Deep Space

There are a few events in which I have had the pleasure of playing where I can express myself freely with all the tools I need take my audience on a journey and back with a safe landing.
Francois’s Deep Space is one of these great forums. I feel honored by the opportunity to have taken command of the ship Francois K has built, on several occasions, when he is off on other missions. Francois is a master from the 70′s and has made a tremendous mark on musical history with his production skills and other worldly presentations. Creating Body & Soul, playing at the Garage, along with his mixes on Prelude Records, has set him apart as being a master of the craft. “Deep Space” the party, is a rhythmic presentation of spacey vibes translated by use of effects and programming. You might hear every genre from rock to reggae on the Funktion One Sound System at Cielo Night Club in NYC.  After you have landed it all makes for a grand musical tapestry imprinted in your brain. Here are some scenes from my last journey in the cockpit…

Most definitely a Classic of its time, Solar Flight has landed on many legendary dance floors. Clubs like The Loft all the way to the Garage put this song to the test. MANDRE was a store front outfit for Andre Lewis on Motown Records. I use to love the album covers. They give you a feel of Futuristic intelligence. Futuristic Funk. Anyway here is a bit of history on the producer himself
Andre Lewis. I will post more info and songs by MANDRE on future post. “Take off”!

MANDRE

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RESUME’ OF ANDRE’ LEWIS
EARLY YEARS:

MICHAEL ANDRE’ LEWIS has been a major force in Black American music since his early childhood. He comes from a musically talented family; his Father, HARRY, was a saxophonist with the legendary COUNT BASIE BAND, and also was bandleader for FATS DOMINO and ETTA JAMES. Andre’s father was also a band member of locally known PRESTON LOVE.

At the tender age of six ANDRE’ became a member of a young singing group called the BE BOPS along with his childhood friend BUDDY MILES.

They were so successful they won a statewide talent contest. His experience playing organ at the legendary ALLENS SHOWCASE LOUNGE, from which the legendary cut “Paul B Allen, Omaha NE” penned by he and Buddy, allowed him to form the first of many exciting bands. In the 7th grade his band MIKE LEWIS and THE KINGBEES, included future Grammy Award winner LESTER ABRAMS.

While in his early teens, ANDRE’ was touring with ‘Universal Attractions’ backing such notable acts as THE ORLONS and the late great SAM COOK. By the age of 15 ANDRE’ was fronting his own band, THE MIKE LEWIS QUARTET, appearing on the same bill with jazz greats such as KENNY BURRELL JIMMY SMITH and JIMMY MCGRIFF. He gave up his life on the road long enough to complete his education and, shortly thereafter, adoped his middle name and formed the legendary ANDRE’ LEWIS AND THE NEW BREED, a seminal band of young musical geniuses who after successfully touring the USA went on to make their marks individually on the contemporary music scene. This amazing group of young men, while still teenagers, created an exiting jazz fusion sound that remains popular today.

The group included STEMSY HUNTER and HERBIE RICH, two founding members of the ELECTRIC FLAG, and HANK REDD, who went on to be STEVIE WONDER’s band manager for a number of years.

BLACK ROCK ‘N ROLL RENAISSANCE:

While on the road, ANDRE’ ran into his childhood friend BUDDY MILES in Los Angeles and that historic reunion resulted in the first of the great BUDDY MILES bands. Buddy and Andre’ compiled the now classic “Them Changes” album for Mercury Records. In addition to playing with Buddy, Andre’ also did session work for such rock luminaries as THE WHO, LABELLE, SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE, and the late music legend JIMI HENDRIX. After several successful album projects and international tours with Buddy, Andre’ left the band to pursue his solo career as a record producer with his own group MAXAYN, recording four albums with the group; utilizing his talents as a songwriter, arranger, producer and keyboardist. During this time, he also produced albums for WHITE CHOCOLATE and LABELLE. MAXAYN toured initially with EARTH, WIND AND FIRE and later completed two highly successful world tours as the headlining act. The group was also inducted into the BLACK ROCK COALITION HALL OF FAME for being one of the pioneering groups in black rock music. After MAXAYN disbanded, Andre’ formed a longstanding relationship with JOHNNY “GUITAR” WATSON recording three albums and going on to name his backup band which he says he has a degree from: THE WATSONIAN INSTITUTE OF BLUES. Later Andre’ joined forces with FRANK ZAPPA for world tours and albums. Andre’ also performed for a period of time with LEON RUSSELL.

