In late 2009 Micks came across an acapella of the classic Gladys Knight track ‘First To Say Goodbye’, he recalls ‘she was singing about what I was going through at the time and I felt an instant connection with the song and decided to create a simple hypnotic beat under the vocal. Being a huge fan of Manoo, Culoe De Song and Rocco, Micks embarked upon doing versions inspired by each producer. All three mixes were finished in one night and posted on Facebook to share with his fellow friends. A month later, more than 500 people had downloaded the single. Oskido heard the track and immediately put it on his Hot 99 show on the biggest radio station in Gauteng (YFM), eventually making it to the number 1 spot and the rest they say is history!

Tribe has long been a big supporter of the track and given the reaction and response from those on the dance floor it became clear that ‘First to Say Goodbye’ was too big a song to remain a bootleg. Tribe creative head Zepherin Saint set out on a mission to find the right vocalist to pay homage to Gladys Knight, this was no easy task but he felt there was only one place that could produce such a voice, the birth place of Ms Knight herself Atlanta, Georgia. Having strong musical connections in Atlanta quickly led Zepherin Saint to very a special lady who could indeed take up the challenge – enter Ms Robin Latimore a prominent jazz vocalist who has shared the stage with jazz greats such as Ronnie Laws and Jeff Lorber. Robin stepped up to the microphone and nailed the song in one take.

‘First to Say Goodbye’ is set to make big waves this summer with new mixes from Rocco and in a few weeks time we will be releasing the Charles Webster versions aswell which have both been going down in a big way in South Africa. Both big fans of the original, they were excited to come and share their musical talents on this classic vocal.

WRITING / PRODUCTION:-

Written by: James D Wetherly
Performed by Robin Latimore
Produced by DJ Micks
Published by Universal Polygram International Publishing Inc.
Tracks 4 & 5 – Remix composed, produced and “Deeply Minded” by Rocco @ Rodamix Studio / France
All tracks mastered by Greg Moore at Masterpiece Studios, London
Executive producers Dean Zepherin and Matt Langrish Smith
P&C 2011 Tribe Records

Feedback from dj’s playing the promo in recent months..

Ezel (Yoruba Records, NYC) – Loving all the mixes! Very cool release TRIBE!
Joey Negro (Z Records) – i like it, charles webster rough and rocco sound good too
Seth Troxler (Crosstown Rebels) – Really nice record, will be playing in my sets!
Marlon D (Underground Collective, NYC) – Awesome!
Jose Marquez (LA) – Loving all the varieties of mixes on this package. Many to chose from depending on the time and vibe of the night. thanks!
Fabio Genito (Vega Records) – Been rocking this for a while and had to honour to perform it live with Robin Latimore at Tambor party in Atlanta and it was sick! Also i included this in my WMC 2011 MIX.. all the mixes are tight and useful for different parts of the set…much love
Boddhi Satva (Offering Recordings) – Remember Dean playing this song at the TRIBE Party this year in Miami. I was blown away. I first thought that it was Culoe de song cause of the drums but then realized it was a new cat. Good work on the music Micks. And Robin Latimore’s vocals and lyrics and voice are something else taking this project to the next level.
Abicah Soul (Chicago) – 2010 Mix for me… Respect
Alix Alvarez (Sole Channel, NYC) – Nice package of mixes.
Master Kev (Underground Collective, NYC) – Dance floor stomper! and Robin Latimore really turned out a GREAT vocal here! Instant classic from 2010 and now these new versions will take it far beyond.. Full support as always!!
Carlos Mena (Ocha Records) – Been rocking many dancefloors with DJ Micks version, happy to see this get a proper release and I am loving Rocco’s mix also. – Carlos Mena
Neil Pierce (Soul Heaven) – Really like all the mixes …Great vocal delivery from Robin Latimore . In the bag !
Vinny Da Vinci (House Afrika Records, South Africa) – WOW! Finally it’s here…Loved the BOOTLEG last year which cause WAVES all over ther world…ROCCO & CHARLES can’t do no wrong…CLASSIC INDEED!!!
Phil Asher (restless soul, UK) – Rocco’s Mix all day Long, Tribe, Your Killing Me, I LOve You.
Mr V (Sole Channel, NYC) – Full support on this, nuff said!
Jovonn (Next Moov Records, NYC) – Club banga and i will be giving it a lot of burn
CJ Mackintosh (Various) – Loving People’s Favourite Style Mix & Rocco Mix 🙂