FUNK FOUNDATIONS w/ George Cvetkovski

…we continue along the line presenting the history and development of all funk related styles of music.  
Today show is a tribute to a soul-jazz legend…one of the founders of the Crusaders…Mr.  Wayne Henderson
I will present him as a producer, solo artist and label owner…  
Henderson was a giant in both jazz and soul, who effortlessly moved among styles.  He worked with many other groups, and was extremely influential in the music world since the 60’s.
He was with the Crusaders from ’61 until ’75 when he went on hiatus from the group and focused on his solo career and recording other acts mostly under his own LA based labels, At Home Productions.
He created great music that truly covered the full spectrum of the groove … so wrap your apron around and get ready for cookin’
George Cvetkovski

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #10 / Wayne Henderson Tribute

The time has come to cover one of the greatest…  one of the founding fathers of the jazz-funk…true legend…my favorite… Mr. Herbie Hancock. 
Born April 12, 1940 in Chicago…. Today we celebrate his birthday and his legacy…   
He is one of the best-known modern jazz composers, creator of standards such as “Watermelon Man”, “Maiden Voyage”, “Dolphin Dance”, … than the jazz-fusion anthems such as “Chameleon”, “Palm grease”, “Butterfly”, and all the way to the funk of the L70’s and E80’s.  
He has played with jazz legends such as Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, Hank Mobley, Wes Montgomery …and most distinguished of them all …Mr. Miles Davis.  
His largest-selling jazz record of all times “Head Hunters” and the follow up albums “Thrust”…are probably 2 of the most significant albums and reference points for jazz-funk fusion.  Played together with his super band “Headhunters”….seriously must have for every collector and lovers of good music.   
On today show…I will touch little bit of his huge body of work… his solo releases, his crossover hits, his collaborations, and contributions…all from my private collection.   
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Mr. Headhunter himself …Herbie Hancock

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #11 / Herbie Hancock Tribute

Funk Foundations Tracklist
https://www.radio.d59b.com/episodes/funk-foundation-1-w-george-cvetkovski/

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #1 / Upstate NY Tribute Pt.1

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #2 / Upstate NY Tribute Pt.2

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #3 / Boogie Funk

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #4 / P-Funk

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #5 / Jeff Lane & Randy Muller Tribute

Show is a tribute to jazz-funk royalty… producer that was behind one the coolest styles of jazz-funk soulful fusion music.  

Known to many collectors, crate diggers and beat makers …. his name is Mr. Sonny Lester … 

For those that his name doesn’t sound familiar… he was the guy behind Solid State Records in L60’s and 

from 1970 he founded and ran one of the most sought-after jazz-funk record labels…Groove Merchant.   

 

He started his career as a musician …played in big bands in the 50’s.   

By the M50’s he started with production…creating new styles in music and releasing groundbreaking records for that time.  

But it is not until he founded Solid State records in 1966 ….Combining the talent of the musician and arranger 

Manny Albam and audio director Phil Ramone…. When they started fusing jazz with soul, free form, and funk.

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #6 / Sonny Lester Tribute

tribute to a pioneering figure in the RnB, soul, disco and funk music…that helped shape up the careers of many top acts.

His name is Mr. Cecil Holmes.
Born and raised in New York City… Started singing doo-wop in ‘52 for the bands, Cavaliers, Fi-Tones and Solitaires.
In the E60s, Cecil left performing and joined the business side of the recording industry. Barely in his 20s, he co-founded RMH Productions.
His personality was a natural fit for promotion and sales which proved to be right..
Throughout the 60’s he worked for Columbia and later as a Regional Manager for Mercury Records… promoting the artists Clyde McPhatter, Bobby Byrd, Dee Dee Warwick, and Mack Rice.
His next stop was Cameo-Parkway Records where he began a friendship with Neil Bogart.

In 1967 they moved to Buddah Records….whe he as a VP signed the Impressions, Edwin Hawkins Singers, the Five Stairsteps and Gladys Knight & the Pips.
Thru Buddah records, he also distributed Curtom, T-Neck, Hot Wax, and Sussex Records which had many big names in the black music genre.
While at Buddah Records, he produced 2 albums under the name "The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds," in 1973.

The following year, Cecil relocated to LA to join Neil Bogart for his next venture, Casablanca Records. As one of the original founding partners, Cecil helped launch the label with albums by KISS and Parliament. He also worked closely with the Pips, the Sylvers, Hugh Masekela and he helped Donna Summer, Village People and other disco artists to worldwide success.

While working as VP od Casablnca, in 1975, Cecil premiered his own custom label...Chocolate City... named after Parliament's album "Chocolate City".

At Chocolate City he had biggest success with the band Cameo…and he also signed Brenda & the Tabulations, Vernon Burch, Randy Brown, Starpoint, 7th Wonder and Kevin Moore (later known as Keb’ Mo).

In 1980, Neil Bogart and Cecil Holmes sold Casablanca records to PolyGram.

After that, Cecil joined CBS Records as VP for both Columbia and Epic Records. He worked with top acts like Earth, Wind & Fire, Mtume, and Luther Vandross.

A few years later, Cecil and Larkin Arnold signed New Kids on the Block to Columbia Records…which brought him the biggest worldwide success.

Stay safe,

G

RADIO.D59B / FUNK FOUNDATIONS #7 / Cecil Holmes Tribute

Today show is different from my previous shows…in way that it doesn’t cover an artist, band nor a producer …. but rather it covers an entire country.   

Today show is tribute to Canadian artists, bands, and production …that created some amazing jazz, funk and fusions grooves.  

Living in the upstate NY area for many years … which is right south of Canada J … has exposed me to some good music that was created and/or released in Canada… which I have proudly collected over the years… and I still do...   

I will try to play some rare and lesser-known good music … and as always close to the foundations of funk and groove.  So put your skates on…and get ready for some funk on the ice…