Zero Radio’s Richie Tee gets the opportunity to chat to Randy Muller (Ex Brass Construction Band Leader) about the Past, The Present & The Future …
I first met Randy way back in July 1984 when he invited my brother and I to be Brass’s backing dancers for a 3 gig London tour at The Venue – Victoria. I was so excited then and equally as excited to meet him some 35 Years later back in London Town. He hadn’t changed a bit, I had. His wonderful smile, infectious laugh and genuine persona makes it so easy for you to sit back, relax and shoot the breeze with this legend of funky jazz .
The guys – (Brass Construction) actually met back in High School in the late 60’s. Randy used to run a music ‘After School Club’ and musicians would come along, some with make-shift instruments to jam. That’s where Randy first encountered Wade Williamston, trumpet players Morris Price & Wayne Parris, Sandy Billups, Saxman Mickey Grudge, Jesse Ward and Joe Wong. The band back then were called ‘The Dynamic Souls’ and were winning all the talent contests in the local area. They were soon joined by other members Larry Payton, Jesse Ward Jr, Alvin Haskin and Duane Cahill to produce that dirty funky brass sound (Randy’s words, not mine). There first official release was “Power to the People”.
In 1975 Brass Construction sign with United Artists and released their first album, produced by Jeff Lane – The self-titled Brass construction which had the mammoth dance track Movin’ on it. The track went to #1 in the US R&B and US Dance charts. The album also went to #1 in the US RnB charts. During 1975 – 1985 the Brass Construction federation released 10 albums. Renagades being the final release before the bands acrimonious split in 1985. Ironically this album cover, shot here in London sees Randy on one end of a piece of rope and the other band members on the other.
2019 sees the release of Randy’s latest project “Welcome To My Life,”. The album is an eclectic mix of Randy’s varied musical pallet from the unmistakable thumping Funky Brass to Brazillian Bossa, Contemporary Smooth-Jazz, Nu-Soul and Melodic Symphonies. Randy Muller’s Boom Chang Bang brings together a talented roster of home town talent, vocalist Raheim Le Blanc (GQ/”Disco Nights), Nikki Rios and prolific vocalist Angela Johnson on the dance floor smash ‘Joy In The Rain’. Randy explains exactly where the inspiration for the track comes from. Randy comes to the fore with his magnificent keyboard and flute playing plus a inimitable vocal on the track called I Cry. Randy states “this album is reflective of the type of diversity we as a global society should seek to embrace.”
Pin Back Your Ears and Catch the whole Interview between Richie and Randy right here.
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/richietee2017/episodes/2019-12-31T07_46_41-08_00
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