Charlie Wilson, affectionately known as “Uncle Charlie”, has two 2012 Grammy nominations for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance for his hit song “You Are”, from his latest CD Just Charlie; a song on which is wife is also a co-writer. ”You Are” held the #1 position on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart for 13 weeks.
Charlie Wilson’s music goes back to the ’80s when he and his brothers Ronnie and Robert put out funkalicious jams such as “Outstanding”, “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” and others as The Gap Band. His influence can be heard in the vocal stylings of R. Kelly and Aaron Hall. Although drug and alcohol drug addiction almost overcame him after the band broke up, Wilson has reemerged and triumphed as a revered artist who is sought after by Hip-Hop and R&B artists to collaborate on their music; thus introducing him to a new generation of fans. “Uncle Charlie” is truly the comeback kid– he was also nominated for two Grammys in 2010. To find out if he will win this year, tune in to the Grammy Awards February 12 at 8/7c on CBS.
“The Sound Of Philadelphia” by MFSB (Mother, Father, Sister, Brother) featuring vocals by the group The Three Degrees was written by Philly Soul legends Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as the theme song for the television show Soul Train. The song reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart in 1974. Although the song was re-recorded in different versions over the different eras of black music (’80s R&B, New Jack Swing, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul) since 1974, “The Sound Of Philadelphia” remained the show’s theme song until the final episode in 2006.
A very talented group of musicians that rose to the top of the music world not once but twice, Kool & the Gang continues to be one of the most beloved bands of the last 30 years. Formed by Robert “Kool” Bell, his brother Ronald Bell and bunch of their New Jersey teenage friends in the mid-60s (then called the Jazziacs), the group played traditional jazz in regional venues for several years, slowly morphing their style to incorporate emerging funk sounds of Sly and the Family Stone and James Brown. They were signed by the De-Lite label in the early 70s and gathered a small but loyal national following (particularly for their 1971 release Live at the Sex Machine). The group’s fortunes exploded in 1974 with Wild and Peaceful, an infectiously raw album that spawned three smash hits, “Funky Stuff,” “Hollywood Swinging,” and “Jungle Boogie,” all featuring great instrumentation and lyrics virtually shouted by the group. However, as quickly as they rode to fame, Kool & the Gang faded, their rough sound appearing out of place against the slick, dance-oriented sounds that began to dominate popular radio in the late 70s.
“Skin I’m In” by Cameo is a single from the 1988 album Machismo which went to #10 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The message of the song is about social injustice and equality for all people. Between performance and dance scenes, the music video features film from the civil rights movement and lead singer Larry Blackmon appears with half of his face painted black and the other painted white.
Andy Compton of The Rurals (Peng Records) has created a reputation as one of the best and most prolific Deep House producers in the business. Here he comes with a brand new sound that is really close to his heart. COMPTON is a Soul/Funk/Jazz project that boasts the very best musicians from the West Coast like Charlie Hearnshaw , Jeff Bass, Pete Mo, Andy Barton and Alex Pamplin along with guest vocals from amazing soul artists from around the world including: Jaidene Veda, Ladybird, Diviniti and Kafele (all House legends in their own right). This project is quite interesting because it showcases another side to these artists’ talents. Taking inspiration from it’s urban LA name sake, you can hear COMPTON’s musical influences from The Crusaders, Shuggie Otis, Isaac Hayes, Leroy Hutson, War, Marvin Gaye and of course James Brown. This project represents the next level in Soul music with real organic musicianship and production. The result is quite simply a modern classic.
A lot of songs from The Original 7ven, formerly The Time, was known for getting you a little “chocolate” , some “chili sauce” and maybe someone’s “drawers” hanging from the ceiling fan after a wild night. However, the classic song Girl, from their debut album, was quite different. It was definitely a tune that casted a more sentimental light on the ultra cool playboys.
A special note to my guy friends regarding this song: At all times you should have this song in your “I Messed Up” playlist. You never know when you’re gonna say or do something that will land you in the position of having a “go to jail” card. If you’re caught without this song on deck, you can kiss goodbye your “free pass” and the next song your “girl” will dedicate to you is the “F**k You Symphony” from Milli Jackson.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are the epitome of musical brilliance and can be easily likened to a modern day Gamble & Huff. While “The Sound of Philadelphia Soul”, TSOP, was known for their string and bass arrangements, the Minneapolis Sound was further cultivated through a more pop, rock and faster paced funk. Working under the influence of artists like Cornbread Harris, Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown and many others, the duo formed the group Flyte Tyme with band mates Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir but was later incorporated into the group, The Time led by Morris Day. During this early formulation, Prince was very instrumental in the songwriting and production of the group’s sound. While their songs and stage appeal gave them great success, it did not last long due to growing creative tension and their restriction to write material for their own album or the album of other artists. Despite certain limitations, Jam & Lewis took the gamble in writing for the musical group, The “Sound of Success” Band or better known as the SOS Band with the incredible hit Just Be Good To Me. At the boiling point of the relationship and unfortunately missing a show due to a blizzard in Atlanta where they were recording, the duo was fired by Prince due to their outside production. For some this may have been the end, but for Jam & Lewis it was only the beginning. With the success of Just Be Good To Me reaching #2 on the R&B charts, it opened the windows of opportunity for their musical career. For a span of almost 30 years, Jam & Lewis have worked with legendary artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Barry White, Alexander O’Neal, Chaka Khan, Klymaxx, Cherrelle, George Michael, Yolanda Adams, Usher and New Edition just to name a few. Not to mention winning countless Grammys including Producers of the Year, beating producers David Foster and Paul Simon, Jam & Lewis have made an undeniable mark in music as songwriters, producers, record execs and musicians.
From a personal perspective, these men have been by musical icons from my earliest knowledge of music. I’ve always admired from afar their honest approach to music. As a former band geek, I’ve been in awe of their song arrangements and how they could tailor fit a song appropriately for the lines and curves of an artist. In today’s mainstream perspective to music, “branded” in the narcissistic view of music production, Jam & Lewis bring something rich and timeless to their songs. Through their musical outlook, you truly hear the tones and melody of an artist life.
Here is The Original 7ven’s Jam & Lewis with Video Soul’s Donnie Simpson as they give the rundown of their angle to mixing with Morris Day’s song, Fishnet. And if you missed it, be sure to catch the exclusive GFM interview with Jimmy Jam. (more…)
Monte Moir is in two words “bad ass.” The original and current keyboardist for The Original 7ven formerly The Time has always been mad creative in his solo efforts as songwriter and producer. He’s the man behind some impressive works for Janet Jackson, Alexander O’Neal, Gladys Knight. He’s also credited for working with Prince, Vanity 6, Deniece Williams and Thelma Houston to name a few. Songwriting has always been his first love and his first solo effort, “This Side of Paradise”, released in 2001 was about as far away from the sound of The Time as you could get but it is also far from boring. Not commercially successful but critically favored, “This Side of Paradise” is an organically soothing collection fused with adult contemporary pop, soft R&B and light jazz clearly showcasing Moir’s talent for songwriting and producing. This brings me to the featured video of this piece which is Janet Jackson’s “The Pleasure Principal”, written and produced by yep, Monte Moir. This was the sixth single from her third studio album “Control”. The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, won for Best Choreography at the 1987 MTV Awards and got a nod for Best Female Video. For me on a personal note this video is in my top five best of all time!! It was about the genius of simplicity. A loft, a chair and a microphone stand. No supporting backup fillers, just Janet in a zone, solidifying the fact that outside of her brother, no one could compete with her moves. And I should know. And how you ask? I jumped over many a chair trying. (more…)
