When I was recording from '70 to '82, I always played piano and laid the tracks down. But I used to talk to the other musicians while the track was playing.

Soul has no musical geographical or racial boundaries.

I always had this energy level that made me want to come to New York.

Now I get exposure first with people directly in the clubs. This is a unique situation for me.

I still look good. I'm trippin', but people tell me that all the time. So check it out, I'm 63, and still kicking. I've been putting records out every year.

A lot of the hip hop artists don't write music. They write words.

The true beauty of music is that it connects people. It carries a message, and we, the musicians, are the messengers.