Foxy's PARTY BOYS lp

[SandraDee]

As far as Foxy playing on Abba's track, please, let me know more. It is actually the first time that I hear about it.

On the CD re-issue of Abba's 'Voulez-vous' LP there are copious notes on the making of the LP & these include - 'the backing track for Voulez-vous (the song) was recoded at Criteria studios, Miami, where the Bee Gees made most of their disco-era records. The musicians they used were members of the disco group Foxy, who'd recently enjoyed a US top 10 hit with Get Off.' I've quoted directly from the notes Ray but I'm sure I remember hearing Bjorn from Abba mention this fact in a radio interview years ago. He wanted a more authentic 'disco' sound for Abba so they moved to the Bahamas & Miami for a few weeks in early '79.

[Ray Martinez]

On the CD re-issue of Abba's 'Voulez-vous' LP there are copious notes on the making of the LP & these include - 'the backing track for Voulez-vous (the song) was recoded at Criteria studios, Miami, where the Bee Gees made most of their disco-era records. The musicians they used were members of the disco group Foxy, who'd recently enjoyed a US top 10 hit with Get Off.' I've quoted directly from the notes Ray but I'm sure I remember hearing Bjorn from Abba mention this fact in a radio interview years ago. He wanted a more authentic 'disco' sound for Abba so they moved to the Bahamas & Miami for a few weeks in early '79.

Thanks! I learn something new every day. I am curious as to who from Foxy played on that track. Arnold, Foxy's player was my room mate, and in 1979, I was still very much involved in T.K's activities, including Foxy, and I never heard about it. However, there were some studio players, specially horn and string players that had played in Foxy's records that were doing sessions for the Bee Gees and for mostly everyone at Criteria. There was also an arranger named Mike Lewis who I believe later on did some work with Cory Wade and Foxy. He also did a lot of work at Criteria and for the Bee Gees, as well as for T.K., and K.C. and the Sunshine Band.

I'll do some research and let you know. Sadly there are still many musicians here in Miami, who may have done some minor studio work for Foxy as well as for T.K., and continue claiming that they were in Foxy and were part of T.K. and the "Miami Sound".

To sum it all up, it is my humble opinion the the real "Miami Sound" only came out of T.K. They tried to imitate it at all the other studios in Miami, but again, I believe that only T.K. was the real thing. If Henry Stone and T.K. were not involved, then rest assure that it was not "The Miami Sound".

[remicks]

*****

Ray .... please write a book !!!

There just isn't enough out there about this era ... and almost nothing from those who were actually involved . :icon_sad: ( and so many are going or are gone who never will)
The whole Miami Sound thing is such a great story .... and you could accurately tell it well and in detail !!! 8)

Also I am playing my two-record compilation set on Marlin called DISCO PARTY and I am enjoying GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE greatly and have a couple of questions about it .....so I hope you'll indulge me ......


remicks


*****

[Ray Martinez]

*****

Ray .... please write a book !!!
There just isn't enough out there about this era ... and almost nothing from those who were actually involved . :icon_sad: ( and so many are going or are gone who never will)
The whole Miami Sound thing is such a great story .... and you could accurately tell it well and in detail !!! 8)

Also I am playing my two-record compilation set on Marlin called DISCO PARTY and I am enjoying GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE greatly and have a couple of questions about it .....so I hope you'll indulge me ......


remicks


*****

Thank you for you book suggestion, I am humbled. It would be nice to tell the story about those days.

Get Off Your Ahhh and Dance, what would you like to know? I'll be more than happy to share with you.

Ray

[remicks]

Thank you for you book suggestion, I am humbled. It would be nice to tell the story about those days.

Nevermind being humbled :p ........DO IT !!!!! :razz::D:D:D:D (...please! 8))

Get Off Your Ahhh and Dance, what would you like to know? I'll be more than happy to share with you.

Thanks !!
Shoot, you are here now .....and I'm off to work .....I'll post this evening and it'd be nice to read your response when you get a chance .....


