…and here we go.
Six Degrees Of Separation, Volume 1. (Check below to listen or download.)
01 – Get Down Friday Night – Leroy Burgess
02 – Hollywood Swinging – Kool and the Gang
03 – Such A Feeling (Original Shep Pettibone 12” Mix) – Aurra
04 – Just A Touch Of Love – Slave
05 – Feels So Real – Steve Arrington
06 – The Glamorous Life (Club Edit) – Sheila E
07 – If You Love Me – Brownstone
08 – Games – Chuckii Booker
09 – Treat U Rite – Angela Winbush
10 – I Love You More – Rene and Angela
11 – Live It Up – The Isley Brothers
12 – Purple Haze (Alternate Recording) – Jimi Hendrix
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Six degrees of seperation is in reference to the idea that one person is at most six steps, or degres, away from another person. Ricky Mac took it one step further for this mix, which contains 2 sets of seperations- refereences to a musical artist or act exactly six degrrs away from another artist or act. Volume I has two sets, as detailed below:.
Six Degrees Of Seperation: Leroy Burgess to Sheila E
Leroy Burgess is renowned singer and songwriter whose career started in the 1960s. He got his first taste of fame with the group Black Ivory in 1971 with the hit “You and I”. The group enjoyed some hits including the dance classic “Mainline”.
Fonda Rae - Touch Me (All Night Long)
Intrigues – Fly Girl and Together Forever
Aleem – Get down Friday Night
Larry Levan – I know you will
Rick James – Big Time
Phrrek–Weekend (This was later covered by Class Action)
Black Ivory’s manager was friends with Kool and the Gang’s manager. Both managers came up with the idea that Kool and the Gang should play the music for Black Ivory. So Leroy knew the band for a while. It was only in 1993 while at a family picnic that Leroy discovers that he’s the cousin of Kool, Ronald and Kevin Bell from Kool and the Gang.
Kool and the Gang , originally called the Jazziacs was started by Robert Bell in 1964. Later renamed to Kool and the Gang, they were signed to De-Lite records in 1969. They broke into mainstream with 1973’s Jungle boogie and Hollywood Swinging.
Singer James J.T. Taylor joined the group in 1979 with Ladies Night. J.T left the group after a string of hits such as Celebration, Get Down on it, Joanna, Fresh and Cherish. James J.T. Taylor was a school teacher and an amateur night club singer and has released four solo albums to date. He has also collaborated with Regina Belle (All I want is forever) and Stephanie Mills (Heart to Heart) J.T marries Starleana Young, lead singer of Aurra.
Aurra starts as an off shoot from the band Slave after producer Steve Washington realises that the Band is too big and asks Starlenna and Curt Young to form Aurra. Aurra releases four albums under SaSoul records and produced hits such as You and me tonight, Are you single and Why don’t you make up your mind. For legal reasons Aurra renamed themselves to Deja but never produced any major hits.
Slave was formed by Steve Washington and Mark Hicks in 1975 in Dayton, Ohio. Slave produced such hits as Just a Touch of Love, Watching You and Snap Shot. Steve Arrington joins the group in 1978 and becomes their lead singer.Steve Arrington leaves the group in 1982 and forms the Steve Arrington Hall of Fame.
Steve Arrington was born in Great Lakes Illinois but moved with his family to Dayton, Ohio. By age 13, he was playing at various talent shows and the Dayton Battle of the Bands as well as gigging with other bands in the Dayton area. By his senior year at High School he joined the band the Young Mystics. Several members of Young Mystics would go on to form the band Slave. With Slave Steve played drums and percussion before becoming their lead singer. In 1977, Steve went to California studied Latin percussion and drumming with Coke Escovedo and played drums with Pete and Sheila Escovedo, (also known as Sheila E.) He did a tour with the Salsa West Coast Latin All Stars, led by the Escovedos, featuring Carlos Santana on guitar.