THE MUSIC OF THE FUTURE:

In 1976 Andre’ signed as an Artist/Producer/Songwriter with MOTOWN RECORDS and developed the persona of MANDRE, the “artist from outer space”. Before the advent of Starwars or Battlestar Galactica, MANDRE, in both his albums and live performances personified the “mystery man from outer space”. His features, hidden behind a futuristic mask and his music filled with the sounds from beyond, emanated from a variety of synthisized musical sounds. It was during this period of Andre’s career that he experimented with synthesizers, using them almost exclusively on his debut album MANDRE. His synthesized instrumental “Solar Flight” scored an across-the-charts hit. After completing three more albums for the Motown label, Andre severed his relationship with Motown to pursue independent production but retained the rights and title to the Mandre name.

(music of the future continued)

After producing tracks for Motown artists TATA VEGA, DIANA ROSS, MARVIN GAYE, and RICKENSTEIN, Andre expanded his knowledge and skills in the new technology by enrolling in Los Angeles City College Television Production classes, video arts seminars, martial arts, and other technically oriented classes. In 1980, Andre moved to Marin County, CA and developed a state-of-the-art recording studio in the San Fransisco Bay Area. During this time he released MANDRE IV on his independent label, and played with a band called THE BEST OF FRIENDS which included HUEY LEWIS who later became famous with his chartbusting group HUEY LEWIS AND THE NEWS.

Always a prolific musician, Andre’ recorded during these years with a variety of artists of all genres. He recorded Country & Western with THE NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE and the SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET. He toured and recorded with R&B artist CARL CARLTON in the fall of 1982 and recorded with Jazz Pop artist ANGELA BEOFIL, playing and singing the now famous “vocorder voice” on Angela’s across-the-charts hit “He’s So Tough”. Andre’ continued to expand his musical horizons while adding his own style and musical expertise to the works of other world famous music artists such as STACEY LATESAW, EDWIN STARR, CHARLES WILSON and THE GAP BAND, BOBBY WOMACK, SLY STONE, bassist JONAS HILLBOURG, venturing into New Wave and Funk through his association with ROCKY ERICKSON and the ALIENS. His long stint as bandleader for JOHNNY “GUITAR” WATSON helped define the funky style that took Johnny to the top of the charts.

THE EUROPEAN CONNECTION:

Having finished a tour of Europe with Johnny Guitar Watson; in 1988 Andre’ decided to base himself in Germany. Shortly after that he celebrated the birth of his daughter, Riva, and became actively involved in the European scene, continuing his producing and performing with a variety of local musicians. During this time he toured again with Johnny Guitar Watson and EDWIN STARR and also recorded extensively in England. He also organized and coordinated an exciting reunion band where he teamed with childhood friends BUDDY MILES, MARLO HENDERSON, BILLY RICH, and STEMSEY HUNTER to create the now stellar CD: THE MIGHTY RHYTHM TRIBE. The group also appeared on the SUNSPLASH TOUR, being the only group not playing raegge music but music of the future firmly rooted in the finest tradition of Black American music.

(european connection continued)

He also contributed to many films during this period, most notably NUR UBER MINE KOPER (Over My Dead Body) for which he wrote the title track and other tunes. This film went on to win the MUNICH FILM ARTS AWARD.

HOMECOMING:

Since returning to the United States, Andre’ has toured and recorded with IKE TURNER but mostly has focused on Gospel Music. He has recorded with various gospel artists in his private studio. Andre’ is currently working on a new MANDRE album which will feature guitarist extraordinare CALVIN KEYS on the title track.

To stay rooted, Andre’ plays in church every Sunday and is involved with the children’s choir. This is one of the ways he feels he can give back to the Lord what the Lord has given him: an extraordinary musical talent and an uncanny ability to foresee new musical trends.

I watched this show when it aired back in the 90′s. It was a point of many conversations amongst my friends and I. Me and my crew like to quote movies and media on a regular. This show gave us more terms and ideas for us to play with. Robert Townsend introduced a lot of new talent onto the scene working with Robin Harris, Fazon, & The Wayans Brothers just to name a few. “Hollywood Shuffle” and and Robert’s other film productions always had a the right comedic elements, to leave a long lasting effect and make you want to watch his productions over and over again. Mr. Townsend is one of the greats as far as I am concerned. He had a talent for creating great comedy classics. Enjoy!

