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The post Funky Turns 50: Black Character Revolution 3D Exhibition first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Among the selections in black and white are the “Black Panther” soundtrack, YFN Lucci’s “Ray Ray from Summerhill,” Cardi B’s “Invasion of Privacy,” and the Black Eyed Peas’ “Masters of the Sun,” for hip-hop. Prince’s “Piano & a Microphone 1983” Jack White’s “Boarding House Reach” and the debut self-titled CD from UK girl group Dream Wife in ROCK! The Bad Plus’ “Never Stop II,” and Bettye Levette’s “Things Have Changed,” are quintessential releases for jazz. Lastly, but far from least is two-time Grammy nominee Bebe Rexha’s “Expectations,” that has hits the world’s of pop and country.

for the love of GOOD Music

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The post THE FUNKALICIOUS TOP-10 in B&W and Cover Works of Art first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

The post SOJA'S BEEN MAKING MUSIC FOR 20 YEARS first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

_{Lynne’s Wembley or Bust, is a tribute to the Electric Light Orchestra, encapsulated in a concert performance by the band. It’s a tribute, because of the exuberant display of fans, reacting to the music. The tribute is also in the film’s title, in that it’s a Must Do approach, to the event. Throughout the film, the viewer gets a behind the scenes look at Lynne’s dedication, to delivering the best ELO show he possibly can. We see him discuss technical aspects of the set, to the importance of, the band bonding before a set. After performing his hit “Xanadu,” from the movie of the same name, he reveals it’s his favorite among all the hits he’s written. Co-written by Olivia Newton-John, she also starred in the film, opposite Michael Beck and Gene Kelly. Some ELO’s hits include: “Mr. Blue Sky,” “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Strange Magic,” Evil Woman,” “Telephone Line,” “Turn to Stone” and “Livin’ Thing.” WATCH THE MOVIE HERE… https://sm01.app.box.com/s/cpzybsvuf4495lhxd3x61xchs077zxms}

_{The Jett and Presley films, give us all an in depth look at the makings of how these two icons, came to be. The best part about ‘Bad Reputation,’ is that Jett stars in it, and does the majority of the commentary. The film also includes segments from Blondie, Green Day, Miley Cyrus and Iggy Pop. ‘The Searcher’ is chock full of footage, facts and photos, that have never been revealed, through any other medium. Watch the movie here… https://www.badreputationfilm.com}

_{Both ‘Reputation’ and ‘Searcher,’ reveal dynamics of their childhoods, which shaped them. The grinding road that Jett and Presley traveled on then, is one that many artists touring today, could never imagine. A subtitle for both movies could be, ‘The Long and Grinding Road,’ as they talk about the best, worst and most challenging of times.}

_{Elvis’ ‘The Searcher,’ includes commentary from Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, David Porter, Cissy Houston, and Emmylou Harris, amidst a wealth of archive footage featuring Aretha Franklin, Chuck Berry, Chet Atkins, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Little Richard, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lee Lewis and of course “The King.” Executive producers, wife Priscilla Presley and longtime friend Jerry Schilling, also contribute some very personable views throughout the film. Watch ‘The Searcher’ here… https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/elvis-presley-the-searcher}

_{Another good one is “Avicii: True Stories” due later this year. An up-close and very personal look at the life and turbulent times of Tim Bergling, it presents the distinction between the man, and the artist Avicii. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, by the time of his untimely demise his talents and reputation were internationally known, and continues to grow. At 16, Bergling introduced his production skills to electronic music circles, by posting remixes. The recognition he acquired afforded him management representation that led to a recording contract. His first major hit was the single “Levels” in 2011.}

_{Throughout his career he worked with established prominent entertainers. Those outstanding among them included Nile Rodgers (CHIC, David Bowie), Mike Einziger of Incubus fame, Wyclef Jean, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and French DJ David Guetta, who are all featured in the film. ‘True Stories’ was shot by the electronica icon’s close friend, director Levan Tsikurishvili, who faithfully stuck by him from his beginnings. Bergling’s departure was an act of suicide in the Spring of 2018 from self-inflicted wounds. It’s a must see for all music aficionados, and anyone with an insatiable passion, to follow and live out their dreams. Trailer for “Avicii: True Stories” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZFK3VKzQIs.}

