You may not know his name but you’ll know his music. We’re talking about FRED THOMAS – sometime bassist with the James Brown Band . It’s Mr T’s thumping, rock steady bass lines on things like ‘Pass the Peas’, ‘Hot Pants’, ‘Doing it to Death (Funky Good Time)’ and ‘Get on the Good Foot’.
In 1976, Fred took an extended break from Mr. Brown, going back to his own roots as a bandleader and vocalist. It was during this time he wrote a song ‘Living in New York City.’ He says: “I wrote the song back in the late 80’s before I rejoined James Brown in 1992. I was just rolling along doing what was necessary and available to me to keep on doing my best. Sometime down and out but I had to keep on moving and never was in doubt”.
Years down the line Fred is at last releasing the song – a gritty old school soul and funk workout with a world weary vocal. Drummer on the track, by the way, is Clyde Stubblefield.
Fred’s ‘Living in New York City’ is out now and he’s planning a series of singles in the coming weeks – first, the soul ballad ‘Nothing’s Gonna Change (My Love For You)’ followed by the funk workout ‘For a Lick and a Promise’.
