Happy 80th Birthday Mr QUINCY JONES!!
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!
Q. (I MUST meet him.)
I have been blessed to work very close with many of his friends and associates, but I have yet to meet The Man himself…I am putting it out in the Universe..we MUST meet..
Hero.King.Inspiration.
inspiration. hero 101.
Q and Mr Hancock doing that “art thing”. Observe. Learn. Respect.
The Score.
A couple weeks ago, I was tapped to produce my first film score. Its still surreal for me but I am beyond excited!!! I dont want to give away too much but I will say the project is going to be BEAUTIFUL!! I’m pulling all the stops out on this one..I have some very huge shoes to follow and look up to..The CHANGE THE MOOD album is about to drop plus other projects I am producing and developing…I am FINALLY working with people who are capable, gracious, mega talented and ready to produce quality projects!! In a really good space! Full speed!!
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!! 
RESPECT: DAVID WILLIAMS (RIP)
The 80′s like every great era before it had a definitive sound, David Williams played a pivotal role in forming that sound. From Quincy to Micheal to Madonna and countless others, Mr Williams and Tony Maiden (Rufus) had a very distinctive tone in their style of rhythm guitar playing that has been emulated by many musicians. Sadly, Mr. Williams has recently joined a higher calling. Mr. Williams left a body of work that will forever live in our dancing feet and hearts. Love, Good Energy, Strength and condolences to family and friends of Mr. Williams.
http://earbender.com/2009/03/david-williams-guitarist-with-michael-jackson-madonna/
+check for the guitar solo in Micheal’s “Billie Jean” during the bridge -)
