Sunbear - 1977 - Sunbear

Sunbear

1977

Sunbear

01. Erika 3:06

02. Let Love Flow For Peace 3:29

03. So Long 3:19

04. I Heard The Voice Of Music Say 5:03

05. Mood 1 "L.O.V.E. Love" 2:34

06. Fantasy 3:57

07. Don’t Overlook The Feelings 5:35

08. Mood 2 "Love At First Sight" 2:48

09. Rhythm Of Our Souls 3:49

10. Mood 3 "Oliver" 1:42

11. Erika (Extended Mix) 4:02

Baritone Saxophone – Jackie Kelso

Drums, Electric Piano, Clavinet, Percussion – Ahaguna G. Sun

Guitars, Piano, Percussion – Werner (Bear) Schuchner

Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Clavinet – Roger Smith

Organ – Jessie Butler

Piano, Clavinet, Synthesizer – Greg Phillinganes

Tenor Saxophone – Bill Greene

Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Ernie Watts

Trombone – George Bohanon

Trumpet, Flugelhorn – John Parrish, Oscar Brashear

Sunbear, a soul-funk duo from Los Angeles, released their self-titled debut album in 1977 on Soul Train Records. Comprising singer/drummer Arnie Oliver (aka Ahaguna G. Sun) and singer/guitarist Werner “Bear” Schuchner, the duo crafted a vibrant blend of soul, funk, and jazz that drew heavily from influences like Earth, Wind & Fire, Tower of Power, and El Chicano. Despite their promising debut, Sunbear remains their only album, as the duo disbanded shortly after its release. This analysis explores the album’s musical content, production, and cultural context, while providing biographical insights into the musicians involved, based on available information.

Arnie Oliver, performing under the name Ahaguna G. Sun, was the rhythmic and vocal backbone of Sunbear. Born and raised in the United States, Oliver grew up in a musical family where rhythm and percussion were central to his upbringing. His early exposure to diverse musical influences, including jazz, soul, and funk, shaped his multifaceted talents as a drummer, vocalist, percussionist, and keyboardist (playing clavinet and electric piano on the album). Oliver’s passion for vinyl records and the tactile warmth of analog sound influenced his approach to music, emphasizing groove and authenticity. After Sunbear’s dissolution, Oliver joined Frankie Beverly’s Maze, a prominent R&B band, where he continued to contribute his rhythmic expertise. His work with Maze allowed him to further explore soul and funk, cementing his legacy in the genre.

Werner Schuchner, known as “Bear,” was the melodic and harmonic counterpart to Oliver in Sunbear. Also raised in a musically rich environment, Schuchner developed a love for guitar through exposure to folk and rock music during his childhood. His versatility as a guitarist, bassist, vocalist, percussionist, and electric pianist added depth to Sunbear’s sound. Schuchner’s affinity for vinyl records mirrored Oliver’s, and their shared appreciation for the lush instrumentation of soul and funk shaped their collaborative efforts. Following Sunbear’s breakup, Schuchner became a sought-after session musician, contributing guitar to albums by the Whispers, the Soul Train Gang, High Inergy, and others. Notably, the Whispers recorded Sunbear’s ballad “Fantasy” for their 1980 album Imagination, highlighting Schuchner’s songwriting influence.

The Sunbear album featured contributions from notable session players, enhancing its polished sound:

Greg Phillinganes (Keyboards, Clavinet, Electric Piano): A prodigious talent, Phillinganes was a key figure in the Los Angeles music scene. By 1977, he was already establishing himself as a go-to keyboardist, later working with artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Quincy Jones. His arrangements on tracks 2 and 10, along with his keyboard work, added a jazz-inflected sophistication to the album.

Ernie Watts (Saxophone): A renowned jazz saxophonist, Watts brought a soulful edge to the album’s horn sections. His extensive career includes collaborations with artists like Marvin Gaye and the Rolling Stones, and his contributions to Sunbear enriched its horn-driven sound, reminiscent of Tower of Power.

Roger Smith (Keyboards, Clavinet, Electric Piano): Another skilled keyboardist, Smith contributed to the album’s lush, Moog-heavy textures, complementing the duo’s vision for a futuristic yet grounded funk sound.