*****

[needlefingers]

Hi Ray,

I'd like to ask a couple of questions. A song I like by Foxy is Tena's Song. It has a Dr. Buzzard feel to it and on the 12 inch you get that instrumental jazzy break.

Did you have anything to do with or know any information about the recording of Tena's Song? And who is Tena?

also;

I remember a story about Peter Brown recording Do You Want To Get Funky With Me in his bedroom. And that very little of it was even done in the studio. In fact, on his Best Of TK Years, there is a picture of him in a home studio. Is the story true? Could we call Peter the first successful bedroom DJ?

Thanks.

needlefingers

PS: Let me add that along with all your stuff, I love Lady Of The Night and that great remake of I'm Free with Celi Bee.

[Mixmachine]

Ray, nice to see you posting around this parts, I’m also glad to hear that your are doing fine and going back to the studio, we need someone like you who can inject some life into today’s moribund “Dance” music scene.:razz::icon_mrgreen:

We ran into each other a couple of times over the years by the old ERE Records in Miami by the Shopping Center at 57th NW and 7th street. I also believe it was you who brought me over by Club Infinity (1985) in Miami Springs (previously 747 and Level III) your PI release of “By Pushing”

Ray a quick question,

Do you remember if “Get off your AHHH and dance” was ever extended and /or remixed and released on a Promo only 12” ?

[Ray Martinez]

Hi Ray,

I'd like to ask a couple of questions. A song I like by Foxy is Tena's Song. It has a Dr. Buzzard feel to it and on the 12 inch you get that instrumental jazzy break.

Did you have anything to do with or know any information about the recording of Tena's Song? And who is Tena?

also;

I remember a story about Peter Brown recording Do You Want To Get Funky With Me in his bedroom. And that very little of it was even done in the studio. In fact, on his Best Of TK Years, there is a picture of him in a home studio. Is the story true? Could we call Peter the first successful bedroom DJ?

Thanks.

needlefingers

PS: Let me add that along with all your stuff, I love Lady Of The Night and that great remake of I'm Free with Celi Bee.

If I am not mistaken, Tena was a well known DJ in Miami. She was on the radio, and hosted parties at clubs (Mr. Pips). She was a fan of Foxy. I had nothing to do with that song. By that time, it was Cory Wade who was working with the group. I believe that the song was not recorded at T.K. and that it was recorded at Studio Center in North Miami where Cory did most of his work.

Peter Brown was a very talented artist. He did most of his recordings at his own home/bedroom studio. Cory Wade discovered him, I believe out of the Chicago area, and signed him to T.K. The story is indeed true, and the picture was taken at his home. I don't believe that he was a DJ. He was a very talented artist/musician/producer.

Thank you for the compliments on 'Lady Of The Night' and 'I'm Free'.

[Ray Martinez]

Ray, nice to see you posting around this parts, I’m also glad to hear that your are doing fine and going back to the studio, we need someone like you who can inject some life into today’s moribund “Dance” music scene.:razz::icon_mrgreen:

We ran into each other a couple of times over the years by the old ERE Records in Miami by the Shopping Center at 57th NW and 7th street. I also believe it was you who brought me over by Club Infinity (1985) in Miami Springs (previously 747 and Level III) your PI release of “By Pushing”

Ray a quick question,

Do you remember if “Get off your AHHH and dance” was ever extended and /or remixed and released on a Promo only 12” ?

Thanks! ERE Records, Eli's and Ernie's old record shop. Great little store where DJs used to hang out.

I believe that 'Get Off Your Ahhh and Dance' was released on a white promo label 12". However, it was just the regular version, no re-mix or extended.

Are you still in the Miami area? If so, you are welcome to come by the studio.

Ray

[idacarlini]

So Wonderful To Hear So Many Positive Comments On The Music Of Foxy. My Son Richie Puente Brought These Guys Together And They Would Practice At My Mothers House In Miami When They Started Out. It Was A Beautiful Time With Many Great Memories. My Son Is In Heaven Playing With The Greats And Having A Good Time But Terribly Missed By All Of Us . I Have Pictures Of Him Strumming A Guitar And Playing Drums At The Age Of 2 He Loved All Kinds Of Music And Was Very Talented And Was A Real Funny Guy.

