Mike's taste of 'Heaven'

LAST Sunday at 51 Degrees on the Boulevard, musician Michael Boothman launch his compact disc A Taste Of Heaven, a remastered version of an album called Heaven which was recorded by RCA on Taboo Records over 25 years ago. Boothman says Heaven was way before its time, “I still receive royalties from as far off as Saudi Arabia on that album. I also found that the album is in demand by people from all over the world. “That coupled with the fact that so many people have been asking me to put it on CD was enough reason for A Taste of Heaven. Boothman feels that in the music industry in Trinidad we should put status in place. “For someone from Trinidad and Tobago to reach so far is amazing. I was the man who paved the way for TT’s greats like Keith Diamond and Billy Ocean.

“I have opened doors for so many musicians from this country it’s not funny. And even though I did all this I want to thank all those who helped me along the way, people like Happy Williams who opened doors for me.” Talking about Heaven Boothman says, “It was a dream turned into nightmare for me but I did what I had to do and it was successful. “I was in my early 20s in New York, looking for that big break for my music. I was from a small country and knew nothing about music production but was thrown into the ocean to produce an album with some of the best musicians in the world. “I did a crash course in music production; thanks again to Happy for all the lessons and experience he passed on. I was in full control as producer, all the orchestration on the album was my idea.”

Heaven had musicians like Mervyn Stam (trumpet), John Saddis (trumpet), Victor Paz (trumpet), Frank Wess (flute) J Watkins (french horns), Gene Orloff and Harry Lookosky (violin and viola). The strings and horns were conducted by Leon Pendervis. Also playing were Leon Pendervis, David Boothman, Happy Williams, Chris Parker (drums), Michael Clarke (drums) and Sonny Burke (piano). The executive producer was Clarence Avant. Relating how it all started Boothman said, “Avant was on holidays in Trinidad and Tobago when he heard my compositions ‘Diego Shuffle’ and ‘Saying It With Music’ and was very impressed.

“On his return to the USA he called my house but I was on tour with Wildfire. When I got home my mother told me ‘Hollywood called’ and I thought it was a joke. I did eventually get in touch with Avant and he gave me an all-expenses paid trip to California, USA, so we could talk. “That is when I met the great George Benson with Happy Williams, thing were moving fast and furious and I felt I could not get a handle on it. But I weaved my way into the record deal.” Boothman continued, “Now I have a remastered version of all this great music that a different generation can hear. I am very excited about this project.” A Taste of Heaven contains songs like “Heaven,” “Saying It With Music,” “Greasy,” “Maya Mosquito,” “Waiting For Your Love” by Charmaine Forde, “Cant Stop Dancing,” Scorpion Stew,” “Song For My Soul” and “Mystic Sea.”