LEROY BURGESS - ANTHOLOGY VOL 1
This Anthology marks the first compilation of this well respected and innovative singer/producer/arranger and songwriter, who with groups like Aleem, Logg and under his own name created the 80's boogie style. Leroy is considered as one of the most important inspirations behind the House and Garage music that followed Leroy Burgess - The Voice Leroy who? To the many thousands of DJ's and devotees around the world Leroy Burgess is revered as one the greatest writers, producers and soul singers of all time. To the general public he is almost totally unknown, although his musical influence has undoubtedly touched almost anyone who has been to a club or disco in the last quarter of a century. Coming from a musical family - his mother was an opera singer, his uncle the great Philly producer Thom Bell - it was only natural that Leroy should start singing at an early age. He cites Johnny Mathis, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and the producer/songwriter Patrick Adams among his main influences. Leroy was a founding member of the Harlem group Black Ivory with whom he made three albums between 1973 and 1977. In 1978 he went back into the studio with group for a session which produced the classic dancefloor track 'Mainline'. This volume of the anthology - 'The Voice'- concentrates on material that he sang with the Aleems in the early 80's, along with his recordings for New York's Salsoul label under pseudonym Logg, and the only recordings to date under his own name. Volume Two out in 2002 will highlight his songwriting and production abilities. In his own words Leroy is a modest man, 'a regular kid from Harlem', who has deliberately kept a low profile throughout his career. The acclaim that he deserves has so far been contained within the underground music scenes that have championed his work - examples of which can be found in the tributes from leading DJ's in these sleeve notes. Hopefully this anthology will go some way to achieving a more widespread recognition of his talent and bring the man, and 'The Voice', the praise that is long overdue.

Leroy in his own words, and tributes (here)

(vinyl no longer available)

Track list (click to hear tracks - one minute clips)