[Ray Martinez]

So Wonderful To Hear So Many Positive Comments On The Music Of Foxy. My Son Richie Puente Brought These Guys Together And They Would Practice At My Mothers House In Miami When They Started Out. It Was A Beautiful Time With Many Great Memories. My Son Is In Heaven Playing With The Greats And Having A Good Time But Terribly Missed By All Of Us . I Have Pictures Of Him Strumming A Guitar And Playing Drums At The Age Of 2 He Loved All Kinds Of Music And Was Very Talented And Was A Real Funny Guy.

Ida,

I never had the pleasure of meeting you, but I loved Richie like if he was my brother. He played in almost all my productions, and he spent a lot of time at my home. I only have great memories of Richie. Although he was best known as a percussionist, he was also a guitar player, and an excellent talented musician. You are correct when you say that he had a great sense of humor. When things got tough for me, not only in the studio, but in my personal life, he used to keep me laughing and my spirits up. My family really loved him as well. When Foxy, as a band had problems (silly ego arguments), his sense of humor always lighten things up, and made everyone laugh.

Why must someone like Richie leave us so soon, when he still had so much to give? I don't really know. I do believe that there is a great big band in heaven, and who better than Richie to play percussion. No one will ever be able to understand your loss and pain, but please, you can be sure that Richie will always be in our hearts, and he will always be LOVED by everyone whose life he ever touched.

Maybe you can start a thread with Richie's pictures, so that those that do not have a picture of him could now have them through this forum.

Ida, my love and sympathy goes out to you and your family. At least we know that Richie is in great hands in heaven, and that he will always be loved and missed.

Richie, we love you !!!

[remicks]

*****

Ray ,

GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE is such a clean and tight composition .... it really doesn't sound to me like a song that was the result of a group's effort .....this is more of a producer's record ..... all those strings and horns .... Is the flute playing by Foxy ? ...since it is the song's driving element ?
Are they playing bongos (as I call them ) ?
What per cent of this song is Ray Martinez ?

Also , who came up with the name GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE ? And who is it singing this phrase ? I'm hoping it is Ish .....I really love the sinuous delivery ...who thought to do it that way .... sort of bedroom whispery .... ( typically band’s holler such lines as a group….. i.e. “pick up the pieces “)

How does one decide "OK, all this song is going to contain is this one line: ...."Get Off Your Ahhhh And Dance" ? Are more lyrics tried at first ? Didn’t FOXY want to be more vocal?

How is the length chosen? ....who decides "time to fade this one out" ...and how much more music get's dropped off when a song like this is faded out ? This version on Marlin's DISCO PARTY is 4:38 ...( the longest version ? ) Is that the length that you delivered to the label ...or do you deliver something longer and they then edit it as they choose ?

I , for the life of me, can't conclude what former song this most reminds me of . I know it is rare that songs emerge from a pure vacuum ....so would you be willing to reveal what music , what other song(s) most "inspired" this composition ? (You can be candid about it now, Ray ... some umpteen years later ....and you're amongst friends here !! :))

(What I'm putting my finger on sound wise , I think I’m hearing Van McCoy's THE HUSTLE mixed with some Crown Heights Affair with a heavy dosage of MFSB 's TSOP ...... and without having it handy to refer to ....Herbie Mann's WATERBED is coming to mind ....definitely has a jazz flavor…. and with a samba like rhythm …… (?))


Occasionally some female do do do’s are sprinkled in …..I like this restraint and the timing of their inclusion ( is this one of those "final touch " elements that gets added in at the very end ? ) … ... its just a terrifically paced number .... the placement of the horns ( prominently used ,.. yet often subtlety recessed ) and the airy strings (seems like you really had fun with the strings ) ..... very confident .... remarkably smoooth , yet fast paced ..... There’s one moment there when all else fades out and its just T-Connection type bongos ….a very early application of the soon to be mandatory “break” …
This is a strong composition with thoughfully placed extras ( including that echoic “snap” sound (hollow sticks ?) that would later come to define songs like LOVE AND DESIRE ) . …..