_{for the Love of Music & Film}

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The post THE BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARIES OF 2018! first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

^{I say, “fitting” regarding Kidjo’s choice, because Byrne has always incorporated World Music, when he ROCKS! Now 13 albums in, Kidjo is a three-time Grammy Award winner, and can essentially do whatever she likes when it comes to music. I’ve been a fan since her second release “Logozo,” which dropped on Mango Records, back in ’91.}

^{The Funkalicious blog has discussed her latter two Grammy winning endeavors “Sings” and “Eve,” her first Grammy was for her CD “Djin Djin.”Currently touring, she’ll perform the album in New York at Central Park’s SummerStage on Thursday, September 27th. She’ll head to Europe a month later, landing in Sweden on October, 26th followed by a night in the UK on the 29th. Kidjo is also scheduled for three shows in Switzerland, followed by stops in Italy, France, Germany and Poland, returning to the states next year. She’ll set it off in the windy city of Chicago on February 21st, landing in Vermont, North Carolina, New Jersey (quick trip back to the UK & France) and Texas, through June.} 

^{http://www.kidjo.com/}

^{David Byrne interview…}

^{https://www.nypl.org/audiovideo/music-and-copyright-digital-era-david-byrne-conversation-chris-ruen}

^{Two-time Grammy Award winners Evanescence, have released a re-imagining of their music, with “Synthesis.” I’ve liked this band since “Fallen,” primarily because Amy Lee’s vocal capacity is amazing. “Synthesis” features music from their CDs ‘Fallen,’ “The Open Door” and their self-titled album, reconstructed w/ an orchestral theme.}

^{The album dropped late last year and the band announced their DVD performance of ‘Synthesis’ in August, being released on October 12th. Shot by photographer Paul Brown, during their show at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, they just wrapped up touring in Washington state on September 9th. The project was mixed by Damian Taylor of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s fame.}

^{http://www.evanescence.com/}

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3JNNWMzKmL7bMd7IIGZ1GNWSnM3iAPg9

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The post THE RE-IMAGININGS OF ANGELIQUE AND EVANESCENCE first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

<sup>The Grammy Award wining team that gave us Joss Stone’s “Soul Sessions,” has stepped back into the fray, with Elise LeGrow. Her debut album “Playing CHESS,” produced by Steve Greenberg, Mike Mangini and Betty Wright, features 12 hits from the vintage label.

The female vocalist gives us re-invented versions of the songs, “Who Do You Love,” “You Never Can Tell” and “Rescue Me,” originally performed by Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry and Fontella Bass respectively. Her version of Diddley’s hit, raises the bar on George Thurgood & the Destroyers 2003 version, and she slows Bass’ classic down. The direction of this, is somewhat reminiscent of Patsy Cline’s take, on Willie Nelson’s “Crazy.”</sup>

^{While the producers and LeGrow elevated original versions of, “Going Back Where I Belong” (original by Sugar Pie DeSanto) and “You Can’t Judge a Book by the Cover” (original by Wayne Cochran), they stuck with traditional elements for the rest of the album. ‘You Can’t Judge a Book,’ is meshed as opposed to mashed, with Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me.” Although the Chess roster consisted primarily black American talent, Cochran was one “Blue-Eyed Soul” brother, who shamelessly emulated James Brown in his stage show.}

^{The other songs on the CD include: “Hold On” by The Radiants; “Over the Mountain, Across the Sea” by Johnnie & Joe; “Searching for My Love” by Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces; “Can’t Shake It” by Etta James; “Sincerely” by The Moonglows”; and the monumental “Long Lonely Nights” by Lee Andrews and The Hearts. All the production of the aforementioned tunes, were merely freshened up, for a latter day sound. The team of Greenberg, Mangini & Wright, wisely kept out the doo-wop, on LeGrow’s cover of “Sincerely.”}

^{One footnote regarding the Moonglows – Marvin Gaye’s first lead vocal, was on the song “Mama Loocie” of the “New Moonglows,” created by Harvey Fuqua – not discounting Gaye’s rap on “Twelve Months of the Year.”}

^{Johnnie & Joe Original… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TZIB6rSoJc}

