Tag Archives: Curtis McNair

Rare Earth: Rare Earth In Concert

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In December 1971, “Rare Earth” label released “Rare Earth in Concert”, the first Rare Earth live album. It was recorded in 1971, at “Jacksonville Coliseum” in Miami Florida, “Marine Stadium” in Ithaca, “New York Cornell University”, “The Pharmacy”, “Motown Studios”.

Personnel:

  • Ray Monette – guitars, backing vocals
  • Mark Olson – keyboards, backing vocals
  • John Persh – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Gil Bridges – woodwinds, percussion, flute, backing vocals
  • Pete Rivera (Hoorelbeke) – lead vocals, drums, percussion
  • Ed Guzman – conga, percussion
  • Cal Harris, Nate Jennings, John Lewis, Ken Sands, Bob Olhsson, Orson Lewis, Criteria Recording Company – recording
  • Don Boehrat, Gurdev Sandhu, Michael Grace, Don Fostie – engineer
  • Russ Terrana – mastering
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Joel Brodsky – photography

Track listing:

  1. I Just Want to Celebrate – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  2. Hey, Big Brother – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  3. Born to Wander – Tom Baird
  4. Get Ready – William “Smokey” Robinson
  5. What’d I Say – Ray Charles
  6. Thoughts – Gilbert Bridges, Peter Hoorelbeke, Edward Guzman, John Persh, Mark Olson, Raymond Monette
  7. (I Know) I’m Losing You – Cornelius Grant, Edward Holland Jr., Norman Whitfield
  8. Nice to Be with You – Mark Olson, Raymond Monette, Peter Hoorelbeke

The Jackson 5: Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5

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On December 12, 1969, “Motown” label released “Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5”, the debut Jackson 5 (The) studio album. It was recorded May – August 1969, at “The Sound Factory” in Hollywood, California, and was produced by Bobby Taylor and The Corporation (Berry Gordy, Alphonso Mizell, Freddie Perren, Deke Richards).

Personnel:

  • The Jackson 5 (Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, Michael) – vocals
  • David Blumberg, David Van DePitte, Paul Riser, The Corporation – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – artwork direction
  • Ken Kim – artwork, design
  • Jim Hendin – cover photography

Track listing:

  1. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah – Ray Gilbert, Allie Wrubel
  2. Nobody – The Corporation
  3. I Want You Back – The Corporation
  4. Can You Remember – Thom Bell, William Hart
  5. Standing in the Shadow of Love – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  6. You’ve Changed – Jesse Reese
  7. My Cherie Amour – Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Hank Cosby
  8. Who’s Lovin’ You – Smokey Robinson
  9. Chained – Frank Wilson
  10. I Know I’m Losing You – Cornelius Grant, Norman Whitfield, Eddie Holland
  11. Stand – Sylvester Stewart
  12. Born to Love You – Ivy Jo Hunter, William “Mickey” Stevenson

Edwin Starr: War & Peace

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On August 7, 1970, “Motown” label released “War & Peace”, the second Edwin Starr studio album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Edwin Star, Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, Henry Cosby, Norman Whitfield and Ivy Joe Hunter.

Personnel:

  • Edwin Starr – vocal
  • David De Pitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, Willie Shorter – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction, design
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

  1. War – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  2. Running Back and Forth – Richard “Popcorn” Wylie, Edwin Starr
  3. Adios Senorita – Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby
  4. All Around the World – Tina Turner
  5. I Can’t Escape Your Memory – Ivy Hunter, Jack Alan Goga
  6. At Last (I Found Love) – Elgie Stover, Anna Gordy Gaye, Marvin Gaye
  7. I Just Wanted to Cry – Johnny Bristol, Edwin Starr
  8. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  9. Time – Richard “Popcorn” Wylie, Edwin Starr
  10. California Soul – Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  11. I Can’t Replace My Old Love – Harvey Fugua, Arthur Scott, Vernon Williams
  12. She Should Have Been Home – Johnny Bristol, Doris McNeil

Stevie Wonder: Where I’m Coming From

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On April 9, 1971, “Motown” label released “Where I’m Coming From” the thirteenth Stevie Wonder studio album. It was recorded July 1970 – February 1971, at “Hitsville U.S.A. in Detroit, Michigan, and was produced by Stevie Wonder.

Personnel:

  • Stevie Wonder – vocals, arrangements
  • David Van DePitte – arrangements
  • Jerry Long – arrangements
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Randy King – mastering
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

All tracks by by Stevie Wonder and Syreeta Wright.

