Sometimes I feel like my purpose in life has been to help young artists find their way. Nobody knows that I produced R Kelly in 1989. When I finally write my book, I will have a lot to say about NMW. For now I am happy to have interacted with one of the greatest Producer, writer, musicians of our time.
Philadelphia…
I actually recorded my first hit record, "DON'T TURN AROUND' by BLACK IVORY in Sigma Sound in Philadelphia. Norman Harris played guitar and Vince Montana played vibes. All producers and writers were influenced by the flood of hits that came out of that city. It was great to see Gamble and Huff honored last year at the DANCE MUSIC HALL OF FAME. I was a Thom Bell fanatic. Together they truly were the Mighty Three.
Marta Acuna
I never got to know Marta. I met her the day of the recording session. That was the last time I saw her.
Jocelyn Brown
I met Jocelyn through Christine Wiltshire. Christine use to book all background singers. Although we worked together a lo
t, I seldom had time to sit and really have any meaningful conversations with her. She had no idea what I thought of her talents until she red a resent interview I did. Needless to say Jocelyn Brown will go down in music history as one of the most talented singers who ever sang a note. I feel very very bad for all great artists in our current environment. The music business is more entertainment for the sake of selling cell phones and sneakers than it is about the appreciation of art or artist. Instead of great novels all the multinational Corporations want to throw at the public are multimedia "comic books."
Chic
Funny thing about Chic. In 1976 I received Niles demo of "Dance, dance, dance" from a layer friend of mine. I was about to launch PAP Records. I was not in the financial position to pick up the master. But, I knew it was a hit. I have always felt like Nile was my musical cousin. We use to bump into each other up at Atlantic records and have a laugh or two. We have done a few sessions together over the years. I like him a lot. One day don't be surprised if we do something together. I 'm hoping to get him on my Solo CD that I am currently working on.
Disco
Calling music 'DISCO' is like calling someone a bad name or a racial slur. It should never have happened like it did. There has always been and there will always be dancable music. Disco suffered when a lot of untalented greedy people got into the game trying to make a fast Buck. The same will now happen to RAP because people will see it as a fast way to riches, especially since the Academy Awards legitimized Rap.
I never wanted to do Disco per se. When you listen to the body of work you can tell where there was a lot of concerted effort and when it was mindless fluff. Tho I had become a very successful Songwriter/Arranger and Producer in the early seventies ? I was getting less and less work. Record labels would say No we can't hire him because he is an R&B guy. This is the main reason I didn't take production credits on two or the most important rap albums ever. Eric B and Rakim and the first Salt N Pepa. Record executives were saying "He's a disco producer." I decided I was through with titles. I AM A PRODUCER. I can do and have done any genre of music. I guess its their lost if they can't understand where the talent is.
Do you either mean that you haven't been credited officially or you've refused to be so ?
In 1985, Hurby Azor came to Power Play studio in Queens. He had just graduated from CMA - Center for the Media Arts in New York (an audio school). He became an intern apprentice engineer. He asked me If I would manage and produce his group (SALT N PEPA). I saw that he was very creative and I encouraged him to produce the act himself. I told him I would be there every step of the way. I engineered all of his early sessions and together we developed a lot of techniques for looping samples and locking beats together. After his first hit singles, Next Platau had him recording at another studio. Eddie O asked me to go to that
studio and assist them in these production techniques. I was not looking to get tied into his business situation. I did not request any credit. I was happy to watch him grow as he did. Eric B and Rakim was a similar situation. I am not looking to tale away from their situation, If you listen to their first three albums and everything after you can clearly hear which
songs I worked on. Just let me say that Their records would not sound like they do if I were not involved.
