Tag: music

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 6, 1971 – “The Stylistics”, the debut album by The Stylistics is released. Produced by Thom Bell, Marty Bryant and Bill Perry, it is recorded at Sigma Sound Studios and Regent Sound Studios in Philadelphia, PA from Mid 1970, Early – Mid 1971. After being signed to producer/songwriters Hugo & Luigi’s Avco Records on the strength of their debut single “You’re A Big Girl Now” (#7 R&B, #73 Pop) and release the follow up “Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart)” (#6 R&B, #39 Pop) in May of 1971. The Stylistics go to work with producer, songwriter and arranger Thom Bell on their debut album. Utilizing the great musicianship of Sigma Sound’s crack studio band MFSB and string section led by Don Renaldo, the album is recorded during the Spring, Summer and early Fall of 1971. Led by the instant classic “You Are Everything” (#10 R&B, #9 Pop), the album quickly spins off two more singles including “Betcha By Golly Wow” (#2 R&B, #3 Pop), and “People Make The World Go Round” (#6 R&B, #25 Pop). With lead vocalist Russell Thompkins, Jr.’s distinctive high tenor falsetto voice featured front and center, it is regarded as one of the greatest “Philly Soul” albums ever made, putting The Stylistics firmly on the map as one of the top R&B vocal groups of the 70’s. In Australia, the album is re-titled “You Are Everything”, after the hit single of the same name. Strangely, the artwork for that release replaces the original cover photo of Stylistics lying in a field of tall grass, with a young white couple. After going out of print following the demise of Avco Records, the album is finally reissued on CD by Victor Records in Japan in 1991, and is remastered and reissued by Amherst Records in 1994. The 1994 reissue features an extensive essay about the group and the album, written by music historian A. Scott Galloway. “The Stylistics” peaks at number three on the Billboard R&B album chart, number twenty three on the Top 200, and is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 4, 1984 – Prince & The Revolution kick off the “Purple Rain Tour” at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, MI, playing the first of seven sold out nights at the venue. Supported on the tour by opening acts Sheila E. and Apollonia 6, the tour is a massive success and plays thirty three cities, performing a total of eighty seven shows to a combined audience of over 1.7 million people. Though the set list for the show remains largely consistent throughout the tour, Prince also debuts new songs during the shows such as “Raspberry Beret”, “America” (from the forthcoming “Around The World In A Day”), and “4 The Tears In Your Eyes” (released on the “We Are The World” benefit album in April 1985). The March 30, 1985 show at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY is videotaped and released on home video as “Prince & The Revolution Live!” (nominated for a Grammy for Best Longform Video) later in the year. The tour concludes on April 7, 1985 at the Orange Bowl (re-dubbed “The Purple Bowl” for that night’s performance) in Miami, FL.

