Selected Soul from Music of the Sea

“N.C.C.U. stands for New Central Connection Unlimited. Group members included Aaron Mills who later became the bassist for Cameo with signature hits like 'Word Up" and "Candy", a 70s funk group as sampled for music by Wu-Tang Clan, 2Pac, Pete Rock, Beastie Boys, Beyoncé, Snoop Dogg, among many others.

N.C.C.U was the brainchild of Gene Strassler, who was the chairman of the Music Department at the North Carolina Central University. In 1967, Gene invited Donald Byrd to the college as part of the introduction of jazz into the college's curriculum. Donald invited some musicians he knew, namely Walter Booker, Joe Henderson, Roland Wilson, Joe Chambers, and Woody Shaw. The college developed a reputation and by 1977, students could take a four-year degree in jazz there. N.C.C.U. became the cornerstone of the college's attempts to forge a closer link with the music industry.”

"Keys is a friend of mine that I came to know from recording music in my studio with another befriended producer, Floyd Hamberlin. Keys, whose real name is William Keys, started out in the 60s on the Southside of Chicago playing with groups like Earth, Wind & Fire, who were then still called Salty Peppers. Keys eventually ventured off into jazz, forming a jazz band called Keys And Friends. After playing around town in the early 70s, Keys decided he wanted to do an R&B album. That’s how you now hear some of those deep cuts on Tracklib, forty-plus years later!"

"Archie Thompson may be the most versatile in our catalog, he has a long line of history of musicians in his family: his brother plays drums with The Eagles, and has a back catalog and record label that dates back to the 50s which he inherited. He’s also extremely connected in the San Diego area and showcases so many talented artists from the area on his songs."

"Dale Chafin was a rock band that formed in the 60s in West Virginia. They have a great signature sound and are known for infectious grooves. I love the warm vibe and the guitar underneath the 70s classic rock vocals of 'Winchester Royals Song.'"