The Soul Arranger (Part four) - Gene Page

Gene Page, 13th September 1938 - 24th August 1998, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.
Gene was taught piano by his father and went on to win a four-year scholarship to the Brooklyn Conservatory. Back in Los Angeles he found work arranging demo tapes for local band and producers, in 1962 he was hired by Reprise Records as their arranger. The long list of artist Gene worked with through his time inc Barry White, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Johnnie Taylor, The Four Tops, Jackson 5, The Jones Girls, Deniece Williams, The Jackson Sisters, Nancy Wilson, Natalie Cole, Eloise Laws, Dionne Warwick, The Gap Band, Carrie Lucas, Carl Anderson, Anita Baker, Shalamar and on and on.
Of the 4 arrangers I suppose Gene was the funkiest, when I listen to his arrangements I feel that he wasn't so hung up on how the music looked on paper but how it felt with the beat, moving away from Classical or Jazz training and just trusting the groove, this was also a very important factor when he work with Barry white who was an untrained self taught composer. I've included Diana's "Now that there's you" although the credits on that track aren't so clear but I guess it was Gene and Paul Riser on that album. I have hand pick some of my personal favorites for this Podcast not so much the best selling or well known, hope you enjoy. Peace…
Marc 4hero.

Track List:

Strange Games and Things - Love Ulimited Orchestra
Upermost - Jackson 5
Jungle Eyes - Gene Page
Mellow Mood - Barry White
There is nothing In this world.. - Tom Brock
I'm Gonna Love you Just a little Bit More - Barry White
It's Great to Be here - Jackson 5
Blacula Strikes - Gene Page
Your Gonna need me - Dionne Warwick
Brown Baby - Diana Ross
Now That there's You - Diana Ross
Move Me No Mountain - Love Unlimited
Say It Again - Danny Pearson
Say It Again - Love Unlimited
That's What You Say - Gloria Scott
Theme From Together Brother - Love Unlimitrd Orchestra
I Believe In Miracles - Jackson Sisters
Love Is The Thing You Need - Jackson 5
Move Me - James Gilstrap
Together Whatever - Gene Page

Part 4 of 4