Rahni Harris & Family Love - A Different Drummer (2019) Rain & Shine/Emprise LP ONLY + Bonus Tracks - Rare Soul/Funk/Gospel (FLAC 259MB)

Better known for his Disco/Funk Classic "Six Million Steps"(included as a Bonus) a year after he recorded this his only album in 1977 in East Hartford, Connecticut, Rahni Harris then a 21 year old reverend and multi-instrumentalist and his band, ‘Family Love’, were not afraid to embrace their love of R&B and Gospel. They laid down this superb album, One of the most forward thinking LPs recorded during this period and arguably of all time, a perfect fusion of soul & gospel. The tracks ‘Syncopated Love’, 'He’s My Friend’ and ‘Inside Of Me’ have been supported by Northern Soul DJs and collectors in the know for many years. Forty odd years later Rain & Shine gave Rahni’s’ rare/classic record another lease of life for discerned collectors, DJs and music lovers worldwide & i for one snapped it up missing out first time around..... Rahni was greatly affected by the musical influence of his parents. Artists such as Herbie Hancock, Bernard Purdie, Cornell Dupree, Chuck Rainey, Gene Page, Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and Roberta Flack would influence and shape his musical tastes. He began to focus his interest in the field of production and engineering. Producers who he had in high reagard were Quincy Jones, Thom Bell, Norman Whitfield, Frank Wilson and Maurice White. His engineering favorite was George Massenburg.Some years later while working at a local hospital, Rahni saw recording artist Melba Moore on television being interviewed, which inspired him for reaching his goals of creating and producing artists. At the age of 19, Rahni formed and co-founded a record company with long time friend and business associate Jim Ragland. They called it Emprise. Their first release was a group called Family Love with a gospel album entitled “A Different Drummer”. Around the late 80's, Rahni continued to produce gospel-projects such as “Amazing” on Light Records and “Serious” on A&M Records by Contemporary Gospel Group Kingdom. During one of his promotional appearances at a music store, promoting the “A Different Drummer” album, Rahni met Warner Brothers recording artist Bootsy Collins who walked in. 7 years later their paths would cross again and resulted in a list of collaborations. Along with George Clinton they penned the single “Work That Sucker To Death” by Xavier, then on to the single “Krackity Krack” by Dayton. Rahni then became a regular fixture in the Bootsy Collins and George Clinton recording-sessions, playing keyboards and assisting on singles like "Shine-O-Mite" (Bootsy) and "Atomic Dog" (George Clinton). Prior to this, Rahni’s arranging and productional achievements resulted in more benefits. Shortly after his timely meeting with Bootsy, Rahni was introduced to the legendary Ben E. King (Stand By Me) by his buddy Willie Jenkins, in order to do string arrangements on a record which Ben was producing for his son Benny Jr. The real surprise for Rahni was that Frank Sinatra’s string section was performing on the track. That was the beginning for him of producing and writing for a number of more recording artists. Rahni continues to fill his role as producer, composer, arranger, songwriter, recording engineer, musician, and educator. This album is DYNOMITE! Thanks again to USMAN47 for making me hunt it out after his kind offer, LP only still ,no CD release (yet?)..Bonus Tracks listed under back cover.

AMM

                                                                                                         The Tasters!

    10 Bonus - Six Million Steps (West Runs South) Instrumental
    11 Bonus - Six Million Steps (West Runs South) Vocal