GET OFF YOUR AHHH... is a wonderful hustle song that flows effortlessly ; it must have been a beautiful sight to witness couples swirling the floor to it……

Is this song a stand out/ different from the rest of Foxy’s LP, Ray ? Did you work on the rest of it too? I can’t wait to get my hands on it and listen to each of the compostions from that project.8)

Congratulations Ray … and thank you for a great one !!! .......:D


*****

[Ray Martinez]

*****

Ray ,

GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE is such a clean and tight composition .... it really doesn't sound to me like a song that was the result of a group's effort .....this is more of a producer's record ..... all those strings and horns .... Is the flute playing by Foxy ? ...since it is the song's driving element ?
Are they playing bongos (as I call them ) ?
What per cent of this song is Ray Martinez ?

Also , who came up with the name GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE ? And who is it singing this phrase ? I'm hoping it is Ish .....I really love the sinuous delivery ...who thought to do it that way .... sort of bedroom whispery .... ( typically band’s holler such lines as a group….. i.e. “pick up the pieces “)

How does one decide "OK, all this song is going to contain is this one line: ...."Get Off Your Ahhhh And Dance" ? Are more lyrics tried at first ? Didn’t FOXY want to be more vocal?

How is the length chosen? ....who decides "time to fade this one out" ...and how much more music get's dropped off when a song like this is faded out ? This version on Marlin's DISCO PARTY is 4:38 ...( the longest version ? ) Is that the length that you delivered to the label ...or do you deliver something longer and they then edit it as they choose ?

I , for the life of me, can't conclude what former song this most reminds me of . I know it is rare that songs emerge from a pure vacuum ....so would you be willing to reveal what music , what other song(s) most "inspired" this composition ? (You can be candid about it now, Ray ... some umpteen years later ....and you're amongst friends here !! :))

(What I'm putting my finger on sound wise , I think I’m hearing Van McCoy's THE HUSTLE mixed with some Crown Heights Affair with a heavy dosage of MFSB 's TSOP ...... and without having it handy to refer to ....Herbie Mann's WATERBED is coming to mind ....definitely has a jazz flavor…. and with a samba like rhythm …… (?))


Occasionally some female do do do’s are sprinkled in …..I like this restraint and the timing of their inclusion ( is this one of those "final touch " elements that gets added in at the very end ? ) … ... its just a terrifically paced number .... the placement of the horns ( prominently used ,.. yet often subtlety recessed ) and the airy strings (seems like you really had fun with the strings ) ..... very confident .... remarkably smoooth , yet fast paced ..... There’s one moment there when all else fades out and its just T-Connection type bongos ….a very early application of the soon to be mandatory “break” …
This is a strong composition with thoughfully placed extras ( including that echoic “snap” sound (hollow sticks ?) that would later come to define songs like LOVE AND DESIRE ) . …..

GET OFF YOUR AHHH... is a wonderful hustle song that flows effortlessly ; it must have been a beautiful sight to witness couples swirling the floor to it……

Is this song a stand out/ different from the rest of Foxy’s LP, Ray ? Did you work on the rest of it too? I can’t wait to get my hands on it and listen to each of the compostions from that project.8)

Congratulations Ray … and thank you for a great one !!! .......:D


*****

Remicks,

You have a really good ear for detail. Since I've been either blessed, or cursed with a photographic memory, her are my answers to your questions.

Remicks: GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE is such a clean and tight composition .... it really doesn't sound to me like a song that was the result of a group's effort .....this is more of a producer's record ..... all those strings and horns .... Is the flute playing by Foxy ? ...since it is the song's driving element ?
Are they playing bongos (as I call them ) ?

