Fat Larry's Band - 'Here comes the sun'

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My review of Fat Larry's Band 'Here comes the sun'

The funky bass/percussion/horn intro is simply awesome, and a DJ's dream when it comes to mixing disco. Throughout, a lot of the tracks' energy comes from the outstanding funky bass line and the percussion, whilst the drums play more of a minimal role, giving it the feel of a dance floor track but there is also a laid back feel to it.The lyrics are good, down to earth motivational advice, but the kind you hear from a close friend you trust rather than an authoritative figure or 'motivational speaker'. There's great honesty in the lyrics "Everybody knows that the world has problems, and love ain't what it used to be".

There's a bit of fun and experimentation with the vocal accompaniment which suggests that the band really enjoyed this track and were very comfortable playing with each other. Theres also a great uplifting piano solo full of confidence which fits the mood perfectly.

I have always loved this track, but was considering choosing a different Fat Larry song for this post, however having listened to the song again a couple of times, I am really glad I made the decision I did. This song is truly brilliant, genius in fact, and well balanced. Pure Soul Funk

Thanks Larry and rest in peace.

Fat Larry's Band Biography

Larry James formed Fat Larry's band in Philadelphia after having played drums for two bands previously, namely 'Delfonics' and 'The Magic of Blue', the backing band for 'Blue Magic'. 'The Magic of Blue' were then later signed to the WMOT record label as a 'Fat Larry's Band' (also known as 'FLB') and their first album 'Feel it' was released in 1976. Their second album 'Off the wall' was released on the 'Fantasy' label in 1977 and included more songs with down to earth lyrics, in the laid back style of their more popular funky slow jams that the band became recognized for.

'Fat Larry's Band' (FLB) also teamed up with members of the 'Ingram' Family as part of the studio group 'Slick'. 'Slick' found success in both the US and the UK with the two tracks, 'Spacebass' and 'Sexy Cream'. 'Space bass' is considered a true cosmic disco classic track by many. The bands involvement in the project could well have influenced the title of their next album 'Spacin' Out', which was released in 1978. Much of the disco and funk music at the time had been greatly influenced by the release of the 'Star Wars' movie in 1977.

'Fat Larrys Band' continued produce albums into the 1980's. The Band's most successful chart placed single was 'Zoom', a cover of 'The Commodores' song, which reached number 2 in the UK top 40 in September 1982. They also charted in the UK with 'Center City' which reached number 31 in the UK. Their song 'Act like you know' is one of their most widely known (and sampled) songs and was used in the soundtrack for the computer game 'Grand theft Auto Vice city'

Larry James suffered a heart attack at the age of 38. He will be remembered not only for his music but also his personality and presence.

Fat Larry's Band Band Members and Musicians

• Fat' Larry James - Vocals / drums / Song writing / Production
• Dorris Jones - Backing vocals / Song writing / production
• Larry LaBes - Bass
• Ted Cohen - Guitar
• Art Capehart - Trumpet/flute
• Jimmy Lee - Trombone /saxophone
• Doug Jones - Saxophone
• Erskine Williams - Keyboards
• Darryl Grant - Percussion
• Arthur Austin - Percussion / vocals
• George W. Fairbanks - Percussion / vocals
• Anthony Middleton - Guitar / Vocals
• John Barry - Keyboards
• Sam Bannerman Jr - Keyboards
• Doug Slick - Trombone / Vocals
• John Burgo - Saxaphone
• John Bonnie - Saxaphone
• Mike Pedecin Jr - Saxaphone
• Reggie Sutton - Saxaphone
• Jimmy Lee - Trombone
• Darryl Grant - Vocals
• Steve Garand - Trumpet / Vocals
• Artie Williams - Trumpet
• Art Capehart - Trumpet
• John Lee - Trumpet
• Mike Ray - Trumpet
• Rocco Bene - Trumpet
• O. T. Young - Percussion
• Terrance Floyd - Percussion / Congas
• Frank Williams - Percussion / Congas
• Rudy Fenwick - Keyboards / Backing vocals
• Dahlia Smythe - Backing Vocals
• Joan Hansom - Backing Vocals
• Marguerite Pinder - Backing Vocals
• Rabu - Backing Vocals
• Arrangement - Pete De Angelis

Fat Larry's Band Discography

Albums

• Feel It - WMOT Records - 1976
• Off The Wall - Stax - 1977
• Spacin' Out - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1978
• Lookin' For Love - Fantasy - 1979
• Stand Up - Fantasy - 1980
• Breakin' Out - WMOT Records / Disques Vogue / Virgin - 1982
• Straight From The Heart - Disques Vogue - 1983
• Tune me up - Unidisc - 1983
• The Best of fat Larry's Band
• Greatest Hits

Singles

• Center City - WMOT Records - 1976
• Fascination / Center City - Atlantic - 1976
• Boogie Town / Space Lady - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1978
• Boogie Town / Passing Time - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
• Here Comes The Sun - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
• Everything Is Disco - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
• How Good Is Love - Fantasy / WMOT Records -1979
• Lookin' For Love - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
• Hey Pancho It's Disco! - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1979
• Can't Keep My Hands To My Self - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1980
• Party After Midnight - Fantasy / WMOT Records - 1980
• Act Like You Know - WMOT Records / Virgin / Disques Vogue - 1982
• Get Down And Get Funky - Virgin - 1982
• Be My Lady - WMOT Records - 1982
• Traffic Stopper - Disques Vogue - 1982
• Zoom - Virgin / Metronme / Disques Vogue / Unidisc - 1982
• Don't Let It Go To Your Head - WMOT Records - 1983
• Straight From The Heart - Virgin - 1983
• Stubborn Kind Of Fellow - WMOT Records / Vogue Records - 1983
• Nice - Injection Disco Dance Label / Omni Records - 1986
• Sunrise Sunset - Omni Records - 1986
• Teach Me (There Is Something About Love) - Omni Records - 1986
• Act Like You Know / Double Dutch Bus / Watch Out - Unidisc - 1987

Samples and Uses of Fat Larry's Band's Music

'Act Like you know' was sampled by 'The Whatnauts' in their song 'Help Is On The Way' and by
'Del La Soul' in their track 'Ring Ring Ring (Ha Ha Hey)'

'Down the Avenue' has been sampled by a number of artists including
'Massive Attack' in their track 'Tearing Down the Avenue' and by
'NWA' in their track 'Something Like that';
'Jungle Brothers' in their track 'All I Think About Is You';
Scarface in the tracks 'Your Ass Got Took' and 'I’m Dead';
'Run-DMC' in 'The Ave';
'Ice-T' in 'Freedom of Speech'.

'Act like you know' featured in the soundtrack for the computer game'Grand Theft Auto - Vice City'

'Zoom' featured in the soundtrack for the British comedy sitcom 'Cold Feet'

"....YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR DESTINY!!!"

Fat Larry's Band - favorite songs

To Listen To these tracks Plus Many More Click HERE

• Space Lady
• Nighttime Boogie
• Last chance to Dance
• Everything is Disco
• Down the Avenue
• Act like you know
• Party After Midnight
• Zoom
• Boogie Town