Friday, 8 October 2010

Gordon Hunte (guitar)


BANDS:
  • The Power
  • Noir
  • Alexis Korner Band
  • Gonzalez
  • Sade
  • Mid Nyt Sun
  • Paul Jackson Band [Jun 11-Jul 11]

BIOGRAPHY:

Great guitarist, he was born in Guyana. Sometimes, he´s mispelled as Gordon Hunt.

Gordon Hunte



THE POWER


Band formed by drummer/vocalist Barry Ford:

THE POWER #1
?
Roy Williams
bass
Tony Cole
keyboards
Barry Ford
drums, vocals
Noirê
Noirê
Noirê
Noirê

They backed some 60s artists. After a while, they changed their name to Noir.


NOIR


The same band as The Power, but now playing their own songs:

NOIR #1
?
êThe Power
êThe Power
êThe Power
êThe Power
Roy Williams
bass
Tony Cole
keyboards
Barry Ford
drums, vocals

They were categorized as the first all-black British rock band. After getting some recognition, they were asked by Alexis Korner to become their backing band for a while.

The band recorded their only album, but split when the album was almost finished. So, the record label finally released it posthumously with the title We had to let you have it.

Noir - from left to right: Tony Cole, Roy Williams, Gordon Hunte, Barry Ford



ALEXIS KORNER BAND


For a while, Alexis Korner asked the band Noir to become his backing band:

ALEXIS KORNER BAND #?
?
êNoir
êNoir
êNoir
êNoir
Alexis Korner
vocals, guitar
Roy Williams
bass
Tony Cole
keyboards
Barry Ford
drums
Noirê
Noirê
Noirê
Noirê

Don´t know when this happened. Can someone give some more info, please?


GONZALEZ


Oh, this is hard to track! Gonzalez was a British band, formed around 1971, whose members weren't a stable lineup. The lineup could include from 10 up to 30 musicians. Gordon was a mainstay for many years, being replaced by Tim Cansfield when Gordon finally left to join Sade´s live backing band.

When they were ready to record their first album, the main core of the band consisted of:

- George Chandler (vocals)
- Gordon Hunte (guitar)
- DeLisle Harper (bass)
- Roy Davies (keyboards)
- Chris Mercer (sax)
- Geoffrey 'Bud' Beadle (sax)
- Mick Eve (sax)
- Steve Gregory (sax)
- Ron Carthy (trumpet)
- Allan Sharpe (percussion)
- Bobby Stignac (percussion) (as Bobby Johns)
- Richard Bailey (drums)
- Glen LeFleur (drums)

They released their first, self-titled Gonzalez album in 1974, with this lineup.

This is the lineup for Gonzalez in August 1974:

GONZALEZ #?
1974
Viola Wills
vocals
DeLisle Harper
bass
Roy Davies
keyboards
Ron Carthy
trumpet
Steve Gregory
sax, flute
Mick Eve
sax
Bud Beadle
horn
Allan Sharpe
percussion
Steve Ferrone
drums

This is the lineup for Gonzalez in November 1974:

GONZALEZ #?
1974
George Chandler
vocals
Robert Ahwai
guitar
DeLisle Harper
bass
Roy Davies
keyboards
Ron Carthy
trumpet
Mick Eve
sax
Steve Gregory
sax, flute
Bud Beadle
horn
Bobby Stignac
percussion
Glen LeFleur
drums

Their second album, Our only weapon is our music, was recorded by:

- Viola Wills (vocals)
- Gordon Hunte (guitar)
- Lenny Zakatek (guitar)
- Robert Ahwai (guitar)
- Larry Steele (bass)
- Roy Davies (keyboards)
- Lance Dixon (keyboards)
- Ken Freeman (keyboards)
- Chris Mercer (sax)
- Bud Beadle (sax)
- Mick Eve (sax)
- Steve Gregory (sax)
- Ron Carthy (trumpet)
- Malcolm Griffiths (trombone)
- Godfrey McLean (percussion)
- Allan Sharpe (percussion)
- Preston Heyman (drums)
- Glen LeFleur (drums)
- Bobby Stignac (drums)

Finally there's some Gonzalez album released on CD. There's a 2in1 CD containing the 1st and the 2nd albums (that is, Gonzalez (1974) and Our only weapon is our music (1975)). It's a release from June 1998 in the label See For Miles.