John Parrish (Horn Arrangements): Parrish’s horn arrangements added a punchy, Tower of Power-esque flair to the album, enhancing its danceable energy.

Released in 1977 on Soul Train Records, Sunbear was produced by Don Cornelius and Dick Griffey, the masterminds behind the Soul Train television show and the eventual Solar Records label. The album’s production reflects the polished, sophisticated sound of late-1970s Los Angeles, blending the smooth vocal harmonies of Solar Records acts with the jazz-funk grooves of Fantasy Records. The involvement of Cornelius and Griffey, along with Sunbear’s self-arrangement and vocal arrangement contributions, ensured a professional sheen that rivaled contemporaries like Earth, Wind & Fire.

The album was recorded and mixed by engineer Don Holden, with mastering by Richard Simpson. Its use of heavy Moog synthesizers, alongside traditional instruments like clavinet, electric piano, and horns, created a distinctive “wikki-wikki” funk sound that was both futuristic and rooted in the era’s disco-funk trends. The vinyl release, complete with a black-and-white inner sleeve featuring the duo’s picture and lyrics, became a collector’s item, prized for its vibrant grooves and soulful melodies.

Sunbear is a vibrant tapestry of soul, funk, and jazz, with clear influences from Earth, Wind & Fire’s cosmic grooves, Tower of Power’s horn-driven funk, and El Chicano’s Latin-infused rhythms. The album’s use of Moog synthesizers and heavy percussion creates a forward-looking sound that bridges the gap between 1970s disco-funk and jazz-funk fusion. The duo’s vocal harmonies, arranged with input from Dick Griffey, evoke the smooth sophistication of Solar Records acts like the Whispers, while the instrumental contributions from Phillinganes, Watts, and Smith add a layer of technical prowess. The album’s vinyl warmth, emphasized by the duo’s love for analog sound, enhances its nostalgic appeal for collectors.

Released at the height of the disco and funk era, Sunbear arrived in a competitive Los Angeles music scene dominated by acts like Earth, Wind & Fire and War. Soul Train Records, under Don Cornelius and Dick Griffey, was a rising force, and Sunbear’s signing to the label marked a significant milestone. However, the duo faced challenges in distribution and promotion, which limited the album’s commercial reach. Despite this, Sunbear gained a cult following among vinyl collectors and funk enthusiasts, with tracks like “Let Love Flow For Peace” and “Fantasy” resonating on radio and dancefloors. The album’s release in 1977 coincided with the peak of vinyl’s popularity, and its warm, analog sound remains a draw for collectors today.

Sunbear is a hidden gem of 1970s soul-funk, blending infectious grooves, heartfelt ballads, and jazzy flourishes into a cohesive and engaging listen. The duo’s chemistry, bolstered by top-tier session players like Greg Phillinganes and Ernie Watts, creates a sound that is both polished and authentic. Tracks like “Let Love Flow For Peace” and “Fantasy” stand out for their energy and emotional depth, while the album’s Moog-heavy production adds a distinctive, retro-futuristic charm. However, the album’s lack of commercial success and the duo’s subsequent breakup prevented Sunbear from achieving wider recognition.

Despite its commercial obscurity, Sunbear has earned a devoted following among vinyl collectors and funk aficionados. The album’s tracks, particularly “Let Love Flow For Peace” and “Fantasy,” continue to resonate, with the latter covered by the Whispers in 1980. Oliver and Schuchner’s post-Sunbear careers in Maze and as session musicians, respectively, demonstrate their lasting influence in the R&B world. The album’s vinyl release remains a prized item, with its warm sound and vibrant grooves capturing the essence of 1970s soul-funk.

Sunbear’s 1977 self-titled album is a testament to the duo’s talent and vision, blending soul, funk, and jazz into a vibrant, if underappreciated, work. Arnie Oliver and Werner Schuchner, supported by stellar session musicians, crafted a record that captures the energy and optimism of the era while showcasing their personal musical journeys. Though their time as a duo was brief, Sunbear remains a cult classic, its grooves and harmonies inviting listeners to rediscover a forgotten chapter of 1970s R&B. For vinyl collectors and funk enthusiasts, this album is a treasure worth seeking out.