Tag Archives: Leon Ware

The Supremes And Four Tops: The Return Of The Magnificient Seven

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On July 13, 1971, “Motown” label released “The Return of the Magnificent Seven”, the second Supremes (The) and Four Tops collaborative album. It was recorded in 1970, and was produced by Frank Wilson.

Personnel:

  • Jean Terrell – vocals
  • Mary Wilson – vocals
  • Cindy Birdsong – vocals
  • Levi Stubbs – vocals
  • Abdul “Duke” Fakir – vocals
  • Lawrence Payton – vocals
  • Renaldo “Obie” Benson – vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • David Van DePitte, Henry Cosby, Paul Riser, Tom Baird – arrangements
  • Frank Wilson – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. You Gotta Have Love in Your Heart – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  2. I Wonder Where We’re Going – Tom Baird
  3. Call Me – Tony Hatch
  4. One More Bridge to Cross – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  5. If You Could See Me Now – Janie Bradford, Joe Hinton, Henry Cosby
  6. I’ll Try Not to Cry – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  7. I’m Glad About It – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Let’s Make Love Now – Nick Zesses, Dino Fekaris
  9. I Can’t Believe You Love Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  10. Where Would I Be Without You Baby – Clarence McMurray, Martin Coleman
  11. What Do You Have to Do (To Stay on the Right Side of Love) – Pam Sawyer, Leon Ware

Donny Hathaway: Extension Of A Man

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On June 18, 1973, “Atco” label released “Extension of a Man”, the fourth and final Donny Hathaway studio album. It was recorded October – November 1972, at “A&R”, “Bell Sound”, “Regent Sound” and “Atlantic” in New York City, “Universal” in Chicago, and was produced by Arif Mardin.

Personnel:

  • Donny Hathaway – lead vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, all pianos, Hammond organ, keyboards, bass, arrangements
  • Cornell Dupree – acoustic and electric guitar
  • Hugh McCracken – banjo, guitar
  • Willie Weeks, Russ Savakus, Stanley Clarke, Gordon Edwards – bass
  •  Grady Tate, Fred White, Rick Marotta, Ray Lucas – drums
  • Ralph MacDonald – percussion
  • Emanuel Green, Harry Lookofsky, Julien Barber, Noel DaCosta, Sanford Allen, Theodore Israel – violin
  • Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Kermit Moore – cello
  • Gloria Agostini – harp 
  • David Newman – saxophone
  • Marvin Stamm, Joe Newman, Ernie Royal – trumpet
  • Dominick Gravine, Garnett Brown, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre, Tony Studd, Garnett Brown – trombone
  • Hubert Laws – flute
  • Don Butterfield – tuba
  • Phil Bodner – clarinet, alto saxophone
  • Seldon Powell – clarinet, reeds, tenor saxophone
  • Vincent Abato – clarinet
  • Romeo Penque, William Slapin – reeds
  • Jim Buffington, Julius Watkins, Tony Miranda – French horn
  • Henry Schuman – oboe
  • Myrna Summers & The Interdenominational Singers – choir 
  • Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith, Sylvia Shemwell, Jimmy Douglass, Mario “Big M” Medious, Richard Wells, William “Mac” McCollum – backing vocals

Track listing:

All tracks by Donny Hathaway, except where noted.

  1. I Love the Lord; He Heard My Cry (Parts I & II)
  2. Someday We’ll All Be Free – Donny Hathaway, Edward Howard
  3. Flying Easy
  4. Valdez in the Country
  5. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know – Al Kooper
  6. Come Little Children
  7. Love, Love, Love – J.R. Bailey, Ken Williams
  8. The Slums
  9. Magdalena – Danny O’Keefe
  10. I Know It’s You – Leon Ware
  11. Lord Help Me – Joe Greene, Billy Preston

Jackson 5: ABC

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On May 8, 1970, “Motown” label released “ABC”, the second Jackson 5 studio album. It was recorded 1969 – 1970, and was produced by Hal Davis, The Corporation and Bobby Taylor.

Personnel:

  • Jackie Jackson – vocal
  • Jermaine Jackson – vocal
  • Marlon Jackson – vocal
  • Michael Jackson – vocal
  • Tito Jackson – vocal
  • Motown Record Corp. – cover design
  • PF – Bovema EMI Art Studio – liner design
  • Joseph Hernandez – photography
  • Paul Slaughter – photography
  • Randy Kling – lacquer cut

Track listing:

  1. The Love You Save – The Corporation
  2. One More Chance – The Corporation
  3. ABC – The Corporation
  4. 2-4-6-8 – Leon Ware, Paw Sawyer
  5. (Come Round Here) I’m the One You Need – Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, Edward Holland
  6. Don’t Know Why I Love You – Lula Mae Hardway, Don Hunter, Paul Riser, Stevie Wonder
  7. Never had a Dream Come True – Stevie Wonder, Sylvia Moy, Henry Cosby
  8. True Love Can Be Beautiful – Leonard Caston Jr., Jeana Jackson, Bonny Taylor
  9. La-La (Means I Love You) – Thom Bell, William Hart
  10. I’ll bet You – George Clinton, Sydney Barnes, Theresa Lindsey
  11. I Found That Girl – The Corporation
  12. The Young Folks – George Gordy, Allen Story

The Undertones: The Sin Of Pride

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On March 13, 1983, “Ardeck-EMI” label released “The Sin of Pride”, the fourth Undertones (The) album. It was recorded 1982 – 1983, at “Playground Studios” in London, and was produced by Mike Hedges, Feargal Sharkey, Damian O’Neil, John O’Neil, Michael Bradley and Billy Doherty.

