Colors …
This is a Voyage into Sound
inst. of change (ELECTRIC GUITAR)
the players
INSTRUMENTS
hip.hop
The World Is A Ghetto Sophisticated In Black, Up In Harlem, A Renaissance …
70s —
1972 —
1975 — “Ohio/Machine Gun” (Harold Sargent)
Ohio Players
Skip McDonald “Stone Cold Ohio” (Dayton)
Funkadelic
James Brown
Maceo Parker
Prince
Miles Davis
Larry Graham
Chaka Khan
Mavis Staples
70s —
1973 — American Graffiti (Movie)
1974 — Watergate
1975 — Rocky Horror Picture Show
1976 — All The Presidents Men
1977 — “Deep Down In Florida” b/ Muddy Waters
1978 — FM (Movie) Animal House (Movie)
1979 — China Syndrome (No Nukes)
1980s —
1980 —
1981 — American Pop
1982 — ET
1974 — Watergate
1975 — Rocky Horror Picture Show
1976 — All The Presidents Men
1977 — “Deep Down In Florida” b/ Muddy Waters
1978 — FM (Movie) Animal House (Movie)
1979 — China Syndrome (No Nukes)
1980s —
1980 —
1981 — American Pop
1982 — ET
The Year of Living Dangerously, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, NYC: Barnard College dormitory, Columbia, No Nukes in Central Park, “Faggots Against Killing Men In War,”
Joan Baez, Gary
U.S. Bonds,
Jackson Browne,
Linda Ronstadt,
James Taylor,
Bruce Springsteen,
Time magazine,
The Roxy,
Working Girl,
Reggie Jackson #44,
Angel in the Yankee Stadium Right Field
Late afternoon stroll
Harlem, Sunday in the park,
Ken Regan,
Over 40 Allstars (Pete Rose/Carl Yaz),
Brussel Sprouts with Howard Cosell,
Iran v Iraq,
Holding the Concord in Paris,
Watching TV (3) with Arnold,
Matthew Nathons,
Eddie Adams,
Ghandi Premier,
Helen Gurley Brown, Miss Saigon,
After Hours in SoHo,
Steve Khan, Seventh Avenue South,
Animation, Jon Anderson and David Sancious at the Roseland Ballroom,
King Crimson, Jean-Luc Ponty, and loose joints on the pier,
Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow) at Madison Square Gardens.
1973 —
1974 —
1975 —
1976 —
1977 — Saturday Night Fever (New York City) Bee Gees (Miami), Funkadelic The Mothership Connection
1978 — Rick James (Bitch) v. Ron Carter (Distinguished Gentleman)
1979 — Iranian Hostage Crisis (11/4/79) Jimmy Carter, (Muslim) Students of Another Colour, Hip Hop Happens
“Sugar Hill Medley”
Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section
Rapper’s Delight / The Message / White Lines
1980 —
((( jam )))
The Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section
1976 — Wood Brass & Steel
Wood Brass & Steel is described online as a long-lost, mid-70s “disco group.” Disco group? What is a Disco group? What is Disco? Like any attempt to place a band in one specific box, calling Wood Brass & Steel a “Disco” band misrepresents the reality of any band, and especially a band filled with so many influential players.
It Started in Connecticut
Harold Sargent — As one of the the drummers on the debut album by funk group the Skull Snaps, his intro beat to the 1973 song “It’s a New Day” would become one of the most sampled in hip-hop. Later, Sargent would actively cede his spot in the highly regarded group Wood, Brass & Steel, which also featured guitarist Skip McDonald and bassist Doug Wimbish, to Keith LeBlanc, essentially solidifying the lineup of the famous Sugarhill Records rhythm section.
Skip “Little Axe” McDonald
Dayton, Ohio
The Entertainers
Ohio Players
Funkadelic
Bootsy Collins (bass guitar)
Jackie McLean
Saxophone w/ Miles Davis
The Artists Collective
West Hartford, Connecticut
Across The George Washington Bridge.
