Tag Archives: Nickolas Ashford

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 

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

Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell: You’re All I Need

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In August 1968, “Tamla” label released “You’re All I Need”, the second Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell studio album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967, and was produced by Robert Gordy, Harvey Fugua, Johnny Bristol and Ashford & Simpson.

Personnel:

  • Marvin Gaye – lead and backing vocals
  • Tammi Terrell – lead and backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers – instrumentation
  • Nicholas Ashford – backing vocals
  • Valerie Simpson – backing vocals
  • The Originals – backing vocals
  • The Andantes – backing vocals
  • The Spinners – backing vocals

Track listing:

  1. Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. Keep on Lovin’ Me Honey – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  3. You’re All I Need to Get By – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  4. Baby Don’t Cha Worry – Johnny Bristol, Jackie Beavers
  5. You Ain’t Livin’ Till You’re Lovin’ – Nicholas Ashford, Valerie Simpson)
  6. Give In, You Just Can’t Win – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  7. When Love Comes Knocking at My Heart – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Gladys Knight, Vernon Bullock
  8. Come on and See Me – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  9. I Can’t Help but Love You – Robert Gordy, Thomas Kemp, Marvin Gaye
  10. That’s How It Is (Since You’ve Been Gone) – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock
  11. I’ll Never Stop Loving You Baby – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Beatrice Verdi
  12. Memory Chest – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol

Teddy Pendergrass: This One’s for You

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On July 23, 1982, “Philadelphia International” label released “This One’s for You”, the sixth Teddy Pendergrass album. It was recorded in 1982, and was produced by Gene Mc Fadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen, John R. Faith, Thom Bell, Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff, Charles B. Simmons, Joseph B. Jefferson, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

Personnel:

  • Teddy Pendergrass – vocal
  • Robert LeGrand – guitar
  • Dennis Harris – guitar
  • Anthony Bell – guitar
  • Cecil Womack – guitar
  • Roland Chambers – guitar
  • Eric Gale – guitar
  • Valerie Simpson – piano, backing vocals
  • Alfred Pollitt – piano
  • Leon A. Huff – acoustic and electric piano
  • Ray Chew – electric piano
  • Barry Eastmond – keyboards, synthesizers, arrangements
  • Cecil DuValle – keyboards, synthesizer
  • Thom bell – keyboards
  • Lenny Pakula – organ
  • James L. William – bass
  • Norman Smith – bass
  • Bob Babbitt – bass
  • Michael “Sugarbear” Foreman – bass
  • Francisco Centeno – bass
  • Daryl Burgee – drums
  • James Carter – drums
  • Charles Collins – drums
  • Quinton Joseph – drums
  • Keith Benson – drums
  • Chris Parker – drums
  • David Cruse – percussion
  • Ralph McDonald – percussion
  • Don Renaldo and his Strings and Horns – strings, horns
  • Barbara Ingram, Carla Benson, Evette Benton, Charles B. Simmons, Constance Harvey, Harriet L. Tharpe, Sherry Butler, Richard Roebuck, Nicholas Ashford, Ullanda McCullough – backing vocals
  • Anthony Bell – arrangements
  • Robert Martin – arrangements
  • Dexter Wansel – arrangements
  • John R. Faith – arrangements
  • John Davis – arrangements

Track listing:

  1. I Can’t Win for Losing – Gene Mc Fadden, John Whitehead, Victor Carstarphen
  2. This One’s for You – Barry Manilow, Marty Panzer
  3. Loving You Was Good – Le Roy Bell, Casey James
  4. This Gift of Life – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  5. Now Tell Me That You Love Me – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  6. It’s Up to You (What You Do with Your Life) – Kenneth Gamble, Leon A. Huff
  7. Don’t Leave Me out Along the Road – Richard Roebuck
  8. Only to You – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

Atlanta Rhythm Section: Underdog

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In June 1979, “Polydor” label released “Underdog”, the eight Atlanta Rhythm Section album. It was recorded in 1979, and was produced by Buddy Buie.

