1000 Giants Of Black Music

[stepping razor]

BILL COSBY:
One of Americas most successful comedians, Bill`s contribution to black music was a series of singles from `67 to `70 on which his half spoken, half shouted vocals were backed up by the stomping, funky Watts 103rd St. Band.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JUNE 1974: - PART FOUR
Black Music June 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 7

peace

[stepping razor]

JAMES COTTON:
Harmonica player/blues singer of great power. Highly regarded for his work behind Muddy Waters, and his visit to Britain in 1961 pre-dated the British blues boom by several years. In recent times he`s recorded a succession of hard rockin` blues albums on Vanguard, Verve and other labels.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JUNE 1974: - PART FOUR
Black Music June 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 7

peace

[stepping razor]

LOU COURTNEY:
At first the epitome of the mechanically mindless soulster, he hit with "Skate Now" and "Do The Thing" (Riverside, 1967) but sensibly moved to writing and production and is currently enjoying a US soul singing hit on Epic.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JUNE 1974: - PART FOUR
Black Music June 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 7

peace

[stepping razor]

DON COVEY:
Starting in Washington with the Rainbows (other members included Marvin Gaye and Billy Stewart), Don was a wild rocker (as Pretty Boy, 1956-57) a contributor to the teen-dance era ("Pony Time"--his composition, 1961) and a star in the golden age of Atlantic (where he hit with "Mercy Mercy" and "See Saw" as well as writing "Chain Of Fools" for Aretha Franklin). The last couple of years have seen a steady consolidation with hits like "She Was Checking Out" and the highly acclaimed "Super Dude" Mercury album.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JUNE 1974: - PART FOUR
Black Music June 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 7

peace

[stepping razor]

IDA COX:
One of the `classic` school of blues singers, second only to Bessie Smith. Toured and recorded with top line jazz musicians with much success in the `20s and `30s. Best remembered today for her composition "Nobody Knows You When You`re Down And Out".

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JUNE 1974: - PART FOUR
Black Music June 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 7

peace

[stepping razor]

DAVE CRAWFORD:
Miami-based arranger/producer who with partner Brad Shapiro kept up a string of successes with Atlantic`s top soul artists.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JULY 1974: - PART FIVE
Black Music July 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 8

peace

[stepping razor]

HANK CRAWFORD:
The soulful alto sax of Hank first gained acclaim when heard behind Ray Charles. In `63 Hank went solo and since then a stream of big selling albums, in latter years on Kudo, have cemented his soul-jazz popularity.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JULY 1974: - PART FIVE
Black Music July 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 8

peace

[stepping razor]

CROWS:
Back in 1952 this rhythm and blues group (on Gee Records) paved the way for rock and roll when their "Gee" made the pop charts--the first uptempo record by a black group to do so.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JULY 1974: - PART FIVE
Black Music July 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 8

peace

[stepping razor]

ARTHUR "BIG BOY" CRUDUP:
Recent years have seen a heartening revival of fortune for this 69 year old blues great. After an immensely successful recording stint with RCA`s Bluebird series from the `30s, the 1950s were a tougher grind. His songs like "Mean Of Frisco", "That`s Alright Mama", and "My Baby Left Me" were adopted by white rock `n` rollers (including Presley) while their originator was forgotten. Happily, he is now recording and touring again.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JULY 1974: - PART FIVE
Black Music July 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 8

peace

[stepping razor]

CRUSADERS:
For nearly two decades (then known as the Jazz Crusaders) Joe Sample (Keyboards), Wilton Felder (bass, sax), Wayne Henderson (trombone) and Nesbert "Stix" Hooper (percussion) have pushed jazz into the age of rock. For many years leaders in the bop world (Bluenote) their progression to a funkier, less abstract approach (first with Chisa and then Blue Thumb Records) has been artistic, as well as a commercial, success.

1000 GIANTS OF BLACK MUSIC - JULY 1974: - PART FIVE
Black Music July 1974: - Vol. 1 / Issue 8

peace