Soul Brother Records are pleased to announce Volume 1 of The Leroy Burgess Anthology. The CD & Vinyl will be available late November / early December 2001. Volume 1 features tunes with Leroy's vocals. Volume 2 (and maybe even 3) will feature the production side of Leroy.
The track HEAVENLY is previously unreleased, and comes from the same Salsoul sessions as HEARTBREAKER / STRANGER, and features Jocelyn Brown and Melissa Morgan on background duties.
Track Listing:
1. GET DOWN FRIDAY
NIGHT (10:00)
2. HOOKED ON YOUR LOVE (8:51)
3. YOU'VE GOT THAT SOMETHING (9:50)
4. I KNOW YOU WILL (9:30)
5. DANCING IN THE STARS (11:05)
6. HEAVENLY
7. HEARTBREAKER (5:53)
8. RELEASE YOURSELF
9. GET LOOSE (6:58)
Sleevenotes from the Soul Brother web site
This Anthology marks the first compilation of this well respected and innovative singer/producer/arranger and songwriter, who with groups like Aleem, Logg and under his own name created the 80's boogie style. Leroy is considered as one of the most important inspirations behind the House and Garage music that followed
Leroy Burgess - The Voice
Leroy who?
To the many thousands of DJ's and devotees around the world Leroy Burgess
is revered as one the greatest writers, producers and soul singers of all
time. To the general public he is almost totally unknown, although his musical
influence has undoubtedly touched almost anyone who has been to a club or
disco in the last quarter of a century.
Coming from a musical family - his mother was an opera singer, his uncle the great Philly producer Thom Bell - it was only natural that Leroy should start singing at an early age. He cites Johnny Mathis, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and the producer/songwriter Patrick Adams among his main influences.
Leroy was a founding member of the Harlem group Black Ivory with whom he made three albums between 1973 and 1977. In 1978 he went back into the studio with group for a session which produced the classic dancefloor track 'Mainline'.
This volume of the anthology - 'The Voice'- concentrates on material that he sang with the Aleems in the early 80's, along with his recordings for New York's Salsoul label under pseudonym Logg, and the only recordings to date under his own name.
Volume Two out in 2002 will highlight his songwriting and production abilities. In his own words Leroy is a modest man, 'a regular kid from Harlem', who has deliberately kept a low profile throughout his career. The acclaim that he deserves has so far been contained within the underground music scenes that have championed his work - examples of which can be found in the tributes from leading DJ's in these sleeve notes. Hopefully this anthology will go some way to achieving a more widespread recognition of his talent and bring the man, and 'The Voice', the praise that is long overdue.
Throughout my life, I have been blessed to share with the world something of who I am through the gift of music that God has given me. I don't consider myself special.. that is, no more than any of us are. I'm a regular kid from Harlem, NYC with regular parents, regular brothers and sisters, family and friends who have loved and nurtured me since I was born. If there is anything that makes me special, it is the music itself. I have always felt that music was God's most real way of communicating with us and through us. It transcends borders and boundaries.. language and personalities.. conflicts and difficulties. From the first moment I could hear, music made it's presence known in my spirit. I have not been the same since. I always wanted to be a part of it. I had to learn from it. Feel it.. be in and of it above all else.. save for my love of the Lord.
So, I started singing. Then I started banging on the piano. Once I'd begun,
I couldn't let it go. It allowed me to speak without words.. and be better
understood. To travel the entire world without moving. To discover a depth
within myself I was previously oblivious to. To share in it's joy and to extend
that joy to all who would hear. Like I said… one helluva gift.
This ANTHOLOGY contains some of the best work that I have endeavored to be
a part of, in my humble (though perhaps slightly biased) opinion. The work
that best defines me and what I'm about. I really hope it brings you a little
joy. It has brought me more than my feeble mind can convey with these frail
words.
I have been honored to work with some of the best creative spirits on the
planet. I would be remiss not to acknowledge their contributions and their
kindness in sharing their gifts with me. Largely, it is they who have motivated
and guided me to express myself as I have. Ma, Papa, Grandma Gussie, Mom,
Dad, my siblings, Herbie Jones, Patrick, Stuart, Russell, James, Sonny, Tunde
Ra & Taharqa, Jocelyn, the amazing Mr. Steveland… a total list far
too numerous to name them all. Most of all, I want to thank all of you, who
have been so kind as to lend your ears to my music. I enjoy most having it
to share. And having such a receptive audience.