^{for the LOVE of Classics}

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The post The FUNK of CHESS Records by Elise LeGrow first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

^{His new release, is a collection of tunes sonically consistent, with music he’s delivered throughout the years. Kravitz’s work has always been a combination of styles. Growing up in a diverse family that worked in entertainment, he was exposed to various cultures, and all types of music. While his releases have continually had themes, the music, has steadily encompassed different genres.}

^{Three decades deep in entertainment Kravitz has also delved into acting, appearing on television, and the silver screen. His daughter Zoe is an actress too, and his music has been featured, on more than 100 soundtracks. The two have expressed given the right vehicle that they would work together. Zoe portrays a band manager in her latest feature Viena and the Fantomes. Kravitz’s dad Sy was a filmmaker, and his mom Roxie Roker an actress, noted for her role of “Helen Willis” on the sitcom “The Jeffersons.” Roker, and weather-man Al Roker, are of the same family.} 

^{Recently on the road, Kravitz kicks off a leg of shows in Europe, this Spring.}  

The post KRAVITZ: LINEAGE, LEGEND & LEGACY first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Despite not being familiar with their names at first, it was obvious that they possessed the “It” factor. All three, regardless of songwriting style, aligned themselves with producers that complimented their talent. Cabello has garnered multiple accolades, and was recently hailed by MTV, as ‘Artist of the Year.’ Her David Meyers directed video, for her hit “Havana,” was proclaimed ‘Video of the Year’ by the same entity. Her other hits are “Never Be the Same,” and her first single, “Crying in the Club.”

When Cabello was first starting out she had teamed up with other talent including Shawn Mendes and Machine Gun Kelly, for the tracks “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Bad Things” respectively. In 2017 she was featured on the collaborations “Hey Ma” with Pitbull and J. Balvin; “Know No Better,” with Major Lazer, Travis Scott and Quavo; and the song “OMG,” also with Quavo.

Rexha has a duet with Quavo too called “2 Souls on Fire,” but my introduction to her, was with her current single “Meant to Be” with Florida Georgia Line. A country tune, she’s everything but a country artist, as I discovered with her track “I’m A Mess.” A noted songwriter, before she started releasing songs as a singer, she’s penned melodies for Selena Gomez and Nick Jonas. Other songs Rexha is featured on are “Me, Myself & I” with G-Eazy, and “In the Name of Love” with Martin Garrix.

Her debut album “Expectations,” hit stores this past summer, and also features the track “Steady” with Tory Lanez.

Dua Lipa’s “Hotter Than Hell,” “Be the One,” “Lost in Your Light” featuring Miguel, “Garden” and “New Rules,” are all from her self-titled debut. Currently on the road, she’s doing a few make-up dates from June she had postponed due to an ear infection. She wraps up her tour in Denver on December 10th and is already working on her second album.

Hailing from London, Lipa is of Albanian descent and was initially inspired by her father, who’s also a singer. At age 14, she began posting her versions of songs by Pink and Nelly Furtado, and at 18 was featured in a commercial for “The X Factor.” Cabello considers Miami her hometown, but is of Cuban descent, and was an ‘X-Factor’ contestant. Rexha, who is also of Albanian descent , was born in Brooklyn.

In closing, a common thread amidst all three albums “Camila,” “Dua Lipa” and “Expectations,” is a Latin flavor. One might simply expect it from Cabello given her heritage, but when you consider Lipa’s international background, and the melting pot that exists in New York it’s not surprising.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hp3JwMMU_vA    

Para las AMOR de nueva Musica

c-dub

The post DIVAS INTERNATIONAL: CAMILA, BEBE & DUA BRING IT! first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Aretha Franklin at a news conference – March 26, 1973. (AP Photo)

The first time I saw Aretha was in concert. She was the headliner, preceded by the likes of CHIC, The Brother’s Johnson and Cameo, at the “Kool Jazz Festival.” My sister and I had to leave before the end of her set, as it began to rain when Nile Rodgers and crew, were on the arena stage just before her. By the time Franklin performed, the rain had elevated to monsoon proportions, but the show must go on… “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” for truly one of the best to ever do it! Links for stories from the Associated Press, Billboard and Rolling Stone below…

https://apnews.com/2a8b31edf2cb4ad9b4aa6ecddeb6c8bc

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8470508/aretha-franklin-dies-celebrities-react-twitter

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/aretha-franklins-funeral-livestreamed-716549/

for the LOVE of Soul, FUNK and Aretha

c-dub

The post ARETHA FRANKLIN IS A LEGEND! first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

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• 1963 – John F. Kennedy is assassinated / I was born – up until I was twelve years old, it felt like a current event, in my community.
• 1965 – Malcolm X is assassinated.
• 1968 – Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. are assassinated.