Sheila E was born in Oakland California and is the daughter of percussionist Pete Escovedo with whom she frequently performs. Sheila makes her recording debut in 1976 and by her early 20’s she had already played with George Duke, Lionel Richie, Marvin Gaye, Herbie Hancock, and Diana Ross. She also plays violin and guitar. She meets Prince in 1978 and collaborates on the Purple Rain recording and then goes on to be drummer and musical director for Price’s backing band The New Power Generation. During her career she has had collaborated with Beyonce (Work it out), Phil Collins, Ringo Starr, Cyndi Lauper, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana and José Feliciano.
Six Degrees of Seperation: Brownstone to Jimi Hendrix
Brownstone is a Grammy nominated group that was popular in the 1990s. They are best known for the hits If You Love Me, Grapevyne, Pass the lovin’ and the remake of the Eagle’s hit I can’t tell you Why from their debut album From The Bottom Up.
The original members of the group were Monica Doby, Charmayne Maxwell and Nichole Gilbert. Less than a year after the group was formed they were signed to Michael Jackon’s MJJ label. After touring extensively Doby left the group and has become a teacher. Chuckii Booker was musical director for the group.
Chuckii Booker, born in Los Angeles California, is a singer, songwriter , band leader and multi-instrumentalist. Chuckii began recording music after he was signed to his godfather’s (Barry White) production company. After this he signed with Atlantic Records and produced his debut album Chuckii in 1989 where he played all the instruments and sang all the vocals. This album produced hits such as Don’t You Know I Love You and Turned Away. His follow up album Niice and Wiild produced the hit single Games. Chuckii has recorded with worked with and produced artists such as Troop, Barry White, Vanessa Williams, Kool and the Gang, Janet Jackson, TLC, New Edition, Faith Evans, Mary J BLige, Jay-Z, Tevin Campbell, Brownstone, Keyshia Cole, Lionel Ritchie, Lalah Hataway, En Vogue, Diana Ross, Anastacia, Commissioned, Bette Midler and Angela Winbush.
Angela Winbush was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up singing in church but did not aspire to a career in music. She studied Architecture at Howard University and made extra money by singing. She switched her major to music education and recorded a demo. The demo was picked up by DJ Gary Byrd who made the call that gave her a spot as a backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder. She became Stevie’s Protégé and learnt the art of writing and arranging songs. She met Rene Moore in LA and they went on to write and produce together under the name Rene & Angela.
In 1986 Angela was introduced to Ronald Isley by way of Benny Medina who asked Angela to work on the Isley’s next record. She then produced, wrote and arranged on the Isley’s Smooth Sailin’ album. After this Ronald Isley became her manager and helped her release her debut album Sharp from which the song Angel came. She then wrote and produced for Sheena Easton. She also sang backup vocals for Dolly Parton, Lenny Williams and Jean Carn.
Ronald and Angela got married in 1993 and divorced in 2002.
Rene & Angela Before meeting Angela Winbush, Rene played with the Brothers Johnson. He is the brother of Rufus’ Bobby Watson (of Rufus & Chaka Khan fame). Rene & Angela went on to create hits such as I’ll be Good, Save Your Love (For #1), Your Smile and You Don’t Have to Cry off the Street Called Desire album. They also produced hits for Stephanie Mills and Kurtis Blow.
Even though Rene & Angela only produced two albums their music has been sampled by R&B and Hip hop artists
I Love You More (1981) was sampled in
I Love The Dough by The Notorious B.I.G feat. Jay-Z and Angela Winbush (1997)
Jackpotes 2000 by 113 (1999)
I’ll Go by Donell Jones (2000)
900 Degrees by Ian Pooley (2000)
1987 by Poka (2009)
Imaginary Playments (1981) was sampled in
Imaginary Player by Jay-Z
I’ll Be Good (1985) was sampled in
I’ll Be by Foxy Brown feat. Jay Z (1986)
I’ll be Good by Gospel Gangstaz (1999)
Your Smile (1985) was sampled in
Smile by Trae feat. Jadakiss and Styles P (2007)
You don’t have to Cry (1985) was sampled in
Romeo and Juliet by Sylk-E Fine feat. Chill (1988)
Isley Brothers comprises of different line-ups of brothers and a brother-in-law Chris Jasper (of Isley-Jasper-Isley). Their father wanted his four sons to be singers so no sooner that they could walk and talk they were trained to sing together. They formed the Isley Borthers in 1954 and had success in the gospel circuit. In 1955 one of the brothers Veron was killed in an accident and they withdrew from singing. In 1956 they moved to New York where they were signed and released their first single The Cow jumped over The Moon which flopped. They had early success with the song Shout, which was more successful when it was covered by Joey Dee and the Starlighters and Lulu. They also had successes with songs such as Twist & Shout, Respectable, That Lady, Summer Breeze, Midnight Sky, Hello By Me, For The Love of You and the albums Harvest for the World (1976), Go for Your Guns (1977), Showdown (1978), the double album Winner Takes All (1979) and Go All the Way (1980). They found renewed success in 2001 when they teamed up with R Kelly for the ballad Contagious. The Album Eternal sold two million copies and their follow up album Body Kiss went Gold.