This is the lineup for some BBC sessions for Gonzalez in October 1975, with Viola Wills as guest lead vocals:

GONZALEZ #?
1975
George Chandler
vocals
Robert Ahwai
guitar
Larry Steele
bass
Roy Davies
keyboards
Ron Carthy
trumpet
Mick Eve
sax
Malcolm Griffiths
trombone
Bobby Stignac
percussion
Glen LeFleur
drums
Richard Bailey
drums
+
Viola Wills
vocals

The third album, Shipwrecked, features this lineup:

- Linda Taylor (vocals)
- Gordon Hunte (guitar)
- Lenny Zakatek (guitar)
- Steve Waller (guitar, vocals)
- John Giblin (bass)
- Roy Davies (keyboards)
- Chris Mercer (sax)
- Bud Beadle (sax)
- Mick Eve (sax)
- Steve Gregory (sax)
- Ron Carthy (trumpet)
- Colin Jacas (trombone)
- Martin Drover (horns)
- Bobby Stignac (drums)
- Richard Bailey (drums)

For some reason, it seems that Haven't stopped dancin', released in 1979, is a reissue of Shipwrecked (released in 1977).

Their last album was Watch your step, but I don't know the lineup, as I don't have it. Help, please!

Without any human form to include here all their members, they continued playing together, in their own albums as Gonzalez, as well as in many other albums by different artists, until 1986, when founder member Roy Davies died. Many of the members kept on playing together in a new band, Cayenne.

Some others members who played in Gonzalez are:

- Rosko Gee (bass, later in Can and Traffic)
- Max Middleton (keyboards)
- Janice Hoyte (vocals)
- Winston Delandro (guitar)
- Phil Chen (bass)
- Kuma Harada (bass)
- Randy Hope-Taylor (bass)
- Mark Smith (bass)
- Kevin Robinson (trumpet)
- Gerry Conway (drums)
- Trevor Murrell (drums)


SADE


This was the Sade live lineup that appeared at the gigantic festival Live Aid in July 1985:

SADE #?
1985
Sade
vocals
Stuart Matthewman
guitar, sax
Paul Denman
bass
Andrew Hale
keyboards
+
Gordon Matthewman
trumpet, trombone
Colin Jacas
trombone, backing vocals
Martin Ditcham
percussion
Dave Early
drums

By the end of 1985, Sade starts their first worlwide tour, adding a new vocalist to the backing band:

SADE #?
1985
Sade
vocals
Stuart Matthewman
guitar, sax
Paul Denman
bass
Andrew Hale
keyboards
+
Leroy Osbourne
vocals
Gordon Matthewman
trumpet, trombone
Colin Jacas
trombone, backing vocals
Martin Ditcham
percussion
Dave Early
drums

This was the Sade lineup that played in Spain in April 1986:

SADE #?
1986
Sade
vocals
Stuart Matthewman
guitar, sax
Paul Denman
bass
Andrew Hale
keyboards
+
Leroy Osbourne
backing vocals
Gordon Matthewman
trumpet
Colin Jacas
trombone, backing vocals
Bosco D´Oliveira
percussion
Martin Ditcham
drums

In 1988, Sade tours the world again, to promote the album Stronger than pride, with this band:

SADE #?
1988
Sade
vocals
Stuart Matthewman
guitar, sax
Paul Denman
bass
Andrew Hale
keyboards
+
Leroy Osbourne
vocals
James McMillan
trumpet
Colin Jacas
trombone, backing vocals
Martin Ditcham
percussion
Blair Cunningham
drums

Another world tour for Sade in 1993, named the Love Deluxe:

SADE #?
1993
Sade
vocals
Stuart Matthewman
guitar, sax
Paul Denman
bass
Andrew Hale
keyboards
+
Leroy Osbourne
vocals
Rick Braun
trumpet
Karl Van Den Bossche
percussion
Trevor Murrell
drums


MID NYT SUN


This is Gordon Hunte´s own project, based in Sydney, Australia. They usually play for corporations or events.
MID NYT SUN #?
?
Gordon Hunte
guitar, vocals
Rebecca Menzies
vocals
Areyan Estell
electronics, vocals

Mid Nyt Sun with Gordon Hunte



PAUL JACKSON BAND


Legendary bassist Paul Jackson assembles this band for a short Australian tour during June and July 2011:

PAUL JACKSON BAND #?
Jun 11-Jul 11
Paul Jackson
bass
Sean Mackenzie
keyboards
Terepai Richmond
drums

Other info on members of Paul Jackson Band (I know up to 4 members)
To be covered (1): Paul Jackson


AND MORE...


