"TRUTH IN RHYTHM" - Ronnie Laws, Part 1 of 2
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- Опубліковано 8 вер 2024
- Brought to you by FUNKNSTUFF.NET and hosted by Scott Goldfine - musicologist and author of “Everything Is on THE ONE: The First Guide of Funk” ― “TRUTH IN RHYTHM” is the interview show that gets DEEP into the pocket with contemporary music’s foremost masters of the groove.
Featured in TIR Episode 87 (Part 1 of 2; see Part 2 here • "TRUTH IN RHYTHM" - Ro... ): One of the most prominent, successful and tasty jazz-soul-funk saxophonists to arrive on the scene since the mid-1970s -- Ronnie Laws. Coming from a musical family that includes jazz flautist Hubert Laws and singers Eloise and Debra Laws, and growing up in Houston around the block from The Crusaders, Ronnie got his professional start with Earth, Wind and Fire in 1972. Leaving to pursue a solo career, he performed with Hugh Masekela and did session work until Donald Byrd helped him land a recording deal with Blue Note Records that resulted in his stellar debut album, 1975’s Pressure Sensitive. That record took off on the strength of the funky instrumental hit, “Always There.” Through the years, he would release more than 20 of his own albums, with seven of them cracking Billboard’s Top 200 Albums chart.
Some of his other hits included “Friends and Strangers,” “Saturday Evening,” “Something Special,” “Every Generation,” “Stay Awake,” “In the Groove” and “City Girl.” He also appeared on dozens of other artists’ works, including his siblings, Wayne Henderson, Patrice Rushen, Miki Howard, Ramsey Lewis, Deniece Williams, Jeff Lorber, Sister Sledge, Larry Dunn and Maurice White.
In this interview, recorded nearly a year after technical issues preempted Laws’ initial TRUTH IN RHYTHM appearance, the sax master talks about his amazing musical family and upbringing, the thrill of playing with heroes like B.B. King and Quincy Jones, why he left Earth, Wind and Fire, how his hit albums and tracks were created, why he feels shunned by the smooth jazz movement, how his son is following in his woodwind footsteps, a recent lifetime achievement honor, and the excitement of imminent new music and ongoing live performances. It’s time learn the laws of soulful and funky jazz according to one of its principal architects, Mr. Ronnie Laws!
RECORDED MARCH 2019
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Always LOVVVVVED Ronnie Laws since the 7th grade when he was with EWF and then his solo stuff, I was hooked for life.
By Dad was a serious jazz lover so I grew up listen to a lot of jazz. But when I heard Ronnie Laws, it fit the type of jazz I wanted to here at that time. He was the gateway for me because he did fusion jazz so well. Ronnie Laws has a distinct sound with his sax that's like a fingerprint, you know immediately without even thinking that's Ronnie Laws. I love all his music especially; Pressure Sensitive, Every Generation, Solid Ground, Natural Law, Mr. Nice Guy, Friend and Strangers, Fever and Dream A Little are albums I have downloaded and fine myself gravitating to these tunes often. Thank you Ronnie Laws for this priceless music to enjoy.
The legendary great Ronnie Laws!!!!!!!!
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Ronnie on a fishing trip. He is a very classy, down to earth, funny, and respectful man. I really enjoyed talking to him about baseball and I actually learned a few handy fishing tips from him, truly a great guy!
How awesome is that!!!!!??? Good for You!!!!!
It really was awesome! I had a great time talking to him!
Did you recognize him?? Or were you already aware he would be on this trip?? I wouldn't have been able to focus LOL This guy is a LEGEND!!!
I honestly had no idea that he would be there or that he was such a briliant musician! I just happened to meet him by pure chance! He is such a nice and respectful guy that you would never know that he was such a legend! I didn't realize that until after the trip!
@@saltyfeller4904 Wow!!! That is fantastic!!! You're so lucky lol I'm a big fan of his and I'm only 35...most of his biggest hits were made before I was born lol. My parents played his albums alot during my childhood.
Ronnie Laws is one of my favorite saxophonist
Ronnie Laws had some incredible recordings and worked with some of the best musicians, arrangers, composers, and producers on the planet including Bobby Lyle, Larry Dunn, and Nate Phillips!!! "Smooth Jazz" is a marketing term. It's ironic that Ronnie is being shunned by Smooth Jazz because he was one of the pioneers of what became Smooth Jazz before it ever existed!!!! Playing on stage with Kenny Rodgers at age 12 is phenomenal! He was obviously ready for the opportunity! It definitely helps to have the legendary Hubert Laws as his brother and grow up around the Crusaders! "Always There" is an amazing track and is a classic and great way to launch his solo career!!! I saw Ronnie at the Roxy too along with many other artists! "Friends and Strangers" is one of my all-time favorite songs ever!!! The entire recording was elevated by one of my favorite musicians Larry Dunn! Also having Bobby Lyle and Nate Phillips on the project didn't hurt!!! Too bad that Debra had very poor management because she could sing!!!
The great American black legend !
Ronnie Laws I first saw him perform with his family at the Park West in Chicago. I saw them perform a second time in Chicago. That guy is very tall and big and Im 6' 0" tall! I had him autograph a album I had that he made. He was like a giant in real life. He is my music idol. I first heard his music at my aunts house back in 1977. I was hooked on his music. I realized that Grover Washington had to be #2 on my list. I grew up listening to Sonny Stitt, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderley. Thank you daddy for playing jazz when the day you and momma brought me home when I was a newborn back in April 1963.
Ronnie Laws l been listening to you for years. You’re a bad dude love your music
The great hit of ronnie. Alw there. In 1975
🤴🏽💎💯♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️….One of The Great musical geniuses..real musical genius!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
His sister, Debra Laws, was & is my model of a female vocalist. Her voice was powerful & every single word is articulated while she sings!
I love you Mr. Ronnie Laws!!!!!! Solid Ground is no doubt in my personal top 20 most favorite albums ever made!!!! I own it on CD and just recently bought the vinyl!!!
Hello. This was a very informative interview with the great Ronnie Laws. I really appreciated the comments that he shared about not being included in Jazz festivals. One would think that someone who has been one of the foremost architects of the contemporary jazz realm wouldn't be overlooked! Ronnie Laws' saxophone sounds like no one else, as we all know--and his soulful singing voice only augments his stellar contributions to the music. His son Jaman, not unlike his dad, is also a force on the instrument! Mr. Laws' peers, and those who have gained notoriety in the decades that have followed, know that Ronnie Laws is the real deal! I have most of his cds and I look forward, God willing, to more of both his music and his son Jaman's. Thank you, Ronnie Laws, and thank you, Funk n Stuff, for another first-rate interview. God's blessings!
“The Great American Legend” 🎷
Ronnie Laws, my little brother, I got him laughing when I started calling him my little brother, he couldn’t understand, he is bigger and older by about 5 years, but he’s my little brother, I finally told him that it was because, when we’re together I got my eyes out for him, just like if he was my little brother.... I’ve got his back..!!! 😀
Thank you so much for this, one of my absolute favorites!
Wow Kenny Roger's was his first paying gig!!!
Ronnie was and original of EWF when they came to Columbia Records. He wasn't from the beginning .
Come To Me, A Classic 1986. From Blewfoot...
Yessir
What type of soprano saxophone does Ronnie laws play and what is his set up
hey man can you interview Bluey Incognito
Looking into it, thanks for the suggestion.
Did Ronnie Laws Play On Hugh Masekela's The Boys Doin' It Album?
I think he was gone by then (1975) and not sure he ever appeared on a Masekela album. May have only been live performance.
Salty Peppers from Blewfoot