Stairsteps 2nd Resurrection Vinyl LP NM 1976 Original Pressing Promo Keni Burke

$

25

The album is a testament to the musical growth of artists. It proved these cats were no longer young boys from good voices, but young men with a soulful message.

Way back in the day, one of the singular R & B recordings of the 70s was a little positive-reinforcement ditty called "Ooh Child." It's often revisited not just during Rhythm Review dance events or old school family bbq's but in movies with a 70s theme ("Boyz in Duh Hood", Spike Lee's "Crooklyn" and later in "Dead Presidents"). Songs like this don't just appear out of the ether. They are written or perhaps channeled, recorded with such soulful gravity that they strike a meaningful chord in those of us who grew up listening to, humming along and singing them. They are our soundtracks.

"Ooh Child" was recorded by the Stairsteps (formally, "The Five Stairsteps")-- and for one golden moment in time, they were the biggest, most talented R & B siblings in the biz, before a little group of afro-topped kids called The Jackson Five stole their thunder.

Anyway, skip to five years later, and the newly named "Stairsteps" broke new ground with a masterful, synth-driven opus entitled "2nd Resurrection". This album had a wonderful musical pedigree, from the talented Burke brothers (The Stairsteps) and the progressive production team of Billy Preston and Robert Margouleff, for former Beatle George Harrison's Dark Horse label. It was far ahead of its time (in 1976) and recently, in an ole school mood.

Each selection on this LP leads, without pause, into the next and the effect melts like psychedelic butter on vinyl. This is especially true with the ambient atmosphere created on "Theme of Angels."

The song "Pasado" alone (a hummable, mellow moody she-done-me-wrong cut) should've been a major hit for these guys. Sung in English and featuring a part-Spanish chorus, it is quite simply, a softly spectacular melding of moog-driven modulated melancholy. Pasado was later released by a group called "Pockets" who sped it up a tad, and made a mildly successful disco hit of it. But nothing beats the original.

Also of note is the song "Time" written with the divine singer/songwriter Syreeta Wright (the former Mrs. Stevie Wonder). It is a haunting and lyrically deep opus to the transient reality that all things in life are temporary. Sadly, with her untimely loss, and the recent passing of group member Clarence Burke, Jr. this song lyrics ring most prophetic and true.
CONDITION: Used. Vinyl NM+. Jacket Very Good , No splits. Promotional punched hole on cover upper right.
TRACK LISTING:
A1 From Us To You Backing Vocals – Ivory DavisBacking Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – Dennis BurkeKeyboards – Billy PrestonLyrics By – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke* 3:39 A2 Pasado Backing Vocals – Ivory DavisBacking Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Drums – Alvin TaylorKeyboards – Billy PrestonLyrics By, Lead Vocals, Acoustic Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Music By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke (2)Percussion, Horns [Univox] – Ricardo MarreroTwelve-String Guitar – Steve Beckmeier 3:09 A3 Theme Of Angels Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorKeyboards, Arranged By – Billy PrestonMusic By, Acoustic Guitar – James Burke (2) 3:19 A4 Lifting 2nd Resurrection Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorKeyboards – Billy PrestonLead Guitar – Steve BeckmeierLyrics By, Lead Vocals, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Music By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Dennis BurkePercussion – Ricardo Marrero 3:45 A5 Time Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – James Burke (2)Guitar, Effects [Mu-tron] – Dennis BurkeLyrics By – Syreeta WrightMusic By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Saxophone, Soloist – Stomach (2) 3:48 B1 Throwin' Stones Atcha Backing Vocals – Ivory DavisBacking Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – Dennis BurkeKeyboards – Billy PrestonMusic By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Guitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.* 3:04 B2 Far East Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorKeyboards – Billy PrestonMusic By, Acoustic Guitar, Percussion – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Percussion – Ricardo MarreroSoloist [Super Phaser Solo] – Steve Beckmeier 1:06 B3 In The Beginning Backing Vocals – Ivory DavisBacking Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Bass – Kenneth Burke*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – Dennis BurkeKeyboards – Billy PrestonMusic By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals – Clarence Burke, Jr.* 2:53 B4 Tell Me Why Backing Vocals, Arranged By – Stairsteps*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – Dennis BurkeKeyboards – Billy PrestonMusic By, Lyrics By, Lead Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke* 4:31 B5 Salaam Arranged By – Stairsteps*Drums – Alvin TaylorGuitar – Clarence Burke, Jr.*Keyboards – Billy PrestonLead Guitar – Dennis BurkeMusic By, Guitar, Bass – Kenneth Burke*Percussion – Ricardo Marrero 4:34


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