Four assassinations of positive global figures by the time I was five. I was in the Capitol this past March 16^th. Fifty years prior in1968, from the Caucus Room of the Old Senate Office Building, the same place his late brother declared his candidacy for president eight years earlier, Senator Robert F. Kennedy announced his intention to run for President.

I was born in an era where police brutality in “urban” neighborhoods was standard procedure. In 1975, Laurence Fishburne (then known as “Larry’), Rosiland Cash, Bernie Casey and Moses Gunn, starred in the film “Cornbread, Earl & Me.” It was about a neighborhood basketball star that was shot, because a police officer, “mistakenly” thought his sandwich or orange soda was a gun. This depiction was RELEASED in ’75. The thought of incidents that occurred like this prior, that drove the inspiration for a narrative of this reality, is staggering. The sad and unfortunate truth of gun violence, police brutality, and “Black on Black Crime” in “da hood” is that it was all engineered, and it worked.

• 1975 – “Cornbread, Earl & Me” hits movie theaters.
• 1976 through 2011 – An unimaginable number of atrocities of this nature surely occurred merely based on incidents of the same nature over the past six years…
• 2012 – Trayvon Martin is assassinated while holding skittles and an Arizona iced tea.
• 2014 – Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy, is shot twice by police in Cleveland. He died on the following day. Rice’s toy gun was later found to be an airsoft replica, that lacked the orange safety feature marking it as fake, as opposed to a true firearm.
• 2018 – Stephon Clark was shot and killed by Sacramento Police, while holding a cell phone, in his own backyard. https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/22/us/sacramento-police-shooting/index.html

The first school shooting of horrific note in this latter day was Columbine in 1999.

On December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, a 20-year-old killed 20 children between 6 and 7 years old and six members of an elementary school staff. The students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, put their feet down after the tragedy at their school, and the world marches with them. Seventeen people were killed and seventeen were wounded this past February 14^th , which made it one of the world’s deadliest, school massacres.

In addition to the 850,000 that gathered in Washington, D.C., there were approximately 800 other events in protest of gun violence around the the world over the weekend. New York, Boston, Atlanta, Miami, Houston, and Baltimore all held rallies. New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Belgium, India, and Antarctica, all had demonstrations as well.

The slogan for the “March for Our Lives” movement is “Enough Is Enough” – I’m with them. #Imwitthem

http://abcnews.go.com/International/march-lives-takes-place-world-london-berlin/story?id=53982310

Acknowledgements in hope of ACTUAL change

c-dub

The post AMERIFUNKINGUN: Down w/ MARCH FOR OUR LIVES first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

I immediately wanted to watch it again. In an era before VHS was available to the general public, my mom told me it was actually possible, just not to us yet. Seeing Rita Moreno as an honored presenter, at last night’s 90th Academy Awards, took me right back to my childhood. “Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory,” made me believe dreams were possible; “A Raisin in the Sun,” still makes me cry and I know every scene; “The Godfather” poster pulled me in as a kid, but because it was rated R, mom said it’s for adults, which is what she also said about “Lady Sings the Blues,” whose title had me intrigued.

