Dunn Pearson Jr

[Dave Thorley]

Dunn Pearson was a major force behind the Cleveland sound in the 70's, then moved on to New York. But over all I know little about him. So collectively let see what we can pull together, artists he was behind, your fav tracks etc.

Dave

Edited February 15, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Dave Thorley]

On a google search this is what I have found, but this is only scratching the surface of this very talented man's life.

What was the first thing he worked on, anything from the 60's?

What do you guys know?

Anyone one ever get in touch with him?

The multi-talented Dunn Pearson Jr. has accomplished much during his career -- composing, arranging, and producing not only his own records, but for movies, television, Broadway, commercials, and other artist's recordings, leading to Pearson's peers giving him the nickname "the black Beethoven." A talented pianist as well, Pearson has either produced, arranged, written, or played on albums by such renowned artists as the O'Jays, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Pendergrass, Stevie Wonder, Mtume, Roy Ayers, D'Angelo, Keith Sweat, Gerald Levert, and James "J.T." Taylor (collecting 26 gold and platinum awards in the process). In addition, Pearson has penned the theme scores to such TV shows/movies as Fox TV's New York Undercover, the HBO movie Head Office, the Columbia Pictures movie The Professional, Mario and Melvin Van Peebles' Identity Crisis, and the dramatic Cinecom Int. film Native Son, orchestrated and arranged the Broadway musical +Amen Comer, produced fitness video stars Jody Watley, Joannie Greggains, and Denise Austin's ESPN show Getting Fit, and even commercials for McDonald's, United Airlines, and a highly acclaimed Wendy's chicken nugget commercial featuring Kool & the Gang. If his plate wasn't full enough, Pearson has also released numerous soul-jazz albums on his own, the latest being 2001's It's Midnite

[Jaco]

Dave, are we talking about Dunn Pearson who has recorded as Dunn and Bruce Street, 9th Street Exit and the Ponderosa Twins + one, as there is some stuff by 9th Street Exit on Solid Foundation which is shown to have been written by Dunn Pearson Jr and produced by Dunn Pearson, suggesting father and son.

Info on the net suggests that Dunn Pearson Jr is a multi talented composer, arranger and producer not only for his own records, but also for movies, television, Broadway etc.

He appears to have played on albums by the O'Jays, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Prendergrass, Stevie Wonder, Mtume, Roy Ayers, D'Angelo, Keith Sweat, Gerald Levert etc.

Can't make my mind up whether or not its just one person, rather than father and son.

Dave, I see you have got the same info from the net

Edited February 15, 2007 by Jaco

[Dave Thorley]

The moment of truth - dunn & bruce street - devaki

14770 refosoul

Edited February 15, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Dave Thorley]

Dave, are we talking about Dunn Pearson who has recorded as Dunn and Bruce Street, 9th Street Exit and the Ponderosa Twins + one, as there is some stuff by 9th Street Exit on Solid Foundation which is shown to have been written by Dunn Pearson Jr and produced by Dunn Pearson, suggesting father and son.

Info on the net suggests that Dunn Pearson Jr is a multi talented composer, arranger and producer not only for his own records, but also for movies, television, Broadway etc.

He appears to have played on albums by the O'Jays, Stephanie Mills, Teddy Prendergrass, Stevie Wonder, Mtume, Roy Ayers, D'Angelo, Keith Sweat, Gerald Levert etc.

Can't make my mind up whether or not its just one person, rather than father and son.

Dave, I see you have got the same info from the net

Is one in the same, some times the Jr just didn't appear, but the same guy

[Dave Thorley]

Shout for joy - dunn & bruce street - devaki

14771 refosoul

[Dave Thorley]

All I want is you - sly slick & wicked - epic

14772 refosoul Refosoul Rare and Northern Soul Clip library

Written, produced and arranged by Dunn

Edited February 15, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Got an album from about 1990 by him, bit downtempo and jazzy, from memory it was called "Color tapestry".

[Dave Thorley]

Got an album from about 1990 by him, bit downtempo and jazzy, from memory it was called "Color tapestry".

Yer, it seems like in later life he went off on a jazz tip. Have an album by Dunn and Bruce Street somewhere, which is very good. But trying to find out about his early work, he seems to have been part of the O'Jays, Cleveland set up of the early 70's?

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Yer, it seems like in later life he went off on a jazz tip. Have an album by Dunn and Bruce Street somewhere, which is very good. But trying to find out about his early work, he seems to have been part of the O'Jays, Cleveland set up of the early 70's?

Reading between the lines, could he have been a relatively unknown and uncredited session musician, possibly even a minor player in the MFSB/Sigma set up at that time? Just a suggestion, no more...

[Dave Thorley]

Reading between the lines, could he have been a relatively unknown and uncredited session musician, possibly even a minor player in the MFSB/Sigma set up at that time? Just a suggestion, no more...