Ray: I handled this session as if it was any of my other projects. Ish brought in the song idea as an instrumental. I used Foxy's rhythm section (drums, bass, guitar, percussion), for it was to be their first release. I wrote the strings and horns arrangements. The flute was played by a hired session player (part of the horn section).
The bongos, yes, they are bongos, as well as all the percussion was played by Richie Puente. A great musician, person, and friend. He was the one that when Foxy would start falling apart (pretty often), he would pull them back together with his sense of humor. He was the peace maker, always in a great, funny mood.

Remicks: Also , who came up with the name GET OFF YOUR AHHH AND DANCE ? And who is it singing this phrase ? I'm hoping it is Ish .....I really love the sinuous delivery ...who thought to do it that way .... sort of bedroom whispery .... ( typically band’s holler such lines as a group….. i.e. “pick up the pieces “)

Ray: As I mentioned earlier, Ish brought the song in as an instrumental. As producer, I decided that to have a chance at radio play, it had to have some lyrics, even if it was just one line. I came up with the name, and spelling of 'Get Off Your Ahhh And Dance', as well as the melody.
As for the singing, sorry, it is not Ish, it is me. Since the line implied a word different from Ahhh, I thought to do it as a whisper.

Remicks: How does one decide "OK, all this song is going to contain is this one line: ...."Get Off Your Ahhhh And Dance" ? Are more lyrics tried at first ? Didn’t FOXY want to be more vocal?

Ray: As I said, the song was suppossed to be an instrumental. No other lyrics were tried. It was my call as producer to have that one and only line.

Remicks: How is the length chosen? ....who decides "time to fade this one out" ...and how much more music get's dropped off when a song like this is faded out ? This version on Marlin's DISCO PARTY is 4:38 ...( the longest version ? ) Is that the length that you delivered to the label ...or do you deliver something longer and they then edit it as they choose ?

Ray: As for the length, again, as producer, it was my call. I faded the song right as the actual recording was ending on the master tape, so, nothing was really left on the cutting room floor. This was the actual length delivered to T.K., nothing was edited. I believe that the 12" version and the Disco Party version are the same. I barely recall having seen a 45 rpm somewhere, and I believe it was about 3:30.

Remicks: I , for the life of me, can't conclude what former song this most reminds me of . I know it is rare that songs emerge from a pure vacuum ....so would you be willing to reveal what music , what other song(s) most "inspired" this composition ? (You can be candid about it now, Ray ... some umpteen years later ....and you're amongst friends here !! :))

(What I'm putting my finger on sound wise , I think I’m hearing Van McCoy's THE HUSTLE mixed with some Crown Heights Affair with a heavy dosage of MFSB 's TSOP ...... and without having it handy to refer to ....Herbie Mann's WATERBED is coming to mind ....definitely has a jazz flavor…. and with a samba like rhythm …… (?))

Ray: Remicks, I have always being candid and truthful, and will always continue being so. The song did indeed emerge, as you put it, from a pure vacuum. However, I did want it to have a jazzy feel, and I was thinking of Herbie Mann, hence the use of the flute. Perhaps, I could say that Herbie Mann did inspire the production of this song. Also I have always love the "Philly Sound" aka TSOP. Before being at T.K. I did go to Philly to meet and mingle with the Gamble and Huff crowd ... great, great bunch of people and musicians. With my original love for the "Philly Sound" (lush arrangements, strings, horns), I came to Miami with the idea of TSOM (The Sound Of Miami), of creating a sound down here. The same idea, but adding Afro-Cuban percussion as well, since it had not been done before. I kept pushing for the idea, but TSOM was too similar to TSOP. Eventually it all evolved into "The Miami Sound", which it really originated out of T.K.

Remicks: Occasionally some female do do do’s are sprinkled in …..I like this restraint and the timing of their inclusion ( is this one of those "final touch " elements that gets added in at the very end ? ) … ... its just a terrifically paced number .... the placement of the horns ( prominently used ,.. yet often subtlety recessed ) and the airy strings (seems like you really had fun with the strings ) ..... very confident .... remarkably smoooth , yet fast paced ..... There’s one moment there when all else fades out and its just T-Connection type bongos ….a very early application of the soon to be mandatory “break” …
This is a strong composition with thoughfully placed extras ( including that echoic “snap” sound (hollow sticks ?) that would later come to define songs like LOVE AND DESIRE ) . …..

