James "D Train" Williams' 1986 major label debut recording, the Columbia Records released, "Miracles Of The Heart", came two years after the release of 1984's independent release, "Something's On Your Mind", recorded for Marvin Schlachter and Stanley Hoffman's legendary R&B/disco label, Prelude Records.
That title track lead single, "Something's On Your Mind", peaked at #5 on Billboard's Top R&B Singles chart, and reached as high as #79 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. The song was later covered by the incomparable jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis for his 1985 Columbia Records release, "You're Under Arrest".
Included on this extremely impressive, but largely underappreciated album during the time of it's initial 1986 release, is the Top 10 R&B single, "Misunderstanding", as well as it's follow up single, a now steppers classic, the gorgeous, "Oh, How I Love You Girl".
12" Mix version's of both "Misunderstanding", and, "Oh, How I Love You Girl", are included in this 14 track Remastered Expanded Limited Edition Compact Disc, released by CD reissue kings, Funkytown Grooves.
{{{****PLEASE NOTE : THIS CD WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT OR AROUND AUGUST 26, 2011**** ...... SEE BELOW FOR THE LINK THAT'LL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO FUNKY TOWN GROOVES' WEBPAGE WHERE YOU CAN PRE ORDER THIS LIMITED EDITION COMPACT DISC. SO I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PLACE YOUR ORDER IN ADVANCE, AS I'M SURE THIS TITLE WILL SELLOUT IMMEDIATELY !!}}}
D Train, the collective, was comprised of two talented musicians. Keyboardist Hubert Eaves, III, is best known for his prior work as a member of James Mtume's funk collective, "Mtume", and the many recordings produced by Mtume and Reggie Lucas, outside of the Mtume recording brand. Some of those recordings included hits by Phyllis Hyman, Stephanie Mills, Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway, and many others.
Lead vocalist/guitarist, James "D Train" Williams, who's nickname was given to him while attending my hometown of Brooklyn, NY's, Eramus Hall High School. He was a star defensive tackle on the school's football team, as he was known to "hit his opponents like that of a speeding train". For those that are not aware, there is actually a "D" subway line within the New York City's transit system.
Let's check out some of the many album's shining moments, and remind of ourselves that true musicianship and vocal talent actually existed in the music industry. Still to this day, both D Train, the singer, and Hubert are actively involved in music at different levels and capacities. We could only dream on a blessed reunion, but in the meantime, let's cherish this recording and give it the recognition it should've received back in 1986.
"Oh, How I Love You Girl" ~ It's a slow to mid tempo'd groove reminiscent of a soothing soulful Stax era recording. The only element programmed here are some of the percussion soundscapes, though live percussion parts performed by session monster Steve Kroon are added to the mix. For the most part, the instrumentation is live and downright sexy. The electric and bass guitar performed parts all gel quite nicely with the harmonious overtones of the electric piano, with it's beautiful chord progressions.
The mellow chill of the background vocalists consisting of session professionals Ms. Cindy Mizelle, Ms. Norma Jean Wright, and Mrs. Audrey Wheeler-Downing is another element that brings a light hearted tender fare to a sweet and tender body swayer . But it's James' distinctive tenor and gospel tinged vocal delivery that make this song shine the brightest. The appreciative tone of the lyrics for his lady, is one that every woman would love to hear from their significant other. Great song !
"Misunderstanding" ~ Dancefloors everywhere were set ablaze with this funky uptempo head bopper, and was an R&B Top 10 hit as previously mentioned. Hips were set into motion by the triggered snare, tom tom fills, handclaps, and kick drum via the Oberheim DM-X drum machine. The often used sampled orchestra hits of that time period of the mid '80's were carefully placed where it musically made sense. The funky and cat scatty guitar licks are abound with it's feel good pizazz , thanks to either Doc Powell or the late great Hiram Bullock.
The live percussions played throughout gave the programmed percussion parts an even balance in that they worked together. Once again, James' lead and overdubbed background parts, and at times, sampled and triggered, all possessed the characteristics of a classic D Train performance, gutsy, funky, and 'holy ghosted'.
"Let Me Love You" ~ Thou FUNK runneth amok on this mid ranged eq'd, 'stabby effect', Mini-Moog bass synthesizer driven slammer ! Hubert pushed the Oberheim DMX drum machine to the max with it's obvious sounding programmed hand claps, along with the kick drum that, literally, POUNDS YOU IN THE CHEST ! Don't worry though, the snare drum does it's part to keep the HUMAN hands clapped ! The stereo panned tom tom fills round out the percussion ladened paradiso !
