I remember his smile.  I see his face of kindness, brotherly love and respect and I felt his deep caring.  He did'nt have to say nothing…  I remember the good times we had working towards a common goal.  I loved our brotherhood.  I don't think any of us had fathers in our lives.  This was our growing up and coming into manhood together with the creator guiding I & I.  We were alone in a cold world. But we were blessed with creative skills.

 

On to brother Daveed; I remember his burst of laughter when he was happy… like at band rehearsals or before we went jogging (we did this often to clear the mind and improve circulation).  He was a great guy, always in deep thought. He was very intense with his guitar solos.  He did not like anything superficial.  We had great conversations individually and with the group.  However, most times I did not know if he was serious or joking because of his constant use of sarcasm.  Then he would laugh out loud.

 

As a guitarist he was bold and could make you shiver with guitar licks that sounded like he was soaring in the air.  He was fierce and was serious.  His lyrics were just as profound.  I describe his words as, “at the intersection of Jimmy Hendricks and Marcus Garvey”.  I say that because he would use poetry like Jimmy and was all about the vision of unity for the African dispora like Garvey.  He loved African people first and then all people who did not oppress other people(s).

 

We lived on 51st and South Greenwood Ave (one block from the house that Barack Obama lives in now).  David lived about a block away.  He was an upper classman at Kenwood.  We did not talk but everyone knew him because he always had his guitar with him and resembled Hendrix.  I met him when we held an unplugged jam session in a small park on Greenwood with bass men Ibob Kush, Jimmy Dixon, my brother Rob and I on drums with a few other musicians.  We play rock, funk, blues and other fusion music that day ( no reggae).  I believe that a cosmic collision happened on that day.  There was no drugs but we were free…  We were to meet again.  It was really about the music.  Cosmic Forces brought a unique compliment of American born brothers and sisters with Jamaican born brothers together through many changes to form a serious band.

 

After One Love became a band we only played disciplined reggae music.  Back in those days (early 1980’s) I did not feel inspired to write Lyrics.  Although it seemed like every week another song was launched by someone in the group.  My inspiration was to contribute to One Love with percussion and drums that would compliment what David and the other members of our rhythm section were creating.  I once said to David, “what if we made a song targeted at the R&B or pop market… so we could get paid?”.  (At the time Michael Jackson, Prince, Roger, EWF and even Lou Rauls was blowing up).  David's instantaneous response was “ Naaaah - no sensationalism!” “ That's Babylon”…  He was deeply adamant about stardom and the effects of excess in America.  He was very content with simplicity much like Bob.  During that brief exchange, I remember the way he walked away as if disgusted.  I still see that huge smile and his laughter changing to a serious look as he walked towards his gun ( that Fender Stratocaster).  He went into deep thought and started strumming on the axe intently. Needless to say, I never brought up pop music again…

 

The spirit of truth and an urgency to make a difference with the struggle of the poor and suffering burned hot with this brother.  I miss him.  There will only be one David.  Check out what he left us on the tracks below.

 

Love, Peace and Roots Music will prevail,

Wes