Take a random pile of underground disco and boogie vinyl’s from the late-1970s to mid-1980s, and scan the credits. If you’re yet to find the name of Leroy Burgess by the time you reach your fiftieth album, consider yourself the victim of bad fortune. Or pure coincidence. The disco soul singer, keyboard player, songwriter and producer was one of the most in-demand studio musicians of his time. A true living legend, the native New Yorker’s impact on the history of dance music, from the birth of house to the founding of boogie and disco, is beyond measure. In the aforementioned decade, Burgess’ fingerprints were on so many different productions that even his most meticulous and loyal fans have struggled to keep tabs on all his recording sessions. From his collaboration with Patrick Adams to an incalculable list of disco, funk and soul collectives including Inner Life, Aleem,Dazzle and Universal Robot Band as well as solo artists such as Eddie Kendricks, Rick James or Fonda Rae, the master still found time to form two new groups of his own – Convention and LOGG, with its eponymous album being considered by many to be one of the best boogie–funk records ever made and a landmark release in the development of proto-house.
After a long hiatus, Motor City Drum Ensemble invited him to play his greatest hits backed by a ten-piece band at Nuits Sonores in 2016. Now Mr. Burgess hits the road with the same backing band described by the man himself as among “the finest musicians I’ve ever had the honor to share a stage with in 50 years [of] performing.” They’ll be playing two exclusive shows Paris and Berlin presented by Carhartt WIP.
After the live action, MCDE himself will pay tribute to his idol alongside Melodies International and J.A.W Family member Red Greg. In Berlin, Chicago-based Darryn Jones will also spin hard-to-resist rhythms, plus the JAW family crew will be on the decks. To warm for the Berlin show, we also celebrate a special in-store show with Leroy Burgess solo on the 16th of November at our Berlin Carhartt WIP store in Mitte between 7 and 9 pm. Join us for drink and soul music, played by Burgess on the piano – a rare encounter with one of the unsung heroes of producers of Chicago and soulful house, as well as disco-diggers all over the world.
13/11/2017 - Leroy Burgess (live), Motor City Drum Ensemble, J.A.W Family - New Morning - Paris - FR