Personnel:

  • Feargal Sharkey – lead vocals
  • Damian O’Neill – lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals
  • John O’Neill – rhythm guitar
  • Michael Bradley – co-lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, keyboards
  • Billy Doherty – drums
  • Dick Blewett – saxophone
  • Dave Price – trumpet
  • The Rumour Brass – brass
  • Anne Stephenson, Virginia Howes – violin
  • Caroline Lavelle – cello
  • Sylvia & The Sapphires – backing vocals
  • The Chanter Sisters – backing vocals
  • Mike Hedges – engineer, mixing
  • Leo Peppas – engineer
  • Nigel Green – engineer

Track listing:

  1. Got To Have You Back – Ivy Jo Hunter, Leon Ware, Stephen Bowden
  2. Valentine’s Treatment – Damian O’Neil, Michael Bradley
  3. Luxury – J. J. O’Neil
  4. Love Before Romance – Damian O’Neil
  5. Untouchable – Damian O’Neil
  6. Bye Bye Baby Blue – J. J. O’Neil, Michael Bradley
  7. Conscious – Damian O’Neil
  8. Chain of Love – J. J. O’Neil
  9. Soul Seven – J. J. O’Neil
  10. The Love Parade – Damian O’Neil, Michael Bradley
  11. Save Me – William Robinson, Warren “Pete” Moore, Robert Rogers
  12. The Sin of Pride – Damian O’Neill, Michael Bradley

The Miracles: Renaissance

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On April 18, 1973, “Tamla” label released “Renaissance”, album by The Miracles. It was recorded in 1972, and was produced by Hal Davis, Willie Hutch, Fonce Mizell, Freddie Perren, Marvin Gaye, Frank Wilson, Clay McMurray, Leonard Caston, Jerry Marcellino and Mel Larson.

Personnel:

  • Billy Griffin – lead vocals
  • Ronnie White – baritone backing vocals
  • Pete Moore – bass backing vocals
  • Bobby Rogers – tenor backing vocals
  • Marv Tarplin – guitar
  • Smokey Robinson – executive producer

Track listing:

  1. What is a Heart Good For – Arthur Ross, Leon Ware
  2. If You’re Ever in the Neighborhood – Don Fenceton, Jerry Marcellino, Mel Larson
  3. I Wanna Be with You – Willie Hutch
  4. Wigs and Lashes – Larry Mizell
  5.  Don’t Let It End (‘Til You Let It Begin) – Christine Yarian, Freddie Perren
  6. I Love You Secretly – Anna Gordy Gaye, Elgie Stover, Marvin Gaye
  7. I Don’t Need No Reason – Leon Ware, Pam Sawyer
  8. Nowhere To Go – Clay McMurray, Dennis Jackson, Gary Fears
  9. I Didn’t Realize the Show Was Over – Richard Hutch, Willie Hutch

The Isley Brothers: Soul on the Rocks

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On January 24, 1967, “Tamla” label released “Soul on the Rocks”, the fifth studio album by Isley Brothers (The). It was recorded in 1966, at “Studio A”, Hitsville, Detroit, and was produced by Norman Whitfield, Smokey Robinson and Ivy Jo Hunter.

Personnel:

  • Ronald Isley – vocals
  • Rudolph Isley – vocals
  • O’Kelly Isley Jr. – vocals

Track listing:

  1. Got to have You Back – Ivy Jo Hunter, Leon ware, Stephen Bowden
  2. That’s the Way Love Is – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  3. Whispers (Getting’ Louder) – David Scott, Barbara Acklin
  4. Tell Me It’s Just a Rumor baby – Harvey Fugua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  5. One Too Many Heartaches – Ivy Jo Hunter
  6. It’s Out of the Question – William “Smokey” Robinson, Berry Gordy
  7. Why When Love Is Gone – Ivy Jo Hunter
  8. Save Me from This Misery – Norman Whitfield, Roger Penzabene, Stephen Bowden
  9. Little Miss Sweetness – William “Smokey” Robinson
  10. Good Things – Robert Bruce, Leroy Kirkland
  11. Catching Up on Time – Clarence Paul, Leon Ware, Morris Broadnax
  12. Behind a Painted Smile – Ivy Jo Hunter, Beatrice Verdi

Bobby Womack: Communication

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On September 15, 1971, “United Artists” label released “Communication”, the third Bobby Womack studio album. It was recorded in 1971, at “United Artists Recording Studio” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bobby Womack.