Prelude
OK it wasn't Universal but in a way Prelude was better. Marvin (Schlacter) and Stan Stan (Hoffman) were very hands off when it came to production. I mean they were the best type of record label owners. Like Clive Davis at Arista, Jerry Greenberg at Atlantic or a few other great music men. they knew what they liked and they knew to let Producers do what producers do. They created an environment where a creative person could create. They didn't try to get involved in all the studio details. Either you
knew your job and could do it or not. And if you did your job and turned in a good record, they then did their job and tryed to bring it home but if you failed you were out the door. Prelude was the classic independent record label and I will be forever greatful to Marvin and Stan…
The 80's
The 80's were F*CKed UP. It was a period of adjustment of many levels, Actually re-adjustment. It was the true beginning of the New World Order. The public was so concerned about bread and milk that creativity went right out the window. People learned to settle. There was a financial, Spiritual and Creative depression. It gave birth to a whole generation of unsupervised, self-centered brats. The 'ME' generation. We went from instant coffee to instant gratification. That’s why everybody and their mother thinks they know how to make music and make records. No-one was interested in EARNING credibility. There are people today who call themselves "producer" who couldn't produce a tunafish sandwich in a brown paper bag!
Do you mean this could be the result of the punk DIY attitude ?
I am not opposed to do it yourself. I just think you need to know the how and the why and the where before you attempt to do things. ANYBODY can make one hit record. To be successful at anything in life requires an understanding of the mechanics of the venture. If I tell you a joke and make you laugh that does not qualify me to do an hour of standup comedy in a nightclub!!! Currently the music business is full of people who have little or no experience. That goes from label executives right down to the little basement studios on every corner. The worse part of it is everyone is trying to get rich without putting in the time and effort.
Technology
If history has taught us anything, there is an upside and a down with every advance. I am sure when gunpowder was created no-one fore-saw "SHOCK and AWE". Personally I love being able to create a piece of music that sounds like a 80 piece orchestra in my PC. Never mind the cost saving. For 50 cents worth of electricity I can do what use to take three days and 50 thousand dollars. One needs to embrace technology, learn all they can about it and then push the envelop to the next horizon. We haven't seen half of what midi can do!!!
WBLS
There was a time before corporate take overs and the like when stations like WBLS were hot beds of great music. Program directors like Frankie Crocker didn't need confirmation to play what they considered great music. They were a leader for a very long time.
Sine
This was one of my alter-egos. It was just me having fun. I was shocked when I had a top ten POP single in the UK.
Africa
As a person of African decent, I can only feel tremendous sadness for the tragedies that continue to unfold on that continent. It may be another four hundred years before things settle down. I am sure the US and Europe have a master plan for resettling Africa. There is just too much wealth there. Between the Land, the diamond and the other natural resources it's too tempting to just forget.
'Mainline'
When I finished the session Lenny Adams said it was the worse string and brass arrangement he ever heard. God bless the dead but I am glad he was wrong.
Cloud One
Originally, I was going to start a label with thay record and I was going to be the artist. I still use it as an avenue for my more experimental synthesizer pieces. When I do Cloud One, the Synth is my voice and it allows me great freedom to express myself. I screw around a lot. I use a very interesting technique to play the synth. With the 'glide' setting on I hit low keys inbetween my right hand melodies. In thirty years I haven't heard that repeated. In 1975 Davitt Sigerson in Blues and Soul Magazine compared Cloud One to Miles Davis and said it was better than transendental meditation. He later became CEO of EMI so the lad couldn’t be too bad.
Chicago
I presume you mean the location not the band. Chicago is one of those US urban centers that seems to grow and export musical genius. I have had the pleasure of spending many fine hours in Chicago.
House music
House is a next step. It is the child of R&B and DANCE It tends to be brutaly honest, happy and emotionally charged, I love it. In 1999, Some Chicago DJ's threw a party for me and Leroy Burgess as the Godfathers of House. We even did some recording while we were in town. "shout out to Clyde Alexander, Glenn Underground and my main man Radik!"
Body & Soul
I really feel that music is a natural thread that binds the Heart, Body Mind abd Soul. Music has the power to heal. I think we all need good music more than we realize. I think one of the reasons society is so hostile right now is because of the lack of soothing music. Right now music, especially hip hop and heavy metal are very tribal, Heavy percussion and heavy agressiveness. We need to get back to love and just plain fun music.