McLean was born in New York City. His father, John Sr., played guitar in Tiny Bradshaw‘s orchestra. After his father’s death in 1939, Jackie’s musical education was continued by his godfather, his record-store-owning stepfather, and several noted teachers. He also received informal tutoring from neighbors Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Charlie Parker. During high school McLean played in a band with Kenny Drew, Sonny Rollins, and Andy Kirk, Jr. (the saxophonist son of Andy Kirk).
Along with Rollins, McLean played on Miles Davis‘ Dig album, when he was 20 years old. As a young man he also recorded with Gene Ammons, Charles Mingus, George Wallington, and as a member of Art Blakey‘s Jazz Messengers. McLean joined Blakey after reportedly being punched by Mingus. Fearing for his life, McLean pulled out a knife and contemplated using it against Mingus in self-defense, but later stated that he was grateful that he had not stabbed the bassist.
McLean recorded with dozens of musicians and had a gift for spotting talent. Saxophonist Tina Brooks, trumpeter Charles Tolliver, pianist Larry Willis, trumpeter Bill Hardman, and tubist Ray Draper were among those who benefited from McLean’s support in the 1950s and 1960s. Drummers such as Tony Williams, Jack DeJohnette, Lenny White, Michael Carvin, and Carl Allen gained important early experience with McLean.
Jackie McLean’s Artists Collective (Hartford, Connecticut)
1976 — Who You Callin’ Disco?
WKRP (In Cincinatti)
The Love Boat (TV)
Rose Royce
Musique (1977)
1977 — Parliament-Funkadelic
Live P-Funk Earth Tour
Mothership Connection
Saturday Night Fever
Bee Gees (Miami / Criteria / Tom Dowd)
1978 — Definition of Dance
Studio 54
Chic (Nile Rodgers)
Rick James, “Bitch” (Dave Chappelle)
vs. Ron Carter, “Distinguished Gentleman”
Larry Coryell and Alphonse Mouzon Back Together Again
1979 — Iranian Hostage Crisis (11/4/79) Jimmy Carter, (Muslim) Students of Another Colour, Hip Hop Happens
80s —
The Roxy
Paradise Garage
Larry Levan
The Loft
David Mancuso
Little Annie — “Strange Love”
Songs From The Coal Mine Canary
2006 —
((( Yonkers Chanteuse )))
Max’s Kansas City — The nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South in New York City, became a popular gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists (including Jean Michel Basquiat and Madonna) and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s. It was opened by Mickey Ruskin in December 1965 and closed in 1981.
1979 — Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section
Rapper’s Delight (In The Beginning)
Joe & Sylvia Robinson
The World’s Finest.”
— The New York Times description of the Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section in 1980.
Jean Michel Basquiat
Jean Michel Basquiat
Andy Warhol
Max’s Kansas City
Madonna
Little Annie
Frank Zappa
Blondie
Fab 5 Freddie
Andy Warhol
Max’s Kansas City
Madonna
Little Annie
Frank Zappa
Blondie
Fab 5 Freddie
The Sugar Hill House Band is the World’s finest rhythm section.”
— New York Times
Skip McDonald (Guitar)
LITTLE AXE — The Entertainers (Doo Wop), Wood Brass & Steel, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), ON-U Sound, TACK>>HEAD, African Head Charge, Mark Stewart, Style Scott, Real World Records, Daby Touré .
LITTLE AXE — The Entertainers (Doo Wop), Wood Brass & Steel, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), ON-U Sound, TACK>>HEAD, African Head Charge, Mark Stewart, Style Scott, Real World Records, Daby Touré .
“The first show at Harlem World. That was deep.”
Doug Wimbish (Bass)
LIVING COLOUR — Wood Brass & Steel, Rose Royce, Musique, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), Afrika Bambaataa, James Brown, Jan Hammer, Miami Vice, Artists United Against Apartheid, TACK>>HEAD, ON-U Sound, Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Annie Lennox, Seal, Depeche Mode, Michael Hutchence, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Lauryn Hill, Tarja Turunen.