Personnel:

  • Bobby Womack – vocals, guitar, organ, string and horn arrangements
  • Barry Beckett – piano, clavichord, harpsichord, electric piano, Moog synthesizer
  • Jimmy Johnson, Tippy Armstrong – guitar
  • Truman Thomas, Clayton Ivey – keyboards
  • David Hood – bass
  • Roger Hawkins – drums, percussion
  • Ronnie Eades – baritone saxophone
  • Harvey Thompson – tenor saxophone
  • Harrison Calloway – trumpet
  • Dale Quillen – trombone
  • Friendly Womack, Jr., Curtis Womack, Harry Womack, Cecil Womack, Patrice Holloway, Pam Grier, Janice Singleton – backing vocals
  • René Hall – string arrangements
  • John Van Hamersveld – art direction
  • Norman Seeff – photography

Track listing:

  1. Communication – Bobby Womack
  2. Come l’ amore – Bob Hillard, Leon Ware
  3. Fire and Rain – James Taylor
  4. (If You Don’t Want My Love) Give It Back – Bobby Womack
  5. Medley: Monologue / (They Long to Be) Close to You – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  6. Everything is Beautiful – Ray Stevens
  7. That’s the Way I Feel About You – Jimmy Grisby, Joe Hicks, Bobby Womack
  8. Yield Not to Temptation – Horatio Palmer

John McKenzie

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On May 10, 2020, John Michael McKenzie died aged 64. He was musician (bass, guitar, backing vocals), member of the bands Global Village Trucking Company and Man. He recorded and performed with Eurythmics, The Pretenders, Alison Moyet, Lionel Richie, Dr. John, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Annette Peacock, Steve Hillage, Noel McCalla, Bob Young, Shusha Guppy, Wham!, Deke Leonard, Morrissey-Mullen, Claire Hamill, Space Monkey, Jim Diamond, Bob Dylan, Al Corley, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Microdisney, Five Star, Endgames, John Mizarolli, Gary Moore, Ian Paice, Jaki Graham, Don Airey, Richard Bailey, Peter Auty, Billy Bremner, Terry Stannard, Simon Kirke, Earl Slick, Graham Lyle, Chris Thompson, Patti Austin, Latin Quarter, Phil Manzanera, Matt Bianco, Pete Brown, Helen Watson, Kevin Rowland, Shakira, David Bowie, Tina Turner, Eric Burdon, Kajagoogoo, Johnny Mathis, Everything But The Girl, Todd Sharpville, Branford Marsalis, Rui Veloso, Tim Finn, Ive Mendes, Tom Scott, David Dundas, Danny Tenaglia, The Christians, Phenix Horns, Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor, Jimmy Iovine, Dave Stewart, Wild, Leon Ware, Eternal, James Ingram, Francis Rossi, Karl Jenkins, Albert Lee, Barbara Dickson, Davy Spillane, Charles Aznavour, Raw Stylus, Linda Taylor, Blair Cunningham, Andy Newmark, Teresa Teng, Annabel Lamb, Nadirah X, Bob Clearmountain, Mitchell Froom, Arthur Louis, and Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra.

Fourplay: Same

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On September 17, 1991, “Warner Bros” label released the self-titled, debut Fourplay album. It was recorded 1990 – 1991, at “Ocean Way Recording”, “Sunset Sound” in Hollywood, “Pyramid Studios” in Los Angeles, “Starlight Studios” in Malibu, California, and was produced by Bob James, Lee Ritenour, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason.

Personnel:

  • Bob James– Yamaha C7 MIDI grand piano, keyboards, synthesizers, programming, executive producer
  • Lee Ritenour– electric guitars, classical guitars, guitar synthesizer
  • Nathan East– 5-string bass, 6-string bass, backing vocals
  • Harvey Mason– drums
  • Harvey Mason Jr.– synthesizer programming, computer programming
  • El DeBarge– lead and backing vocals
  • Darryl DeBarge – backing vocals
  • Patti LaBelle– backing vocals, BGV arrangements
  • Philip Bailey– backing vocals
  • Don Murray – recording, mixing
  • Geoff Gillette – additional recording
  • Khaliq Glover – additional recording
  • Femi Jiya – additional recording
  • Mike Kloster – engineer assistant
  • Paul May – engineer assistant
  • Clif Norrell– engineer assistant
  • Harvey Mason Jr. – technical assistance
  • Robert Vosgien – digital editing
  • Wally Traugott – mastering
  • Kim Champagne – art direction
  • Leslie Wintner – design
  • Stuart Watson – photography
  • O’Brien and Schridde – band photography
  • Debra Johnson – production coordinator

Track listing:

  1. Bali Run – Lee Ritenour, Bob James
  2. 101 Eastbound – Nathan East, Marcel East
  3. Fourplay – Lee Ritenour
  4. Moonjogger – Bob James
  5. Max-O-Man – Harvey Mason Sr, Michael Lang
  6. After the Dance – Marvin Gaye, T-Boy Ross, Leon Ware
  7. Quadrille – Bob James
  8. Midnight Stroll – Harvey Mason
  9. October Morning – Lee Ritenour
  10. Wish You Were Here – Lee Ritenour
  11. Rain Forest – Bob James