Personnel:

  • Buddy Buie – lead and backing vocals
  • Ronnie Hammond – vocals
  • Barry Bailey – acoustic and electric guitar
  • James B. Cobb – guitar, percussion, backing vocals
  • Dean Daughtry – keyboards
  • Paul Goddard – bass guitar, double bass
  • Roy Yeager – drums, percussion
  • Robert Nix – drums, backing vocals
  • Bob Ludwig, Rodney Mills – mastering

Track listing:

  1. Do It or Die – Buddy Buie, Ronnie Hammond
  2. Born Ready – Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  3. I Hate the Blues – Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  4. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  5. Indigo Passion – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb
  6. While Time is Left – Barry Bailey, Buddy Buie, Dean Daughtry, Robert Nix
  7. It’s Only Music – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb
  8. Spooky – Buddy Buie, James B. Cobb, Middlebrooks, Shapiro
  9. My Song – Buddy Buie, Ronnie Hammond

Aretha Franklin: Soul Sister

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On June 13, 1966, “Columbia” label released “Soul Sister”, the eighth Aretha Franklin studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by Bob Johnston and Clyde Otis.

Personnel:

  • Aretha Franklin – vocals
  • Belford C. Hendricks – arrangements, conductor
  • Robert Mersey – arrangements, conductor
  • Henry Parker – photography
  • Peter J. Levinson – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Until You Were Gone – Joy Byers
  2. You Made Me Love You – James V. Monaco, Joseph McCarthy
  3. Follow Your Heart – Van McCoy, Belford Hendricks
  4. Ol’ Man River – Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern
  5. Sweet Bitter Love – Van McCoy
  6. A Mother’s Love – Cliff Owens
  7. Swanee – Irving Caesar, George Gershwin
  8. (No, No) I’m Losing You – Joy Byers
  9. Take a Look – Clyde Otis
  10. Can’t You Just See Me – Belford Hendricks
  11. Cry Like a Baby – Jo Armstead, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson

James Brown: Handful Of Soul

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In November 1966, “Smash” label released “Handful of Soul”, the eighteenth James Brown studio album. It was recorded in 1966, and was produced by James Brown.

Personnel:

  • James Brown – organ
  • Nat Jones: music director

Track listing:

  1. Let’s Go Get Stoned – Jo Armstead, Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  2. Hold On, I’m Comin – Isaac Hayes, David Porter
  3. Our Day Will Come – Bob Hilliard, Mort Garson
  4. A Message to Michael – Burt Bacharach, Hal David
  5. The King – James Brown, Nat Jones
  6. 634-5789 – Eddie Floyd, Steve Cropper
  7. When a Man Loves a Woman – Andrew Wright, Calvin Lewis
  8. Hot Mix – McKinley Johnson, Ted Wright
  9. Oh! Henry – James Brown, Nat Jones
  10. Get Loose – James Brown, Nat Jones

Gladys Knight & the Pips: Everybody Needs Love

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In September 1967, “Soul Imprint” label released “Everybody Needs Love”, the debut Gladys Knight & the Pips album. It was recorded 1966 – 1967, at “Hitsville U.S.A.” in Detroit, and was produced by Norman  Whitfield, Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol and Smokey Robinson.

Personnel:

  • Gladys Knight – lead vocals
  • Merald “Bubba” Knight, William Guest, Edward Patten – backing vocals
  • The Funk Brothers: instrumentation

Track listing:

  1. Everybody Needs Love – Norman Whitfield, Edward Holland, Jr.
  2. I’ll Be Standing By – Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford
  3. Since I’ve Lost You – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  4. I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong
  5. You Don’t Love Me No More – Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong, Roger Penzabene
  6. Ain’t No Sun Since You’ve Been Gone – Norman Whitfield, Sylvia Moy, Cornelius Grant
  7. Take Me in Your Arms and Love Me – Barrett Strong, Roger Penzabene, Cornelius Grant
  8. He’s My Kind of Fella – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol
  9. Yes, I’m Ready – Barbara Mason
  10. My Bed of Thorns – William “Smokey” Robinson
  11. Do You Love Me Just a Little, Honey – Harvey Fuqua, Johnny Bristol, Vernon Bullock, Gladys Knight
  12. Just Walk in My Shoes – Helen Lewis Mastor, Kay Lewis Miller

5th Dimensions: Stoned Soul Picnic

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In August 1968, “Soul City” label released “Stoned Soul Picnic”, the third  5th Dimension album. It was recorded March – June 1968, at “United/Western Recorders” in Los Angeles, and was produced by Bones Howe.