François Kevorkian
Francois and I never got to interact as much as I would have liked, but I am glad that he is as talented as he is. He was one of the few mixers who had respect for the music he worked on. When he approached a mix, his number one priority was to find the magic in a track and then he would do things that made that magic shine through. Too many mixers don't understand the job. If you think you are so creative, then go do a track from scratch. Don't pick my work apart and then construct your own piece. I have nothing but praise for FK and wish him continued sucess in the future.
The 90's
By the 90's the music business was well on its way to self destruction. Between corporate take-overs, merges and Self promoting greedy A&R people - music died.
Techno music
First of all there is only MUSIC. The adjective you use to describe it takes away from the purity of it. All music which does not touch the emotions is a waste of time and energy. With a drum machine and a sequencer of a program like Fruity Loops, anybody older than ten years old can create noise… Music comes from the heart and soul!!!
London
I have been to London twice. I found it a "British" - New York. Loud, exciting just what you would expect of any world metropolitan area.
Kenny Dope & the Masters At Work
I have met Kenny and from his conversation I could tell he did not have a big ego about music. He has a great sense of history and respect for creators. I like him a lot. As for Masters At Work, I like their approach. They seem to live, eat sleep and drink music. They are ARTISTS and I respect them. I would love to work with them directly at some point.
Tomorrow
Of course we learn as we grow older that Tomorrow never comes. It is important to look ahead and plan, but it is equally important to do today what you can .
Right, let's know see if you don't mind what those things mean to you.
Images
More than ever images determine how people make decisions. Unfortunately we live in a time where images are very easily destorted. Something which looks good and smell good may make you sick once you try to digest it.
Earth
Since it is the only home we have, I think we need to pay attention to how we treat it. I believe the earth will be here long after mankind screws it all up…
History
History is always rewritten to reflect the view of those in power. I think people need to know as much as possible about how they arrived at their current location. Life can be a lot easier if you know what has happened and why certain things are likely to happen again. People also need to consider the source of their information. The only thing worse than knowing and not reacting is not knowing and suffering for it.
Culture
Most people need a sense of belonging. Culture gives us that environment. It's a great place to start when you are trying to find yourself. We need to be open to other cultures for the chance to grow.
Wind
There is a power carried in the wind. I have much to learn about it.
Love
Most of my activities are motivated by love. I love my children, I love making music. I love feeling what music does to me. I love making love. I love great movies. What is there to do without love???
Fire
I don't want to swim in it. Man would not have a good steak without it. And in the winter it is a very good friend.
Emotion
I am a student of Mr Spock on Star Trek. In business, there is no room for emotions. They will point you in the wrong direction everytime. Todays youth need to learn that until they learn how to respect themselves and think for themselves. They are wasting too much energy worrying about who is disrepecting them. They wear their emotions on their sleeves and are too quick to pop off for no reason. I am extremely emotional when I make music and when I make love. Otherwise I try to keep my self under control.
Are the latest to be considered as the basic elements for composing a piece of music? And what is it to make music ?
I may never be able to express what it is to be me. I was born with an absolute affinity to music. I create music because I must. As a child, I was always humming and singing. In grammar school I played the harmonica. Later, I picked up the guitar and then the piano. If I were stranded on a desert island I would make some sort of instrument or I would go insane. Sometimes I wake up in the wee hours of the night with a melody in my head. Music moves me to tears sometime. Music lifts my spirits when I am down, Music is my mistress when affairs of the heart go wrong. The first moments of playing a melody or a chord progression are an unmatchable high spiritually and mentally. I treasure having those moments daily.
You've had many hats in the art of making music such as musician, writer/composer, arranger, producer and label manager. Which one do you consider as being the harder to wear? Tell us about the differences from one to another of those various sides.
The business side is the hardest. There is always a hidden agenda. Negotiating with hard nose people who have no respect for talent is a drag. Competition is hard.