There was a period during my teens that I became less interested in the Oscars because I felt they were politically motivated. Years passed before organizations like the NAACP began making a point of black thespians not being recognized. Now there’s so many award shows, that it feels as if one or two of the best are not noted at one, they’ll get recognition at another. I’ve loved Gary Oldman ever since he appeared in Luc Besson’s “The Professional.” Towards the end of the film as his crooked cop character is trying to take “Leon” down, he tells his crony to bring everyone, to the assassin’s home. The henchmen needs clarification – Oldman delivers…

Hats off and congratulations to him for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in “Darkest Hour” and all those that took home awards. Oldman is also my favorite “Dracula,” by way of Francis Ford Coppola’s version, that also starred Winona Ryder & Keanu Reeves. Note my reference to Coppola, for as I got older, I began to notice similarities in what I liked. The first director, that I realized was the person behind the concept of what I was watching, was Alfred Hitchcock. His classic “The Birds,” has me fascinated yet always cautious, about birds today. The horror flick made such an impact on me, I had to know, what else has this man made. Others I love include: “The Man Who Knew Too Much,” “Frenzy,” “Family Plot,” “Strangers on a Train,” “Dial ‘M’ for Murder,” “North By Northwest,” and the list goes on.

As time moves forward, Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee and Oliver Stone become my favorite directors. I affectionately refer to them as “The 4 S’s.” They’re later accompanied by Quentin Tarantino, Katheryn Bigelow, Antoine Fuqua, Darren Aronovsky, Kasi Lemmons, Danny Boyle and Mira Nair to name a few. Jordan Peele and Ry Coogler are now among filmmakers I admire. Their emotional and thought provoking endeavors are among the best I have EVER seen in film. Peele’s “Get Out” was a huge hit around the world and now so is Coogler’s “Black Panther.” A flick that has the Marvel brand for a “Super-Hero” movie, it and DC’s “Wonder Woman directed by Patty Jenkins, are so much more. Due to my emotional experience watching ‘Panther,’ I watched the duo of Coogler & Michael B. Jordan in “Creed” & “Fruitvale Station,” the following weekend.

Encouraged by those noted and victorious at last night’s ceremony, just made me a bit nostalgic, as I look forward to the future of cinema. More directors I love in the blog below.

Wonder Woman sequel news… https://www.elitedaily.com/p/who-is-kristen-wiig-playing-in-wonder-woman-2-the-comedian-is-going-dark-8403456

Most wins and nominations by actors and actresses here… https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_actors_with_two_or_more_Academy_Award_nominations_in_acting_categories#Most_nominations_for_Best_Actor_and_Best_Supporting_Actor_combined

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44 of FUNKALICIOUS’ FAVORITE FILMMAKERS & STORYTELLERS

15 FUNKY MUSIC BIOPICS – honorable mentions, dream ‘pics & conflicts

The post MY FAVORITE MOVIE(S) - LOVED OLDMAN SINCE "EVERYONE" first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Prince Rogers Nelson, Stevland Hardaway Judkins, James Ambrose Johnson, Jr., Nesta Robert Marley, Anna Mae Bullock/ Tina Turner, Mayfield, Dana Elaine Owens/ Queen Latifah, Frances Crocker and The Jackson family are the music makers. When I made the choice to be happy in life and career, I sought out how to earn a living, working in music. The majority of my time and income, apart from addressing obligations, would be spent on music. I was always buying new albums or concert tickets, and being an incredible dancer, I frequented night clubs & dance halls. It makes all the sense that my life would be inspired and directed by the creations of these people.

The presence, activism and words of Ali, Angelou, Baldwin, Coates, Chisolm, Haley, Lamar, Reid, Waters, Williams, and Winfrey are extremely profound. Although Waters, Coates and Lamar are the only three of the aforementioned still with us, the endeavors of the rest, are very prevalent in our society. Although Lamar is a “rapper,” his social commentary is shaping and informing young minds, of all ethnicities. Comedians Pryor, Chapelle, Rock and the Murphy brothers are so much more than funny men. Their truth telling about themselves and society, through tickling our funny bones, have been a compass of consciousness for me.

“Auntie” Ruby Dee, Lee, Washington, Carroll, Tyson have all been like family. As their achievements in acting, have unquestionably had an extreme effect on me, and people around the globe. The power of images is something that only now, is being more discussed in the mainstream, as to how influential they are. Even with increased dialogue about it, the majority of society, is still oblivious to how much they’re affected. Dee & Carroll, were two women that looked like my mother, Ronna who was an educator. Carroll portrayed the nurse “Julia” and Dee was Travis’ mom in the Lorraine Hansberry classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” Tyson has had a presence in media longer than I’ve been alive. Her earliest work that had the greatest initial impact on me, were the movies “Sounder,” and “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman.”