This song stuck out in the movie “Rio” as I stated in my previous post because it triggered memories of me dancing at the Afterlife which was a party in SoHo NYC in the 90′s that eventually moved to Brooklyn. This song has been remixed, and redone by so many artists, and even for the movie “Rio.” Regardless of the remakes, it has never lost the feeling that the smooth, sultry, and flowery vocals add to the musical depth of this piece. I found the original version of this song on Youtube that was performed by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben Jor in the 1963.

The next version posted below is footage of Sergio Mendes performing his 1966 version, back in 1966, that made the song popular.

In 2004, Master’s at Work put out a version of “Mas Que Nada” on their Latin Verve Sounds Album. The album was titled “Masters At Work Present Latin Verve Sounds.”

Excerpt from their discography: Masters At Work Present Latin Verve Sounds, is a new collection of some of the classic Latin-flavored songs in the The Verve Music Group’s archives. The tracks were chosen by the popular DJ collective of “Little” Louie Vega and Kenny “Dope” Gonzalez, better known as Masters At Work.

The compilation features a wide range of artists, composers, sounds, and grooves. Kicking off with the classic tropical vibe of Dave Pike’s “Sandunga,” driving through the percussive “Boss Trés Bien” by Quartette Trés Bien, and sliding into Eugene Arango and Carlos “Patato” Valdés’ gritty interpretation of Jorge Ben’s “Mas Qué Nada,” Masters At Work Present Latin Verve Sounds is a vibrant musical journey of Latin jazz rhythms.

Then Masters at Work released a remix version of the song that appeared on Sergio Mendes’newer album “Timeless.” Its not as smooth as the original, but I would still get down to it in the club.

Then there is the version Will.i.am and the Black Eyed Peas did on the song that appeared on the soundtrack of the movie Rio. This version kept the feel of the original. The more hip hop sounding remixes, the Black Eyed Peas did on the song of are interesting, but not my cup of tea. Enjoy, compare and get into the evolution and tradition of this classic Brazilian work of art.

Here is the “Rio” Version–the energy of the remake is very cinematic and a nice way to introduce children to culture.

Here is the Black Eyed Peas version of the song with Will.i.am spitting lyrics over the track. Not sure how I feel about it. I am very much into preserving the integrity of a body of work when it comes to musical compositions. You be the judge.

MY REFLECTION ON EXPERIENCING GIL NOBLE’S IMPACT
Written by Nailah El

Gil Noble’s program “Like It Is” has played a role in the history of my family, and an early part of my upbringing. My father lived through the riots in the central ward in Newark, NJ and had his first glimpse of what was to come in Gil Noble’s career as a journalist in documenting the African and American experience. Once my father began religiously watching “Like It Is,” he passed this ritual onto me. I remember being about 8 yrs. old and trying very hard to get up before my parents got up on Saturday & Sunday mornings. I knew that if I didn’t get up before them, I wouldn’t be able to watch cartoons. It never worked. I would be up first and run to the TV and feel some kind of victory, shortly after that my dad would get up and come downstairs and just turn the channel to ABC. I would then spend weekend mornings watching “Like It Is” and “Eyes On the Prize.” At first I used to feel disappointed because I didn’t understand the importance of watching both of those shows. It only took a short while for my understanding of the impact of both of these shows to permeate my soul and connect me with my ancestors who had participated in the fight for Civil Rights and it started me on my journey for knowledge of self. Watching “Like It Is” and “Eye’s on the Prize” every week also gave me a chance to bond with my dad and ask him questions about his participation in the Civil Rights movement, and his participation in the Black Panther Organization.