In 1964 the Isley Brothers hired a young backing guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Jimi Hendrix the legend that is (nuff respect due !) was born Johnny Allen Hendrix November 27, 1942. He is considered the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music. At 15 he acquired his 1st acoustic guitar from an acquaintance of his father. He learned to play from practicing constantly, getting tips from more experienced players and listening to records. In 1959 his father bought him his first electric guitar. According to fellow band mates he learned how to play with his teeth and behind his back and his stage antics from Raleigh "Butch" Snipes, guitarist with local band The Sharps. He refined the art of guitar playing on the Chitlin’ circuit performing in his own band as well as playing for Chuck Jackson, Slim Harpo, Tommy Tucker, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.
Jimi Hendrix’s 1st studio recording was with the Isley Brothers in March 1964 on a song called Testify. He was a guitarist in the band and toured with them. He also in the same year started to perform and record with Little Richard. He also performed and recorded with Ray Sharpe, Lonnie Youngblood, Jimmy Norman and his own band The Blue Flame.
Brownstone is a Grammy nominated group that was popular in the 1990s. They are best known for the hits If You Love Me, Grapevyne, Pass the lovin’ and the remake of the Eagle’s hit I can’t tell you Why from their debut album From The Bottom Up
The original members of the group were Monica Doby, Charmayne Maxwell and Nichole Gilbert. Less than a year after the group was formed they were signed to Michael Jackon’s MJJ label. After touring extensively Doby left the group and has become a teacher. Chuckii Booker was musical director for the group.
Chuckii Booker , born in Los Angeles California is a singer, songwriter , band leader and multi-instrumentalist. Chuckii began recording music after he was signed to his godfather’s (Barry White) production company. After this he signed with Atlantic Records and produced his debut album Chuckii in 1989 where he played all the instruments and sang all the vocals. This album produced hits such as Don’t You Know I Love You and Turned Away. His follow up album Niice and Wiild produced the hit single Games.
Chuckii has recorded with worked with and produced artists such as Troop, Barry White, Vanessa Williams, Kool and the Gang, Janet Jackson, TLC, New Edition, Faith Evans, Mary J BLige, Jay-Z, Tevin Campbell, Brownstone, Keyshia Cole, Lionel Ritchie, Lalah Hataway, En Vogue, Diana Ross, Anastacia, Commissioned, Bette Midler and Angela Winbush.
Angela Winbush was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up singing in church but did not aspire to a career in music. She studied Architecture at Howard University and made extra money by singing. She switched her major to music education and recorded a demo. The demo was picked up by DJ Gary Byrd who made the call that gave her a spot as a backing vocalist for Stevie Wonder. She became Stevie’s Protégé and learnt the art of writing and arranging songs. She met Rene Moore in LA and they went on to write and produce together under the name Rene & Angela.
In 1986 Angela was introduced to Ronald Isley by way of Benny Medina who asked Angela to work on the Isley’s next record. She then produced, wrote and arranged on the Isley’s Smooth Sailin’ album. After this Ronald Isley became her manager and helped her release her debut album Sharp from which the song Angel came. She then wrote and produced for Sheena Easton. She also sang backup vocals for Dolly Parton, Lenny Williams and Jean Carn.
Ronald and Angela got married in 1993 and divorced in 2002.