The combined works of Lee and Washington, as well as their collaborations, have depicted aspects of the best and worst of the black male experience. I’ve been on board the Lee train of filmmaking since “She’s Gotta Have It,” and an admirer of Washington since he starred in “Carbon Copy.” I’ve interviewed them both, and was honored for them to autograph copies, of my DVDs of films they did together.

These are just a handful of people that have shaped my way of thinking and inspire me daily. In recognition of Black History being made everyday. For corresponding photo album, log on to Facebook…  https://www.facebook.com/curtis.waller.79/media_set?set=a.10156220658689612.1073741839.718934611&type=3

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40 YEARS OF CELEBRATING BLACK (AMERICAN) HISTORY MONTH!

The post A Little of My BLACK HISTORY: 28 Contemporaries that Inspire(d) Me first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Gary’s FB Profile pic

Harris’ crowning achievement as a “record man,” was bringing Michael D’Angelo Archer’s music, to the ears of the world. Oh, his list of accomplishments, those he mentored and aided with major decisions is hefty, but discovering D’Angelo was  one of (if not Thee) his most treasured achievements.

I remember when the CD was released. Gary was excited for feedback and critique from fellow music lovers. As the former Music Director of WBLS/ NY, I was honored among those, whose thoughts he cared to hear. A very opinionated brother himself, Harris would listen to the thoughts of others, but you could pretty much forget about changing his mind on something. Our chat about “Brown Sugar” went something like this…

Gary: You get the record yet

w/ D’Angelo

Me: Yup

Gary: Well?

Me: Well the single’s (title track) dope we know that. I like the ballad “Lady,” the Smokey remake of “Cruisin'” was a pro move, and titling a track “Shit, Damn, Mutherfucker” is bold as hell.

Gary: What about the rest?

Me: Oh I’ll get to it. I was just going through tracks first time around.

Gary: You do know that when a record is produced, that a major aspect of putting the album together is the sequence of the tracks, ON that album – don’t you?

Me: Oh yeah dog! You know Ima check it, just hadn’t gotten around to the whole thing yet, but he’s dope – no doubt, I’m feelin’ what I heard so far and expect nothing BUT the best from you.

Gary: Solid

Me: Dude

Gary: One

Gary Juan Harris April 26, 1960 – January 15, 2018

When Gary said he was a “Record Man,” that encompassed a lot particularly with D’Angelo, as he had signed him and A&R’d the project. The photo above reading “Soul City” is the name he gave his hometown of Englewood. I’m blessed to have called Gary a friend, because he, called me one. We both grew up in New Jersey, him ‘Soul City’ me in Nutley, both our mothers were educators. He was the most well read person I knew.

During a phone conversation, a couple years before he moved back to Jersey, he was reflecting on 80’s music (surprise). He was remembering sitting in the BLS library w/ Fred Buggs and I listening to Soul II Soul. He said from that moment on, apart from the business of music, he felt a special bond between the three of us. He was glad that we all simply loved good music and said he was happy to call us both friends. He needed Buggsy’s phone number. I gave it to him without hesitation because I knew it would be of no consequence to Buggs.

Photos below were taken throughout his life. I’m pictured with others at his memorial service, which was followed by a gathering that evening, where friends drank, ate and merrily talked Gary…

w/ Troy Shelton

w/ Hilda Williams

L-R Keith Shocklee, Vincent Davis, Luther Clark – I’m in the BG/ I don’t know the lady

Gary’s first DJ job in radio, was at Northeastern’s WRBB 91.7, where he was a student. He went on to DJ at North Carolina A&T State University’s WNAA 90.1 and then at Greensboro’s WQMG 97.1 and WEAL-1510.

w/ Mark Ronson

w/ Q-Tip

Throughout his years as a ‘record man,’ one he mentored and inspired, was fellow DJ Mark Ronson. Ronson scored a hit with his tune “Uptown Funk,” that featured the 24K magic, of Bruno Mars. Harris’ last radio gig was hanging w/ his homie Q-Tip, as an announcer and co-conspirator, on Apple’s Beats 1 show “Abstract Radio.” https://www.mixcloud.com/StayDopeBBQ/q-tip-abstract-radio-beats-1-20171124/

