33 Comments
Jun 7, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.

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Jun 5, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

one more comment... apparently bill stewart studied with horacee as well...

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Jun 5, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

I remember those H Arnold Lps on Columbia––unlike my fusion-oriented friends, I like "Tribe" better than "...Exonerated Flea" but not by much. Good on you for making us listen with new ears!!

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Jun 5, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Bruh, Joe Charles is from the Lou, i.e. St. Louis. Legendary. All the BAG musicians knew him. If you ever have a chance to talk to David Sanborn(yeah, that Savid Sanborn), ask him about Joe Charles...and Philip Wilson...and Lester Bowie. I had a few conversations with Mr. Charles when I lived there in the 80's.

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Great write up. I've only heard on the Billy Harper albums and he is quite brilliant.

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Jun 5, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Thanks for this!

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Jun 5, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

thanks! great write up on a lesser known drummer who is deserving of wider recognition..

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Jun 11, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

BERT Myrick seems to have been a Detroiter: we should check in with Herr Stryker!

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Jun 7, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Vinnie, Horacee somehow led me to Hamid Drake. I'm revelling in his album Karuna. Quite something else! Wonderi g ifhehas been on your radar. Cheers, Bobby

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Jun 7, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Many thanks for an excellent piece on one of the lesser-known greats. I had the pleasure of working with Horacee on Billy Harper's 1993 recording "Somalia." During the planning stages I had suggested to Billy that we augment his quintet with a second bassist (inspired by Lee Morgan's final studio session), but Billy decided to add a second drummer instead. The combination of then-regular drummer Newman Taylor Baker and Horacee produced fireworks, particularly during the freer passages of the epic 'Thy Will Be Done.' I remember how Billy had the drummers tune their kick drums to sound alike so they would sound like one monster drummer.

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Jun 6, 2023Liked by Vinnie Sperrazza

Vinnie, I heard the whole Tribe album yesterday. It was amazing. Thanks for your great work.

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'Mousey' is almost certainly Mousey Alexander - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mousey_Alexander

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