  1. Look Around
  2. Do Yourself a Favor
  3. Think of Me as Your Soldier
  4. Something Out of the Blue
  5. If You Really Love Me
  6. I Wanna Talk to You
  7. Take Up a Course in Happiness
  8. Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer
  9. Sunshine in Their Eyes

The Supremes & The Four Tops: Dynamite

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In December 1971, “Motown” label released “Dynamite”, the third and last album between Supremes (The) and Four Tops (The). It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Johnny Bristol, Joe Hinton, Bobby Taylor and Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • The Supremes – Jean Terrell, Mary Wilson, Cindy Birdsong – vocals 
  • The Four Tops – Levi Stubbs, Duke Fakir, Obie Benson, Lawrence Payton – vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • David Van DePitte, Gene Page, H.B. Barnum, Robert White – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Warren Linn – illustration
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphics

Track listing:

  1. It’s Impossible – Armando Manzanero, Sid Wayne
  2. The Bigger You Love (The Harder You Fall) – Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  3. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
  4. Love the One You’re With – Stephen Stills
  5. Good Lovin’ Ain’t Easy to Come By – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  6. Melodie – Deke Richards, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  7. If – David Gates
  8. If I Could Build My Whole World Around You – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  9. Don’t Let Me Lose This Dream – Aretha Franklin, Ted White
  10. Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey – Gladys Knight, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles: Season For Miracles

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On November 23, 1970, “Tamla” label released “The Season for Miracles”, the ninth Smokey Robinson & The Miracles albums. 

Personnel:

  • Smokey Robinson – lead vocals
  • Claudette Rogers Robinson – vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – tenor vocals
  • Ronnie White – baritone vocals
  • Warren “Pete” Moore – bass vocals
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements
  • David Van De Pitte – arrangements
  • Jimmy Roach – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – artwork, design
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

  1. Deck the Halls / Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella – traditional
  2. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – traditional
  3. I Can Tell When Christmas Is Near – Stevie Wonder
  4. I Believe in Christmas Eve – Smokey Robinson
  5. The Christmas Song – Mel Tormé, Robert Wells
  6. Jingle Bells – James Lord Pierpont
  7. It’s Christmas Time – Stevie Wonder
  8. Go Tell It on the Mountain – traditional, John Wesley Work Jr. 
  9. Away in a Manger / Coventry Carol – traditional, William James Kirkpatrick 
  10. Peace on Earth (Good Will Toward Men) – Ann Roach
  11. The Day That Love Began – Deborah Miller, Ron Miller
  12. A Child Is Waiting – Joe Hinton, Patti Jerome

David Ruffin: Feelin’ Good

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In November 1969, “Motown” label released “Feelin’ Good”, the second David Ruffin album. It was recorded in 1969, and was produced by Terry “Buzzy” Johnson, Clay McMurray, Hank Cosby, Leonard Caston, Berry Gordy, Johnny Bristol, Ashford & Simpson, Al Kent, George Gord and Allen Story.

Personnel:

  • David Ruffin – vocal
  • David Van De Pitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Wade Marcus, Willie Shorter – arrangements
  • Randy Kling
  • Curtis McNair – design

Track listing:

  1. Loving You (Is Hurting Me) – Jeana Jackson, Leonard Caston
  2. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  3. I’m So Glad I Fell for You – Art Posey, Glenna Session
  4. Feeling Alright – Dave Mason
  5. I Could Never Be President – Bettye Crutcher, Homer Banks, Raymond Jackson
  6. I Pray Everyday You Won’t Regret Loving Me – Bubba Knight, Gladys Knight, Johnny Bristol
  7. What You Gave Me – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. One More Hurt – Albert Hamilton, Norma Toney, William Garrett
  9. I Let Love Slip Away – Allen Story, Anna Gordy Gaye, Horgay Gordy
  10. I Don’t Know Why I Love You – Clay McMurray
  11. The Forgotten Man – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. The Letter – Al Cleveland, William Robinson, Terry Johnson

Martha Reeves And The Vandellas: Natural Resources

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On September 8, 1970, “Gordy” label released “Natural Resources”, the seventh Martha Reeves and the Vandellas album. It was recorded 1969 – 1970, and was produced by Henry Cosby and Clarence Paul.

Personnel:

  • Martha Reeves – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • Lois Reeves – backing vocals
  • Sandra Tilley – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • Nickolas Ashford – backing vocals
  • David Van De Pitte – arrangements
  • Henry Cosby – arrangements
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Robert White – arrangements
  • Wade Marcus – arrangements
  • Curtis McNair – art direction, design
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Tom Schlesinger – graphic supervision

Track listing:

  1. Something – George Jarrison
  2. Easily Persuaded – Dick Cooper, Clarence Paul, Ernie Shelby, Morris Broadnax
  3. Didn’t We – Jimmy Webb
  4. I’m in Love – Ernie Shelby
  5. Love, Guess Who – Clarence Paul, Ermie Shelby
  6. Everybody’s Talking – Fred Neil
  7. Put a Little Love in Your Heart – Jackie DeShannon, Jimmy Holiday, Randy Myers
  8. The Hurt Is Over (Since I Found You) – Duke Browner
  9. Take a Look – Clyde Otis
  10. Won’t It Be So Wonderful – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  11. I Should Be Proud – Henry Cosby, Joe Hinton, Pam Sawyer
  12. People Got to Be Free – Felix Cavaliere, Ed Brigati

The Undis Puted Truth: Same

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In July 1971, “Gordy” label released the self-titled, debut Undisputed Truth (The) studio album. It was recorded in 1971, and was produced by Norman Whitfield.

