Much is said about the onesies and skimpy costumes that these pop divas wear today and their overt sexuality, but remember Vanity 6? Thirty years ago this group knocked our collective socks off with lingerie as outfits and explicit records that included moaning and groaning. I still can’t believe my mom allowed me to have this album, but I’m glad she did. It was great music–courtesy of Prince and The Time (Also known as The Original 7ven). Written and composed by Prince with backing music by The Time, “Nasty Girl” went to #1 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 and Hot Dance Club Play charts. Vanity is now a Christian minister and denounces the song.

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Original 7ven Members Talk Reunion: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Great interview with GFM’s Artist of the Month for October 2011!

A lot of songs from The Original 7ven, formerly The Time, was known for getting you a little “chocolate” , some “chili sauce” and maybe someone’s “drawers” hanging from the ceiling fan after a wild night. However, the classic song Girl, from their debut album, was quite different. It was definitely a tune that casted a more sentimental light on the ultra cool playboys.

A special note to my guy friends regarding this song: At all times you should have this song in your “I Messed Up” playlist. You never know when you’re gonna say or do something that will land you in the position of having a “go to jail” card. If you’re caught without this song on deck, you can kiss goodbye your “free pass” and the next song your “girl” will dedicate to you is  the “F**k You Symphony” from Milli Jackson.

Just tryin’ to help a brutha out!

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis are the epitome of musical brilliance and can be easily likened to a modern day Gamble & Huff. While “The Sound of Philadelphia Soul”, TSOP, was known for their string and bass arrangements, the Minneapolis Sound was further cultivated through a more pop, rock and faster paced funk. Working under the influence of artists like Cornbread Harris, Sly & The Family Stone, Parliament-Funkadelic, James Brown and many others, the duo formed the group Flyte Tyme with band mates Jellybean Johnson and Monte Moir but was later incorporated into the group, The Time led by Morris Day. During this early formulation, Prince was very instrumental in the songwriting and production of the group’s sound. While their songs and stage appeal gave them great success, it did not last long due to growing creative tension and their restriction to write material for their own album or the album of other artists. Despite certain limitations, Jam & Lewis took the gamble in writing for the musical group,  The “Sound of Success” Band or better known as the SOS Band with the incredible hit Just Be Good To Me.  At the boiling point of the relationship and unfortunately missing a show due to a blizzard in Atlanta where they were recording, the duo was fired by Prince due to their outside production. For some this may have been the end, but for Jam & Lewis it was only the beginning. With the success of Just Be Good To Me reaching #2 on the R&B charts, it opened the windows of opportunity for their musical career. For a span of almost 30 years, Jam & Lewis have worked with legendary artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Barry White, Alexander O’Neal, Chaka Khan, Klymaxx, Cherrelle, George Michael, Yolanda Adams, Usher and New Edition just to name a few. Not to mention winning countless Grammys including Producers of the Year, beating producers David Foster and Paul Simon, Jam & Lewis have made an undeniable mark in music as songwriters, producers, record execs and musicians.

From a personal perspective, these men have been by musical icons from my earliest knowledge of music. I’ve always admired from afar their honest approach to music. As a former band geek, I’ve been in awe of  their song arrangements and how they could tailor fit a song appropriately  for the lines and curves of an artist. In today’s mainstream perspective to music,  “branded” in the narcissistic view of  music production, Jam & Lewis bring something rich and timeless to their songs. Through their musical outlook, you truly hear the tones and melody of an artist life.

Here is The Original 7ven’s Jam & Lewis with Video Soul’s Donnie Simpson as they give the rundown of their angle to mixing with Morris Day’s song, Fishnet. And if you missed it, be sure to catch the exclusive GFM interview with Jimmy Jam. (more…)

Monte Moir is in two words “bad ass.”  The original and current keyboardist for The Original 7ven formerly The Time has always been mad creative in his solo efforts as songwriter and producer. He’s the man behind some impressive works for Janet Jackson, Alexander O’Neal, Gladys Knight. He’s also credited for working with Prince, Vanity 6, Deniece Williams and Thelma Houston to name a few. Songwriting has always been his first love and his first solo effort, “This Side of Paradise”, released in 2001 was about as far away from the sound of The Time as you could get but it is also far from boring. Not commercially successful but critically favored, “This Side of Paradise” is an organically soothing collection fused with adult contemporary pop, soft R&B and light jazz clearly showcasing Moir’s talent for songwriting and producing. This brings me to the featured video of this piece which is Janet Jackson’s “The Pleasure Principal”, written and produced by yep, Monte Moir. This was the sixth single from her third studio album “Control”.  The song peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100, won for Best Choreography at the 1987 MTV Awards and got a nod for Best Female Video. For me on a personal note this video is in my top five best of all time!! It was about the genius of simplicity. A loft, a chair and a microphone stand. No supporting backup fillers, just Janet in a zone, solidifying the fact that outside of her brother, no one could compete with her moves. And I should know. And how you ask? I jumped over many a chair trying. (more…)

Jesse Johnson: self taught guitarist, composer, producer and funky genius. The flyest brother to rock a pink suit. Ever. Johnson, a guitarist for the ’80s group The Time (now known as The Original 7ven) left the group after the Ice Cream Castles LP, and in 1985 released his first solo project: Jesse Johnson’s Revue. The album produced three top-ten singles including “Be Your Man“; which features that unforgettable bass line.  Johnson went on to release other solo projects as well as contribute to the soundtracks of well-known movies such as The Breakfast Club, Pretty In Pink  and 48 Hours. Johnson also wrote and produced, “Nights Like This“, a favorite from The Five Heartbeats Soundtrack. Johnson’s latest solo endeavor is Verbal Penetration, Volume I & II  and of course he’s a part of The Original 7ven’s new project, Condensate, available at Best Buy stores now.

Jesse Johnson is one bad “shutyomouth”. Check out the following video, courtesy of Dr. Funkenberry.

Known for his  narcissistic persona , Morris Day is notorious for being the primping playboy with the egotistical mantra of his own greatness. In being this flamboyant gigolo with the chili sauce, he is the man every woman wants and every man hopes to be. But in addition to his larger than life role as the front man of The Original 7ven, he’s also a drummer in his own right. Playing percussions with Prince’s early band, Grand Central and later creating the song Partyup, placed on Prince’s Dirty Mind album, Morris later created The Time where he played drums and co-produced some of the albums while unexpectedly becoming the lead vocalist in its early formation. Initially uncomfortable in being the lead, he later eased into it like a nice pair of Stacy Adams. While we’ll play Fishnet from his solo album, Daydreaming,  we’ll also check out the comical track, Tricky. This cut was a non album track showing the comical banter between him and Prince along with Morris’ skills on the drums.

To find out his musical influences and the drummer he said “couldn’t f**k with him” on their best day , you gotta pick up the Condensate album from Best Buy for the DVD bonus! It’s a must for any Original 7ven fan! Yaayeesss!!! (more…)

Now I’ve heard the New Boyz “You’re A Jerk” but nobody can make being a jerk so “condensatingly cool” at the same time like Mr. Morris E. Day. This 1981 song originally intended for the What Time It Is? album, just carries that fun feeling you know you’re always gonna get from The Original 7ven (formerly The Time).