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While talking about the various great musicians growing up in his neighborhood and surrounding areas, Marcus Miller noted in an interview that Keyboardist Edwin Birdsong and Guitarist Ronnie Drayton were making music that carried on the tradition of Hendrix and Sly Stone in that same Funk/Rock vein...
It's easy to see what he was talking about when listening to early Edwin Birdsong. Actually, all of his albums had kind of an experimental vibe to them, whether he was doing Rock, Funk, or Dance music. As such, he never charted (Though his Roy Ayers collaborations did) , but he has developed a devoted fan following over the years. I can picture a young Lenny Kravitz gettin' turned on by the early stuff!

From Wikipedia:

Edwin Birdsong 1950) is a keyboard/organ player who was known in the 70's and 80's for his experimental funk/disco music. He never achieved chart success, but developed a strong fan base.

Growing up with a gospel background, he was signed to Polydor in 1971, where he released two albums, "What It Is"(71), and "Supernatural" (73). He then recorded one Album for Bamboo Records, called "Dance of Survival" (75). He then signed to Philadelphia International, where he released "Edwin Birdsong" his last album was "Funtaztik" which included the underground club hit, "Rapper Dapper Snapper", in 1980. Between albums he worked extensively with Roy Ayers, writing roy's Hits "Running Away" in '79, and "Freaky Deaky". since then he has performed and done sessions with a number of musicians, including Stevie Wonder....

Birdsong has often been sampled by other artists , including Daft Punk who sampled "Cola Bottle Baby" in "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger", and Gang Starr who sampled his single "Rapper Dapper Snapper" for their song "Skillz".


"Rising Sign" (1973)



Edwin Birdsong: organ, Synths, Percussion, Vocals
Ronnie Drayton: Guitars
John Solomon: Bass
Kenny Wilson: Drums

Any Color



Edwin Birdsong: Organ, Keys, Percussion, Vocals
Ronnie Drayton: Guitars
John Solomon: Bass
Kenny Wilson: Drums



Phizz Phizz (1979)





Rapper Dapper Snapper(instrumental)





Coca-Cola Bottle Baby (1979)











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[Edited 7/17/09 9:21am]

wikipedia said:

I figured out what it was wayy before then, because I knew it from
"Get It Together" Michie Mee & L.A. Luv [1991]
"The Maestro" Maestro Fresh-Wes [1989]
"Me, Myself & I" De La Soul [1989]

and that skit on Doggystyle "Domino, mothafucka, what's happenin?"

Cinnie said:

Didn't know that, Thanx!!!




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