Thank you everybody. God bless you all.
LeRoy Burgess, September 18, 2001
LEROY BURGESS LINER NOTES: VOLUME ONE
LOGG/SALSOUL
After the release and success of "LET'S DO IT" by Conversion on SAM records, Greg Carmichael and myself decided we wanted to do more songs on that project. The principle members of Conversion were myself (lead and background vocals, keyboards) my adopted brother James Calloway (bass) and my cousin Sonny T. Davenport (drums). We added my sister Renee J. J . Burgess and Dorothy Terrell on background vocals, Sonny DeGraffenreid (guitar), Fred McFarlane (keyboards), my cousin Willis Long (percussion) and Trevor Gale (live drums).
Sam Weiss owned the copyright of the Conversion name, so when negotiations for continuing the project broke down, Greg and I decided to take the group to another label…Salsoul Records. The first song recorded was "I KNOW YOU WILL", in a mind numbing nine hour midnight session at Soundworks Studios. Salsoul was most impressed and decided to call in the great Larry Levan to mix. But we needed a new name. As we were busy with other projects, we asked Greg to make up something and get back to us. He decided on Logg (why I doubt I'll ever understand). Two weeks later, the single burst onto the radio stations and into the stores.
Ken Cayre, President of Salsoul was so impressed, he immediately commissioned six more songs to comprise an album. James, Sonny and I sequestered ourselves between my apartment and Sonny's (on 11th and 21st floors of 200 Drew/Hamilton respectively) to compose the songs. An exhaustive week later the songs were completed.
"YOU'VE GOT THAT SOMETHING" is my favourite. Most noteworthy during the recording of this was the percussion session. I called in everybody in the group (whether or not they could play percussion) and gave them an instrument and a specific part. Beer bottles, shakers, cabasa, a box of oatmeal, a box of salt…you name it. We lined up in tow rows…set up seven mics and started playing. The resultant breakdown section is perhaps the most percussive work I've ever done on a song.
"DANCING INTO THE STARS" actually began life as an intro or interlude created by James for our live performance. During one of our 'writer's block' periods composing the album, Sonny suggested "Why don't we do something with that piece Jimmy wrote for the shows?" The result was this song. Noticeably Conversion-esque, we used some elements of "LET'S DO IT" to complete the vibe. See if you can figure out which ones. Most noteworthy is James' bass work. I think he busted his thumb on this one and we had to halt production while it healed. Check out the intensity for yourselves.
LEROY BURGESS/SALSOUL
About two years after the release of the Logg album, Ken Cayre approached me about doing some projects under my own name. Although I continued to work with James and Sonny, the group itself had dis-banded. We went through the task of composing the songs.
"HEARTBREAKER" was actually my second choice for the single but Salsoul thought otherwise. After test marketing the songs the feedback suggested it to be the strongest tune. So I went with it. It features Jocelyn Brown, Me'lisa Morgan, Connie Harvey and Angie Blake on background vocals. I was always surprised and gratified with how well this song was received.
"HEAVENLY" was one of my pet projects and was never released until now. For this, we brought Fred McFarlane back into the fold for his miraculous keyboard work. Jocelyn and Me'lisa for background vocals (with Sonny and myself). James was touring with Evelyn King and Najee so the bass work was done on synthesizer by Fred and me. This song is close to my heart.
