By Aljaydu (68.18.114.105) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 04:34 pm:

Man !!!!!!!! I'm listening to this song again and...can you smell it (sniff...sniff)?? Can you smell the FUNK ????? I forgot just how funky that song is !!!! I'm in my den "bouncing" my butt off !!! Who are the players on this cut??
Also, Boogie Down. Son Of Sagittarius, ShoeShine Boy, Goin' Up In Smoke, Girl, You Need A Change Of Heart, Can I, Skippin' Work Today, Each Day I Cry A Little...

Man, I love it !!!! (sniff !!!! sniff!!!!)

AAAAaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...yeah !!!!!!!!!

By R&B (138.238.41.118) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE STUDIO BAND,BUT ON THE ROAD EDDIE'S BACKUP BAND WAS THE YOUNG SENATORS OUT OF D.C.

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 11:05 am:

"Goin" Up In Smoke" and "He's A Friend" are straight up Philly productions...so the players are MFSB members. I'm sure Eli could provide the details...

By Sly fan (64.169.104.101) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 08:34 pm:

The Young Senators werrree tooooo FUNKY!!! The "Change Of Mind" lp was the FUNKIEST!!! "Keep On Truckin" was a really nice one, "Friend of Mine" is a beautiful album, MFSB rocks!!!

By Vickie (152.163.188.68) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 08:39 pm:

I do Love that Song!!

I always Smile when I see the bumper stickers that say "Keep On Truckin"

Vickie

By KevGo (64.115.26.80) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 01:55 pm:

Give me "Keep On Truckin'", "Boogie Down", "Date With The Rain" & "Goin' Up In Smoke" anyday! Makes me wanna put on my dancing shoes!
Kevin Goins - KevGo

By Aljaydu (68.18.99.69) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

It was like Eddie went in a whole NEW, different direction with the LP's that he put out back then. A whole different direction from which he came from (with the Temps)and a whole different direction that the Temps went (after he departed the group). I wonder what was the reason for that direction in which he went. If you didn't know that he sang with the Temps, you'd never know by those lp's.

By Sly fan (64.169.107.6) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 03:43 pm:

I agree, he definetly re-defined himself with those LP's..

By Livonia Ken (136.1.1.33) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 04:20 pm:

Well, one simple thing that was cool and unique about EK's solo records is that he would occasionally sing in his natural tenor. I'm sure the Frank Wilson, Leonard Caston, Anita Poree team had a lot to do with it as well (not to mention Norman Harris on "He's a Friend"). His 1972-1976 albums were usually pretty great, and not just as springboards for hits. They hung together as albums, too.

If all disco songs had been as great as the proto disco "Girl You Need a Change of Mind" from 1972, there never would have been a backlash!

Regards,
Ken

By Eli (64.12.97.7) on Monday, April 07, 2003 - 04:32 pm:

Twicked...
He's a friend and Going up in smoke and their eponymous albums were recorded at Sigma with MFSB with the exception of Huff as he only played on the tracks that he produced at PIR and the Arctic things as a tradeoff for airplay in the early days.
Norman Harris was the primary producer and arranger with the usual compliment of players.
Sometimes the keyboard players varied because if they were a writer of the music they usually played on the date if they were good enough, and they usually were.

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 08:33 pm:

Aljaydu...you're missing the obvious !! As Eddie said on 'Keep On Truckin"...."In old Temptations rain...I'm duckin'"

By Aljaydu (68.18.117.152) on Tuesday, April 08, 2003 - 09:47 pm:

1wicked, you're right !!!! "In old Temptations rain...I'm duckin'". You are absolutly right!!!
Thanks !! HAHAHAHAHahahah

By Rich (162.33.234.103) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 08:27 am:

I was hoping we'd get an answer to your question Aljaydu regarding the players on "Keep on Truckin". The success of that song as well as EK's "Girl You've Got to Change Your Mind" & "Boogie Down" brought together a funk vamp, smooth soulful vox & steady dance beat which opened up the floor for everybody and along with MFSB/TSOP ushered in the disco-funk era. The musicians provided two-thirds of that equation - who were they?

By Michael/cleoharvey (160.79.83.208) on Wednesday, April 09, 2003 - 03:10 pm:

By the way, what are Leonard Caston and Anita Poree doing now? Are they still in the business and writing records?

I think the direction that Eddie Kendrick went in can be attributed to the talented Frank Wilson. The guy seemed to have a penchant for taking established artists in new musical directions. All you have to do is take a listen to Stoned Love, Time To Break Down, and especially Nathan Jones for the Supremes and you will understand what I mean. Nathan Jones is a fascinating song, arrangement, and production and a departure from the traditional Motown sound.

By Sly fan (67.115.72.242) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 01:48 am:

I knew Leonard's daughter in college (5 years ago) and at the time she was telling me that her father was still writing and he was very active in the Gospel field..It took her like a year to tell who her dad was..im like wooooww thats your pop!! I was in awe when I met him...a really nice gentleman.

"Time To Break Down" is a really great song that shouldve been a single..

By 1wicked (24.126.64.120) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 01:54 am:

Caston & Poree had an album on Motown in (about) the mid 70's...and it featured their version of "I'll Keep A Light In My Window". Did I buy the only copy sold ??

By RD (63.188.32.106) on Thursday, April 10, 2003 - 02:54 am:

Leonard Caston was a member of the Radiants when they had their biggest hits: "Voice Your Choice" and "Ain't No Big Thing." That's him co-leading with Maurice McCalister on both songs. Leonard's brother Victor sang with the Radiants after he and Maurice left.

By Kdubya (206.126.224.7) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 12:13 pm:

Frank Wilson had a profound impact on the career of Eddie Kendricks. In the liner notes/book of a compilation of Eddies greatest hits he tells the story of one of the greatest ex-Temptations. I'm still reeling from some of the classic storys he told about putting records together and the artists/writers behind the scenes like Leonard Caston/The Philly Producers and such.......

By Aba21 (208.191.122.205) on Wednesday, April 23, 2003 - 01:12 pm:

Wow! L. Caston on Voice YOur Choice and Ain't No Big Thing. Now you talking bout some real soul music!