Sunday, April 4, 2010

MTUME



From Philadelphia, the group's original line-up included Michael Henderson on bass, who would go on to a successful solo career and worked closely with Norman Connors.
James Mtume moved into Urban Contemporary and funk in the late '70's, and became one of the more successful producers and performers in both styles during the '80's.
The son of the great jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Mtume was a conga player and percussionist who recorded and toured with Miles Davis and was featured on albums by the Heath Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard.
He even recorded as a bandleader for Strata-East before turning to funk in the late '70's. Their first album, of this period, was released in 1977 and was entitled 'Rebirth Cycle', although there were two earlier albums for the Third Street label.

The following year came 'Kiss This World Goodbye' which contained the original version of 'The Closer I Get To You', later a hit for Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway.
The album also featured 'Love Lock', popular on the U.K. rare groove scene.
Mtume were signed to Epic in 1980 while James was still writing and producing with Reggie Lucas. Mtume / Lucas wrote and produced the 1980 Mtume album 'In Search Of Rainbow Seekers'. In Search Of The Rainbow SeekersJuicy Fruit They had a number one R&B hit with 'Juicy Fruit' for Epic in 1983 and a number two single in 1984 with 'You, Me and He.' ou, Me & HeTheatre Of The Mind. They recorded for Epic until the late '80's before, Tawatha Agee went solo in 1987.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE CUTS ON THE ALBUM

MTUME - GREEN LIGHT 1983

3 comments:

JOLIDRAGON said...

Pure Album, Good Blog

JOLIDRAGON said...

Pure Album, Good Blog

JOLIDRAGON said...

Pure Album, Good Blog