In particular, of his Jazz era before the "Mtume" group. Recently, I have been really digging both Alkebu-Lan and Rebirth Cycle. I am still in the process of trying to find and listen to all the albums he played on...

MotownSubdivision said:

Don't know anything of Mtume pre-Mtume as a group but I like to think I'm a fan. Haven't listened to too much of their stuff but I love almost everything I've heard.

If you dig Spiritual and Avant-Garde Jazz, I can't recommend Alkebu-Lan enough!

all i got is "Juicy"...but that joint was a smash hit...he's probably still gettin royalty & sample checks

Photo: From left to right, Reggie Lucas and James Mtume.

Percussionist James Mtume and guitarist Reggie Lucas wrote the Roberta Flack/Donnie Hathaway smash ballad "The Closer I Get to You" and Stephanie Mills' " Never Knew Love Like This Before" and "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'". Reggie Lucas wrote Madonna's "Borderline".

RJOrion said:

all i got is "Juicy"...but that joint was a smash hit...he's probably still gettin royalty & sample checks

FunkGetsStronger said:

RJOrion said:

all i got is "Juicy"...but that joint was a smash hit...he's probably still gettin royalty & sample checks

I love, love, love this song, from the minute it first came out until today.

MotownSubdivision said:

MickyDolenz said:

I love this record. Besides the two songs you posted, "Kamili" is my favorite.

FunkGetsStronger said:

RJOrion said:

all i got is "Juicy"...but that joint was a smash hit...he's probably still gettin royalty & sample checks

WOW Pretty cool thanks!

2014 Interview: Mtume on Miles Davis, Juicy Fruit and Donny Hathaway


http://win.gs/2uJXhSg

[Edited 7/21/17 14:07pm]

Identity said:

Photo: From left to right, Reggie Lucas and James Mtume.

Percussionist James Mtume and guitarist Reggie Lucas wrote the Roberta Flack/Donnie Hathaway smash ballad "The Closer I Get to You" and Stephanie Mills' " Never Knew Love Like This Before" and "What Cha Gonna Do With My Lovin'". Reggie Lucas wrote Madonna's "Borderline".

Madonna's "Lucky Star" was written by Mtume & Lucas as well....

Oh yeah. For a good while Mtume was really tearing stuff up ( Forgive me, i know you said "before the Mtume group" ). That 80's dance funk period of theirs(primarily songs from Juicy Fruit ), kept the party going for a good year or so. And they had another good year of having some really nice slow jams(primarily songs from You, Me and He), that were good for some love making...Seriously.


As far as Mtume's pre Kiss The World Goodbye, albums. I like Alkebu-lan, but not really Rebirth Cycle. Both of which i don't think i had ever heard in their entirety, until today(ytube search).

As far as James Mtume's music, before Mtume? I was familiar with what he had done with Miles Davis, and some of his production and songwriting work, but that was about it. I knew he had played on other people's albums, but i never really took the time to seek any of them out. I will now though... I really like that Kawaida album.

One last thing on "Mtume". People really got to give it up for Tawatha Agee. She's a big part of why Mtume was as successful as they were. That woman can sing.

Anyway, much props to James Mtume. He's made some pretty darn good music.



And thanks for the post.

I think i posted this before...

[Edited 7/21/17 21:44pm]

JoeyC said:

One last thing on "Mtume". People really got to give it up for Tawatha Agee. She's a big part of why Mtume was as successful as they were. That woman can sing.

[Edited 7/21/17 21:44pm]

I couldn't agree with you more! Have you ever listened to her solo album?

Here is another great Mtume piece:

woogiebear said:".

Madonna's "Lucky Star" was written by Mtume & Lucas as well....

Written by Madonna and produced by Reggie Lucas.

FunkGetsStronger said:

JoeyC said:

One last thing on "Mtume". People really got to give it up for Tawatha Agee. She's a big part of why Mtume was as successful as they were. That woman can sing.

I couldn't agree with you more! Have you ever listened to her solo album?

her 1987 solo single "Thigh Ride" is a JAM!!

Thanks. I was not familiar with his pre Juicy Fruit works which is weird because I know about his dad and uncle. Jimmy and Percy Heath used to run with my uncle back in the olden days in Philly.

From In Search of the Rainbow Seekers:

RJOrion said: