Stanley Clarke: “We Supply” (1980)

The song that inspired Amazon. I’m only kidding.

Kronomyth 7.1: Thumbthing else.

The first time I heard We Supply, it didn’t move me. Hearing it again years later, it struck me as a ridiculously fun song. I had counted on an increase in sanctification as I grew older, but an increase in funkification is a pleasant surprise. The single version is an edit that removes about a minute from the middle but keeps the comedic intro (courtesy of Dennis Mackay) and countdown. The pairing of Stanley Clarke and Louis Johnson (half of the Brothers Johnson) is nothing short of inspired. In the US, the flip side was Underestimation from Rocks, Pebbles and Sand, which features Chick Corea on synthesizers. (And I need to go back and listen to that album again, since I clearly underestimated it the first time.) In the UK, Together Again from his previous album, I Wanna Play for You, was selected as the B side, here in the edited single version that cuts over a minute from the original. A 12-inch single added More Hot Fun from Modern Man to the mix.

Original 7-inch single version

A1. We Supply (Stanley Clarke/Louis Johnson) (3:20)
B1. Underestimation (Stanley Clarke) (3:40)

Original 7-inch single version (UK)
A1. We Supply (Stanley Clarke/Louis Johnson) (3:20)
B1. Together Again (Mike Garson) (3:55)

Original 12-inch single version
A1. We Supply (Stanley Clarke/Louis Johnson) (4:19)
B1. More Hot Fun (Stanley Clarke) (4:31)
B2. Together Again (Mike Garson) (3:55)

The Plastic

Released as 7-inch and 12-inch single in June 1980 in the US (Epic, 9-50890) and the UK (Epic, S EPC/S EPC 13 8749). Also released as promotional 12-inch single in 1980 in the UK (Epic, XPR 1206) feat. A only on one side. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in 1980 in the US (Epic, 9-50890) feat. A only. Reached #43 on the US Hot Soul charts (charted on June 7, 1980 for 10 weeks).