Throughout the course of the evening, Ronson talked about Gary’s profound influence on him, and how much he loved him. Drew Dixon Williams read a letter from D’Angelo to the room. Gary shared w/ me, that he would often chat w/ D’Angelo or Q-Tip, after basketball games. Well known writer and news correspondent Toure became a good friend of Gary’s and wrote a brilliant article about him that’s featured in Billboard magazine… https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/8096520/gary-harris-signed-dangelo-rappers-delight-radio-remembered

w/ Kymberlee Thornton & Kathi Moore

w/ Toure

w/ Jay Dixon & Davis

“When I said take it to ‘The Stage’ I MEANT it,” he once said. Gary was only referring to The Stage deli on 7th Avenue in Manhattan. He said it with such conviction, because we were sitting at a table w/ a third party who expressed they’d treat, and didn’t have enough for the bill. However his words ring true of who he was – a man that took it to the stage – behind the scenes.

Log on to Facebook to view Drew reading D’Angelo’s letter… https://www.facebook.com/drew.dixonwilliams/videos/10160023307550249/?hc_ref=ARS5t2H515iWmvruPISp9nbMjfQ7aO1Pl8d6TYDoNgqk5pK-O_qCzVk2DDaTIb0D7ks&fref=nf&pnref=story.unseen-section

“I think I’d have a hole in my soul if I didn’t see Stevie every six or seven years,” Harris said to me when Wonder was doing the ‘Key of Life’ tour, that followed with him remembering the years he had seen him perform. Also known and self-titled as the “InsidePlaya,” Gary had a blog, with that title… https://insideplaya.org/author/insideplaya/ Below are links to a few of my favorites…

https://insideplaya.org/2011/01/30/the-river-nile/

https://insideplaya.org/2011/01/31/the-river-nile-ii-bigger-than-the-box/

https://insideplaya.org/2016/12/27/a-black-thing/

https://insideplaya.org/2014/05/25/an-open-letter-to-dangelo/

https://insideplaya.org/2016/09/21/the-state-of-the-game/

https://insideplaya.org/2010/01/15/what-teddy-meant-to-me-or-%E2%80%9Creflections-of-a-white-girl-misunderstood%E2%80%9D/

for the FUNK of Gary with LOVE

c-dub

L-R Russell Simmons, Jeanine Tate, Harris, Dedra Tate, Me – @ a birthday party for Simmons/ Bowery Bar NYC

The post Black History: REMEMBERING GARY HARRIS - A "RECORD MAN" TRIBUTE first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic perform a Tiny Desk Concert on Nov. 3, 2017…

https://www.npr.org/event/music/579982124/george-clinton-the-p-funk-allstars-tiny-desk-concert

more w/ Clinton at NPR Radio…

https://www.npr.org/artists/15163941/george-clinton

for the FUNK of it

c-dub

The post GEORGE CLINTON LIVE! AN NPR TINY DESK CONCERT first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.

Three EPs in SZA dropped her first full-length project “CTRL” this year. Honestly the song I’ve heard from her the most, is her featured performance on Maroon Five’s “What Lover’s Do,” due to my daughter’s ongoing requests. However “CTRL” is a solid album, featuring the songs “Normal Girl,” “Broken Clocks” and “The Weekend.” She’s up for five Grammys next year.

Thundercat’s “Drunk,” has elements of funk, that’ll put you in a stupor. It’s always a jam session listening to his music – “Drunk” is a smooth jazzy ride that features Lamar – Thundercat is featured on like all the music you love these days.

Kendrick Lamar continues to deliver and hold his own as one of today’s best with his latest “DAMN.” He’s up for 7 statues – nuff said.

Jay-Z’s “4:44,” is an answer album of sorts to his wife Beyonce’s release “Lemonade.” In his currently streaming interview, he revealed that he and Bey were actually working on a collaborative effort, when both ‘Ade’ and ‘4:44’ were born. The duet release is still “in the works,” but no word yet, on when or if it will ever come out. “4:44” is up for eight Grammys in 2018.

