The Underground Experience Presents “The Power Of Black Music Sessions” Series # 3“

Featuring The Legendary Marshall Thompson of The Chi-Lites & V. Ontario! 

MARSHALL THOMPSON/The Chi-Lites

 

The Chi-Lites were formed in Chicago in 1959.  Originally called the Hi-Lites, they consisted of Marshall Thompson, Creadel “Red” Jones, Eugene Record, Robert Lester and Clarence Johnson.

As the Hi-Lites, they released a number of singles on local labels then in 1964, they changed their name to Marshall & The Chi-Lites; the ‘C’ being added to reflect the name of their hometown, Chicago.

By the end of 1964, Clarence Johnson had left the group and they truncated their name to simply The Chi-Lites.  During the ensuing four years Eugene Record slowly emerged as the group’s lead singer,songwriter and producer.

In 1969, after signing with Brunswick the previous year, “Give It Away” became their first USA national hit single attaining number ten in the R&B charts.  The follow-up release “Let Me Be The Man My Daddy Was” was moderately successful but another major hit was elusive until “Are You My Woman ?” climbed into the R&B top ten in early 1971.

A succession of top ten hits followed commencing with their next release “(For God’s Sake)Give More Power To The People” which was the first release to crossover into the pop charts.  The ballads “Have You Seen Her” and “Oh Girl” followed, both reaching number one in the R&B charts with “Oh Girl” also achieving the number one slot in the Pop charts in the spring of 1972.

The Chi-Lites lineup changed shortly after “Stoned Out Of My Mind”. Creadel Jones was replaced by Stanley Anderson, who himself was replaced by Willie Kensey.  Three top ten R&B hits followed –“Homely Girl”, “There Will Never Be Any Peace” and “Toby”, before Kensey was replaced with Doc Roberson.

Brunswick, however, ran into financial problems.  This frustrated the promoting of the group’s records and led to Eugene Record leaving to become a solo recording artist for Warner Bros. The remaining members were joined by David Scott and Danny Johnson although, Johnson himself was replaced by Vandy Hampton in 1977. They signed with Mercury but no hits were forthcoming.

In 1980, the group signed to Carl Davis’ Chi-Sound Label and although they were more successful than when on Mercury, their first genuine hit was 1982’s “Hot On A Thing (Called Love)” which reached number 15.  The following year, their final top ten hit “Bottoms Up” came after signing for Larc Records.  Later that year, Creadel Jones retired and the group continued as a trio to the end of the decade.

The ’90s saw Anthony Watson join the group and Creadel Jones returning.  This lineup was regular on the oldies and soul circuit of the decade.

In 2000, the Chi-Lites were inducted into Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame.

They are currently recording with Marshall Thompsons’ record label Marance Records distributed by Sumthing Distribution.

April 2003 – The Chi-Lites commission their website. The Chi-Lites are also feature, along with other big-named legendary artists, in a docu/movie“Only The Strong Survive” by Miramax Films, which was released in 2003.

Sept 2003 – Marshall receives over 100 e-mails after appearing on the Jesse Jackson Push Show.

The Chi-Lites song, “Are You My Woman”, is sampled and featured on the latest album by Beyoncé under the title Crazy In Love. The recording also features Jay-Z and can be found on Beyoncé’s “Dangerously In Love” CD. The song is later nominated for a Grammy award and is instrumental in winning the Hot 100 award for most weeks at

No. 1.

Dec 2003 – The Chi-Lites song, “That’s How Long I Love You”, is featured on the latest album by Jay-Z

 “Dec 4”. The song can be found on Jay-Z’s CD “The Black Album” currently #1 on Billboard. The Chi-Lites appear in the 70’s Soul Legends concert for PBS.

July 2005 – Eugene Record, the original lead singer and composer of the greatest songs of the Chi-Lites, Including “Oh Girl,” Have You Seen Her” and “Coldest Days of my life” passed away 2am on7/22/05 after a long bout with cancer.Eugene was 64.

Jan 2010 – Robert ‘Squirrel’ Lester passes away after a long battle with cancer.

 

 

V. ONTARIO

Vernon Thomas is V. Ontario.

V. Ontario has released his R&B debut CD. The development of his unique style is the result of many musical          influences: The Edwin Hawkins Singers, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and more. V. Ontario comes from                  a  musical family. R&B recording artist Keyshia Cole is his niece.

V.Ontario’s musical journey began in Oakland, Califorina where he was raised. In 1989, he signed with Phillip Arnold of Thrill Entertainment Music Group with the collaboration of Fell Star Production’s Felton Pilot.

V. Ontario has 5 gospel albums under his belt. Today, V. Ontario still has a passion for gospel  music.

V. Ontario is a lyricist, composer, arranger and producer. After realizing, that music was his main goal . He found a new love for R&B music and the appreciation of the remarkable voice of the late Luther Vandross.