Clifford Adams, trombonist for Kool & The Gang during that band's '80's Gold/Platinum heyday, throws down a funky and scintillating solo. Huberts various layered synthesizer tracks ala Prophet 5, Oberheim OBX-a, Dyno-My-Piano module's, and Fender Rhodes kept the electo funk at it's maximum level. Of course, James' fiery charged lead vocal performance is second to none.
"I Got Your Number" ~ This Gary Bartz alto sax featured fueled track is a fun, happy themed, quasi psuedo pop tune, that is among my favorites on this fantastic long player. Electric bass guitar plucks and all around funkiness, coupled with the rhythm guitar cool plucks and strums, and live drums this time around featuring session stalwart, Buddy Williams (no relation).
The aforementioned background vocalists, with the addition of another session powerhouse, Curtis King, Jr. sound off their heavenly harmonic blend to compliment James' perfectly timed and pitched lead/overdubbed background vocal parts. It's a song with a great sing along hook, a great melody to play in the car as you're getting your cruise on ! Top notch tune ! Radio, I strongly advise you to add this song to your playlists.
"Stand Up And Fight" ~ Is another song that lyrically falls in the same line as his 1981 Prelude hit, "Keep On". The bass synth, once again, holds center stage with an organ chordal accompaniment that's very danceable and upbeat. The electric bass guitar with it's usual funk infused plucks, chugs alongside the drum machine programmed kick drum, snare, hi hat, and cymbal crashes.
The tried and true vocals of James' lead and background vocals tells the tale of how we should not depend on no one else for one's own survival. The occasional tambourine shakings with Hubert's multi layered synthesizer parts all culminates to a funk deluxe journey. This song is the perfect ending to an exceptional, and well recorded masterpiece.
D Train recorded one more album for Columbia Records in 1988, the equally brilliant "In Your Eyes", which yours truly will be reviewing. This album, too, is another Special Expanded Edition remastered for CD on Funkytown Grooves.
On this expanded edition of "Miracles Of The Heart" are various mixes of 3 of the album's original 8 selections. To preview these selections, and those original 8 selections, and to place your pre- order please refer to the following link :
www.funkytowngrooves.com/Pre-Order-CDs_PRICES-AUTO-REDUCED-BY-15-PERCENT/58/James-%22D-Train%22-Williams-Miracles-Of-The-Heart/3247
That title track lead single, "Something's On Your Mind", peaked at #5 on Billboard's Top R&B Singles chart, and reached as high as #79 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart. The song was later covered by the incomparable jazz trumpeter, Miles Davis for his 1985 Columbia Records release, "You're Under Arrest".
Included on this extremely impressive, but largely underappreciated album during the time of it's initial 1986 release, is the Top 10 R&B single, "Misunderstanding", as well as it's follow up single, a now steppers classic, the gorgeous, "Oh, How I Love You Girl".
12" Mix version's of both "Misunderstanding", and, "Oh, How I Love You Girl", are included in this 14 track Remastered Expanded Limited Edition Compact Disc, released by CD reissue kings, Funkytown Grooves.
{{{****PLEASE NOTE : THIS CD WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT OR AROUND AUGUST 26, 2011**** ...... SEE BELOW FOR THE LINK THAT'LL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO FUNKY TOWN GROOVES' WEBPAGE WHERE YOU CAN PRE ORDER THIS LIMITED EDITION COMPACT DISC. SO I STRONGLY URGE YOU TO PLACE YOUR ORDER IN ADVANCE, AS I'M SURE THIS TITLE WILL SELLOUT IMMEDIATELY !!}}}
D Train, the collective, was comprised of two talented musicians. Keyboardist Hubert Eaves, III, is best known for his prior work as a member of James Mtume's funk collective, "Mtume", and the many recordings produced by Mtume and Reggie Lucas, outside of the Mtume recording brand. Some of those recordings included hits by Phyllis Hyman, Stephanie Mills, Roberta Flack with Donny Hathaway, and many others.
Lead vocalist/guitarist, James "D Train" Williams, who's nickname was given to him while attending my hometown of Brooklyn, NY's, Eramus Hall High School. He was a star defensive tackle on the school's football team, as he was known to "hit his opponents like that of a speeding train". For those that are not aware, there is actually a "D" subway line within the New York City's transit system.
Let's check out some of the many album's shining moments, and remind of ourselves that true musicianship and vocal talent actually existed in the music industry. Still to this day, both D Train, the singer, and Hubert are actively involved in music at different levels and capacities. We could only dream on a blessed reunion, but in the meantime, let's cherish this recording and give it the recognition it should've received back in 1986.
"Oh, How I Love You Girl" ~ It's a slow to mid tempo'd groove reminiscent of a soothing soulful Stax era recording. The only element programmed here are some of the percussion soundscapes, though live percussion parts performed by session monster Steve Kroon are added to the mix. For the most part, the instrumentation is live and downright sexy. The electric and bass guitar performed parts all gel quite nicely with the harmonious overtones of the electric piano, with it's beautiful chord progressions.
The mellow chill of the background vocalists consisting of session professionals Ms. Cindy Mizelle, Ms. Norma Jean Wright, and Mrs. Audrey Wheeler-Downing is another element that brings a light hearted tender fare to a sweet and tender body swayer . But it's James' distinctive tenor and gospel tinged vocal delivery that make this song shine the brightest. The appreciative tone of the lyrics for his lady, is one that every woman would love to hear from their significant other. Great song !
"Misunderstanding" ~ Dancefloors everywhere were set ablaze with this funky uptempo head bopper, and was an R&B Top 10 hit as previously mentioned. Hips were set into motion by the triggered snare, tom tom fills, handclaps, and kick drum via the Oberheim DM-X drum machine. The often used sampled orchestra hits of that time period of the mid '80's were carefully placed where it musically made sense. The funky and cat scatty guitar licks are abound with it's feel good pizazz , thanks to either Doc Powell or the late great Hiram Bullock.
The live percussions played throughout gave the programmed percussion parts an even balance in that they worked together. Once again, James' lead and overdubbed background parts, and at times, sampled and triggered, all possessed the characteristics of a classic D Train performance, gutsy, funky, and 'holy ghosted'.
"Let Me Love You" ~ Thou FUNK runneth amok on this mid ranged eq'd, 'stabby effect', Mini-Moog bass synthesizer driven slammer ! Hubert pushed the Oberheim DMX drum machine to the max with it's obvious sounding programmed hand claps, along with the kick drum that, literally, POUNDS YOU IN THE CHEST ! Don't worry though, the snare drum does it's part to keep the HUMAN hands clapped ! The stereo panned tom tom fills round out the percussion ladened paradiso !
Clifford Adams, trombonist for Kool & The Gang during that band's '80's Gold/Platinum heyday, throws down a funky and scintillating solo. Huberts various layered synthesizer tracks ala Prophet 5, Oberheim OBX-a, Dyno-My-Piano module's, and Fender Rhodes kept the electo funk at it's maximum level. Of course, James' fiery charged lead vocal performance is second to none.
"I Got Your Number" ~ This Gary Bartz alto sax featured fueled track is a fun, happy themed, quasi psuedo pop tune, that is among my favorites on this fantastic long player. Electric bass guitar plucks and all around funkiness, coupled with the rhythm guitar cool plucks and strums, and live drums this time around featuring session stalwart, Buddy Williams (no relation).
The aforementioned background vocalists, with the addition of another session powerhouse, Curtis King, Jr. sound off their heavenly harmonic blend to compliment James' perfectly timed and pitched lead/overdubbed background vocal parts. It's a song with a great sing along hook, a great melody to play in the car as you're getting your cruise on ! Top notch tune ! Radio, I strongly advise you to add this song to your playlists.
"Stand Up And Fight" ~ Is another song that lyrically falls in the same line as his 1981 Prelude hit, "Keep On". The bass synth, once again, holds center stage with an organ chordal accompaniment that's very danceable and upbeat. The electric bass guitar with it's usual funk infused plucks, chugs alongside the drum machine programmed kick drum, snare, hi hat, and cymbal crashes.
The tried and true vocals of James' lead and background vocals tells the tale of how we should not depend on no one else for one's own survival. The occasional tambourine shakings with Hubert's multi layered synthesizer parts all culminates to a funk deluxe journey. This song is the perfect ending to an exceptional, and well recorded masterpiece.
D Train recorded one more album for Columbia Records in 1988, the equally brilliant "In Your Eyes", which yours truly will be reviewing. This album, too, is another Special Expanded Edition remastered for CD on Funkytown Grooves.
On this expanded edition of "Miracles Of The Heart" are various mixes of 3 of the album's original 8 selections. To preview these selections, and those original 8 selections, and to place your pre- order please refer to the following link :
www.funkytowngrooves.com/Pre-Order-CDs_PRICES-AUTO-REDUCED-BY-15-PERCENT/58/James-%22D-Train%22-Williams-Miracles-Of-The-Heart/3247
Here's the logo of the NYC Transit System's D Line
Here's a video of the NYC Transit D Line in Brooklyn in action.
An Eramus Hall Dutchmen Football T Shirt
{This is the high school football team James "D Train" Williams played on }
This is the actual high school D Train attended. The school is located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York
2 comments:
Great job as usual.. How kool is it to have MILES DAVIS cover your record WoW!!
BSmooth
Flatbush in the house! I love his voice and music . a genuine star.thanks for enlightening us with some of these rarer gems.
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