I will never forget the time that I was with my parents at a Phi Beta Sigma Conference with my Dad at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. I grabbed my dad’s arm and said “look dad, its Gil Noble–over there!” I asked my dad if we could go say “hi.” So he took my hand and we ran up the steps and followed behind Mr. Noble until we caught up with him. My dad tapped him, said hello and shook his hand. Then he explained to him, that I wanted to meet him. I was so nervous, I had a hard time finding my words. Finally, I extended my hand, shook his hand and managed to tell him that “I watched Like It Is every week with my dad and that I loved the show.” That was truly a moment in my childhood I will never forget, that will stay with me as a very vivid memory. At one time I became very interested in becoming a political journalist. I gave it a shot by working on the Julianne Malveaux Show on WPFW in Washington, D.C. During this time, I had a chance to cover the Million Man March and cover many issues facing the oppressed Africans and Americans in their prospective communities. After that experience, I felt like I needed to focus my energy towards educating children. I became a teacher. That seemed like the best way to help build up our communities for the future. Now, more than ever, I see the impact that Gil Noble had on my life, my journey, my path and my destiny. As we pray for his speedy recovery and return to his “Like It Is,” I am reminded that we all have a responsibility to ourselves and our children to become educated about who we are, respect the path our ancestors have created and plotted out for us, take their cues, build ourselves up physically emotionally, and spiritually so we can become whole, balanced individuals ready to properly bring light to those of us who are shrouded in the darkness of their own anger, sadness, and the generational curse of being separated from knowledge and respect of oneself.

BY RICHARD HUFF, DAILY NEWS TV EDITOR

Thursday, August 4th 2011, 9:47 PM

Local TV legend Gil Noble has been hospitalized after suffering a serious stroke last week.

Noble, the host of WABC/Ch. 7′s “Like It Is,” is stablized, according to Ch. 7′s general manager, Dave Davis.

“I just visited with his family at the hospital, and the good news is he has stabilized and all his vital signs are good,” Davis said in an e-mail message to the station’s staff, obtained by the Daily News.

“For those of us who know Gil, we know the best medicine is his fighting spirit, and all the support from his family and friends,” Davis said.

No other details about his condition or where he’s being treated were released by the station.

Noble, 79, joined Ch. 7 in 1967 as a correspondent. A year later he became an anchor of the station’s weekend newscasts.

In 1968, he also became the host of “Like It Is,” a public affairs show that has been lauded for focusing on issues important to African-Americans.

Since 1986 he’s focused on “Like It Is,” where he’s interviewed a long list of local, national and international newsmakers.

The show airs Sundays at noon.

“‘Like It Is’” offers a rare opportunity to our viewers of all races,” Noble said in a story about the show on Ch. 7′s website, “to look at current and past events through an African-American perspective.”

Besides “Like It Is,” Noble has produced documentaries on such folks as W.E.B Du Bois, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I know you will join me in keeping Gil in your thoughts and prayers, and look forward to welcoming him back to work,” Davis told his staff.

“In his absence, we will air some classic shows of ‘Like It Is.’”

Well Wishes to Gil Noble

Gil Noble, long-time host of the Emmy-award winning show ‘Like It Is’, has been hospitalized after suffering a stroke. He has been stabilized and is resting comfortably with family by his side.  We look forward to welcoming Gil back to work. If you’d like to send your thoughts and well wishes to Gil, CLICK BELOW.

Like It Is Page

About Gil Noble

News

About Gil Noble

Monday, November 09, 2009 (Taken from WABC  Channel 7′s interactive blog)

(New York-WABC) — Gil Noble, producer and host of WABC-TV’s weekly public affairs series, “Like It Is,” is recognized locally and nationally as a dedicated journalist whose work has been a part of the struggle of African Americans for advancement. Noble spends long hours of research and investigation to ensure consistently high quality programming through “Like It Is.”

Noble has received over 650 community awards, numerous industry awards including seven Emmys, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, and five honorary doctorates.

“‘Like It Is’” offers a rare opportunity to our viewers of all races,” observes Noble, “to look at current and past events through an African-American perspective.”

 

Gil Noble
National Visionary:  BIOGRAPHY

Born on February 22, 1932 in New York, NY

Journalist, TV Producer, Host, Documentarian
Gil Noble, producer and host of the public affairs program “Like It Is,” has interviewed famous African Americans like Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer and Paul Robeson. During his career, he has worked to correct negative media representations of African Americans and has promoted ethics and objectivity in journalism.

Noble was born in Harlem to Jamaican immigrants Gilbert and Iris Noble. As a teenager, Noble was inspired by pianist Erroll Garner and decided to pursue a career in music. He formed the Gil Noble Trio and played in clubs around New York City while attending City College. After graduating, he worked for Union Carbide and modeled on the side. He met his wife Jean, also a model, during this time.

