R.I.P Lady T

Damn I just found out Teena Marie Died  :sad:
Here are some links for her albums off the blog that I listed here
It must be Magic
http://soulfunkjazz.wordpress.com/2010/12/12/teena-marie-it-must-be-magic-1981/
Irons in the Fire
http://soulfunkjazz.wordpress.com/2010/12/10/teena-marie-irons-in-the-fire-1980/
Lady T
http://soulfunkjazz.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/teena-marie-lady-t-1980/

Teena Marie – It Must Be Magic [1981]

diciembre 12, 2010 a 10:06 pm (Dance Funk)

It Must Be Magic. (1981).
Review:

1. The last of Teena Marie’s four albums for Motown, It Must Be Magic found the songstress continuing to do all of her own writing, producing, and arranging, with magnificent results. Irons in the Fire proved that she didn’t need the input of a big-name producer in order to deliver first-class albums, and Marie provided additional evidence of that fact on an album that offered such gems as the playful “Square Biz” (one of her biggest hits, and an early example of an R&B artist incorporating rap), the thought-provoking “Revolution” (inspired by the assassination of John Lennon and filled with references to the Beatles), and the gritty title song. Marie has periodically shown a strong love of jazz, which is exactly what happens on the ballad “Yes Indeed” and the sexy “Portuguese Love.” It Must Be Magic was Marie’s highest-charting album in the pop market, and thanks to a largely black following, the gold-seller just missed topping the R&B charts..
(Alex Henderson & William Ruhl– All Music Guide)

2. Arguably the best album that Teen Marie did for Motown – and a tasty batch of modern soul tracks that proves to the world that she was a great soul artist in her own right, and not just someone signed to the label in a fit of nepotism. Includes the stellar “Portuguese Love”, plus “Yes Indeed”, “Where’s California”, “Opus III”, and “Ballad Of Cradle Rob & Me”. This expanded CD also includes 2 live tracks recorded in Long Beach – versions of “Deja Vu” and “Someday We’ll All Be Free” – plus the bonus track “Square Biz”, done in an instrumental version. All written & produced by Teena, too!.
(DGA.Inc.)

Credits & Personnel.

• Arranged By [Horns] – Daniel LeMelle (tracks: 1 to 4,  6, 8).
• Arranged By [Rhythm, Vocals] – Teena Marie (tracks: A1 to A4, B6 to 9)
• Arranged By [Strings] – Paul Riser (tracks: 1 to 4, 8, 9)
• Bass – Allen McGrier , Oscar Alston
• Drums – Paul Hines
• Engineer [Assistant] – Virginia Pallante* , Lon Neuman , Peter Varga
• Guitar – Tom McDermott
• Keyboards – James S. Stewart Jr.
• Mastered By – Jim Sintetos
• Mixed By, Recorded By – Bobby Brooks
• Piccolo Flute [Piccolo] – Cliff Ervin , Roy Poper
• Saxophone – Daniel LeMelle (tracks: 1, 4, 7, 8).
• Saxophone, Flute [Tenor] – Gerald Albright
• Synthesizer – Bill Wolfer
• Trombone, Flute – John Ervin
• Trumpet – Eric Butler (2) , Kenneth Scott
• Written-by, Producer, Vocals, Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Teena Marie

Notes
(P)1981 Motown Record Corp.
Tracks:
01. It Must Be Magic
02. Revolution
03. Where’s California
04. 365
05. Opus 111 (Does Anybody Care)
06. Square Biz
07. The Ballad Of Cradle Rob And Me
08. Portuguese Love
09. Yes Indeed

Teena Marie – Irons In The Fire [1980]

diciembre 10, 2010 a 3:46 pm (Post Disco, R&B)

Irons In The Fire (1980).
Review:

1. With her third album, Irons in the Fire, Teena Marie did something that was rare for a female R&B artist — she handled all of the producing and writing herself. Marie took on a lot of responsibility, and she knew she had done the right thing when the album became both a commercial and artistic triumph. By now, it was common knowledge that Marie was white, something that didn’t seem to matter much to the many black R&B fans who bought this recording. Like so much of her work, the irresistible single “I Need Your Lovin’” became a major R&B hit, but didn’t do much on pop radio. Interestingly, Marie was having the same problem as Maze & Frankie Beverly in that she could have a gold album without any help from pop audiences. But then, she obviously realized that she didn’t need their support in order to be legit. From the seductive “You Make Love Like Springtime” and the sweaty “First Class Love” to the moving title song, everything on this album is a gem.
(Alex Henderson – All Music Guide)

