..) and their 72-79 period in which they truly raised the stakes in their sound without getting caught up in the Disco sensation (I LOVE DISCO). They remained true to their sound while constantly reinventing themselves and raising the bar.
The two songs featured are probably in my top 5 of Isley tunes. My big brother use to come in and blast the “Go For Your Guns” lp on 10 1/2 when I was a kid and I still hear that album the same way to this day.
I’ve been checking out Mr. Warren for about a year on YT and I am a huge fan. He literally breaks down The Isley Science! This is a man who truly has mastered the craft! One thing to always remember that you can tell when a MASTER is in the building, Mr Warren effortlessly breaks it down. Listen, Learn and Enjoy.
PS: I always thought “Climbing Up The Ladder” should have been a single, it would’ve been HUGE in the Rock market easily.
June 14, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Cimbing Up The Ladder, First Family of Soul, FUNK, Guitar, Hope You Feel Better Love, Icon, Isley Bros, Legend, Mr Warren, Pop, Rock, Soul | Leave A Comment »
Bach, Brahms, Beethoven & Brown
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.
June 13, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Atlanta Football Team, Bootsy, Catfish Phelps, Dance, Disco, Dooley's Junkyard Dawg, FUNK, Hip Hop, Icon, In Studio, James Brown, JAZZ, Jimmy Nolen, Pop, Rare, Rock, Soul, The JB's | Leave A Comment »
if you were born after 1979..you would’nt understand..
There was a time when this was the mood in every block in any every major city..I use to be one of those kids…
Where do we go from here?
Save The Music…
PS: GOD bless the person who took this footage and everyone in it.
April 9, 2009 | Categories: Members Only, Unique 74 | Tags: Black, black music, CHICAGO, Disco, Disco Nights, Disco Nights at Cabrini Green 1977, Free Up, FUNK, GQ, History, Legacy, Life before BET, Life before Clear Channel and MTV, Party, Pop, Pre Neo Soul, Raheim Leblanc, Soul, Unique74 | 1 Comment »
Thinking about Marvin..
On this very day, the world was robbed of a great man who within his own contradictions and conflicts was able to teach us all how to love and to live unconditionally. This very man who came in after the reign of Sam Cooke /Jackie Wilson would later pave the way for the Stevie Wonders/Donny Hathaways plus countless others. One of the many things I admired about Mr. Gaye was that he did not settle for the status quo, he wasn’t afraid to push the envelope and raise the stakes. He celebrated the love, the pain, the disdain and the triumph through his music while effortlessly raising the bar.
Ironically, I had just purchased the “Live in Belgium” DVD a few days ago and I even did a mini tribute in my Dj set this past Sunday.
We Love You Marvin Gaye.
Ps: Bugsy Wilcox, Frank Blair and Gordon Banks where are you!? (a huge bravo!)
April 1, 2009 | Categories: RESPECT, Unique 74 | Tags: Blues, Composer, FUNK, Gospel, Icon, International, JAZZ, Marvin Gaye, Motown, Pop, Producer, PROGRESSIVE!, R&B, Soul, The Funk Brothers, Unique74, Writer | 6 Comments »
Isley.
This song has been stuck in my head (Ernie’s solo!).
This record would’ve been big in the Pop market easily, kinda has that Malibu, old school Venice Beach vibe but still funky.
FREE RON.
March 17, 2009 | Categories: Members Only, Unique 74 | Tags: First Family of Soul, FUNK, Isley Brothers, Pimp Music, Pop, R&B, Rock, Soul, Unique74 | Leave A Comment »










