In the world of funk, bass player extraordinaire, LARRY GRAHAM, is a bona fide living legend. It was during his time with SLY & THE FAMILY STONE in the late-’60s and early-’70s that the Texas-born musician took the evolution of bass guitar playing several steps further with his slapping or ‘popping’ technique, which proved profoundly influential and spawned a legion of imitators. In the mid-’70s, Graham led his own band, GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION, which scored some notable chart successes in the States, including their 1975 US chart topper, ‘Your Love.’ Five years later and Graham – whose rich, resonant vocals are as much a part of his musical identity as his fat-bottomed bass lines – achieved a huge pop crossover smash with his million-selling romantic ballad, ‘One In A Million You.’
Fast forwarding to the present day and a rejuvenated LARRY GRAHAM – who has lived in Minnesota since the late-’90s and is now approaching his sixty-sixth birthday – is leading a new line up of GRAHAM CENTRAL STATION. The band is due to play at the Clapham Grand in London on Monday September 10th with a new album – the first from Graham since 1997 – following on October 15th. The album’s called ‘RAISE UP‘ and is released by the Moosicus record label in Europe (in the States it will be available via Razor & Tie). It features some striking cameos – PRINCE (a long-time confrere of Graham’s) appears on three cuts, and retro-soul auteur, RAPHAEL SAADIQ, contributes to one track. The 11-track album promises to be a feast for funk aficionados so look out for a review soon at SJF as well as a full interview with the legendary bass man.
Read more at Larry Graham’s official website: www.larrygraham.com
