This album hits the site as a special shot out to the big homie out of SAN FERNANDO...JR. Recently JR has been puttin' in lots of work to help with THE KEEPER OF LOST DREAMZ & TOMORROW'S VELVET DREAMZ. This is a thank you for all of his hard work.
Willie "Little Beaver" Hales's main gig in the 70s was working as a session musician for TK Productions -you'll have heard his playing on such mainstays as Wright's "Clean Up Woman" and George Macrae's "Rock You Baby". During this period he also released solo material on the label. His biggest hit by far was "Party Down Part 1 and 2", which reached #2 in the US R&B charts in 1974.
The music featured here has something of the feel of Sly Stone's and Shuggie Otis' work of the same era. Many of the tracks featuring a primitive drum machine reminiscent of There's A Riot Going On and Inspiration Information. There's a fair share of references to parties (not just "Party Down" but "Get Into The Party Life"and "Party Times"), but you get the feeling that these parties were more wholesome than those hosted by Little Beaver's west coast comtemparies. The sound as a whole is more soulful and less pharmaceutical.
The guitar work is the real star of the piece. It manages to be tidy and relaxed, embellishing the groove with a minimum of fuss while always adding to the vibe of the track. Little Beaver's voice, although not as versatile as his playing, always connects with the themes and emotions of the songs.
The music featured here has something of the feel of Sly Stone's and Shuggie Otis' work of the same era. Many of the tracks featuring a primitive drum machine reminiscent of There's A Riot Going On and Inspiration Information. There's a fair share of references to parties (not just "Party Down" but "Get Into The Party Life"and "Party Times"), but you get the feeling that these parties were more wholesome than those hosted by Little Beaver's west coast comtemparies. The sound as a whole is more soulful and less pharmaceutical.
The guitar work is the real star of the piece. It manages to be tidy and relaxed, embellishing the groove with a minimum of fuss while always adding to the vibe of the track. Little Beaver's voice, although not as versatile as his playing, always connects with the themes and emotions of the songs.
Track List
1. PARTY DOWN PART 1
2. PARTY DOWN PART 2
3. MONEY VIBRATIONS
4. GET INTO THE PARTY LIFE
5. I CAN DIG IT BABY
6. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL
7. LET'S STICK TOGETHER
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