The 1979 single Summerheat by Bill King is available again as a reissue on the 7 Arts label. The tune combines reggae beats, 1970s soul and Barry White-style strings.
Bill King writes about the song: “Mid-1978 in Atlanta, Georgia, I was between sessions with southern soul singer Len Wade with my long-time Jamaican drummer and guitarist Everton ‘Pablo’ Paul and Wayne McGhie in town and hanging at our bungalow in Marietta, Georgia. Wade was pacing about, stretching out studio time. I realized that with time booked and still in play, Why not drop a few studio jams on tape? I grabbed a pen and pad and started writing chord patterns and basic themes.
One by one, we recorded. I do this with two rhythm sections, one anchored by legendary New York City bassist Harvey Brooks of Miles Davis Bitches Brew and Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait, and Florida’s King of White Soul—Wayne Cochran’s drummer Kevin White also Pablo and Wayne. Nine tracks recorded over the two sessions. Out of these comes, the radio hit Summerheat featuring McGhie, King, Billy McPherson and Paul—string arrangements by Skip Lane.”
Lineup: Bill King on keyboards; Everton ‘Pablo’ Paul on drums; Wayne McGhie on guitar; Anthony Holmes on bass; Billy McPherson on tenor sax. The Atlanta Strings arranged by Skip Lane.
Buy Summerheat
Author: World Music Central News Room
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