Narrated by the legendary Steve Arrington, this mix is my tribute to one of THE GREATEST FUNK BANDS EVER. Slave.
Dayton. 1976. Trombonist Floyd Miller teamed with trumpeter Steve Washington to form Slave. The original line-up included Tom Lockett Jr, Carter Bradley, Mark Adams, Mark "Drac" Hicks, Danny Webster, Orion "Bimmy" Wilhoite and Tim "Tiny" Dozier. In 1977 the band signed for Cotillion Records, which is the label they remained with until 1984. In 1978 Steve Arrington, along with vocalists Starleana Young, Curt Jones and keyboardist Ray Turner joined the band. Arrington ultimately replaced Miller and Webster as lead vocalist. They moved to Atlantic Records for one LP (New Plateau) in 1984, then switched to the Atlanta-based Ichiban Records in 1985.
On this mix Steve Arrington takes us through the formation of the band, band members contributions, the big tunes, and the influences right up to where he left the band and they moved to another label, where truth be told, they couldn't match the pure funk genius of their heyday.
That being said, there was a certain alchemy to the band in the 70's and early 80's. Pairing unparralelled slap bass playing from the late Mark Adams, with strings and great melodies took this Funk band to another level. In my opinion, unmatched.
Bass player Mark Leslie Adams Sr died Saturday, March 5, 2011 at age 51 in Columbus, Ohio.
Guitar player Mark ("Drac") Hicks died on Tuesday, June 14, 2011 at the age of 52 in Dayton, Ohio
Ridym and Grizz back soon, stay tuned.
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