Hi there ladies and gentlemen!
I've been without the internet for at least three weeks, so I haven't been around much. Basically, I'm gonna call it a day for updates. Slave's legacy continues on and on, but as regards to this site, I simply don't have the time that I used to have when it comes to adding material. Email me as always with any updates and anything you've got, as it will always be appreciated! But on the blog post front, I'm calling it a day! I've had great fun and enjoyment being committed to this blog and the hard work put into the photos and info! Everything will remain the same on here, but nothing new will be added!
The greatest of respect to all my followers, friends who've kept and will continue to keep me updated, and, of course, to all members of Slave, and everyone involved in some way, shape or form with Slave!!!
Contact me at your leisure with the email address here on the site!
Best wishes!
Sunday 21 August 2011
Thursday 16 June 2011
RIP Mark "Drac" Hicks
It is with great sadness and shock that I write, as the Slave guitarist, Mark "Drac" Hicks has passed today on the 16th June 2011.
Mark "Drac" Hicks was an original member of Slave, and was at the forefront of many of Slave's jams, contributing and creating some of Slave's well known guitar solos that pioneered a more commonplace usage for guitar solos in funk and R&B in general. He left Slave in 1980, and came back in 1988 to help with Slave's remaining tracks, committed to funk in the years when it was seldomly heard on the radio. Like his contemporary Mark Adams, he was a legend in funk throughout the ages. I never got the chance to speak to Drac, but I know from his very friendly and outreaching PR representative, Shawn, that he had a great fondness for my website!
Two legends have departed us in both March and June of this year, so it is all of our sincerest duties to continue their legacy by keeping their music alive!
My greatest condolences to Drac's family and devoted friends. Like Mark Adams,he will be sorely missed by me and every Slave fan in the world. God bless.
RIP
Mark "Drac" Hicks was an original member of Slave, and was at the forefront of many of Slave's jams, contributing and creating some of Slave's well known guitar solos that pioneered a more commonplace usage for guitar solos in funk and R&B in general. He left Slave in 1980, and came back in 1988 to help with Slave's remaining tracks, committed to funk in the years when it was seldomly heard on the radio. Like his contemporary Mark Adams, he was a legend in funk throughout the ages. I never got the chance to speak to Drac, but I know from his very friendly and outreaching PR representative, Shawn, that he had a great fondness for my website!
Two legends have departed us in both March and June of this year, so it is all of our sincerest duties to continue their legacy by keeping their music alive!
My greatest condolences to Drac's family and devoted friends. Like Mark Adams,he will be sorely missed by me and every Slave fan in the world. God bless.
RIP
Wednesday 4 May 2011
Updates
I haven't been active this much for the past two months, as I've had a lot of things to do. And as such, I haven't been able to check my emails for a bit, so I'm sorry if I've been silent as far as communication goes. But that's all dealt with now,and it's with great joy that I still receive sympathetic messages by wonderful people.
I've also got things coming up in the next few months, so I'm afraid I'll have to make a routine out of my silence, but to help break the habit, I'll add some info on this post. It's been confirmed that Mark died of a brain aneurysm. I have that on reliable info.
I also, thankfully have it on reliable info that Mark's solo project that he wasworking on in 2010 will be available by September this month!
And to end the quick post, here's a new promo photo generously given to me by Kev! It's from 1980, during the Stone Jammin' phase!
Best wishes to you all!
Edit: I almost forgot, here's another photo of them from around a similar time. Either 1979 or 1980!
My thanks go to Janice for pointing this one in my direction!!
I've also got things coming up in the next few months, so I'm afraid I'll have to make a routine out of my silence, but to help break the habit, I'll add some info on this post. It's been confirmed that Mark died of a brain aneurysm. I have that on reliable info.
I also, thankfully have it on reliable info that Mark's solo project that he wasworking on in 2010 will be available by September this month!
And to end the quick post, here's a new promo photo generously given to me by Kev! It's from 1980, during the Stone Jammin' phase!
Best wishes to you all!Edit: I almost forgot, here's another photo of them from around a similar time. Either 1979 or 1980!
My thanks go to Janice for pointing this one in my direction!!
Sunday 6 March 2011
R.I.P. Mark Adams
I'm trembling literally as I type this. This is truly, truly devastating.
On the 5th of March 2011 Mark Adams passed away. Circumstances are thusfar unknown, but rumours are spreading, and I wish not to repeat them here.
As you'll know, this page is totally and utterly dedicated to Slave, its members, and its unmatched musical legacy.
Also, though, I was in contact with Mark Adams through email, and we spoke, fairly regularly.
His mother had died, as I posted on here, and he was struggling to cope with that, as you could easily understand. I sent him an email on Christmas Eve, and he said, I quote verbatim, "thank you my cat , i'll be back to myself real soon i hope and pray , i miss my mom real bad but , i'm moving on , so stay with me ok !!!" We exchanged, briefly, too briefly,but he ended with "we shall see stellar soon". He was working on a solo project, and was, at some point, going to let me hear a sample of it.
Anyway, I sent him emails, two in January. He didn't respond to the second one, and, well, time got on board of me.