As a curiosity, Gordon appears as guitarist in the funny movie The Pink Panther strikes again (1976) starring Peter Sellers. The musicians appearing there are: Gordon Hunte (guitar), Joe Sampson (bass), Ivan Hunte (keyboards) and Josh Little (drums).

DISCOGRAPHY: (15 albums known to me - Status: In progress)

ALBUMS AS PRODUCER (1 credit)
  • Meat heat - Ultrafunk (1977)

    • Guests: John Warren
    • Producer: Gordon Hunte (RIP: Gerry Shury)
ALBUMS AS A BAND MEMBER (7 credits)
  • We had to let you have it - Noir (1971)

    • Members: Tony Cole, Barry Ford, Gordon Hunte, Roy Williams
    • Comments: Recorded in September 1970.
  • Gonzalez - Gonzalez (1974)

    • Members: Richard Bailey, Bud Beadle, George Chandler, Mick Eve, Steve Gregory, Delisle Harper, Gordon Hunte, Glen LeFleur, Chris Mercer, Allan Sharpe, Bobby Stignac (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies)
    • Technical: John Burns (RIP: Tony Clarke)
    • Comments: There was a vinyl reissue in year 2000 from the label Soul Brother that deleted some tracks from the original album and added 3 tracks taken from Our only weapon is our music.
  • Our only weapon is our music - Gonzalez (1975)

    • Members: Robert Ahwai, Bud Beadle, Mick Eve, Steve Gregory, Malcolm Griffiths, Preston Heyman, Gordon Hunte, Glen LeFleur, Godfrey McLean, Chris Mercer, Allan Sharpe, Larry Steele, Bobby Stignac, Lenny Zakatek (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies)
    • Guests: Lance Dixon, Ken Freeman (RIP: Viola Wills)
  • Shipwrecked - Gonzalez (1977)

    • Members: Richard Bailey, Bud Beadle, Martin Drover, Mick Eve, John Giblin, Steve Gregory, Gordon Hunte, Colin Jacas, Chris Mercer, Bobby Stignac, Linda Taylor, Lenny Zakatek (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies, Steve Waller)
  • Haven´t stopped dancin´ - Gonzalez (1979)

    • Members: Richard Bailey, Bud Beadle, Martin Drover, Mick Eve, John Giblin, Steve Gregory, Gordon Hunte, Colin Jacas, Chris Mercer, Bobby Stignac, Linda Taylor, Lenny Zakatek (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies, Steve Waller)
    • Guests: Paul Riser
    • Producer: Gloria Jones
    • Technical: Wally Traugott
  • Stronger than pride - Sade (05/1988)

    • Members: Martin Ditcham, Gordon Hunte, Colin Jacas, Leroy Osbourne
    • Guests: Nick Ingman, Gavyn Wright
    • Comments: Their third album.
  • Haven´t stopped - Gonzalez (1996)

    • Members: Robert Ahwai, Richard Bailey, Bud Beadle, Tim Cansfield, Martin Drover, Mick Eve, John Giblin, Steve Gregory, Preston Heyman, Randy Hope-Taylor, Janice Hoyte, Gordon Hunte, Colin Jacas, Glen LeFleur, Alan Marshall, Godfrey McLean, Chris Mercer, Trevor Murrell, Errol Reid, Kevin Robinson, Larry Steele, Bobby Stignac, Lenny Zakatek (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies)
    • Guests: Roberto Pla
    • Comments: This was a new album by Gonzalez that appeared around 2001 (I´m not sure of the date, as I haven´t the album). 10 new tracks, plus 3 old tracks.
COMPILATIONS AS A BAND MEMBER (1 credit)
  • The Best of Sade - Sade (11/1994)