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 3, 1987 – “Push It” by Salt-N-Pepa is released. Written and produced by Hurby Azor, it is the fourth single (fifth overall) for the Hip Hop/Rap trio from Queens, NY. In mid 1985, Cheryl James and Sandra Denton meet while attending Queensborough Community College. The pair also work at Sears along with another mutual friend named Hurby Azor. He asks the pair if they can rap on a project he is doing for an audio production course he’s taking. James and Denton agree, recording an response to Doug E. Fresh’s “The Show”. Dubbing the duo Super Nature, the song titled “The Show Stoppa (Is Stupid Fresh)” (#46 R&B) soon makes its way on the radio in New York City. The response is so strong that it’s released by Philly based Pop Art Records. Cheryl and Sandra are then signed to fledgling New York based dance and rap label Next Plateau Records. With this, the group change their name, and they become Salt (James) -N- Pepa (Denton), also adding Latoya Hansen (“Spinderella”) as their DJ. The trio stand out immediately, and don’t take long to make an impact. The singles “My Mic Sounds Nice” and “I’ll Take Your Man” perform well enough to warrant a full album. Before that happens, Hansen leaves and is replaced by Deidra “DeDe” Roper who becomes the new Spinderella. One of the tracks recorded for their debut album “Hot, Cool & Vicious” is a rap cover of Otis Redding and Carla Thomas’ soul classic “Tramp”. Needing a “throw away” B-side, they quickly record the up tempo track “Push It”. Initially released in March of 1987, “Tramp” becomes a sizable R&B hit, peaking at #21, but at first most pay little attention to the B-side. By Summer, “Push It” begins getting play in clubs, but doesn’t truly go overground until fate intervenes. In San Francisco, CA, a club DJ named Cameron Paul begins spinning it during his weekly gig at City Nights, and on his mix show on urban crossover power house KMEL. Paul decides to create his own remix, adding keyboards, another drum track and edits. Already gaining popularity on the station in its original mix, “Push It” explodes on local Bay Area radio with Paul’s remix. It is first issued by the DJ subscription service Mixx-It Records, Next Plateau then buys the rights to Cameron Paul’s remix, adding it to the album and releasing it as a single. “Push It” becomes a radio smash, peaking at #19 on the Hot 100 and #28 on the R&B chart. It propels “Hot, Cool & Vicious” past the Platinum mark in the US, and Salt-N-Pepa make further history when they are among the first group of artists nominated for the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989. “Push It” is later parodied on the comedy series “In Living Color” in a sketch called “Cookin’ With Salt-N-Pepa”, and is used to great comic effect when Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella appear in a commercial for Geico Insurance in 2014. “Push It” is certified Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 3, 1992 – “Love Deluxe”, the fourth album by Sade is released (UK release date is on October 26, 1992). Produced by Sade and Mike Pela, it is recorded at Studio Condulmer in Venice, Italy, Ridge Farm Studios in Capel, Surrey, UK, The Hit Factory in London and Image Recording in Los Angeles, CA from May – August 1992. Returning from a more than three year long hiatus after the release of their previous album “Stronger Than Pride”, Sade begin work on their fourth release in the Spring of 1992. Working on a very tight timeline, the band write and record the album in a relatively brief and intense four months. Most of “Love Deluxe” is recorded in Venice during the Spring and Summer, moving to London and Surrey, with the final recording taking place in Los Angeles. During the sessions, Sade herself often writes her lyrics while listening to the already completed tracks, then recording vocals singing into a Shure SM 57 microphone in either a vocal booth in the studio control room. Lyrically many of the songs focus on themes of “unreciprocated love”, with the intensely private singer giving listeners a glimpse into her tumultuous marriage to Spanish film director Carlos Pliego. Along with meditations on relationships (or the lack thereof), one of the emotional centerpieces of “Love Deluxe” is the powerful ballad “Pearls”. The songs’ narrative follows the struggle of a Somalian woman foraging for food by the road side to feed her daughter, and rejoicing at the few meager grains she scrapes from the dirt. The song is later given a deep house remix, which is rejected by the band for commercial release. However, the remix slips out as a bootleg and becomes a big underground club hit. Led by the mesmerizing first single “No Ordinary Love” (#28 Pop, #9 R&B, #14 AC), it wins Sade their second Grammy Award in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal, and is also prominently featured in the film “Indecent Proposal”. The elegant and understated cover art work features a striking sepia toned photo of Sade covered in bronze body paint, taken by famed fashion photographer Albert Watson. The album spins off three other singles including “Kiss Of Life” (#78 Pop, #10 R&B, #20 AC), “Cherish The Day” (#116 Pop, #45 R&B) and “Feel The Pain” (#59 R&B). The album is remastered and reissued on CD in 2000, and is reissued on vinyl by Music On Vinyl in 2010. “Love Deluxe” peaks at number three on the Billboard Top 200, number two on the R&B album chart, and is certified 4x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

(Source: https://www.youtube.com/)

behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 3, 1984 – “I Feel For You” by Chaka Khan hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 3 weeks, also peaking at #3 on the Hot 100 on November 24, 1984. Written by Prince, it is the third solo chart topper and biggest hit for the legendary R&B vocalist. Originally recorded by Prince in 1979, it is the first single from Khan’s fifth album. Producer Arif Mardin uses musicians such as Reggie Griffin (bass) David Frank of The System (keyboards and guitar), Stevie Wonder (harmonica), and Grandmaster Melle Mel (rap) on the track. The stuttering intro heard on the front of the record was initially a mistake, when the producer is “flying in” Melle Mel’s sampled vocals on to the beginning of the multi-track master tape. When he accidentally hits repeat on the digital sampler, the songs trademark “Chaka–Chaka–Chaka–Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan. Chaka Khan” comes out of the studio monitors. Mardin likes it so much, that he’ll leave it as it is. Khan initially is not fond of the rap on the intro, being embarrassed by hearing her own name repeated throughout. Mardin reassures her that it is a key element of the song (telling Chaka, “don’t worry my dear, it will be a hit.”), and it remains on the finished track. Prince himself was supposed to play on the record but scheduling conflicts prevent him from participating in the sessions. At the time of its release, the song is one of the most expensive singles ever recorded, due to the complexity of the production, and time spent in the studio working on the basic track. The Hip Hop flavored music video featuring dancers Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quinones and Michael “Boogaloo Shrimp” Chambers (“Breakin’) also play an important role in the records’ huge success. Chaka Khan’s version of “I Feel For You” wins two Grammy Awards including Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, and Best R&B Song in 1985. “I Feel For You” is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 2, 1990 – The film “Graffiti Bridge” is released in US theaters. Written, directed by and starring Prince, it is originally conceived as a vehicle for himself and then girlfriend actress Kim Basinger, but the pair split before going into production. The project is then re-written a film centering around The Time, who have reunited with original members Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Jesse Johnson and Monte Moir. Film distributor Warner Bros insists that it be a sequel to the 1984 blockbuster “Purple Rain”, with Prince as the star. The film also stars Ingrid Chavez, George Clinton, Tevin Campbell and Mavis Staples. The title is inspired by a now demolished bridge in the Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie, MN. Filmed on the soundstage of the Paisley Park Studios complex in Chanhassen, MN, the plot centers around Prince’s character “The Kid” as the owner of a night club called Glam Slam and Day as the co-owner that club and other night spots including Pandemonium, and the conflict and rivalry between them and their bands. Unlike its predecessor, “Bridge” is widely panned by most fans and critics and is a box office disaster, only grossing $4.6 million is US box office receipts. The film is nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards, and makes many worst film of the year lists in 1990. On the opposite end, Prince’s soundtrack and The Time’s album “Pandemonium” are far more successful, both reaching Gold status respectively. “Graffiti Bridge” is released initially on VHS and laserdisc in 1991, and later on DVD in 2005 by Warner Home Video. The film makes its debut on Blu-ray in 2016 as part of the “Prince – Movie Collection” set.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 1, 1980 – “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” by Stevie Wonder hits #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart for 7 weeks, also peaking at #5 on the Hot 100 on December 6, 1980. Written and produced by Stevie Wonder, it is the thirteenth R&B chart topper for the Motown superstar. Actually recorded during the sessions for his previous album “Journey Through The Secret Life Of Plants”, the song is included on the follow up release “Hotter Than July”, and is dedicated to Stevie’s friend reggae legend Bob Marley. Two had been planning to tour together when Marley falls ill with cancer in October of 1980. The track is cut at Wonder’s newly acquired Wonderland Studios in Los Angeles (formerly Crystal Studios) with his band that includes Nathan Watts (bass), Dennis Davis (drums), Ben Bridges and Rick Zunigar (guitars), Isaiah Sanders (organ), Earl DeRouen (percussion), Hank Redd (saxophone), Larry Gittens (trumpet), Angela Winbush, Shirley Brewer, Marva Holcolm, and Alexandra Brown Evans (background vocals). Released as the first single from “Hotter Than July” on September 12, 1980, it is an immediate smash, racing up the R&B and pop singles charts simultaneously. The chart success of “Master Blaster (Jammin’)” propels the “Hotter Than July” album to 2x Platinum status in the US.

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behindthegrooves:

On this day in music history: November 1, 1977 – “News Of The World”, the sixth studio album by Queen is released. Produced by Queen and Mike Stone, it is recorded at Sarm West Studios and Wessex Studios in London from July – September 1977. Following the world tour for “A Day At The Races”, Queen immediately begin writing and recording their next album. Going into the project, the band decide to scale back the complex and elaborate arrangements for a “rootsier” sound. As usual, all four members contribute to the writing of the new material. Taylor’s song “Sheer Heart Attack”, also the title of the band’s third album, is recorded three years later. The Deacon penned “Spread Your Wings” is the first time one of his songs is released as an A-side. Delivering a literal one two punch with the opening tracks “We Will Rock You” and “We Are The Champions” (#4 Pop), are paired as a double A-sided single. Running only five minutes, with just a two second gap between them, many radio stations play them together, though in many countries “Champions” is largely regarded as the dominant airplay side. The thunderous rhythm track for “We Will Rock You” is achieved by multi-tracking the band stomping their feet and clapping their hands in the stairwell of Wessex Studios, a 19th century Victorian church converted into a recording studio. May’s guitar solos at the songs conclusion are recorded on a separate tape, then looped and copied on to the master. “We Are The Champions” is written by Mercury in 1975, but had set it aside. Both become sporting event anthems, and are among Queen’s most popular and beloved songs. The cover artwork for “News” is painted by American artist Frank Kelly Freas, after Taylor sees the sci-fi magazine Astounding Science Fiction. The cover of the October 1953 issue features a painting of a giant robot holding a dead man’s body in its hand. Freas agrees to alter the painting to include the band. An alternate cover is also prepared and released in foreign territories when some feel the original artwork is too graphic. The cover is also the subject of a running joke on “Family Guy”, when Brian uses it to terrify Stewie. Remastered and reissued several times over the years, it is reissued as 180 gram vinyl LP in 2015, and as a SHM-CD in Japan in 2016. To commemorate its 40th anniversary in 2017, “News” is released as a three CD + DVD + vinyl LP" Super Deluxe" box set on November 17, 2017. Along side the 2011 CD remaster of original album, the second and third CD’s feature alternate takes, demos, rough mixes, instrumental versions and live recordings. The vinyl LP is a new remaster  cut from the original analog master tapes, and comes with a sixty page book. The DVD features a one hour long making of documentary. “News Of The World” peaks at number three on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 4x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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