The Atlanta Voice from Atlanta, Georgia • 22

pa ib I Heard i Vj BvKickUpshaw i'. 'l 1 7 HOLD ON NOEL UNITED ARTISTS I suppose this event was The event I'CiiHj the quite meaningful interpretation of today's music by skilled violinist. There have of course been others; Jean luc Ponty to name only one, who have struggled to curve out a niche for this heretofore obscure and somewhat unpopular instrument, known formerly only to the so called 'great masters." Now comes New York born Noel Pointer, ind it must be said right off. the bat that this 21 year old youngster knows his way around the instrument. The title tune gives him the chance to show his deftness on the violin.

The tune seems to have its roots in some spiritual that does not come to mind readily, but 'he track is well done. A big salute should go to the vocal background yeoup which helps to form a good backdrop for the Pointer vioim. Listen to the way Pointer handles the instrument. I ilunk you will be pleasantly surprised. Next up is Pointer's vocal debut.

"Stardust Lady" hos a ceituin tenderness that must be felt to be totally understood. Pointer comes across in a soft and mornful mood. Also slamng in this effort is Pointer's mother who provides the vocal obligato on the track. "Roots Suite" is borrowed from Quincy Jones' work on the television mini series of last year. In three movements, the peice is both moving and well adopted, with an actual ritualistic chant included.

Pointer has the mark of a master on this particular endeavor. His warm, free flowing passages can only be described as magnificent. This suite is one of the high points ofcthe whole session. Stevie Wonder's "Superwoman" comes off in a mellow vein, with Pointer taking the lead at the outset, and pouring iic I mess out of his instrument. Surrounded by other strings is well as a hip rhythm section, this one becomes a dynamite track.

Another high spot on the date is "Slaying With' You" which is another Pointer vocal effort. The changes on this one bring the tune into a good tick. Pointer is jointed by Parti Austin on vocal lead. Listen to the good vibes this tune gives out. I think you'll also be delighted at the intense pieciseness of "Movin' In" which Pointer wrote himself.

There is a dynamic piano solo at the front of the tune, loi lowed by some powerful strokes from Pointer. This track is strong to say the leost. Give yourself a break and turn on to this young and talented artist. It con only result in widening of your, musical knowledge and your further enoyment of the many iys today's music can be presented. Impact Will Be A Hit Impact is a dynamic four-man vocal group led by former Temptation, Damon Otis Harris.

The Impact sound is like none o'Ser you're likely to hear there's Damon's absolutely stunning high tenor voice, but there's on respect and love between the four guys which makes their sound so special. Damon'! Harris" song Head tenor with the Temptations for four and a half years and six gold albums (1990, Masterpiece, Solid Rock, All Directions, -House Party, and A Song for You). Damon "easily acknowledges the unique situation he experienced with the Temps. 'There's only one woy to learn the business," says Damon, "and that's to get out there and do it. Fortunately, I was recording contract with T-Neck Records, where the fsley Brothers produced their records and gave them national exposure.

"As so many groups do," continues Damon, "we forgot where we were coming from. We. lost our perspective, and OS a result, everything that we built crumbled." In v. .1974, Damon 'decided to get bock home to Baltimore, where he soon settled in, singing with the same guys ogoin, pf course. They decided on a new name-Impact -and recorded a couple of singles and one album (Impact for Philadelphia's WMOT Records, distributed by Atlantic.

The people at WMOT really understand where we're coming from," says Damon. Timmons, the group jester. "That was the date we auditioned for a group that Damon was trying to put together. It seemed likt, preordained thing. We hit off immediately." The group Damon Harris assembled was originally decreed the Vandals.

"Before I joined the Temptations," explains Damon, "I had already had the idea of forming a singing group that would possibly emulate many contemporary artists at that time, even the Temp- lotions. I spreod the word around town that I was hold auditions for a Vocal group. The response wos over-whelmina." Singing around the Baltimore-tWashington orea, the Vandals, managed to move into a able to do it with the Temps. Through all those years, all those miles on the rood, 'all those gigs, and all those recording sessions, I picked up a lot of information I couldn't have learned any other way. But in the bock of my mind, I always knew I'd eventually quit and go back home, back to the guys I'd sung -with while we were growing up." Besides Damon; Impact includes Charles Timmons; lead baritone and second tenor; Donold Tilghman, second tenor and bass; and Quintin Simmt, second lead tenor and baritone.