Noble attempted to break into broadcast by doing voiceovers and television commercials. He became a part-time announcer for WLIB, a Harlem radio station, in 1962. While at WLIB, he also reported, read newscasts, serviced the Associated Press teletype machine and tracked interview tapes. This experience gave him working knowledge of all aspects of a newsroom operation.

In 1967, Noble auditioned for a TV reporter position at WABC. On his second audition assignment, he was called to cover violence in Newark, New Jersey’s Central Ward. Blacks had been shut off by a National Guard barricade while white city officials and journalists stood at the perimeter. Noble was able to cross the barricade and get the story from the black community’s perspective. Because of his reports, he was hired. By 1968, he was anchoring weekend newscasts. At that time, WABC created a black-oriented program in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Actor Robert Hooks was the host and Noble was the interviewer. When Hooks accepted an acting job, Noble replaced him as host. In the beginning, “Like It Is” focused on mostly entertainers, however, when Noble became producer in 1975, he turned its focus to the more serious issues of the black experience.

Over the years, Noble saw the documentary as the central focus and most rewarding aspect of his career. “Like It Is” has produced the largest collection of programs and documentaries on the African-American experience in the last half of the 20th century. He says documentaries “remain a powerful weapon to change false values, correct historical error and cure the poison of prejudice in the minds of black and white Americans.” In 2002, he survived an attempt by WABC to cancel his contract and show. Supporters of the show held rallies in its defense and the show remains on the air.

Interviews:

Heads of State:
Sekou Ture (Guinea), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Michael Manley and P.J. Patterson (Jamaica), Maurice Bishop (Grenada), Sam Nujoma (Namibia), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), and Thomas Sankara (Burkina-Faso).

Entertainment:
Bill Cosby, Erroll Garner, Sarah Vaughan, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Peterson, Carmen McCrae, Aretha Franklin, Nancy Wilson, Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne, Wynton Marsalis, Milt Jackson and Jackie Mclean.

Sports:
Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Arthur Ashe, and Jim Brown.

Politics/Leaders:
Jesse Jackson, David Dinkins, Harold Washington, Louis Farrakhan, Andrew Young, Stokley Carmichael (Kwame Ture), Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., and Bruce Wright.

Documentaries:
W.E.B. DuBois, Malcolm X(3), Paul Robeson(2), Fannie Lou Hamer, Ella Baker, Decade of Struggle, M.L. King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Jack Johnson, Charlie Parker, Essay on Drugs.

 

Kashif

The great thing about songs like this is, I never get tired of it. I remember first hearing this along with the other brilliant songs on the album and being blown away. The combination of Soul and Funk presented through the innovation of Kashif’s production skill is magical. The production style of the album over all was innovative, due to the use of the more electronically assisted keyboards and drum machines then I had seen on a lot of other R&B albums coming out at the time. Jams like “The Mood” on the album is a instrumental that is a great example. Great lyrics,soulful inflections,and electronic assistance take flight on this song. Puts you in a mood and makes everything alright. It is has most definitely been on my club floors more then once. More Kashif coming soon. He is one of my favorites.

MIKE T

What can you say? This is just a badass jam hands down. As far a Chicago dance floors are concerned this was a major hit on historical house launch pads such as the
Power Plant with Frankie Knuckles and the Music Box with Ron Hardy. I grew up loving and dancing to this record. I very much consider this a Jazz Funk record. There was a era where there were a lot of Disco-Rap jams coming out along with being played on a regular on radio morning shows etc. Disco Rapp songs were very much a part of the urban pop culture/mainstream music circle. I got into rappin back in the late 70′s because of disco rap which is the earlier stages of what is called Hip-Hop now. It appealed to me because of its smoothness and was almost like a radio dj was talking to you over the air waves. Many of these type of records were produced and presented in this style. Of course it was more about dancing and having a good time along with the art of MC’in rather than roughness that was later displayed, I will speak on that another time. Anyway,this jam in particular is more underground. Built for straight boogie. There a whole list of similar types of Disco-Rapp-Dance records I will post and speak on later. Until then enjoy this long time Classic. Good Times…