    • Members: Martin Ditcham, Gordon Hunte, Colin Jacas, Trevor Murrell, Leroy Osbourne, Karl Van Den Bossche (RIP: Dave Early)
    • Guests: Pete Beachill, Nick Ingman, Anthony Pleeth, Gavyn Wright
    • Producer: Robin Millar
    • Technical: Ian Cooper
    • Comments: Compilation with tracks from their previous 4 albums, plus one song from the Philadelphia soundtrack.
ALBUMS WITH BANDMATES AND FRIENDS (1 credit)
  • Anglo-sax man - Chris Mercer (1977)

    • Members: Chris Mercer
    • Guests: Robert Ahwai, Richard Bailey, Paul Buckmaster, Phil Chen, Nick Evans, Mick Eve, Ken Freeman, Steve Gregory, Neil Hubbard, Gordon Hunte, Joe Jammer, Remi Kabaka, Glen LeFleur, Norman Leppard, Junior Marvin, Jean Roussel, Allan Sharpe, Mick Weaver (RIP: Ron Carthy, Roy Davies, Alan Spenner)
    • Comments: The album was recorded in London in 1974, and mixed in L.A, but apparently it remained unreleased until 1977.
SESSIONS (5 credits)
  • Rebop - Rebop Kwaku Baah (1972)

    • Members: (RIP: Rebop Kwaku Baah)
    • Guests: John ´Rabbit´ Bundrick, Rosko Gee, Delisle Harper, Gordon Hunte, Conrad Isidore, Junior Marvin, Chris Mercer, Eddie Quansah, Jean Roussel, Kenny Wheeler, Steve Winwood (RIP: Chris Wood)
    • Comments: This late Nigerian percussionist belonged to the groups Traffic and Can, played together with Chris in Wynder K. Frog, and he also played in many sessions during the seventies. This was his first solo album, and he received back help from several artists who had Rebop in their albums. From Traffic: Stevie Winwood, Rosko Gee (bass) and Chris Wood (sax). From Keef Hartley Band: Junior Kerr (guitar) and Jean Roussel (keyboards). And from Gonzalez band: DeLisle Harper (bass), Gordon Hunte (guitar) and Chris Mercer (sax). Plus: Eddie Quansah (trumpet), John 'Rabbit' Bundrick (keyboards), Conrad Isidore (drums).
  • Super fly TNT OST - Osibisa (08/1974)

    • Members: Sol Amarfio, Kofi Ayivor, Teddy Osei (RIP: Mac Tontoh)
    • Guests: Mike Gibbs, Gordon Hunte
    • Comments: Soundtrack recorded by Osibisa in April 1973.
  • Back on my feet again - Sandy Davis (1975)

    • Guests: Roger Ball, Martin Briley, Steve Ferrone, George Ford, Alan Gorrie, Steve Gregory, Delisle Harper, Gordon Hunte, Onnie McIntyre, Chris Mercer, Rob Townsend (RIP: Roy Davies, Robbie McIntosh)
    • Comments: Sandy Davis was also known as Paul Davis (from the band Gracious, also appearing with Chris Mercer in Jesus Christ Superstar). This was his second solo album, where he was backed by The Average White Band in 1 track, plus Martin Briley (guitar), and from Gonzalez: Gordon Hunte (guitar), DeLisle Harper (bass), Roy Davies (keyboards), Chris Mercer (sax) and Steve Gregory (flute).
  • Real Thing - Real Thing (1976)

    • Guests: Robert Ahwai, Todd Cochran, Jeff Daly, Winston Delandro, Martin Drover, Steve Ferrone, Harold Fisher, Martyn Ford, Ian Green, DeLisle Harper, Doni Harvey, Gordon Hunte, Brother James, Remi Kabaka, Junior Marvin, Lynton Naiff, Bud Parkes, Frank Ricotti, Frank Roberts, Trevor Spencer, Alan Tarney, Nigel Wilkinson (RIP: Roy Davies)
    • Producer: Ken Gold, Jerome Rimson
  • Feelin´ good - Noel Elmowy (08/2000)

    • Guests: Gerald Albright, Neil Conti, Steve Gadd, Leon Gaer, Gordon Hunte, Michael O´Neill, Land Richards, Chad Wackerman, Doug Williams
    • Comments: This was the first solo album by Noel Elmowy.

QUESTIONS:

01. Has Gordon played live with Bob Marley?

02. Has Gordon been a member of Osibisa ever?

03. Gordon appears in an album by Eugene Wallace, but don´t have it, so can´t check the credits. Can someone help, please?

