SATURDAY'S SINGLES : THE ROBERT CRAY BAND and PUBLIC ENEMY

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Good morning gang and welcome to the return of Saturday's Singles, a Birthday edition. Our first slice of cake is cut for blues guitarist and singer, Robert Cray who turns 67 today. Happy Birthday Robert!  To get this party started, we find ourselves spinning the single "Smoking Gun". It was released in 1986 on Mercury Records . The track hails from Robert's fourth album, Strong Persuader, and peaked at #22 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the Mainstream Rock charts. Our copy, a promotional copy, has the short version on the A side and the long version of "Smoking Gun" on the flip-side. The song, written by Cray, Bruce Bromberg,  and Richard Cousins was produced by  Dennis Walker and Bruce Bromberg, deals with infidelity. 

Peter Boe – keyboards
Richard Cousins – bass
Robert Cray –  guitar, vocals
David Olson – drums
Lee Spath – percussion
Andrew Love – tenor saxophone
Wayne Jackson – trumpet, trombone

Fidel Bell – mixing assistant
Charlie Brocco – mixing assistant

Bruce Bromberg – producer 

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Our second set of candles is for Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, better known as  rapper, author, and producer Chuck D, from Public Enemy and Prophets Of Rage. Chuck turns 60 today. Happy Birthday Chuck ! To keep the celebration going, we put on this 1987 Def Jam Recordings recording, "Public Enemy No. 1". The tune, from their debut album, Yo! Bum Rush the Show, reached #68 in Australia. Our white label promotional copy features the song on both sides. Rick Rubin ( a personal favorite genius of mine) produced the track and album. 

Chuck D – vocals, co-producer
Flavor Flav – vocals
Terminator X – lead scratch
Hank Shocklee – co-producer, mixing, drum programming, minimal synth programming
Eric Sadler – co-producer, mixing, drum programming, minimal synth programming
Stephen Linsley – bass, recording & mixing
Bill Stephney – bass, guitars, co-producer, mixing
Vernon Reid – guitars
Johnny "Juice" Rosado – rhythm scratch
Rick Rubin – executive producer, mixing
Steve Ett – mixing

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