Personnel:

  • Billy Davis, Jr. – vocals
  • Florence LaRue – vocals
  • Marilyn McCoo – vocals
  • Lamonte McLemore – vocals
  • Ron Townson – vocals
  • Mike Deasy- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Tommy Tedesco- acoustic and electric guitar
  • Larry Bunker- marimba, bells, vibraphone, temple blocks, percussion
  • Larry Knechtel, Jimmy Rowles- piano, organ, keyboard
  • Ray Pohlman- guitar, “super-twang” bass
  • Joe Osborn- bass
  • Hal Blaine- drums, percussion
  • The Sid Sharp Strings – string Section
  • The Bill Holman Brass – horn Section
  • Bill Hilman – horns and strings arrangements
  • Bob Alcivar – vocal arrangements
  • Bones Howe – music arrangements
  • Ray Pohlman – music arrangements
  • Captain Nemo (Michael Shields), Bones Howe, Alex Kazanegras, Phil Ramone, Joe Sidore, Sol Weiss, Winston Wong, Mary Wood – engineer
  • Elliot Federman – mastering
  • Arlessa Barnes, Glenn Delgado, Christina DeSimone, Robin Diamond, Karyn Friedland, Felicia Gearhart, Marc Gordon, Laura Gregory, Jeremy Holiday, Robin Manning, Brooke Nochomson, Ed Osborne, Larry Parra, Dana Renert, Steve Strauss – project coordinator
  • Mandana Eidgah – product manager
  • Bones Howe, Tom Tierney, Russ Wapensky – production assistant
  • Hal Blaine – orchestra manager
  • René DeKnight – music director
  • Ray Pohlman – vocals coach
  • Johnny Rivers – realization
  • Woody Woodward – art direction
  • Wayne Kimbell – design
  • Rob Santos – photography
  • Mike Ragogna – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Sweet Blindness – Laura Nyro
  2. It’ll Never Be the Same Again – Jeff Comanor
  3. The Sailboat Song – Jeff Comanor
  4. It’s a Great Life – Denny McReynolds, Karen O’Hara
  5. Stoned Soul Picnic – Laura Nyro
  6. California Soul – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  7. Lovin’ Stew – Jules Alexander, Jeff Comanor
  8. Broken Wing Bird – Bob Alcivar, Kellie McKinney
  9. Good News – Dick Addrisi, Don Addrisi
  10. Bobbie’s Blues (Who Do You Think of?) – Jeff Comanor
  11. The Eleventh Song (What a Groovy Day!) – Jimmy Webb

Rufus: Rags To Rufus

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In May 1974, “ABC Records” label released “Rags To Rufus”, the second Rufus studio album. It was recorded 1973-1974, at “Quantum Studios” in Torrance, California, and was produced by Chaka Khan, Dennis Beifield, André Fischer, Kevin Murphy, Al Ciner, Ron Stockert and Bob Monaco. The album was certified Platinum in the US by the “RIIA”.

Personnel:

  • Chaka Khan– lead and backing vocals
  • Al Ciner – acoustic and electric guitars, backing vocals
  • Tony Maiden – vocals, guitar, talk box
  • Nate Morgan – keyboards
  • Kevin Murphy– organ, clavinet, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert – lead and backing vocals, keyboards
  • Dennis Belfield – bass, backing vocals
  • André Fischer – drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner – string and horn arrangements
  • Clare Fischer– orchestration
  • Don Sciarrotta – chief recording, re-mix engineer
  • Tony Sciarrotta – engineer assistant
  • Vic Zaslow – mastering

Track listing:

  1. You Got the Love – Chaka Khan, Ray Parker, Jr.
  2. I Got the Right Street (But the Wrong Direction) – Ron Stockert
  3. Walkin’ in the Sun – Jeff Barry
  4. Rags to Rufus – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  5. Swing Down Chariot – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  6. Sideways – Kevin Murphy, André Fischer, Chaka Khan, Ron Stockert, Dennis Belfield, Al Ciner
  7. Ain’t Nothin’ But a Maybe – Nickolas Ashford, Valerie Simpson
  8. Tell Me Something Good – Stevie Wonder
  9. Look Through My Eyes – Dennis Belfield
  10. “In Love We Grow – Dennis Belfield
  11. Smokin’ Room – Dennis Belfield