2. This is music to heal your heart by. By the time she released this gorgeous soul gem, Lady T was finally starting to recieve the accolades she deserved. “I Need Your Lovin’” was an across the board smash and listening to the extended version on this LP is an even more rewarding experience than the edit usually heard on the radio; the funky bass line hanging naked in the air until the orchestra, Teena’s voice and guitar lick come sweeping in is one the most distinctive introductions in soul music. The mellow, laid back groove of “Young Love” cradles you in it’s arms and evokes not only memories of loves from one’s past, but also pleads for that passion to never fade away (‘why you wanna grow old on me now?’) and when the band speeds up the tempo after the second chorus you can’t resist nodding your head along. “First Class Love” and the ultra-passionate “Chains” are two more funky workouts that celebrate the all-encompassing love/lust/obsession we all have felt from being with the right man or woman; Teena also gets superb support from a tight backing band with the ability to switch gears at will. “Irons In The Fire” is a sublime, beautiful title song with a gently plucked harp, jazzy guitar and gradually rising string section behind Teena’s relaxed vocal and quietly determined lyrics about not giving up on love in her life. “You Make Love Like Springtime” is oustanding; its sprightly bassline, bossa-nova beat, jaunty horn arrangement and almost chanted vocals are all a treat for the ears, so don’t be suprised if you find yourself singing this song for a few days after you hear it! The one that trumps them all however, is the heartbreakingly beautiful “Tune In Tomorrow”, on this outright jazz tune, Teena and Co. stretch out to stunning effect. From it’s stark piano intro and hushed singing the song builds up to its first crescendo, stops and builds again, all the while guided by Teena’s tear-drenched vocal delivery.(Special Note: Listen and you can actually hear her crying and catch her breath as she sings, gradually working her way back up to the chorus.) This brilliant piece finally climaxes with some mind blowing scatting from our heroine and the band swinging behind her at breakneck speed, this is the most breathtaking moment on the album. A brief reprise of “You Make Love Like Springtime” closes out the set and features a harmonized background chorus of lyrics from Marvin Gaye’s classic “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)”. The star, of course, is Ms. Marie’s incredible voice, an instrument unto itself. This is deeply satisfying, rewarding music from an underappreciated genius.

Teena Marie – Lady T [1980]

diciembre 9, 2010 a 10:09 pm (Post Disco)

Lady T (1980).
Review:

1. Teena Marie’s second album, Lady T, found her working with producer Richard Rudolph, husband of the late Minnie Riperton. Though not as strong as Wild and Peaceful, this decent but not essential release had many strong points and offered much evidence that she was a soul goddess to be reckoned with. The single “Behind the Groove” is a funk smoker, and “Could It Be Love” and “Aladdin’s Lamp” show how charming Marie can be. Rick James’ influence could still be felt, though it was clear that Marie had many impressive ideas of her own. Unlike Wild and Peaceful, Lady T showed Marie’s picture on the front cover — many of the fans she’d acquired were shocked to see that she was white.
(Alex Henderson – All Music Guide)

2. A great little album from Teena – one that’s dedicated to the late Minnie Riperton (who’d passed during the previous year), and which is produced by Riperton’s husband/collaborator Richard Rudolph. Teena’s got more than a few of Minnie’s tricks up her sleeve on the best cuts, singing in a smooth sweet soulful style that makes for some of her best vocals on record at the time. Titles include “Aladdin’s Lamp”, “Now That I Have You”, “Can It Be Love”, “Too Many Colors”, and “Young Girl In Love”.
(DGA.Inc.)

Personnel.

• Kenny Kerner Producer
• Teena Marie Producer, Vocals
• John Matousek Mastering
• Richard Rudolph Producer
• Richie Wise Producer

Credits.
• Artwork By [Art Direction] – John Cabalka
• Artwork By [Design] – Ginny Livingston
• Co-producer – Teena Marie
• Engineer – Lewis Peters
• Engineer [Assistant] – Philip Moores*
• Engineer [Mastering] – Jeff Sanders
• Photography – Ron Slenzak
• Producer – Richard Rudolph
℗ 1980 Original sound recording made by Motown Record Corp. Recorded and remixed at Conway Studios, Hollywood, CA. Strings recorded at Evergreen Studios, Burbank, CA.
“This album is dedicated to Minnie Julia Riperton Rudolph (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979). For the eternal light shone upon my heart and the hearts of all Mankind.”
Tracks:
01. Behind The Groove
02. Now That I Have You
03. Lonely Desire
04. Aladdin’s Lamp
05. You’re All The Boogie I Need
06. Can It Be Love
07. Young Girl In Love
08. Why Did I Fall In Love With You
09. Too Many Colors (Tee’s Interlude)