Sometimes the plight of the vinyl junky searching for that next hit of adrenaline with finding a new tune can be a very dangerous place. I’ll tell you that I very nearly didn’t escape with my life and didn’t emerge as the innocent young man I was!!
My girlfriend was at college in Eltham London in 95. On visiting for a week, to keep me entertained whilst she studied, I would ride around the area on an old clapped out bicycle visiting secondhand stores and charity shops. Spreading out between Greenwich, Lewisham, Lee and Blackheath. It was a beautiful summer and such a wonderful week doing what I so loved to do, record buying.
Well I stumbled upon this little charity shop down a side street somewhere along the route, parked up my bike excited to search my next shop. “We just about to shut” said one of the elderly ladies behind the counter and I replied “I’ll be quick” and quickly headed for the box of old records on the floor. Quickly flicking through the usual rubbish, Val Doonican, Mrs Mills etc.
I then hear the door lock and a shuffle of feet behind me. Turning round I can only discribe the scene as The Dirty Old Ladies from the Harry Enfield sketch show. It went all innuendo then, with the “Oh Young Man” and being told “You look just like a young Donald Sutherland”!!.
Surrounded by these old giggling cheeky ladies I had to summons the courage to get back to the records. Quick as a flash I was back in and as a reward I saw, as I flew through the vinyl like lightning one stood out. Well that record was Funky Team – Disco Groovin. I’ll gamble that I said to myself and didn’t even look at the back cover. My mission now was to pay the 50p and get past the zombies with leaching hands and filthy minds.
I’m sure most of it was in my imagination but it made for a good memory to buying this great little record. The memory to buying music is very important part of the whole buying and listening experience. And as I am here now telling the tell you will know that I did escape with my life and pleased to say my dignity intact too.
It turned out this bunch of “cool cats” the Funky Team were a Jazz Funk Soul group out of Sweden. Recorded in 1978 and featuring some fine pieces of funky soul. Has a “Brit Jazz” feel to it and would sit nicely next to your Hi-Tension lp’s etc. It’s About Time is the essential jam I would say. It has a real great feel to it. But other joys can be found in Why and Need Your Love. There’s an intriguing tune called Crime which keeps changing the groove and tempo with interesting points. Plus Mardi Gras is a fun recording going in and out of fast paced samba to a chilled back sound. I also have a soft spot for She’s A Woman but it has the most cheesiest lyrics. It’s not that great to be fair but I like it. Check down the page as I have uploaded a few of the tunes to my channel on youtube
There was a enclosed postcard of the band inside the cover which was a nice novelty. Seems to be signed by someone called Clay Bairter? Can’t work out the surname.
To be honest I don’t know anything about them and whether this is their only recording. Please enlighten me if you do have knowledge. Thanks
What I do know is the label Sonet is a Swedish label and was set up in the 50’s specialising in Jazz music. Mainly centering on home grown musicians in the early days but started putting out American Jazz imports in the 60’s. As time went on with different labels being brought out and in, the music genres changed as well.
I think I have maybe one other Sonet record in my collection, they haven’t really crossed my path. The Sonet label design for the Funky Team record is quite a change from the original and with a Pyramid and colourful symbols it maybe that they were trying to hit a different market. Nice little article from 45 Cat on the label HERE
Spent the day listening back through Lonnie Liston Smith‘s Doctor Jazz recordings in the 80’s and wondered to myself if maybe his 1980’s jazz output might get a little over looked. Maybe I’m totally wrong thinking this? What I do know is that, yes they aren’t up there with his classic works with the Cosmic Echoes, like Astral Traveling, Expansions, Visions Of A New World etc. But one of the big things these recordings do offer is another chance to get more of Lonnie’s beautiful, captivating and enchanting music in your life and cheap as chips too. Discogs good place to start.
Plus as another bonus if you needed it, he has his brother Donald back for more sweet sweet beautiful vocals. Wow does that guy have the most amazing voice.
Three years after the superb 1980’s, final recording for Columbia, album Love Is The Answer he had a little break. After turning out an incredible one or two recordings a year filled with his fine trademark transcending music. So it was a good time in 1983 when Bob Thiele’s new label, Doctor Jazz got him signed up and back into the recording studio with Dreams Of Tomorrow being produced by Marcus Miller. It was the start of four lps recorded on that label on an annual basis. Nice article from Blues and Soul Magazine at the bottom of this post on the release the LP. Worth a read.
Dreams of Tomorrow – 1983 Tracklist
A Lonely Way To Be
Mystic Woman
The Love I See In Your Eyes.
Dreams of Tomorrow
Never Too Late
Rainbows Of Love
Divine Light
A Garden Of Peace
Silhouettes – 1984 Tracklist
Warm
If You Take Care Of Me
Silhouettes
Summer Afternoon
Enlightenment
City Of Lights
Once Again Love
Rejuvenation – 1985 Tracklist
Rejuvenation
Island In The Sun
London Interlude
The Eternal Quest (In Search Of Truth)
A Frozen Lake
Girl In My Dreams
Make Someone Happy – 1986
I don’t own or know this recording. Please let me know what you think of it. I believe it is more of a traditional jazz affair and not his signature Cosmic style. I’m very interested to know what’s it is like. Sure it is mighty fine.
