This was the after Xmas gift that I didn’t know I needed. Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and producer Milton “Smitty” Smith has recently released an EP entitled With All My Heart(Embedded below). Included in the set is this gem of an audio and visual collaboration on the Donny Hathaway/Edaward Howard composition “Someday We’ll All Be Free” featuring friend to GFM Frank McComb. To these ears there could be no better combination than the sound of the city(D.C. Go-Go) a classic song from one of the greatest musicians ever: Donny Hathaway, and the fantastic performances captured here from the entire ensemble.
Being a proud and certified Old Head, this is the Go-Go that I love and grew up with. From the drum intro that gives a slight nod to the intro of the Chuck Brown’s Tour De Force Go-Go Swing, to the outro “Gimme That Beat” Pocket this is that classic style that I hope to hear a lot more of in the coming decade. The message for “Someday We’ll All Be Free” is a message for all time, but it rings incredibly true as a soundtrack and tenor of these times.
About Smitty
After being presented with a set of drums at the age of eight, it became as writing on the wall for what laid ahead in Smitty’s future.
A skilled musician Smitty would prove to be at a young age — having his first professional performance at fourteen years old! As a music producer, songwriter, arranger, drummer, vocalist, guitarist and keyboardist, Smitty’s varied talents would take him all over the world with the very best in music.
Smitty would later go on his adult career to work with several accomplished and legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder and Chuck Brown, who he credits as his greatest musical experiences. Smitty has also worked and performed with acclaimed musicians Najee, Maysa, Experience Unlimited (EU), Walter Beasley, Ronnie Laws, Chante Moore, Kenny Latimore, Jodeci, Stimulus, Sheila E. and the late legendary Wilton Felder amongst others.
SOMEDAY WE’LL ALL BE FREE FT. FRANK MCCOMB (GOGO VERSION)
WRITTEN BY DONNY HATHAWAY/EDDY HOWARD
ARRANGEMENT & PRODUCTION: CHRISTOPHER FEATHERSTONE/MILTON “SMITTY” SMITH
VOCALS: MILTON “SMITTY” SMITH & FRANK MCCOMB
KEYBOARDS: PETE CHAPMAN
BASS: KEITH SNOWDEN
DRUMS: MILTON “SMITTY” SMITH
CONGOS: ROBERT FOLSON
Hear more from Smitty at https://www.smittymusic.com
Ivan Orr is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and writer. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia Ivan was involved with the forming and nascent days of The Music Resource Center as its first Program Director. A graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University’s Department of Music, Ivan currently resides in Richmond, VA where he maintains an active performance and production schedule while serving as the Music Editor for Grown Folks Music, a position he has held since 2010.
