Close Encounters Of The First Time: Vinyl

It's actually quite clear when I think back on the genesis of my music love affair.  Growing up, my mother, little sister and I lived with my grandparents in the South Park (Macgregor Terrace) community of Houston, Texas.  I was surrounded by a very black culture of working class folks. I loved my childhood. My grandparents had a record player and an eight track deck.  I recall seeing albums such as The Emotions, Sugar Hill Gang and Barry White-to name a few.

When I think of looking at the LP's and 45's that they owned, The Sound of Philadelphia (TSOP) comes to mind.  I most clearly remember the label of an O'Jays 45 record. I believe it was a "Love Train" single. TSOP label signifies a trip back to my youth. The only other label that I vividly remember as a kid was Motown.  My family loved soul and funk music. They weren't much into jazz or blues, which means that I grew up listening to a lot of top soul hits from the 70's.  

In my adult age, I have now come to understand the significance of a record label such as The Sound of Philadelphia. Huff, Gamble and Bell were the trio of producers/arrangers in charge. The purpose of the label was to have a space and place to produce their own songs. They had a roster of hits from artists such as Harold Melvin & Blue Notes, The Jacksons, Lou Rawls, and many more. They recorded these super dance hits and catchy masterpieces at Sigma Sound Studios with MFSB as their house band.  MFSB was known for their hit song "The Sound of Philadelphia" which became the highly recognized theme for hit show Soul Train.  Huff, Gamble, and Bell really brought the disco sound to the forefront. 

Little did I know that as I looked at those round black discs with an intriguing label, with 5 year old eyes, there was a rich story behind it.  It is such a fond memory for me.

I encourage you to think about your first interactions with music. What was the first record that you encountered? What do you recall from that experience?

Remain True To Self

Today, I learned from a fellow music lover and peer (Flash) that when you are doing what you love and times are rough, no matter what is going on in life-stick with it. It's not about what's trending and hot right now, but all about the love. When you love it, there is nothing that will keep you from it. In the past few years, I  had been so far removed from music to the point that I felt like a foreigner to myself. It seems to me that I was, in my latter 20's to early 30's, trying to find my way. I was caught up in the hustle that it took to be a working DJ. Did I have what it would take? Aesthetically, was I gonna make it without being a dolled up femme behind the turntables? Of course, I talked myself out of it and abandoned music altogether.  Now, at 34, I am finding my way back to the medium that I love so much. I can't ever see myself straying away from it ever again.  It is part of who I am. Therefore, I am coming back full force without any apprehensions, doubts or fears.  My path of clarity is so crystal clear that I am elated and grateful for what is ahead.

As I sat across the table from Flash, we also talked about the relevance of mentorship. It is vital that the mentor be supportive and encouraging. It as equally important that the mentee be dedicated to the craft and the hard work that comes along with strengthening talent or skill.  Mentorships should not be about hoarding information or belittling the mentee. We have to be available to pass down what we know to those who are coming up behind us us.  Our enthusiasm must be infectious and most of all-we push those who are coming behind us to remain diligent. 

The moral of the story is this:

All in all, do what you love. Try your damnedest not to walk away from it. You would not be honoring yourself or whatever it is that lights your fire.

Thanks for the chat Flash and also the reminder...always necessary.