Biography
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Years Active
1978 – 1986 (8 years)
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Founded In
New York, New York, United States
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Members
- Basil Fearington
- Edward "Tree" Moore
- Howard King
- Hubert Eaves III
- James Mtume (1978 – 1986)
Mtume (pronounced em-tu-may) was a funk and soul group that rose to prominence during the early 1980s and had several R&B hits during its career. Its founder, former jazz percussionist James Mtume, moved into urban contemporary and funk in the late 70s and became one of the more successful producers and performers in both styles during the 80s. The son of the great jazz saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Mtume was a conga player and percussionist who recorded and toured with Miles Davis and was featured on albums by the Heath Brothers, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, and Freddie Hubbard. He even recorded as a bandleader for Strata-East before turning to funk in the late 70s.
Mtume also teamed with another ex-jazz musician, Reggie Lucas, who had also been in Davis' 70s band. They produced and/or wrote for such artists as Stephanie Mills, Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman, Gary Bartz, Sadane, Lou Rawls, Rena Scott, and Eddie Henderson in the late 70s. The duo worked on the LP In Search of the Rainbow Seekers for Epic in 1980. Mtume worked on his own as a producer with several artists, among them Levert, Tyrone Brunson, Roy Ayers, Henderson, Tease, and Sue Ann. Mtume was also a music producer for the hit TV series New York Undercover.
The Mtume band included the sassy, sultry vocalist Tawatha Agee, keyboardist Phil Field, and bassist Ray Jackson. They had a number one R&B hit with Juicy Fruit for Epic in 1983 and a number two single in 1984 with You, Me and He They recorded for Epic until the late 80s. Their final Top Ten hit was "Breathless" in 1986.
Tawatha Agee went solo in 1987. Phil Field continued to produce and write for many artists including Gwen Guthrie, Tawatha Agee, Tyrone Brunson, the Bar-Kays, Charles Earland and many others. He co-wrote and co-produced on Roy Ayers' album You Might Be Surprised. He co-wrote How Many Ways from Toni Braxton's debut album and co-wrote on Dee Jackson Field's debut EP.
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