All four were born and raised in Baltimore, and have been singing together since 1968. "February II, 1968, to be exact," says Charles joined col lege football superstar O.J. Simpson, though it was before he hod gained professional status, when he wos the guest star on the episode of the hosptia! series. Makes CBS Special Tyson Nostalgic CLOSER TO YOU R.B. HUDMON COTILLION I got the feeling right off the bat that this was going to be one hell of an album.

The opening strokes of Seals Ci oil's "Closer To You" gave, that feeling you only get when you know something special is coming up. I was not disappointed. R.B. Hudmon has a special way of handling this tune, and combined with great orchestration and a fine background vocal group, it comes off as a small package of pure "Cause You're Mine Now" is a fine message tune. Again there is that fine orchestral work that so richly compliments the Hudmon delivery.

The vocal background group is back now with a powerful assist. You'll really enjoy this one. No doubt about It. Sheer beauty if the only way to describe the old Clyde AAcPhatter hit "A lover's Question." The presentation on this one is made doubly outstanding by the quiet organ in the background and the unusual horn work. R.B.

pulls the tune together with the touch of a true master who is used to handling only the finest material in the world. Listen If you will to the outstanding guitar work from Bobby Manuel. Hudmon talks to his woman, and with a plea like that she's' just go to listen. "Bringing You Your Love" is another powerful statement from the lips of this great vocalist. This one has groove that will get your feet to moving.

A strong track is laid on "Can't You See I Love You." R.B. gives out of his heart on this ballad. The strings, as well as the vocal group form a tasty background for this tune. There are some other gems on this album that I'm sure you will more than enjoy. One of them is "I'm Everything You Need." Another ballad with special appeal is this one.

It has a message for the heartbroken, and that message is -couched in beautiful words in this tune. R.B. belts it out like it belongs to him alone. I think this one ought to give you everything you're looking for in musical entertainment. Try it on for size one see if you don't ogree.

Cicely Tyson, one of many distinguished performers set to appear on "CBS: On The who participates in the Wed-, nesday, March 29 portion of the nine-and-a-half hour recollection to be broadcast on the CBS television network, was overcome with nostalgia when -she rood the script devised for her participation. Tyson, who holds two Emmys for her superb performance In ''The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittmon," wos asked to do the narration to accompany film clips from "Medical Center," one of the lonarunning (Wednesday night) fixtures on the network; Tyson recalled; ''I discovered the 'Medico Center' It brought bock' many' pleasant memories, -in -particular, being selected for the had come from New York to oppeor on The Courtship of Eddie's new series also being done at MGM, As I -v was obout to return, producer urged me to see Frank Glkksmon, the executive producer of a new medical series. "Mr. Glicksman had someone in mind fcr the part, but my work on The Courtship of Eddie's Father' impressed him and good fortune come my way." "Medical Center" not only marked a major milestone for Ms. Tyson, but it presaged the pro football and acting careers of Simpson, who became the NFL's single-season rushing record-holder with the Buffalo Bills and a successful octor on television and in motion pictures.

'v Tyson, who earlier appeared os a regular with George C. Scott, in "East Side-West Side," on the network, went on to on Academy Award nomination for "Sounder," ond, yltlmoteiy, to her highest honor on the' Network's memorable "The Autobiography "of Miss Jane Pittmon," which carried off nine Emmys In 't iAS'i i i.i it "there was a lot o' excitement on the set bock in 1969. My role as the wife of O.J., who played an athlete suffering with crippling disease, proved especially meaningful 'to -my career. I got. favorable feedback from several producers and it led to an important casting on for which I won an NAACP award.

con imagine my delight when I read the 'CBS: On The Air' script end ll "I.