Rene & Angela Before meeting Angela Winbush, Rene played with the Brothers Johnson. He is the brother of Rufus’ Bobby Watson (of Rufus & Chaka Khan fame). Rene & Angela went on to create hits such as I’ll be Good, Save Your Love (For #1), Your Smile and You Don’t Have to Cry off the Street Called Desire album. They also produced hits for Stephanie Mills and Kurtis Blow.
Even though Rene & Angela only produced two albums their music has been sampled by R&B and Hip hop artists
I Love You More (1981) was sampled in
I love the dough by The Notorious B.I.G feat. Jay-Z and Angela Winbush (1997)
Jackpotes 2000 by 113 (1999)
I’ll Go by Donell Jones (2000)
900 Degrees by Ian Pooley (2000)
1987 by Poka (2009)
Imaginary Playments (1981) was sampled in
Imaginary Player by Jay-Z
I’ll Be Good (1985) was sampled in
I’ll Be by Foxy Brown feat. Jay Z (1986)
I’ll be Good by Gospel Gangstaz (1999)
Your Smile (1985) was sampled in
Smile by Trae feat. Jadakiss and Styles P (2007)
You don’t have to Cry (1985) was sampled in
Romeo and Juliet by Sylk-E Fine feat. Chill (1988)
Isley Brothers comprises of different line-ups of brothers and a brother-in-law Chris Jasper (of Isley-Jasper-Isley). Their father wanted his four sons to be singers so no sooner that they could walk and talk they were trained to sing together. They formed the Isley Borthers in 1954 and had success in the gospel circuit. In 1955 one of the brothers Veron was killed in an accident and they withdrew from singing. In 1956 they moved to New York where they were signed and released their first single The Cow Jumped Over The Moon which flopped.
They had early success with the song Shout, which was more successful when it was covered by Joey Dee and the Starlighters and Lulu. They also had successes with songs such as Twist & Shout, Respectable, That Lady, Summer Breeze, Midnight Sky, Hello By Me, For The Love of You and the albums Harvest for the World (1976), Go for Your Guns (1977), Showdown (1978), the double album Winner Takes All (1979) and Go All the Way (1980). They found renewed success in 2001 when they teamed up with R Kelly for the ballad Contagious. The Album Eternal sold two million copies and their follow up album Body Kiss went Gold.
In 1964 the Isley Brothers hired a young backing guitarist Jimi Hendrix.
Jimi Hendrix the legend that is (nuff respect due !) was born Johnny Allen Hendrix November 27, 1942. He is considered the greatest electric guitarist in the history of rock music. At 15 he acquired his 1st acoustic guitar from an acquaintance of his father. He learned to play from practicing constantly, getting tips from more experienced players and listening to records. In 1959 his father bought him his first electric guitar. According to fellow band mates he learned how to play with his teeth and behind his back and his stage antics from Raleigh "Butch" Snipes, guitarist with local band The Sharps. He refined the art of guitar playing on the Chitlin’ circuit performing in his own band as well as playing for Chuck Jackson, Slim Harpo, Tommy Tucker, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson.
Jimi Hendrix’s 1st studio recording was with the Isley Brothers in March 1964 on a song called Testify. He was a guitarist in the band and toured with them. He also in the same year started to perform and record with Little Richard. He also performed and recorded with Ray Sharpe, Lonnie Youngblood, Jimmy Norman and his own band The Blue Flame.
In 1966 Jimi met Chas Chandler after being passed on by Rolling stones manager as they didn’t like his style of music. Chas brought Jimi to London where the Jimi Hendrix Experience was formed. Word of Hendrix spread throughout London on 1966. His showmanship made instant fans of guitar greats Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck , Brian Jones, members of The Beatles and The Who.
His first single was Hey Joe. He also found success with songs such as Stone Free, Purple Haze which featured the Hendrix Chord (a guitar chord named after Jimi) and The Wind Cries Mary. The three singles were hits in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Japan but they failed to sell in the US.
Jimi Hendrix went on to perform all over Europe with other bands and artists and is an inspiration to guitar players worldwide. Sadly, he died in London, September 18th, 1970 from an overdose of sleeping pills. His legend lives on.
Shoutouts go to Ricky Mac for pulling this together and doing an amazing job.
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