Indeed sad news about Prince Lasha. I had the honor to work with him just a few months before his passing. He was wordplay clever, spiritual and just a blast to talk to. Just the history this guy had along with his amazing stories and chops. And sadly unrecorded in his later years... In Oct of this year, I booked a studio session with his close friend legendary trumpeter Eddie Gale/bassist Marcus Shelby/sax players Howard Wiley and David Boyce (Broun Fellinis) and drummer Darrell Green. Each musician offered a song/idea and off they went. Prince chose a ballad for himself and played his heart out throughout the day. The chemistry of those six musicians was rare and unharnessed. We talked about future gigs/projects/European tour. It's hard to believe this vital little volcano of a man would be silenced so soon after. I still can't believe it....
We're hoping to get the recording released in the Spring 2009 on Shelby's Noir Records and to do a tribute show for Prince in the Bay Area. Hopefully tie the two together. Also hoping this release and the reissues will bring renewed interest in Prince and his uncompromising amazing body of work.
Rest in peace Prince...
Eric M.
(photo by Paul Waters of Prince Lasha and Howard Wiley from Closer Recording studios SF Oct 18 th. 2008)