Had the chance to see Lonnie play at the Jazz Cafe in Camden London on my birthday in the early 90’s and it was a magical experience. Wonderful to see him playing songs that where so deep in my heart. Just stood there nodding to the music with tears welling up in my eyes. Such a beautiful and special night.
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Article from Blues and Soul magazine issue 380 in my music mag collection. Seemed apt to add to this post.
ESCAPE FROM LIMBO
It’s been almost three years since Lonnie Liston Smith came across with a new product. But with this new “Dreams Of Tomorrow” set he’s escaped from that state of limbo with a vengeance!
As the album cover perfectly says, ”Lonnie Liston Smith’s arrival on Doctor Jazz Records marks a significant turning point in a successful career that had seemed for a while to be in
limbo”. However, ”Dreams Of Tomorrow” has brought that limbo to a halt with a vengeance because it is already picking up impetus all over the world and looks like emerging not only as one of Lonnie’s best albums but also most successful.
The ‘limbo’ itself probably refers to the fact that it’s been almost three years since we had new product from the keyboard maestro. During that time, he left Columbia/CBS Records and decided to stay on the bench for a while. This new album reflects the changes that have taken part in Lonnie’s life during that sojourn.
It does have a little different feel to it,” the genial gent agrees. I’ve been in the midst of a lot of changes during the last three years and perhaps the album reflects those changes.
“You see, I was brought up in a musical family and I always felt that music was a thing of art and beauty. However, I learnt the hard way that it’s a business! It is an industry and I have had to learn all about the demographics that go towards making a successful record. My goal now is to be objective about what I’m doing and yet still retain my artistic integrity”.
“I think l fell short on both counts for a while but I feel that I am now just beginning to find myself again. In fact, I am getting the same vibrations about this album that I got back on the Expansions’ album.”
There are three very definite influences on Lonnie’s music (and life) right now and all played a tremendous part in the making of “Dreams Of Tomorrow”. Perhaps the greatest influence was that of Sri Chinmoy, the Guru, because he affected not only Lonnie’s music but also Lonnie himself.
“As you know, I have always leaned towards metaphysical things but I never realised until I met Sri Chinmoy and became a disciple that you need a teacher. It simply never dawned on me! I have also become a vegetarian and I feel a lot better for that, too. You know, when you think of my career, I’ve been around the proverbial world once and I’ve learned a lot. Maybe it’s more significant to say that I’ve learned I what not to do next time around! As I said earlier, I’ve got the same beautiful feeling that I had on ‘Expansions’ so I feel that I do have the chance to do it all over again.”
Perhaps the greatest musical influence on the album is that of Lonnie’s co-producer, Marcus Miller. It’s worth noting that the bass playing genius was given his first writing break by Lonnie and he now gets his first opportunity to produce, thanks to Mr Smith.
“I guess you could say that I kind of discovered him,” Lonnie almost shyly relates. “He was just seventeen at the time but I’ll tell you the thing that has always impressed me with Marcus – he has never forgotten! I’ve worked I with a lot of people at the beginning of their careers but believe me, most of ’em forget it real quick!
“When we started this project, I told Marcus that I was always going to be the one to give him his firsts and asked him how he’d like to be a big time producer now! We laughed!
“Anyway, Marcus had a lot of input into the album. He recommended most of the musicians and his choice was faultless. The two drummers that we used – Yogi Horton and Buddy Williams – were two guys who I had never worked with before. In fact, I’d never met either of them before but when Marcus got together with them and started playing my tunes, it was as if they had written them and not me!
“There was so much love between them and they were so much in tune with each other. In fact, the engineers even said that they’d never seen anything like it. Everything just seemed to blend and it’s reflected in the music.”
What was it that Lonnie saw in the youthful Marcus Miller all those years back that told him here was a star musician in the making?
“Well, Stanley Clarke was the first bass player I had in the Cosmic Echoes and I could see the similarities between them. They were both young, they both sang and played and they each had their own individual and distinctive style. You know, I hear a lot of young musicians and I feel I’m a pretty fair judge of talent. I think I can feel a star in the making. Or, more important perhaps, an innovator. And that’s what Marcus is.
“lt’s easy to put together a band made up of all-stars. The hard part is working with young, untried talent and making that work and that’s what I enjoy doing.”
The third major figure within the ”Dreams Of Tomorrow” project has to be Bob Thiele, President of Doctor Jazz Records and the man who actually brought Lonnie out of the shadows at the very beginning of his recording career.
“He’s a man who I can relate to – it’s that simple,” Lonnie responds. “We go back a lot of years – right back to when I was with Pharoah Sanders. Then when l was with Gato (Barbieri) and Miles (Davis), we still stayed in touch and then one day Bob just called me and said he thought it was time to do my first solo album.
“We did pretty good with ‘Astral Feeling’ and ‘Cosmic Funk’ and then when he transferred over to RCA, we did ‘Expansions’, of course. He is a man who really respects artists for what they are and that is rare in the music business.”
