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.

Just tryin’ to help a brutha out! :)

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…)

Known for his  narcissistic persona , Morris Day is notorious for being the primping playboy with the egotistical mantra of his own greatness. In being this flamboyant gigolo with the chili sauce, he is the man every woman wants and every man hopes to be. But in addition to his larger than life role as the front man of The Original 7ven, he’s also a drummer in his own right. Playing percussions with Prince’s early band, Grand Central and later creating the song Partyup, placed on Prince’s Dirty Mind album, Morris later created The Time where he played drums and co-produced some of the albums while unexpectedly becoming the lead vocalist in its early formation. Initially uncomfortable in being the lead, he later eased into it like a nice pair of Stacy Adams. While we’ll play Fishnet from his solo album, Daydreaming,  we’ll also check out the comical track, Tricky. This cut was a non album track showing the comical banter between him and Prince along with Morris’ skills on the drums.

To find out his musical influences and the drummer he said “couldn’t f**k with him” on their best day :) , you gotta pick up the Condensate album from Best Buy for the DVD bonus! It’s a must for any Original 7ven fan! Yaayeesss!!! (more…)

Now I’ve heard the New Boyz “You’re A Jerk” but nobody can make being a jerk so “condensatingly cool” at the same time like Mr. Morris E. Day. This 1981 song originally intended for the What Time It Is? album, just carries that fun feeling you know you’re always gonna get from The Original 7ven (formerly The Time).

The motion picture, Graffiti Bridge had some nice cuts that sometimes gets overlooked due to the film itself. Release It is definitely one of my Time favorites but the other cut would be Love Machine.  Now some people my feel indifferent towards this song and you’re entitled to that opinion however I feel differently. Pulsating with a vibrant mix of funk, dance and a catchy chorus, you can easily neglect the erotic lyricism of this tune. What completely lures me in is the “20 questions” banter between Morris Day, Ingrid Chavez, and Jerome Benton. The conversation starts off with a “tongue-in-cheek” innocence but grows in a rapid fire beginning to unravel certain inhibitions. A nice twist of clever and sexy.

Here is The Original 7ven (formerly The Time) with Love Machine.

If Chili Sauce is the “building” prelude and introspective dialogue of a gigolo, then If the Kid Can’t Make You Come is the “climatic” close. Now, if you follow my posts on GFM’s Facebook from time to time, you already know I can say a few naughty things about this song however, I’ll keep it semi PG-13 and say this one thing:

Fellas, if you build it……………..she will come. ;-)

(dropping my mic with the Randy Watson “Sexual Chocolate” ending.)

Here is The Original 7ven (formerly The Time) with If The Kid Can’t Make You Come.

This cut is such a sweet and spicy mix of flavors. On one end of the spectrum, the track plays a smoldering yet sensual backdrop. However on the other end, the comical commentary will have you dying like a Betty White SNL skit. It’s almost like ease dropping on a friend kicking game on a random chick and you’re trying your best to hold in the laughter. Here’s a classic example of what I’m talking about:

Morris: “It’s funny your eyes, when you stare at me like that, it causes my….my stomach to..to q-q-q-uiver…..oh lawd (quivering).”

Only Morris’ playboy sophistication can make a sauce I sometimes put on my chicken a cue word for getting the drawers. How ’bout dat! :)

Here is The Original 7ven, formerly The Time with “Chili Sauce”.