Once a audience member in Chicago confessed that “Luther has risen from the dead.”

Killing Me Softly With Her Song is smooth and funky.

Killing Me Softly With Her Song is smooth and serious.

 Baby Baby Baby is a steppers track with music arrangements by Glenn Underground. Ain’t No Thang is a funky dance track co produced & co arrangements by Joyce Parker ( AKA) DJ Wonder Woman and Roger Weaver in Chicago.

This CD also includes: Good Vibes written & produced by Roger Weaver, Satisfy written & produced by

V. Ontario. All lead vocals & background vocals are V. Ontario except for , Satisfy includes Roger Weaver on back round vocals. All songs recorded and programmed at Keyztone Rekordz in Chicago except for                  Killing Me Softly.

V. Ontario’s songs have been played over  1000  times on Black Planet the world’s largest community social network. The new debut CD Killing Me Softly With Her Song is also available online at CDBaby.com, the largest independent music store on the web.

 

For Management, Bookings & Concert Information Contact:

Wonder Marketing & Referral Service

www.wondermarketing.net

Joyce Parker, C. E. O.

( 773) 517-2340

 

Air Dates: 

Wednesday 2/6/13  on KCLA FM (99.3FM)  www.KCLAFM.com  4PM (PST)

KCLA Listen Line: 323 461 6675

Thursday 2/7/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com   9AM & 9PM (PST)

 

Broadcast # 159

 

Direct Links to the broadcast also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes, Podomatic and Website!

The Underground Experience Presents “The Power Of Black Music Sessions” Series # 2

 

An Evening With Eloise Laws & Family & Friends! 

 

 

January 16th, I had the pleasure of being invited to an incredible performance for  “I Fall So Deep” Single & “Favorites” EP Release Celebration for Award Winning Performer/Artist Ms. Eloise Laws @ Catalina Jazz Club!

 

The evening was hosted by Actress Beverly Todd & Judge Joe Brown.

Special Guests Interviews: Eloise Laws, Debra Laws, Hubert Laws & Ms. Freda Payne!

 

ELOISE LAWS 

 

The incomparable world-renown, award-winning vocalist and Broadway actress Eloise Laws reveals her New CD, Secrets, and she delivers her unique style and versatility straight from the heart.

 

 

Ms. Laws’ distinctive vocal expressions can be heard on several classic Capital, Liberty and ABC recordings, produced by such luminaries as Ronnie Laws, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Linda Creed and Andre Fisher (Secrets). Never one to rest on her laurels, Ms. Laws continues to perform at music festivals, including, the Playboy Jazz Festival, the Long Beach Jazz Festival, among many others. She has won the prestigious Cherry Blossom Award from the Tokyo Music Festival and headlined the 94.7 The Wave Presents Jazz By The Bay at the Queen Mary series to record-breaking, sold-out audiences.

 

 

Most recently, Ms. Laws performed with Laws Family–consisting of herself and sister Debra Laws on vocals, with brother Ronnie Laws and his son, Jaman Laws on saxophones—headlining at The Cotton Club, Japan, the star-studded Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Cruise, 2007 On Board Royal Caribbean’s “Freedom of the Seas” and the prestigious Atlanta Jazz Festival.

 

 

Ms. Laws is an original lead cast member and co-writer of the highly successful Tony-nominated play It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues, which had its world premiere at the Denver Center Theatre Company.  Opening on Broadway with great bravado at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre, it garnered four Tony nominations, and Ms. Laws received a Drama Desk Nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.  She also received a coveted Helen Hayes Nomination for her performance at the Kennedy Center, and she continues to receive critical acclaim performing with The Blues cross-country.

 

 

Her other theatre roles underscore her exceptional versatility.  They include Bloody Mary in South Pacific, Madame Tango in House of Flowers, multiple roles in Candide, and, most recently, as Weizero Channa in The Met’s premiere production of The Return, among others. When she recently performed at the Denver Center Theatre Company’s world premiere production of Nat King Cole: A Musical Healing, a Denver Post reviewer described Ms. Laws as:“A rare and ethereal presence . . . possessed of a voice that could move chimes on a windless night.”

 

 

Ms. Laws also stars in the film Bet Runner (directed by Vincent Spano), which screened under the Star Power Program of the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. 

 

 

Whenever she performs in concert or theatre, film and television, Eloise Laws not only successfully commands her audience, she mesmerizes them.

 

With her current EP Favorites she reaffirms her legendary status with an exemplary follow-up to Secrets and The Key (Scepterstein Records).  Ms. Laws feels Favorites represents the many aspects of love that we all experience and struggle to fight through.

 

 

Currently, she performs internationally in concert tours as both a solo artist and as an integral part of the legendary “Laws Family,” where outstanding musicians always accompany her.