Personnel:

  • Joe “Pep” Harris – lead vocal
  • Billie Rae Calvin – lead and backing vocals
  • Brenda Joyce Evans – lead and backing vocals
  • Paul Riser – arrangements
  • Dave Van DePitte – arrangements, conductor
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Norman Whitfield – design concept 
  • Jim Hendin – photography
  • Jay Butler – liner notes
  • Scottie Regen – liner notes

Track listing;

  1. You Got The Love I Need – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  2. Save My Love for A Rainy Day – Norman Whitfield, Roger Penzabene
  3. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Aquarius – Galt MacDermot, Gerome Ragni, James Rado
  5. Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today) – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  6. Smiling Faces Sometimes – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  7. We’ve Got a Way Out Love – Holland-Dozier-Holland
  8. Since I’ve Lost You – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  9. Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone – Cornelius Grant, Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy
  10. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield
  11. Like a Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan 

Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On

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Whats+Going+On

On May 21, 1971, “Tamla” label released “What’s Going On”, the eleventh Marvin Gaye studio album. It was recorded June –September 1970; March – May 1971,  at “Hitsville U.S.A.”, “Golden World”, and “United Sound Studios” in Detroit and “The Sound Factory” in Hollywood, and was produced by Marvin Gaye. “What’s Going On” was an immediate success both commercially and critically, and is regarded as one of the most important albums in the music history. “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked it at number six on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”. In 1985, readers of “NME” magazine voted “What’s Going On” the “Best Album of all Time”. “Guardian” ranked “What’s Going On at number one on its list of the “100 Best Albums Ever”.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals, piano, mellotron, box drum
  • The Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted and arranged by David Van De Pitte
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Solo Horns – instrumentation
  • Joe Messina, Robert White– electric guitars
  • Jack Ashford– tambourine, percussion
  • Earl Van Dyke– keyboards
  • Johnny Griffith– celeste, keyboards
  • Max Janowsky – double bass
  • James Jamerson– bass guitar
  • Bob Babbitt– bass guitar
  • Chet Forest – drums
  • Eddie “Bongo” Brown– bongos, congas
  • Earl DeRouen – bongos, congas
  • Bobbye Hall– bongos
  • Jack Brokensha– vibraphone, percussion
  • Larry Nozero, Angelo Carlisi, George Benson, Tate Houston– saxophone
  • Eli Fontaine– alto saxophone
  • Wild Bill Moore– tenor saxophone
  • John Trudell, Maurice Davis – trumpet
  • Nilesh Pawar – oboe
  • Carl Raetz – trombone
  • Dayna Hardwick, William Perich – flutes
  • Gordon Staples, Zinovi Bistritzky, Beatriz Budinzky, Richard Margitza, Virginia Halfmann, Felix Resnick, Alvin Score, Lillian Downs, James Waring – violin
  • Edouard Kesner, Meyer Shapiro, David Ireland, Nathan Gordon – viola
  • Italo Babini, Thaddeus Markiewicz, Edward Korkigan – cello
  • Carole Crosby – harp
  • The Andantes – Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps – backing vocals
  • Mel Farr, Charlie Sandersand  and Lem Barney of the Detroit Lions – backing vocals
  • Dave Bingof, The Detroit Pistons, Bobby Rogersof , The Miracles, Elgie Stover, Kenneth Stover – backing vocals
  • Curtis McNair – art direction
  • Katherine Marking – design
  • Alana Coghlan – design
  • James Hendin – photography

Track listing:

  1. What’s Going On – Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye, Renaldo “Obie” Benson
  2. What’s Happening Brother – Marvin Gaye, James Nyx Jr.
  3. Flyin’ High (In the Friendly Sky) – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover
  4. Save the Children – Al Cleveland, Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Marvin Gaye
  5. God is Love – Marvin Gaye, Anna Gordy Gaye, James Nyx Jr.
  6. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology) – Marvin Gaye
  7. Right On – Earl DeRouen, Marvin Gaye
  8. Wholy Holy – Renaldo “Oboe” Benson, Al Cleveland, Marvin Gaye
  9. Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) – Marvin Gaye, James Nyx Jr,