(February 28, 2022 / Los Angeles) Last year, modern Funk-Jazz bassist Mitchell Coleman, Jr. threw down the gauntlet by daring to rerecord the Funk classic “Glide,” originally recorded in 1979 by the Portland band Pleasure. The reception the song received at radio with its pulsating groove and a lyrical message about defiantly overcoming adversity has been so strong that Coleman is now going a step forward and issuing an instrumental version that only retains the vocal hook at the very end. This mix is tantamount to Funk on top of Funk with Coleman’s bass pushed way up in the mix along with the silky guitar leads of Josh Sklair (Etta James) over a crackling all live rhythm section.
“‘Glide’ is one of those bucket list songs for bass players,” Coleman explains. “Once you can play it, you know you’re officially in the game. It took me a good minute to get this one under my thumb…`cuz Nate (Pleasure bassist/composer Nathaniel Phillips) slid some serious stuff up in there! I didn’t want to mess with it too much. Just add a lil’ of that Sylk Sonic skating flava!”
Coleman worked closely with producer Michael B. Sutton and Hiroshi Upshur on the arrangement to give it a looser more universal appeal for today’s listeners as well as Funk connoisseurs who surely remember it from back in the day. The ‘joyous’ result is a mighty good time for the head, heart and feets of all!
“Glide” is the lead-off single of Mitchell Coleman Jr.’s forthcoming third album (working title: Dedication) on which he will honor his mother, Ruth Coleman. He has also recently teased that among this deeply personal album’s songs will be a sexy remake of the late, great Nancy Wilson’s “Do You Still Dream About Me” – sung by none other than the eternally-sensual and fabulous Ms. Freda Payne.
In the meantime, “Glide” is dedicated to everyone around the world that likes to PARTY HEARTY in the face of today’s relentless adversities.
“It’s a tight groove,” Coleman concludes, “plus it highlights me as a bass player.”
For more information on Mitchell Coleman Jr, contact soundofla12@gmail.com
Visit his website: www.mitchellcolemanjr.com
