It was the dream reunion for Prince fans as all of the members of the Morris Day and The Time clan got back together and planned a tour of the United States as The Original 7ven. We covered it very intensely here at Funkatopia and were very excited to get a chance to see the band play together as a team once more.  Then yesterday Jesse Johnson, guitarist for The Time posted a disturbing message on his Facebook account.

The post simply stated that he wasn’t going to be playing the The Original 7ven anymore because they don’t see eye to eye anymore.  No word on exactly what caused the post, but we’ll be reaching out to other connections to help you find out. Needless to say, many Time fans are very upset (including us). Suspiciously enough, The Original 7ven site, Facebook page and Twitter have remained eerily quiet not discussing it at all.

More Facebook posts then followed including;

Hello Babies,
I don’t really think I’ll be performing with the Original 7 (or The Time if your nasty) any more! We simple don’t see eye to eye on anything. Love the guys, but I feel in my heart it’s “Time” to walk away while we’re all still friends. May Peace be you. 
PeaceLove, Jesse Johnson Bey ♥

and then,

Some of us are born alone, live alone, and when the time comes die alone! I’ve always and always will be a fucking loner. Not ALONE, but a loner, a lover of solitude. I really isn’t that serious and we have Way More Important Pressing matters in the World to be concerned about.
LovePeace, Jesse Johnson

and then

It is really me Jesse Johnson formerly of a few fucking bands. But I understand, there are so many pretenders, but it’s really me. I feel really bad for thevpeople who were looking forward to seeing me with The Time or whoever, but you will see and hear me especially hear me forever! Music never dies, people do. Please excuse my spelling here and there I’m typing with one finger on my iPad.
LoovePeace, Jesse Johnson Bey ♥ (Birth name, I rarely use it in the entertainment world)

and then lastly this morning with

No old just new! Always reach for the stars! Always reach! Always venture into the unknown, creatively that is! Never become complacent or live on your past achievements. And never, I do mean never, worry about what people think of your music, clothing, etc…ESPECIALLY if you dig/love what your doing.
LovePeace, Jesse Johnson Bey ♥

Long story short, it does indeed look like it’s over. Dagnabbit!

Funk band War is not happy about being slighted for a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band was nominated, but lost out to Guns n Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Faces, Beastie Boys, Donovan, and some other notables. Of the partial list that we mentioned, War is most annoyed about losing a spot to The Beastie Boys.

Vocalist and founding member of War Howard Scott told TMZ, “We were cranking out gold records when they were still in diapers. How could the Beastie Boys get in before us when they sampled War’s music on their first album?! I’ll eat their platinum records!” and added, “Felt like I was kicked in the back of my britches.”

It is a valid question, but some assume that it has to do with the impact of the artist on culture and society and The Beastie Boys kicked open many doors for other similar artists. However, War started back in 1969 and while Howard’s assessments are essentially true, they should have at least beat out some of the other lesser known inductees including Laura Nyro and Glyn Johns.

War has given some great hits such as Cisco Kid, Low Rider, Me and Baby Brother, and Why Can’t We Be Friends among others. Laura Nyros gave us…..ok, ok. Glyn Johns gave us….. Crap. Well, there’s always next year.

The man with the silky smooth voice that brought us the beautiful Drift Away has died today.  Dobie Gray passed away at the young age of 71.  Many superstar artists have recorded the song including Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Ray Charles and Michael Bolton. But the most successful of the lot, surprisingly enough, was Detroit rocker Uncle Kracker that re-released the song in 2003 and hit #9 on the charts.

Uncle Kracker tweeted yesterday, “My heart goes out to Dobie’s family this evening. RIP Dobie Gray. Thank you for the music. You will not be forgotten.”  Yes, indeed. Thank you Mr. Gray.

In honor of his passing, we ask that you view this video. No giggling allowed though. We know this is a solemn moment, but those of us who lived through this time period can’t help but giggle.  God bless Mr. Gray’s friends and family.

And if the news doesn’t quit coming, it looks like 2012 is shaping up to be the year or “can it be?” reunions. The latest of which is the hip hop jazz group Digable Planets which plans a confirmed reunion in 2012 as well as an unconfirmed accompanying album.

Ladybug Mecca will not be part of the group, but the other members Doodlebug and Butterfly will be. They’ll simply utilize other female artists they’ve worked with to fill that missing piece.

Doodlebug and Butterfly have toured across the U.S., Canada, and Europe playing with live bands. Doodlebug’s project is called the Cosmic Funk Orchestra, and Butterfly has seen major success with his project Shabazz Palaces.  Now the two look to join forces as Digable Planets again, but it’s not completely groundbreaking since they have made live appearances recently with Pharcyde, and also back in 2010 in Houston.  Regardless, it’s now becoming more official.

Digable Planets last album was released back in 1994 with the cult classic Blowout Comb and the year before that in 1983 with their certified Gold album Reachin’ (A New Refutation Of Time and Space) which featured the classic song Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat).

Digable Planets have earned a place in the echelon of this style of hip hop along with the Funkatopia favorites The Roots, and a Tribe Called Quest. The latter of which is also supposedly in talks about a reunion due to the increased interest in the band due to their documentary Beats, Rhymes and Life.  Ok.  We’ll take responsibility for that rumor, so when it comes true, you’ll know who to blame.

We are all aflutter awaiting more details and when we get it, you’ll get it. As always.