1977 Sunbear – Sunbear
Singer/drummer Arnie Oliver, aka Ahaguna G. Sun, and singer/guitarist Werner “Bear” Schuchner comprised Sunbear, a little-known soul/funk vocal duo that recorded in Los Angeles in 1977. Earth, Wind & Fire was a heavy influence on Sunbear, and there were also hints of Tower of Power and El Chicano in their sound. In 1977, Sunbear recorded its self-titled debut album for Don Cornelius and Dick Griffey’s Soul Train Records, which evolved into Solar Records after Cornelius’ departure in 1978. Sunbear broke up without ever recording a second album, and Oliver and Schuchner both went on to pursue other activities in the R&B world. Oliver became a member of Frankie Beverly’s Maze, while Schuchner played guitar on albums by the Whispers, the Soul Train Gang, High Inergy, and others. In 1980, the Whispers recorded Sunbear’s ballad “Fantasy” for their hit album Imagination. (source)
Tracks
1 Erika (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 3:05
2 Let Love Flow For Peace (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 3:12
3 So Long (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 3:20
4 I Heard The Voice Of Music Say (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 5:00
5 Mood I L.O.V.E. Love (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 2:37
6 Fantasy (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 4:00
7 Don\’t Overlook The Feelings (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 5:34
8 Mood II Love At First Sight (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 2:47
9 Rhythm Of Our Souls (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 3:49
10 Mood III Oliver (Arnie Oliver, Werner Schuchner) 1:37
Media
Musicians
Bass | Werner Schuchner |
Drums | Ahaguna Sun |
Guitar | Werner Schuchner |
Acoustic Guitar | Werner Schuchner |
Clavinet | Ahaguna Sun |
Clavinet | Greg Phillinganes |
Clavinet | Roger Smith |
Organ | Jesse Butler |
Piano | Werner Schuchner |
Piano | Ahaguna Sun |
Piano | Greg Phillinganes |
Piano | Roger Smith |
Synthesizer | Greg Phillinganes |
Synthesizer | Roger Smith |
Harp | Greg Phillinganes |
Sax | Ernie Watts |
Sax | Jackie Kelso |
Sax | Bill Green |
Trombone | George Bohanon |
Trumpet | John Parrish |
Trumpet | Oscar Brashear |
Percussion | Werner Schuchner |
Percussion | Ahaguna Sun |
Background Vocals | Carrie Lucas |
Background Vocals | Walter Scott |
Liner Notes
Producer – Dick Griffey, Don Cornelius, Sunbear
Producer (Executive) – Dick Griffey, Don Cornelius
Arranged By – Sunbear
Arranged By – Greg Phillinganes (Tracks 2, 10)
Arranged By (Horns) – John Parrish
Arranged By (Rhythms) – Sunbear
Arranged By (Vocals) – Dick Griffey, Sunbear
Engineer (Mastering) – Richard Simpson
Engineer (Mixing) – Don Holden
Engineer (Recording) – Don Holden
Photography By – Ron Slenzak
Recorded At – RCA Studios