LIVING COLOUR — Wood Brass & Steel, Rose Royce, Musique, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), Afrika Bambaataa, James Brown, Jan Hammer, Miami Vice, Artists United Against Apartheid, TACK>>HEAD, ON-U Sound, Mick Jagger, Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani, Annie Lennox, Seal, Depeche Mode, Michael Hutchence, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Lauryn Hill, Tarja Turunen.
Keith Leblanc (Drums)
TACK>>HEAD — Wood Brass & Steel, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), ON-U Sound, The Cure, Stone Roses, Bomb The Bass, Sussan Deyhim, Jello Biafra.
TACK>>HEAD — Wood Brass & Steel, Sugar Hill Records (House Band), ON-U Sound, The Cure, Stone Roses, Bomb The Bass, Sussan Deyhim, Jello Biafra.
1980 —
1982 —Vinx w/The Police
Rainy Night In Santa Monica. Sting, to get out of the rain, walks into a club. Vinx is onstage. At the first break, Sting approaches Vinx, and invites him to join the Police on their first World Tour. Also: CHOPS HORNS (SUGAR HILL RECORDS)
Rainy Night In Santa Monica. Sting, to get out of the rain, walks into a club. Vinx is onstage. At the first break, Sting approaches Vinx, and invites him to join the Police on their first World Tour. Also: CHOPS HORNS (SUGAR HILL RECORDS)
1983—“The Message” (video)
Melle Mel (NOT) Grandmaster Flash
A song by The Furious Five, not Grandmaster Flash as usually credited. It was released as a single by Sugar Hill Records on July 1, 1982, and was later featured on the group’s first studio album, The Message.
— An early (first) prominent hip hop song to provide a social commentary. The song’s lyrics describe the stress of inner-city poverty. In the final verses it is described how a child born in the ghetto without perspective in life is lured away into crime, for which he is jailed until he commits suicide in his cell. The song ends with a brief skit in which the band members are arrested for no clear reason
Melle Mel (NOT) Grandmaster Flash
A song by The Furious Five, not Grandmaster Flash as usually credited. It was released as a single by Sugar Hill Records on July 1, 1982, and was later featured on the group’s first studio album, The Message.
— An early (first) prominent hip hop song to provide a social commentary. The song’s lyrics describe the stress of inner-city poverty. In the final verses it is described how a child born in the ghetto without perspective in life is lured away into crime, for which he is jailed until he commits suicide in his cell. The song ends with a brief skit in which the band members are arrested for no clear reason
1983— “White Lines“ (video)
Melle Mel and The Furious Five
“White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It)” is a rap delivered by Melle Mel, a 12″ single released by Sugar Hill Records in 1983. The song, which warns against the dangers of cocaine, addiction, and drug dealing, is one of Melle Mel’s signature tracks. The bassline is Sugar Hill bassist Doug Wimbish covering “Cavern,” a single by New York City band Liquid Liquid.
Melle Mel and The Furious Five
“White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It)” is a rap delivered by Melle Mel, a 12″ single released by Sugar Hill Records in 1983. The song, which warns against the dangers of cocaine, addiction, and drug dealing, is one of Melle Mel’s signature tracks. The bassline is Sugar Hill bassist Doug Wimbish covering “Cavern,” a single by New York City band Liquid Liquid.
Spike Lee’s Mistaken Rejection
Joe and Sylvia Robinson rejected a “White Lines” video made by Spike Lee, a New York University film student at the time. The video also featured a young, unknown actor named Laurence Fishburne. unofficial music video was directed by then New York University film student Spike Lee and starred actor Laurence Fishburne.
1983 — Flashdance (Movie) Under Fire (Movie)
1984 — “No Sell Out” (Malcolm X), Keith LeBlanc (w/Betty Shabazz) vs. The Robinsons. The End for Sugar Hill.