I think unlikely, he is a native of Cleveland, and from what I can find out he seems to have got his break from Bobby Massey, when Bob left the O'jays to set up his Cleveland labels. So unlikely that he would be fliting over to Philly as well. He later went to New York, where he did some stuff with Greg Carmichael (Red Gregg) and Patrick Adams. Four Flights version of "All I want is you" came out on Red Gregg and there is also a version on Sam, an east coast label. Where's Steve G. when I need him.

Edited February 15, 2007 by Dave Thorley

[Mark R]

Got an album from about 1990 by him, bit downtempo and jazzy, from memory it was called "Color tapestry".

That's right Hippo.....................on the Compose label.........contains the great downtempo "Programmed For Love".

I have two further CD's from the man from late 90's/early 2K......."Up All Night" and "It's Midnight".......both also very mellow affairs as I recall.

Cheers,

Mark R

[Guest mel brat]

The moment of truth - dunn & bruce street - devaki

14770 refosoul

This was a great "newie" wasn't it? Was he also behind the group TRUTH on the same label? (Most of my records are packed away at present, so I can't check) I do know that after this great side came out I kept a look out for his name! I also seem to remember reading something about the DEVAKI label being his own project, but I may be wrong on that score...

Edited February 17, 2007 by mel brat

[Codfromderby]

This was a great "newie" wasn't it? Was he also behind the group TRUTH on the same label? (Most of my records are packed away at present, so I can't check) I do know that after this great side came out I kept a look out for his name! I also seem to remember reading something about the DEVAKI label being his own project, but I may be wrong on that score...

didnt truth do "coming home" on devaki, a fantastic side often confused with a deep soul side with the same title and artist

[Guest]

didnt truth do "coming home" on devaki, a fantastic side often confused with a deep soul side with the same title and artist

Yes, fantastic tune and seriously underated. Clip of the same below:

10380 refosoul Truth - Coming Home - Devaki

Edited February 18, 2007 by Guest

[Guest deketh]

HI A BIT OF INFO ON DUNN PEARSON`S EARLY CAREER.

DUNN PEARSON STARTED HIS CAREER IN MUSIC DOING BACK UP WORK FOR CLEVELAND BASED GROUPS (PONDEROSA TWINS + 1 AND THE IMPERIAL WONDERS).

HE THEN WENT ON TO LEAD HIS OWN GROUP (9th STREET EXIT) BUT STILL CONTINUED TO WRITE AND PRODUCE FOR OTHER ARTISTS.

HE THEN JOINED THE O JAYS BACKING BAND WHILE STILL WITH THE O JAYS HE SIGNED A SOLO DEAL WITH NEW YORK BASED ALMERIA RECORDS RELEASING (GROOVE ON DOWN) IN 1978 AROUND THIS TIME THE O JAYS MANAGER HAD TAKEN INTEREST IN A NEW GROUP (FOUR FLIGHTS) FROM CHICAGO.

DUNN PEARSON HAD WRITTEN "ALL I WANT IS YOU" AND HE GAVE IT TO THE FOUR FLIGHTS TO RECORD HE THEN GAVE IT TO ALMERIA RECORDS TO RELEASE.

DUNN THEN WENT ON TO RECORD AS DUNN AND BRUCE STREET.

(A RELATIVE OF DUNN`S WAS ALSO RECORDING WITH THE GROUP (SLY,SLICK AND WICKED) THAT`S HOW THEY MUST HAVE COME TO RECORD "ALL I WANT IS YOU").

ALL DA BEST - K.J.ETHERIDGE.

[Codfromderby]

Yes, fantastic tune and seriously underated. Clip of the same below:

10380 refosoul Truth - Coming Home - Devaki

thanks for posting that up, it sounds even better than ever, top tune or what

[Guest mel brat]

thanks for posting that up, it sounds even better than ever, top tune or what

Things were certainly looking good for us all when this and "The Moment Of Truth" came out. Lots of great new uptempo Soul records around. (What went wrong??)

I'm pretty sure that TRUTH also had an album on DEVAKI, so maybe that can throw some more light on Dunn Pearson re. writing/production credits etc. - unfortunately I don't have one!

P.S. Am I right in thinking that the Temptations also recorded this tune?, (or maybe it was the other side, I've forgotten!)

Edited February 18, 2007 by mel brat

[Guest]

thanks for posting that up, it sounds even better than ever, top tune or what

I just love it, in my top 20! Was it ever played out? If not, why not?

[jocko]

Shout for joy - dunn & bruce street - devaki

14771 refosoul

Whats the album of theirs on Devaki like, seen it a couple of times lately, Have above on 12" on UK (Satril ?? or something like that). Do other tracks on LP live up to this?

[BernieSoul]

John Smith has done a lot of research on Dunn Pearson, you can read some of it on my web site

https://www.soulcitylimits.com/Soulin_/Soul...n__index_0.html

Bernie

[Sebastian]

Touch Me - truth - devaki

14921 refosoul

The flipside to "Coming Home", entitled "Touch Me", is even better in my opinion. Have a listen above. Their deepie "Come Back Home" is a truly phenomenal piece of music as well and one of my all-time favourite ballads.

Edited February 19, 2007 by Sebastian