Ray: The female voices (do do do's) was also my idea, as well as it is me singing them. In fact all the voices in that song were done my me during a late evening/overnight session, when I was alone at the studio.
I love writing for strings (as you can tell from my other productions), so yes, I had a lot of fun with them.
With the percussion break, it is sort of a trademark of mine. I have them in almost all my records. Like I just previously mentioned, I wanted to create a sound (Miami Sound), that evolved from Afro-Cuban percussion, mixed with R&B. I also like using effects such as echos and reverbs.

Remicks: GET OFF YOUR AHHH... is a wonderful hustle song that flows effortlessly ; it must have been a beautiful sight to witness couples swirling the floor to it……

Ray: I would go to clubs, and sit in the back, at the bar, or go to the DJ's booth, and I would love to see the couples dance. To me, it was an art to see the dancers dance, or should I say, perform. It is very thrilling to see people enjoy my music.

Remicks: Is this song a stand out/ different from the rest of Foxy’s LP, Ray ? Did you work on the rest of it too? I can’t wait to get my hands on it and listen to each of the compostions from that project.8)

Ray: This song is a little different from the rest of the LP. I did the same work on the rest of the album, produced, engineered, arranged the strings and horns, and pretty much gave it my all to sign the group to T.K, and promote it in the clubs and radio. Besides producing existing T.K. artists, Foxy was my first individual outside project for T.K. It was at that time, my "Baby". I humbly believe that there were several hits in that first album, and that it was their best one, as far as commercial material. When you listen to it, you'll see what I mean, and you can hear it has "my" sound. Sadly, for reasons that I would not reveal (egos, political,etc) I stopped working with the group, and my work with Foxy was limited to that first album, and having signed them to T.K.


Remicks, I am really impressed by how detailed you are in your observations. You would have, or still could make a fine producer. Thanks for your questions.

Ray

[remicks]

*****

THANKS RAY !!!!!

I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to be able to present my impressions of someone's work and get direct responses from them like this . At the risk of over thinking "my" music ....I do like to analyze what I'm hearing to try to decide "why” (or more often "why " I'm "not") liking certain songs ....there are reasons….. some not so obvious !

You diplomatically didn't answer my question as to how much of this song was Ray Martinez ....and my suspicion is about 88 % . Richie Puente’s marvelous bongo-ing gets a big piece of the remaining percentage. (How wonderful his mother came here on behalf of her son.8))

Ray : As for the singing, sorry, it is not Ish, it is me. Since the line implied a word different from Ahhh, I thought to do it as a whisper.

:-o This is outrageous !!! :lol::lol:
I'm surprised FOXY was willing to have you as their voice on their record ??? --- None of them was able to as sensually deliver the line ?? Well, just as your voice was the ideal one for LADY OF THE NIGHT .... so is the case here. Any other delivery would have been a compromise as I’m sure you decided at the time . Good call. 8)
( Did they have to take you on tour so you could sing their songs ! )

Ray:
The female voices (do do do's) was also my idea, as well as it is me singing them.

:lol::lol: .... So, you were not only the voice of FOXY .... you were also the voice of the FOX-O-LETTES !!!!


I guess I didn’t go that far out on a limb suggesting Herbie Mann .... since he was a flute player …. but I’m surprised Crown Heights Affair didn’t play more of an influence. I bet the Djs back then often mixed them in and out of GET OFF YOUR AHHH ......

BTW ..... Did you ever consider actually using “ Get off your ass and dance” … since Bohannon had already breached that line with DANCE YOUR ASS OFF ?
How much more delightfully gentle ... yet just as clear in meaning ….is that simple decision to use AHHH. 8) I love it. Can you imagine the talents of today understanding how much more power there is in that phrase by not overtly stating the obvious …..


Thanks again , Ray , for being so generous with your information ... most insightful ..!!!


Remicks

Next : The album !!:D


*****