1985 — Live Aid, We Are The World, Artists United Against Apartheid
1986 — Jeff Beck, Jan Hammer, Steve Lukather, Doug Wimbish, Simon Phillips, Carlos Santana, Alphonso Johnson, Major Malfunction, Keith LeBlanc
1987 — Living Colour, Vivid
1988 — Mick Jagger, Bernard Fowler, Joe Satriani, Doug Wimbish, Simon Phillips
1989 — Steel Wheels, Living Colour (International Rock Awards), TACK>>HEAD, Friendly As A Hand Grenade
Orange Blossom Specatcle
Living Colour
Rolling Stones — Steel Wheels North American Tour 1989
((( corporate rock )))
YouTube
Kick Ass Rock N Roll
in Little Havana
Nov.16, 1989 — We were happy to have second row center seats in the Orange Bowl to see The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels Tour. We parked on a small street in Little Havana, just three blocks away from the stadium. As we approached the stadium, we paused to say we’d meet back at the inflated “Bud” can near the entrance. The commercial and corporate feel was the first noticeable change in the “feeling” of such a show. We had seen our fair share of big shows, driving around Florida for most of the 1970s stadium acts: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Peter Frampton, David Bowie, Jethro Tull, Queen … But we had never seen anyone passed out under a “Visa” banner. $25 T-Shirts replaced by $500 leather jackets. Hard-cover, posters and programs, yes, but also hard-cover, coffee table books. Entering the stadium, and looking down toward the mammoth stage in the opposite end zone, Living Colour near the end of “Cult of Personality,” and the end of their opening set.
Wish it were Pink Floyd … Chuck Leavell, a pleasant surprise. The Rolling Stones Musical Director, and took his share of improvisational, solo time. …
“That’s Alice to You.” — Alicia, woman at Enriqueta’s coffee window, 36th Street and 2nd Avenue, (Little Haiti / Design District) Miami, Florida.
“(Miami) Vice”
Melle Mel
Miami Vice Soundtrack b/ Jan Hammer
1984 — w/ The Original Sugar Hill Rhythm Section
((( song)))
— YouTube
Kick Ass Rock N Roll
@ The Orange Bowl (Little Havana) Miami, Florida
Nov.16, 1989— Parked on the street in Little Havana. Two second row tickets for the Rolling Stones in the Orange Bowl, where the Miami Dolphins and the University of Miami Hurricanes play. Meet at the inflated “Bud” can. Passed out under the Visa banner. $300 Leather Jackets, rather than T-Shirts. Coffee-table, hard-cover, photography books, rather than a paper poster or ad-filled program. Entering the stadium, and looking down toward the mammoth stage in the opposite end zone, we saw Living Colour in the middle of “Cult of Personality,” the last tune in their set. Chuck Leavell, wish it was Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Yes, but it was Chuck taking a solo in …
“That’s Alice to You.” — Alicia, woman at Enriqueta’s coffee window, 36th Street and 2nd Avenue, (Little Haiti / Design District) Miami, Florida.
1990 — Time’s Up, Strange Things
1991 — Living Colour Lollapalooza (Inaugural) Jane’s Addiction
1992 — Annie Lennox Diva
1993 — Stain, Bridges To Babylon, Erotica
1994 — Carly Simon, Grand Central Station, Letters Never Sent, Little Axe
1995 — Annie Lennox Medusa
1996 — Vernon Reid Mistaken Identity
1997 —
1998 —
1999 — Prince (it’s his party and he’ll jam if he wants to.)
2000 — Y2K Herb Alpert Colors, Will Calhoun, Doug Wimbish (Head>>Fake) Trippy Notes For Bass (Trip-Hop)
2001 — (9-11) The Day The Earth Stood Still
2002 —
2003 — CollideOscope, In The Area Of Prague
2004 — Tack>>Head ReUnion