04. Has Gordon been a member of Johnny Nash band?

05. Was Gordon a member of a band called Sox (with Sam Kelly)?


RELATED WEBSITE LINKS: 4


From the superb site Knights in Blue Denim: The British Blues Scene '68 - '70 (by Christer Fridhammar & Vanja), we have:

Wikipedia doesn´t want to include links to this website, but I won´t do the same with them. So, from the great Wikipedia, we have:

RELATED VIDEO LINKS: 3
Disclaimer: I don´t own or upload any of the videos linked here. I just include links to live videos that are already available, in order to show the work of this musician. Anyway, if someone feels that some link shouldn't be included, please write me at the email address shown below. And if you know of more videos featuring Gordon Hunte, please, also write me with the link.
  • Sade - The Sweetest Taboo (1993)
  • Sade live in October 1993. (Resolution: 480)
    Featuring: Rick Braun, Paul Denman, Andrew Hale, Gordon Hunte, Stuart Matthewman, Trevor Murrell, Leroy Osbourne, Sade, Karl Van Den Bossche.

  • Sade - Keep Looking (1993)
  • Sade live in October 1993. (Resolution: 360)
    Featuring: Rick Braun, Paul Denman, Andrew Hale, Gordon Hunte, Stuart Matthewman, Trevor Murrell, Leroy Osbourne, Sade, Karl Van Den Bossche.

  • Mid Nyt Sun - Medley (2002)
  • Mid Nyt Sun live in 2002. (Resolution: 480)
    Featuring: Gordon Hunte. Rest of the band unknown to me.


THANKS:

Very Special Thanks to:
  • Chris Mercer: for valuable info on Gordon (2010).

  • RELATED MUSICIANS:

    Gordon Hunte mostly worked with these musicians: (name + number of credits)
    Roy Davies (8)
    Chris Mercer (8)
    Steve Gregory (7)
    Ron Carthy (6)
    Mick Eve (6)
    Richard Bailey (5)
    Bud Beadle (5)
    Colin Jacas (5)
    Bobby Stignac (5)
    Robert Ahwai (4)

    Page created by Miguel Terol on: 08/October/2010 - Last modified on: 11/February/2012. If you want to contribute with info, please write to: molympus1@gmail.com

    Please, note than you can check the indexes (musicians, bands, obituaries) at the top of this page.

    10 comments:

    1. Why is there no record of Gordon Hunte and his band SOX, I have a demo tape of some great music when Sox were gigging at Camden Lock

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Gordon was a key member of sox along with other members of gonzalez such as linda taylor. I saw them play a number of times.

        Delete
      2. I loved Sox, they used to play at the Cricketers in Kennington, with John, Mick and for a time Carmen Twilley from California

        Delete
      3. I remember the Cricketers, I was a barmaid there and loved Sox, I used to hang out with the band a lot

        Delete
    2. http://skylerjett.com/

      Maybe you still remember me from berkeley california
      let's connect I want to get you on my radio show I have now
      we use to jam at you buddies pad in berkeley california.

      all the best.

      ReplyDelete
    3. http://skylerjett.com/

      you might remember me from Berkeley ca, at your buddies pad
      let's connect.
      peace all ways

      ReplyDelete
    4. Yes, Gordon did play live with both Johnny Nash and Bob Marley. This was after Johnny's album, I can See Cerly Now was released. Can't remember the date. 70ts I think. The backing band was called, wait for it! The Sons of The Jungle and band memberes were, Myself Roy Williams on Bass; Richard Bailey drums, Gordon guitar, Rebop Quaku Baah, Percussion and the brass section was from Osibisa. Rabbit on Keyboards.The exposure what Bob Marley received from this exposure was what brought him to international recognition. He appeared at that time as the support act.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Hi, Roy - Thanks a lot for your entry, this info is very valuable to me. If you want, please write me to molympus1@gmail.com, I'd like to ask you some questions about Noir, if you don't mind. Thanks again!

        Delete
      2. I sent an email to you @ above mail address but did not receive a response. I'm happy to answer any questions you might have as this is valuable and important work. Roy

        Delete
      3. Hi Roy - I realise it was a long time since you posted this, but I would love to speak with you about Noir. My email is lucydraper01@gmail.com if you're able to get in touch there? Thank you!

        Delete