Leroy now on MySpace
Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/leroyburgess
We have a short clip of a track from the new LP there.
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May 31, 2007
May 29, 2007
Leroy's New Solo LP 'Throwback : Harlem 79-83'
Released June 2007 on Soul Brother Records (UK)
Available on CD and double vinyl at http://www.dustygroove.com, http://www.soulbrother.com and all the usual purveyors of good music.
Here's what Soul Brother say:
12 unreleased tracks from the legendary singer/songwriter/producer recorded in late 70's/early 80's. Some are the original demo's of tracks he wrote for others like 'Its So Easy (You Can Do It dino terell) ', 'Moment Of My Life' (inner life), and 'Fly Girl' (intrique) and 'Youre My Number One' (change) which all stand up well against the released versions because Leroy's voice is so good. Of the 7 new songs the best are the classic Burgess boogie tracks like 'Scandal', 'Midnight In The Streets' , 'Keepin On', 'Under Da Radar' and 'Hold up' whilst 'All Into You' is am id tempo groover. The live cover of the Isleys 'Hello Its Me' is also interesting. This brilliant project is unmissable if you are into Burgess, Boogie or early 80's uptempo soul.
And here's what Dusty Groove has to say:
No throwback here -- as the music is a bold step forward in the career of Leroy Burgess -- previously unissued tracks from his glory days in the New York club scene, and work that's as great as any of the material that was formally issued on the market! Burgess has a great ear for a compelling groove -- and the tracks here were all recorded privately during the period when he was at the height of his boogie years -- working under the names of Phreek, Aleem, Logg, and Convertion -- in a real flurry of great work that seemed to hit the scene with a new single month after month! The tracks are slightly less polished, but not in a bad way -- as they've got a style that's even more personal than some of Burgess' other music -- keyboard parts that are very spontaneous, and vocals that have a nice edge. Tracks are mostly upbeat, and titles include "Hold Up", "Scandal", "In The Moment", "Keepin On", "Midnight In The Streets", "It's So Easy", "Fly Girl", "Moment Of My Life", "All Into U", "Under Da Radar", and "You Are My Number One".
MY COLUMN/MAY 29th,2007 (part one)
What's up, ev'rybody!
Just got back from Birmingham, UK. There's a lot of news to report... so, let's get right to it.
LUXURY SOUL WEEKEND/ BIRMINGHAM HILTON METROPOLE (MAY 24TH THROUGH 27TH)
I couldn't have asked for a better place to premiere my new album THROWBACK/HARLEM '79-'83, surrounded by my British faithful. The whole affair was cool beyond belief! Just an around-the-clock party with some of the best and brightest DJs on the scene. Not to mention a hotel filled with some of the biggest party animals on the planet. My spirit is still reverberating from all the positive energy!
I want to thank everybody who joined me for my performance and for making it such a great time for me.
Special shout outs to Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson. Performing and chilling with you guys is one of my dreams come true. Everything that you do is brilliant. May God continue to bless the world with your awesome creative spirits. Thank you for every single moment.
To Ray and Vivian Chew. Sharing this weekend with two of my very best friends made it the ultimate blessing. Whether watching Ray meticulously put the band through their paces or watching Vivian keeping the business tight, I never fail to come away awestruck. The fact that you're both so firmly down-to-earth despite all your talent, always gives me something more to aspire towards in my life. Thank you so much for being there.
To Jason Thain and Amanda Bradley. Thank you for everything you both are to me. Your love and constant support provides a strong foundation for my often shaky feet. It means the world to me that you were there.... as always. God bless you, my friends. I totally love you guys.
THROWBACK/HARLEM '79-'83
Well... here it is, y'all. It took me a minute but, at last it's out. Let me give you the quick version: 12 full length songs produced by yours truly. Composed and recorded initially during the period of 1979 through 1983 and updated/remixed/remastered by me personally during most of 2006. Featured musician/vocalists include James Calloway, the late Sonny Davenport and Stan Lucas, Mike Campbell, Jocelyn Brown, Fonzie Thorton, Michael Lewis, Dorothy Terrell and Renee J.J. Burgess, Vincent Henry and a whole lot more. The general 'vibe' is boogie. It's available now on Soul Brother Records. Hope you guys really like it.
But that's not all, folks.....
OTHER NEW STUFF
1- House Music Anthem by Curfew feat/ Leroy Burgess (Rough Luxury Records)
2- Must Be The Music By Slippery People feat./ Leroy Burgess (Guide Lines/Amigo)
3- Hot Like An Oven by Robert Strauss feat./ Leroy Burgess (Earth Corp. Ent./ BBE Records)*
4- Let Me Know You're Feel'n Me by Leroy Burgess (Nite Life Collective Records)
* (there's a tour of Europe planned for October/November with Strauss and Co. ... Keep and eye out for specific dates and cities)
Still kinda fightin' off the jet lag. So, I'll hit you guys with part two tomorrow.
Peace and blessings until then.
Leroy Burgess / May 29th, 2007
'Casually Formal' released on CD for first time ever
Blue Bird Records via Funky Town Grooves have issued the Aleem featuring Leroy Burgess LP 'Casually Formal' on CD for the first time ever.
Orginally released in 1986 on Atlantic Records, this version see a bonus in the form, of a dub mix of 'Fine Young Tender'.
Details and order info here
May 17, 2007
Preface To My Forthcoming Column
Hi, ev'rybody
I just had to take a moment to write a 'prequel' to the full column I'll be posting in June.
On May 25th, 2007, I will be performing at the Luxury Soul Weekender at the Birmingham Hilton in Birmingham, England. This event also serves as the official launch party for my new album, THROWBACK/HARLEM '79 to '83 on Soul Brother Records. The project contains 12 previously unreleased songs written during that period and includes the musical performances of members of Convertion, Logg, Caprice, Change and many other great artists backing me up when we created the demos from which this album is derived.
It features many brand new songs such as "Midnight In The Streets", "Scandal", "Hold Up" & "All Into U", as well as covers of "Fly Girl", " Moment Of My Life" & "It's So Easy (You Can Do It)", based on the original demos I recorded before the songs went into actual production for the other artists. And a 'live' performance of Convertion and I doing Todd Rudgren's classic "Hello It's Me".
I look forward to 'partying hearty' with my UK faithful at this gala celebration. For more informationm, check out the flyer on the opening page of the website.
God bless... keep it real... and enjoy the album.
Peace.
Leroy Burgess May 17th 2007