Sunbear -

Sunbear was an American jazz-funk/soul duo that released a self-titled album on Soul Train Records in 1977. The duo consisted of multi-instrumentalists Ahaguna G. Sun and Werner “Bear” Schuchner, who were backed on the album by keyboardist Greg Phillinganes and saxophonist Ernie Watts.

Members: Ahaguna G. Sun [Arnie Oliver] (vocals, drums, percussion, clavinet, electric piano), Werner “Bear” Schuchner (vocals, guitar, bass, percussion, electric piano)

Background

Sunbear was a Los Angeles-based jazz-funk duo composed of drummer–keyboardist Ahaguna G. Sun (born Arnie Oliver) and guitarist–bassist Werner “Bear” Schuchner. Both musicians contributed vocals and arrangements, and were active in the Southern California music scene prior to forming the group.

Ahaguna G. Sun recorded earlier with the funk-rock outfit Hard Horse, who issued the 1972 CBS single “Let It Ride.” A versatile musician, he handled drums, electric piano, clavinet, and percussion. In 1976, he interacted with Schuchner on the debut album by The Soul Train Gang.

Schuchner, a native of Indonesia, played guitar and bass in a series of soul and Latin funk projects, touring and recording with Charles Wright, Willie Bobo, and Richard Berry. He appeared on Wright’s 1973/74 albums Doing What Comes Naturally and Ninety Day Cycle People.

Sunbear (1977)

Sunbear released their singular self-titled album in 1977 on Soul Train Records.

The album blends electric soul-funk and spiritual jazz textures, built around fluid instrumentation and alternating lead vocals.

All songs were written by Sun (credited as Oliver) and Schuchner. Sunbear arranged the rhythms and vocals, with Greg Phillinganes assisting on select tracks. Phillinganes also co-arranged and played keyboards on “Let Love Flow For Peace” and “Mood III ‘Oliver.’” Ernie Watts, Jackie Kelso, Oscar Brashear, and George Bohanon contribute horns, while John Parrish arranged the brass parts.

The tracklist intersperses full-length songs with three shorter “Mood” vignettes. “I Heard the Voice of Music Say” builds across five minutes with layered instrumentation. “Let Love Flow For Peace” and “Don’t Overlook the Feelings” emphasize rhythmic interplay and harmonic expansion. The “Mood” pieces function as tonal interludes that contrast with the extended numbers.

A1. “Erika” (3:05) – rhythmic soul opener with tight arrangement
A2. “Let Love Flow For Peace” (3:12) – co-arranged by Phillinganes; layered instrumentation and paced optimism
A3. “So Long” (3:20) – farewell motif with subdued tones
A4. “I Heard the Voice of Music Say” (5:00) – slow-building ensemble track with full horn section
A5. “Mood I ‘L.O.V.E. Love'” (2:37) – first in a series of atmospheric interludes

B1. “Fantasy” (4:00) – open-textured mid-album centerpiece
B2. “Don’t Overlook the Feelings” (5:34) – steady-paced with harmonic layering
B3. “Mood II ‘Love At First Sight'” (2:47) – compact romantic impression
B4. “Rhythm Of Our Souls” (3:49) – ensemble number with shared vocals and percussion
B5. “Mood III ‘Oliver'” (1:37) – final instrumental piece, co-arranged with Phillinganes

Sessions occurred at RCA Studios in Los Angeles with production by Dick Griffey, Don Cornelius, and Sunbear. Don Holden handled recording and mix engineering; Richard Simpson mastered the album. The cover features artwork by Shusei Nagaoka.

Sunbear issued “I Heard the Voice of Music Say” backed with “Let Love Flow For Peace” as the album’s sole single.

Postlude

Following the album, both Sun and Schuchner contributed to the 1977 Soul Train release Simply Carrie by singer Carrie Lucas. Sun performed on 1978–80 albums by Maze and The Whispers while Schuchner continued working with Solar artists into the early 1980s.

Discography: