He’s composed and written songs recorded by artists ranging from Nancy Wilson , Mary J. Blige, Notorius Big and T.I.
As a producer, he introduced the world to the Hawaii-based Christian jazz septet Seawind, which inadvertently brought one of the most in-demand horn arrangers (Jerry Hey) and horn sections (the Seawind horns) to Los Angeles and promptly introduced them to Quincy Jones as the tightest and most creative horn section he’d ever heard. (Quincy obviously agreed) He also produced the debut album by Midnight Star (The Beginning), inaugurating what would become one of the ‘80s most influential techno-funk groups, Lee Ritenour’s largest selling hit, “Is it You” and Dionne Warwick (Fragile).
Harvey is a founding member of the contemporary jazz “super group”ƒOURPLAY , where he flexes his writing, playing, arranging and production skills with partners Bob James, Nathan East and Chuck Loeb (the latter of whom replaced Larry Carlton who had replaced original member Lee Ritenour). ƒOURPLAY’s debut album sat atop Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart for thirty-four weeks, leading to a platinum album, three subsequent gold discs, a Soul Train Music Award and 10 Grammy nominations, to date.
The roots of Harvey Mason’s rhythm are as ingrained as DNA. Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 22, 1947, he reveled in the rhythms of life as they manifested themselves all around him. He began taking formal drum lessons at age 7, playing in school bands and finally buying his first drum set at the age of 16. Harvey continued his musical education first at the Berklee School of Music, then on full scholarship to the New England Conservatory of Music, studying performance, composing, arranging, percussion and mallets. He received immeasurable preparation for orchestral work from the legendary Vic Firth, tympanist with the Boston Symphony. During his time in Boston, he also put in overtime at Triple A Studios recording everything from jingles to religious albums, unpredictable and diversified situations that custom molded him for the career of a top-flight session musician. Before he knew it, Harvey Mason was working as many as three studio sessions a day.
Harvey swiftly became a force to be reckoned with in the world of percussion and drums. From simple figures on a marimba that contributed infinitely to the appeal of The Sylvers’ “Fools Paradise” and “Misdemeanor,” Earth Wind and Fire’s “That’s The Way of The World” and some of the most incredibly sensitive playing ever heard on radio backing the late Minnie Riperton on “Memory Lane” and “Here We Go,” to an intricate snare drum-only part on Chick Corea’s “Tweedle Dee” (from his acclaimed concept album, The Mad Hatter), Harvey honed a knack for doing more than just nailing a written part. He added that “Mase Magic” that lifted a piece of music from ordinary to extraordinary.
Harvey Mason's son Harvey Mason Jr. formed the Underdogs production team with Damon Thomas and has produced tracks for artists including Fantasia Barrino, Justin Timberlake, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross.
Space Cadets
Harvey Mason Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Que puede hacerte electrizar
Quien querrá hacer la prueba
Solo hay que saber saltar
Yo doy de repente
Un pasito hacia atrás
Quito de mi mente
Los males que hay
Esta danza de los niños
No me canso de bailar
XU XU XU
XA XA XA
Este ritmo nuevo voy a bailar
XU XU XU
XA XA XA
Si bailamos juntos
Porqué parar
Inventé una danza nueva
Que puede hacerte electrizar
Quien querrá hacer la prueba
Solo hay que saber saltar
Yo doy de repente
Un pasito hacia atrás
Quito de mi mente
Los males que hay
Esta danza de los niños
No me canso de bailar
XU XU XU
XA XA XA
Este ritmo nuevo voy a bailar
XU XU XU
XA XA XA
Si bailamos juntos
Porqué parar x2
The lyrics to Harvey Mason's song "Space Cadets" describe a new dance invented by the singer. The dance has the ability to electrify the dancer and remove any negative thoughts from their mind. The singer invites anyone to try the dance, which only requires the ability to jump. The repetitive syllables "XU XU XU" and "XA XA XA" make up the main beat of the song, and the singer encourages everyone to dance together and not stop.
The lyrics suggest that the dance can have a transformative effect on the dancer, providing a sense of release and freedom from negativity. This message is reinforced by the upbeat and repetitive nature of the song, which creates a trance-like feeling that encourages the listener to let go and dance. The phrase "dance of the children" implies that the dance is meant to be spontaneous and fun, without any self-consciousness or inhibition.
Overall, the lyrics to "Space Cadets" describe a new dance that offers a sense of liberation and release, and that anyone can join in on. The song is a celebration of the power of dance and music to connect people and uplift them.
Line by Line Meaning
Inventé una danza nueva
I created a new dance
Que puede hacerte electrizar
That can electrify you
Quien querrá hacer la prueba
Who will want to try it
Solo hay que saber saltar
You just need to know how to jump
Yo doy de repente
I suddenly give
Un pasito hacia atrás
A small step back
Quito de mi mente
I remove from my mind
Los males que hay
The troubles that exist
Esta danza de los niños
This dance of the children
No me canso de bailar
I never tire of dancing
XU XU XU
XU XU XU
XA XA XA
XA XA XA
Este ritmo nuevo voy a bailar
I'm going to dance this new rhythm
Si bailamos juntos
If we dance together
Porqué parar
Why stop
Si bailamos juntos
If we dance together
Porqué parar x2
Why stop x2
Contributed by Ruby S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.