ALEEM FEATURING LEROY BURGESS
Let's do this in chronological order starting with:
"HOOKED ON YOUR LOVE" which our building mates Taharqa and Tunde-ra Aleem had composed to be the lead-off single of their new NIA Record label. Originally I was contracted as arranger/keyboardist and contractor to ready to the song for release. Taharqa was scheduled to be the lead vocalist but was unsatisfied with his performance. It was suggested I give the lead a try. The rest is history. The late, great Irving Spice and his orchestra realized strings and brass. Background vocals feature Luther Vandross and Ullanda McCollough. The song successfully dominated the radio waves for eight months and prompted the twins to try for their second single…
"GET DOWN FRIDAY NIGHT". Recorded at restoration studios in Brooklyn, New York, the Aleems wanted to drop the orchestra and try a simpler, more synthetic spin. So, with Tunde-Ra and I on keyboards and Taharqa on guitars (with James Calloway on bass), we banged out the track and vocals in one night. This was one of the first tracks to feature me alone as background vocalist, giving rise to the vocal sound Aleem fans are most familiar with. About a year passed before the twins came back to me with the next proposed single…
"RELEASE YOURSELF" was something brand new, utilising elements of the then current electro-funk made popular by Herbie Hancock's "Rockit". When I sang in the first chorus, the twins liked it so much they decided to sample the phrase, giving us the frenetic opening of the record. This returned us to the forefront of people's minds and before we could lose the groove, the Aleems commissioned Sonny and I to compose…
"GET LOOSE" an even funkier take on the same vibe contained in "RELEASE YOURSELF". Many of the same elements came into play with the exception of the syncopated stop-start main rhythm Sonny suggested for this song. While in the States it was considered to be a rip off of "RELEASE YOURSELF" internationally it was considered to be the definitive statement between the two and sales went through the roof…
'In these media
driven times accolades are heaped on certain 'manufactured' individuals in
the music business who in my humble opinion are mostly undeserved as history
usually reflects…here today etc…And there are also people whose
talents are criminally overlooked who often wait most of their lives for the
recognition they fully deserve (I can personally relate to that). The name
Leroy Burgess falls into the latter category. This brilliantly enigmatic New
York producer/singer/songwriter has been at the very epicentre of black music
dance culture since back in the day. With this collection of 'boogie classics'
and groundbreaking productions you'll begin to understand just why me and
thousands of others just like me were hugely influenced by this man's music
from the disco of the late 70's to the emerging hip-hop culture at the beginning
of the 80's. So go ahead explore and enjoy THE VOICE of East Harlem! Respect
most certainly due!'
NORMAN JAY
(GOOD TIMES, LONDON)
' I first became
aware of Leroy Burgess in 1981 with the release of his intriguingly titled
'Logg' album. It was the way he managed to encapsulate that feel good factor
with seemingly never ending layers of intricate synth riffs, bouncing chords,
unorthodox arrangements and of course those off-beat, gospel tinged funky
vocal harmonies…who was this guy?, where did he come from? I just had
to find out. There began the painstaking search for anything remotely associated
with Leroy. Unearthing tracks from previous affiliations and all his subsequent
varied productions, everyone inimitable pure magic. You definitely knew a
burgess tune when you heard it'.
JULIAN JONAH
'One of the most
gifted sol's and creative minds of our times, writer, producer, vocalist.
His lyric's, voice and sound both lifted and inspired generations around the
globe. A living legend who's creative inspiration has helped to shape the
path of modern R&B today. His legacy is here to stay and will continue
to lift future generations of disciples. I am honoured and privileged to have
had Leroy appear at the Tom Tom Club in one of his rare UK appearances in
1988, and to experience his Sol in my lifetime. Leroy has been blessed and
he has blessed us all with his music'.
CLEVELAND ANDERSON (BLACK MASSES/TOM TOM CLUB)
'His unique happy
voice captured imagination. I followed his career with great interest and
excitement. His brand of funky disco/boogie was a forerunner for the house
and NY Garage music of today. It would be great to hear his voice in house
music now'.
JAZZY M (MINISTRY OF SOUND)
'One of the most
innovative and soulful producer/artists to emerge from the disco era of dance
music. His style and productions are extremely unique. It goes without saying
that he forged the way for house music from out of the ashes of disco. He
really is a force to be reckoned with.'
DR BOB JONES (BBBC LONDON LIVE 94.9FM/CHILLI FUNK)
'If James Brown
is the godfather of funk then surely Leroy Burgess deserves the same title
for his badass disco boogie. I rest my case.'
ASHLEY BEADLE
Sleeve Notes courtesy of Soul Brother Records.
To read reviews of the Anthology album collected by Hey Leroy! check out ths following page.