Julia Michaels has been compared to the likes of Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell. A songwriter of this latter day, while her style is reminiscent of theirs, she’s a bit edgier bringing tunes by Amie Mann and Prince to mind. Her hit “Issues” and song “Worst in Me,” encapsulate the best and the worst of what’s right and wrong, with intimate relationships. Both tunes discuss the willingness, or lack there of, a reciprocal commitment between two people – just nails it. Michaels’ tracks “Uh-Huh” and “Pink,” are all about the anticipation of what could be, and is great sex. While “Uh-Huh” brings the flavor of 70s wah wah guitar, “Pink” is dripping with a psychedelic bass, both grooves are infectious. These four melodies, plus “Just Do It,” “Let Me Make it Up to You” and “Don’t Wanna Think,” comprise the EP “Nervous System,” that Michaels prefers to call a Mini-Album. She’s up for Best New Artist and “Issues” is up for Song of the Year.

A Tribe Called Quest’s “We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your service” is an instant classic – A quintessential hip-hop album. Tribe delivers the message of today’s social and political climate in the way rap was born to do. ‘4 Your service’ is a time capsule item for others to learn from years from now. A first, it’s on the FUNKALICIOUS list, AGAIN – it was a selection for 2016.

Daniel Caesar is a sleeper artist that those who love good music will continually be awakened to. He’s nominated for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance, for “Freudian” and “Get Out” respectively, at the upcoming Grammy Awards. For more on Caesar… https://museumofuncutfunk.com/2017/12/08/daniel-caesar-rbs-newest-canadian-prince/

Rapsody has been on her grind for a minute. “Laila’s Wisdom” is the emcee’s most critically acclaimed project since her debut and her fifth release. She’s nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys. The only lady in the category, she’s ranked among Jigga, Lamar, Migos and Tyler the Creator.

Moses Sumney brings a smooth flavor to the table. His sound is like Seal and Sade had a baby of ambient proportions. Black and beautiful, the art work for his CD “Aromanticism,” has haunted me all year. “…he made this record ‘about lovelessness as a sonic dreamscape.’ That ‘sonic dreamscape’ was created over the past three years with horns, the bass of Thundercat and at the center of it all, that voice” – Bob Boilen NPR.

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band has to be one of the most under-rated bands of this past year. How there are not tons of critics singing their praises for this year’s release “So It Is” is beyond me. The group was founded by tuba player Allan Jaffe in the early 1960s. Straight outta New Orleans, the band derives its name, from Preservation Hall in the French Quarter. The facility’s doors were closed in 2005 from the destruction of Hurricane Katrina. They’ve been touring ever since.

“Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series, Season 2” is a follow-up soundtrack, to the soundtrack of the same name, ‘Season 1.’ Both releases composed by Raphael Saadiq, Solange Knowles was the efforts, music consultant. Saadiq produced Knowles’ CD “A Seat at the Table,” which was featured on the Funkalicious list, for 2016 (see below).

LORDE’s “Melodrama” is Bangin’! “Broadcast the Boom Boom Boom Boom and Make ’em All Dance to It,” is her rebel yell if you will, on the tune titled “The Louvre.” Better than her first record “Pure Heroine,” the title track (which is actually a subtitle for “Sober II”) harkens to her hit “Royals,” as does the closing jam “Perfect Places.” Other tunes include “Green Light,” and spoken word melodies of toxic and reckless love, better off left alone. The track “Homemade Dynamite” has a remix featuring Khalid, Post Malone & SZA. Making LORDE number-13 of a FUNKALICIOUS Baker’s Dozen! “Melodrama” is nominated for Album of the Year at next year’s ceremony. 

I always go to NPR’s list to see what I’ve missed and see what innovative music they’ve encountered – Moses Sumney was this year’s discovery..

https://www.npr.org/2017/12/12/568400855/the-50-best-albums-of-2017

Last year’s list… https://museumofuncutfunk.com/2016/11/20/the-funkalicious-dirty-30-music-we-loved-in-2016/

2015 and preceding years here… https://museumofuncutfunk.com/2015/12/07/the-funky-top-10-for-2015/

for the LOVE of FUNKY Good Music

c-dub

The post A GRAMMY MUSICAL BAKER'S DOZEN for 2017 first appeared on The Museum Of UnCut Funk.