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO JADAR ENTERTAINMENT & SRI INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT!

 

 

 

Air Date: Monday 2/4/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

 

 

Broadcast # 158B

 

 

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!

 

The Underground Experience Presents “The Power Of Black Music Sessions” Series # 1 

 

The first broadcast is a special re-edited interview with The Legendary R&B, Soul & Dance Group

 

 

This show is very special because of who they are and represent. Also on this day two years ago,

I heard my Father had passed but I still managed to do this interview minutes later………

 

Double Exposure (James Williams, Joseph Harris, Charles Whittington and Leonard ‘Butch’ Davis) was formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. in 1966, then called Unite Image.

 

Salsoul Records hired Philadelphia songwriter/producer/arranger/musician, Norman Harris to develop an album. The song “Ten Percent” released in 1976 and was a major club success as was the album of the same name.

 

THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE STORY

 

On December 11, 1975, at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Double Exposurebegan recording what would become one of the most successful albums to come out of the Philly music empire. This empire already contained artist such as The O’JAYS, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, The Spinners, Blue Magic, The Delphonics, The Trammps, Stylistics and the list goes on and on.

 

Double Exposure’s first album entitled, Ten Percent with the title cut having tremendous success first as a disco hit, then reaching the “R&B” charts and also having surprising success on the “POP” charts. The second single from that album My Love is Free was also a smash on all three charts putting Double Exposure over the top. The results, two gold singles, one gold album. This was their first taste of real success in the recording business but definitely not their first experience.

 

They have been singing together since Jr. High School.  After High School and military service, they reunited and began their quest toward a life- long dream of becoming successful entertainers and recording artist. It was not easy but they believed in their God given talents and they just simply loved to sing.

 

Upon recommendation of some DJ’s, United Image was introduced to recording executive Lebaron Taylor who signed them to Stax Records. They released a single Loves Creeping Up On Me and at least half an album was completed in Philadelphia with Bunny Sigler co-producing, but the project was shelved, apparently due to internal problems at Stax. Bunny Sigler produced three tracks Stick Like Glue, Lavada, Keep A Light Burning In The Window and Norman Harris and Allan Felder producedI Forgot To Come Into Your Heart.

 

After the Stax project fell apart, United Image hooked up with local producer Jesse James on Branding Iron Records. They released a dance tune The African Bump backed with Hit Man.

 

United Image had numerous disappointments but they persevered. One day, Joe while shopping in down town Philadelphia, heard his name called aloud. He turned around to see Norman Harris, an old friend and guitar player who along with Ronnie Baker, bass player and Earl Young, drummer had become known  as the rhythm section of the Philly Sound.

 

 Norman said to Joe, I’ve been trying to find you guys. I’ve got a deal for you. That record company turned out to be Salsoul Records represented by vice president Ken Cayre.  At the audition were many of the staff writers and producers working with Norman, such as Allan Felder and T.G.Conway, Bunny Sigler, Bobby Eli, Bruce Hawes, Ron “Have Mercy” Kersey, Vince Montana and Bruce Gray. Needless to say the audition went well. It had been previously suggested that the group change their name to something more modern. Some band members had joked about pictures taken saying it looked like aDouble Exposure. Well, the name stuck.

 

Double Exposure was signed to Salsoul and began rehearsing new songs for their upcoming album.

This album gave Double Exposure world wide exposure and plenty of appeal. They were a hit not only in the United States but also Canada, South America, England, South Africa, and Kenya.

 

By the end of 1977, Double Exposure was on top of the world benefiting from two smash singles off of a very strong album. They also gained a reputation of having a strong, polished and energetic stage show which was backed by excellent musicians.

 

Changes with the producers and writing teams left the group feeling less excited. The group wasdisappointed seeing how these changes affected their career and there wasn’t a thing they could do about it. Salsoul would not intervene. 

 

New life came again in October 1978. Their single, My Love Is Free and their album Ten Percent both went Gold in South Africa and that international promoters wanted to book the group for tour dates. October 5th, 1978, Double Exposure landed at Johannesburg International Airport.The rest is history!

 

It’s been over twenty years since Double Exposure last recorded together although you can still hear Ten Percent and My Love Is Free on radio in the states.  These guys are a family having been personal friends for over forty years. Their star has not fizzled it still shines bright. Look for more music from Double Exposure.

SPECIAL THANK TO MICHAEL BULLOCK – MANAGER!

 

Air Date: Saturday 2/2/13  on KLED Live FM (91.1FM)  www.KLEDLive.com  @ 9AM & 9PM (PST) 

Broadcast # 158

 

Direct Links also on website: www.UltimateUnderground.com

Podcast will be available on iTunes. Podomatic and Website!