Legendary Jazz & Funk Musician James Mtume Passed Away Last Week
James Mtume, a musician who recorded with jazz greats before leading the R&B group Mtume, has died at 75.
Following dozens of records and jazz sessions with his father Jimmy Heath, Don Cherry, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner, Lonnie Liston Smith, Gato Barbieri & Ramsey Lewis he released Kiss This World Goodbye, the debut album of his jazz, funk, and R&B hybrid band Mtume in 1978. After 1980’s In Search of the Rainbow Seekers, the band released 1983’s Juicy Fruit. The title track became the band’s biggest hit, and was sampled on the Notorious B.I.G.’s Juicy. The band followed it with two more albums: 1984’s You, Me and He and 1986’s Theater of the Mind.
Mtume was later credited on songs by Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly & K-Ci & Jo-Jo. Mtume became a radio personality for New York City’s KISS 98.7 FM.
BlackoutHipHop extends condolences to the family, friends, and fans of James Mtume.
Via pitchfork.com
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