Producing is a mixed bag. Some business, some creativity. All the rest are talent dependent. Writing, composing, arranging are God given and it is up to you to develop these talents. The down side is that You may be the best but never appreciated for those talents. In that case, you just have to live with it. Right now the world rewards the quick and the loud. You just have to try to fit in where you can. If you have a true talent for something and you dedicate tyo perfecting your craft, you just might get noticed. Rejection is not a reason to stop. The cream will eventually rise to the top, I think…
Somehow derived from disco, house music has never managed to reach the same level oc acceptance/recognition, apart from rare exceptions. Your thoughts about this.
As I said earlier music is music. At least with the internet, there is an opportunity for music to be discovered. People have to keep trying to break through. A few will get into the main stream.Most will never really gain wide acceptance. The real artist will continue to create and perform because it is in his blood to do so.
Any idea as to how many pieces of music you've produced to date?
I started writing when I was about twelve. Officially, I have recorded a few hundred songs. Right now, I have about three hundred pieces on my computer. I write almost everyday. I stopped counting long ago.
What would you do if you were a new comer ? Would you do things today the way you did them back in the days ?
Again, I can not overstress the need to know your craft. Study, listen and do. If you can, hang out with successful people. If you can, apprentice with a pro. Keep you eyes open for opportunity. Learn the business side of things. I was introduced to a young man who wrote a top ten POP hip hop song. He was beaming because he sold the song for fifty-thousand
dollars. Then I showed him a royalty statement… It had one song I wrote 20 years ago where I recieved seventy eight thousand dollars royaties on!!! The statement was 33 pages long. He now knows the mistake he made. Today, a copyright is good for the life time of the writer plus 70 years. Over the next hundred years, how much money will this writer not receive?
What would you suggest to new people ?
I repeat the best advice I ever received. When I was fifteen years old, I asked the same question to William "Smokey" Robinson and he said," Forget it!"
I've heard at some time about a project you was supposed to work on with the Chi-town Urban Heirs peeps (Glenn Underground and Craig Alexander). Wassup then ?
Leroy Burgess tells me its about to be released. I guess we will both find out at the same time.
I tend to consider Glenn Underground, although being cruelly underrated, as one of the most talented people of his generation. Any comment? I spent about two weeks with Glenn in Chicago. We were working out of his home studio. I can only add my weight to the scales. He is one of the most talented brothers I have ever worked with. I think he will break thru sooner or later. Hi Glenn!
You've always been surrounded by people while makin' music as opposed to many people workin today on their own. Isn't that also what marks the major difference between nowadays and back in the days?
This takes me back to the point of knowing what one is doing. Back in the day... We went into a studio where an engineer who had about ten years experience recording sound recorded the drummer, bass player, guitarist, percussionist and keyboard player who each had years of experience playing their instruments. Each musician was reading a musical chart written by a musical arranger who had years of experience adding color to song arrangements. The producer was a guy who had been hanging out at recording sessions for ten years at the elbow of great producers as he learned his craft. Today you have every Tom, Dick and Diddy pushing buttons and dancing their way through computerized sessions. Its the blind leading the blind. It ain't about music or professionalism. It's all about selling jeans and sneakers. "YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYIN' "
Is there still an Adams Family by the time we speak and if so who are its members?
You mean P A SYSTEM ? No.
Whose music are you into today?
Every now any again I hear something compelling. I have more fun surfing the internet and listening to unsigned independent artist. I love the raw honest emotion of it. I'd like to work with Alicia Keys or John Legend.
Any project ? Productionwise ? Labelwise ? One extra word about this CD you're currently preparing?
I am doing a Patrick Adams CD. The problem I have is being me without being accused of sounding old, or not being fresh. Frankly at this point, I will do what I do, be who I am without submitting to focus groups and trying to fit into some commercial framework. If you like it great, if you don't like it, I wasn't making it for you. I hope to please those who enjoy music that I like.
Your day to day life?
There are some things I try to do everyday. Pray, eat, read, listen to music, play some music and tell my children I love them. Everything else is a plus.
Your device or motto?
I don't know eveything and everything I do know might be wrong.
Any chance to see you in Miami ?
50/50.
Thank you Sir & R.E.S.P.E.C.T. MFSB
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