“One of the interesting asides to “Dreams Of Tomorrow” is that Lonnie once again has brought in his brother, Donald Smith, to handle lead vocals. What has always intrigued me is that as successful as Donald is when he records with Lonnie, he may not be as impressive under different circumstances and maybe that’s why he has never really pursued a solo vocal career of his own.
“You know, that’s something I’ve never really thought about,” Lonnie smiles. “We just seem to work together so automatically I that it’s never crossed my mind. Put Donald into another situation and I really don’t know what would happen. Hmmm, that’s interesting!
“One thing that I do know is that when we get together, there’s a magic and a compatibility and that’s what’s important to me at that time.”
Born in Richmond. Va. back on December 28, 1940, Lonnie started out playing trumpet in a local high school band and sang bass and baritone parts in local choirs. At Morgan State College, he played tuba and piano.
In 1961, he graduated with a BS in Music and hit the road with the likes of Ethel Ennis and Betty Carter and hooked up with Rahsaan Roland Kirk for a while. The late 60’s were spent with Art Blakey, Joe Williams and Pharoah Sanders before he spent three years with Gato Barbieri.
In 1974, Lonnie worked with Miles Davis for a year and a half and recorded on his ”Big Fun” and “On The Corner” albums. It was shortly after than that he formed the Cosmic Echoes and he’s been on his own figuratively speaking ever since.
Now it seems like time for the Cosmic Echoes to hit the trail once again. “I can feel crossover on this one,” he enthusiastically says. “So, we’re gearing up towards a major kind of tour.
And I’m thankful for the opportunity again.
“However, the two things that I have really learned are that you have to fight for whatever you want in this life. And the other thing is that I won’t let the industry and show business thing
destroy my God-given talent.”
In the case of the affable Lonnie Liston Smith, it looks as if his ‘dreams of tomorrow’ are about to attain fruition.
(JA) Blues and Soul Magazine issue 380
I see that there’s a new film by artist and film maker Jeanie Finlay who made the impressive personal documentary on the last standing record shop in Teesside Sound It Out. Still staying with music but taking a path into Hip Hop this film takes on the tale of two white rappers from Californian called Silibil n’ Brains. From the title The Great Hip Hop Hoax you can tell that all is not right with this premise with the hoax being these would be rappers are in fact from Scotland. From the trailer it looks to have quite comic moments but could have a deep turn as the hoax works it way through the deception and lies. Going on her last film and being a big fan of documentary filmmaking I’m very much looking to seeing this and being a co production for BBC Storyville, hopefully it won’t be long till it’s on the box. Sounds like it got released on the 6th of September this year, probably on a limited cinema run. Let me know if you’ve been lucky enough to find a showing in your town.
Storyline written by Glimmer Films
Californian hip-hop duo Silibil n’ Brains were going to be massive. No one knew the pair were really Scottish, with fake American accents and made up identities. When their promising Scottish rap act was branded “the rapping Proclaimers” by scornful A&Rs, friends Billy and Gavin reinvented themselves as LA homeboys. The real deal. The lie was their golden ticket to a dream life. With confessions from the scammers, insight from the music execs they duped and doodle reconstructions, the film charts the roller coaster story of the highs of the scam and the lows of madness and the personal toll the deception took. A film about truth, lies and the legacy of faking everything in the desperate pursuit of fame.
Jeanie Finlay has a wonderful wordpress site HERE
Plus there is a great interview with her on The Quietus which takes in the film plus some of her choice films being shown at a her local cinema in Nottingham.
I wish Jeanie all the best with this and her future projects.
Being a regular listener to stand-up comedian Marc Maron‘s interview podcast show WTF I was very excited to see the new edition was about American Jazz pianist, vocalist, songwriter and general all round nice guy Ben Sidran. He’s been an artist I’ve had a lot of love for over the years, with many of his tunes dotted about on my music mixes. Chances Are, It Don’t Pay To Worry Like That, About Love and Hey Hey Baby just being a few favourites.
Marc and Ben talk about his start into jazz music, artists he has looked up too, to having the pleasure to jam with. A lovely story about his dream of working with Blue Mitchell through to stories about Miles Davis, Charlie Watts, his friends Boz Scaggs and Steve Miller, to hearing John Coltrane play. He explains his exploration journey through jazz, his new work and his Jewish roots which takes in a pretty deep and spiritual way to end this great podcast.
LINK TO INTERVIEW HERE
I should say if you are a novice to Marc Maron WTF podcast it might be worth noting and taking caution that there are a few F-Bombs and an advert of a sexual nature. His interviews are mostly based around comedians so as a warning I would suggest jumping straight into the interview which starts at 13.35 if you think you might be offended.
Enjoy
Ben Sidran website HERE
Just noticed on his site whilst doing this that he has a couple of conversions with his son Leo on the music scene from the 70’s to the art of record production. With samples of Ben’s music filled in throughout. I need to get to listen to these soon. Here’s EPISODE ONE and EPISODE TWO.
Marc Maron website HERE
Very recommended interviews from Marc ranging from comic’s, actors and musicians to total legends.
About Love (from the 1971 album Feel Your Groove on Capitol Records)
Mad Mongos Music 