Even more awful is that I then sent him another email... two days before he died. I was checking to see if he was alright, see how he'd came on. Here's what I wrote:
"Hi there Mark!
Sorry I haven't emailed for a while! Been busy; we're trying to sell the house and move to the country & get a more peaceful, outdoor life! How is everything going Mark? Hope all is well! Been meaning to give you a ring for some time, too, but I wouldn't want to call at an inconvenient time! (Also a bit difficult as we're 8 hours forward!) Hope everything is treating you well Mark!! Let me know if there's anything you require!!!
God bless, and the very best of wishes!!
******"
You have no idea how much this news tears inside me. I feel physically sick at the tragedy. Life has cut short what could have been the greatest revival story of funk. I feel annoyed at myself for letting the time in-between the two emails go by.
But we can all agree that this is extremely awful, and one of he most gifted musicians on Earth has gone. R.I.P. Mark...
Dearest condolences toall his family members, and sincerest apologies and condolences to the bearer of the bad news, Steve Arrington. I'm very sorry that such an awful event occured on your birthday, Steve.
On the 5th of March 2011 Mark Adams passed away. Circumstances are thusfar unknown, but rumours are spreading, and I wish not to repeat them here.
As you'll know, this page is totally and utterly dedicated to Slave, its members, and its unmatched musical legacy.
Also, though, I was in contact with Mark Adams through email, and we spoke, fairly regularly.
His mother had died, as I posted on here, and he was struggling to cope with that, as you could easily understand. I sent him an email on Christmas Eve, and he said, I quote verbatim, "thank you my cat , i'll be back to myself real soon i hope and pray , i miss my mom real bad but , i'm moving on , so stay with me ok !!!" We exchanged, briefly, too briefly,but he ended with "we shall see stellar soon". He was working on a solo project, and was, at some point, going to let me hear a sample of it.
Anyway, I sent him emails, two in January. He didn't respond to the second one, and, well, time got on board of me.
Even more awful is that I then sent him another email... two days before he died. I was checking to see if he was alright, see how he'd came on. Here's what I wrote:
"Hi there Mark!
Sorry I haven't emailed for a while! Been busy; we're trying to sell the house and move to the country & get a more peaceful, outdoor life! How is everything going Mark? Hope all is well! Been meaning to give you a ring for some time, too, but I wouldn't want to call at an inconvenient time! (Also a bit difficult as we're 8 hours forward!) Hope everything is treating you well Mark!! Let me know if there's anything you require!!!
God bless, and the very best of wishes!!
******"
You have no idea how much this news tears inside me. I feel physically sick at the tragedy. Life has cut short what could have been the greatest revival story of funk. I feel annoyed at myself for letting the time in-between the two emails go by.
But we can all agree that this is extremely awful, and one of he most gifted musicians on Earth has gone. R.I.P. Mark...
Dearest condolences toall his family members, and sincerest apologies and condolences to the bearer of the bad news, Steve Arrington. I'm very sorry that such an awful event occured on your birthday, Steve.
Thursday 25 November 2010
In Memory Of...
This is a post in memory of Mark Adams' mom, Barbara Jean Adams, who passed away last Thursday. May her soul rest in peace, as she ascends to a better place. May her inspiration be recognised and appreciated by all of us.
Rest In Peace
Rest In Peace
Wednesday 3 November 2010
Gradual Changes!
We've started a Google Group for Slave, and all things related to Slave; a mailing list is now in action and can be subscribed to easily to the right of this blog! Much more changes to come to this blog soon!!
I forgot to post this photoshoot of Slave from a Black Echoes magazine. (Printed in '81, but the photoshoot itself was taken either in 1979 or 1980).
Enjoy!
I forgot to post this photoshoot of Slave from a Black Echoes magazine. (Printed in '81, but the photoshoot itself was taken either in 1979 or 1980).
Enjoy!
Sunday 3 October 2010
Into The Autumn
Yeah, I've not been around lately. Same excuses: other commitments, difficulty finding new material for the blog.
That being said, I've updated the discography section for the umpteenth time. It's the same as most reviews and opinions: with a band like Slave, who left a legacy for all to see in their timeline of albums, as the years go on, you "get it" more and more. So perhaps the songs that at the time that I wasn't extremely thrilled over, have warmed to me much more.
Also, I've updated the covers yet again. But this will probably be the last change to the section in that sense. I've finally done full scans for all the covers, and have set the colours as close to the originals as humanly possible.
And now, for the one new thing that I did find:
As stylish a horn section as you can get! Great picture of Floyd Miller there on the trombone!
Keep on funkin'
That being said, I've updated the discography section for the umpteenth time. It's the same as most reviews and opinions: with a band like Slave, who left a legacy for all to see in their timeline of albums, as the years go on, you "get it" more and more. So perhaps the songs that at the time that I wasn't extremely thrilled over, have warmed to me much more.
Also, I've updated the covers yet again. But this will probably be the last change to the section in that sense. I've finally done full scans for all the covers, and have set the colours as close to the originals as humanly possible.
And now, for the one new thing that I did find:
As stylish a horn section as you can get! Great picture of Floyd Miller there on the trombone!Keep on funkin'
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