Saturday, July 26, 2008
JACKSON 5
Signed to the Motown label from 1968 to 1975, and to Epic/CBS Records (as "The Jacksons") from 1975 until their disbanding in 1990, the Jackson 5 were one of the most popular groups of the era and became the first recording act to have their first four major label singles ("I Want You Back", "ABC", "The Love You Save", and "I'll Be There") reach the top of the American charts. Several future singles, among them "Mama's Pearl", "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Dancing Machine", were Top 5 pop hits and number-one hits on the R&B singles chart. Most of the early hits were written and produced by a specialized songwriting team known as "The Corporation"; later Jackson 5 hits were crafted chiefly by Hal Davis.
Significantly, they were the first black teen idols to appeal equally to white audiences. Upon their departure from Motown for CBS in 1976, the Jacksons were forced to change their name and replace Jermaine (who remained at Motown) with younger brother Randy. The group took control of their songwriting, production, and image, and their success continued into the 1980s with hits such as "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" and "State of Shock", and the highly successful Victory Tour. Their 1989 album 2300 Jackson Street was recorded without Michael and Marlon. Michael and Marlon did appear, however, on the title track which also featured their sisters Rebbie and Janet (though not La Toya.) The commercial underperformance and disappointing sales of this album preceded the group's official breakup in 1990. (wikipedia)
I Got The Feeling (1968)
ABC
I Want You Back
Can You Remember / I Want You Back
Never Can Say Goodbye
Never Can Say Goodbye
Killing Me Softly
I'll Be There / Feelin' Alright
Dancing Machine
Ben
Ben
I Am Love (1975)
Sugar Daddy
Blame It On The Boogie (1978)
Enjoy Yourself
Alphabits Commercial
Body
Torture
Can You Feel It
MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael Joseph Jackson (born August 29, 1958) is an American musician and entertainer. The seventh child of the Jackson family, he debuted on the professional music scene at the age of eleven as a member of The Jackson 5. Jackson began a solo career in 1971 while still a member of the group. In the early 1980s, he became a dominant figure in popular music as the first African-American entertainer to amass a strong crossover following on MTV. Referred to as the "King of Pop" in subsequent years, five of his solo studio albums have become some of the world's best-selling records: Off the Wall (1979), Thriller (1982), Bad (1987), Dangerous (1991) and HIStory (1995).
The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively young channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" kept Jackson a staple on MTV into the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced numerous hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.
The popularity of his music videos airing on MTV, such as "Beat It", "Billie Jean" and Thriller—credited for transforming the music video into an art form and a promotional tool—helped bring the relatively young channel to fame. Videos such as "Black or White" and "Scream" kept Jackson a staple on MTV into the 1990s. With stage performances and music videos, Jackson popularized physically complicated dance techniques, such as the robot and the moonwalk. His distinctive musical sound and vocal style influenced numerous hip hop, pop and contemporary R&B artists.
One of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; his other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records—including one for Thriller as the world's best-selling album—thirteen Grammy Awards, thirteen number one singles in his solo career—more than any other male artist after the creation of the Billboard Hot 100—and the sale of over 750 million units worldwide. Jackson's highly publicized personal life, coupled with his successful career, has made him a part of popular culture for almost four decades. (wikipedia)
Billie Jean
Thriller
Smooth Criminal
The Way You Make Me Feel / Man In The Mirror
Wanna Be Starting Something
Rock With You
Don't Stop Til You Get Enough
Beat It
Human Nature
Dirty Diana
Thriller
Remember The Time
Scream w/ Janet Jackson
JERMAINE JACKSON
Jermaine LaJaune Jackson or Muhammad Abdul Aziz (born December 11, 1954), is an American Grammy Award-nominated singer, bass guitarist, former member of The Jackson 5 and older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson.
Like Michael, Jermaine also began a successful solo career concurrent to his tenure in The Jackson 5, and had a hit with the 1972 Shep and the Limelites cover "Daddy's Home". When The Jackson 5 left Motown, Jermaine left the group and stayed at Motown, as he was married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Jackson was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his 1980 album Let's Get Serious. He had several Hot 100 Top 20 hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Daddy's Home" (#9), "That's How Love Goes", "Let's Be Young Tonight", "Bass Odyssey", "Feel the Fire", "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" (featuring Devo on backing vocals) (#18), "Let's Get Serious" (#9, also only one of two of his UK hits, peaking at #8), "Dynamite" (#15), "Do What You Do" (#13), and "I Think It's Love" (#16). A duet with his brother Michael, "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)", hit #1 on the dance chart in 1984. In 1985, his duet with Pia Zadora, "When the Rain Begins to Fall", topped several singles charts in Europe. His final chart success, 1989's "Don't Take It Personal", hit #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
In 1991 a pre-commercial release version of his song "Word to the Badd!!" (from the L.A. & Babyface-produced album "You Said,") was released to radio stations. In that version he criticized his brother Michael, but the lyrics were reworked for final release, making the song instead about a former lover. Several other singles were released from this album, which was the second album released on the newly-formed LaFace Records label, including "You Said, You Said," and "I Dream, I Dream."
Jackson is proficient on the electric guitar, various types of bass guitars, and is known for his dancing abilities on-stage.
Let's Get Serious
When The Rain Begins To Fall w/Pia Zadora
Sweetest Sweetest
Stay With Love
Like Michael, Jermaine also began a successful solo career concurrent to his tenure in The Jackson 5, and had a hit with the 1972 Shep and the Limelites cover "Daddy's Home". When The Jackson 5 left Motown, Jermaine left the group and stayed at Motown, as he was married to Hazel Gordy, the daughter of Motown founder Berry Gordy.
Jackson was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for his 1980 album Let's Get Serious. He had several Hot 100 Top 20 hits throughout the 1970s and 1980s, including "Daddy's Home" (#9), "That's How Love Goes", "Let's Be Young Tonight", "Bass Odyssey", "Feel the Fire", "Let Me Tickle Your Fancy" (featuring Devo on backing vocals) (#18), "Let's Get Serious" (#9, also only one of two of his UK hits, peaking at #8), "Dynamite" (#15), "Do What You Do" (#13), and "I Think It's Love" (#16). A duet with his brother Michael, "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)", hit #1 on the dance chart in 1984. In 1985, his duet with Pia Zadora, "When the Rain Begins to Fall", topped several singles charts in Europe. His final chart success, 1989's "Don't Take It Personal", hit #1 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.
In 1991 a pre-commercial release version of his song "Word to the Badd!!" (from the L.A. & Babyface-produced album "You Said,") was released to radio stations. In that version he criticized his brother Michael, but the lyrics were reworked for final release, making the song instead about a former lover. Several other singles were released from this album, which was the second album released on the newly-formed LaFace Records label, including "You Said, You Said," and "I Dream, I Dream."
Jackson is proficient on the electric guitar, various types of bass guitars, and is known for his dancing abilities on-stage.
That's How Love Goes
Let Me Tickle Your Fancy w/Devo (1982)
Do What You Do
Dynamite
Stay With Love
The Closest Thing To Perfect
MARLON JACKSON
Marlon David Jackson (born March 12, 1957) is an American singer, former member of The Jackson 5, and older brother of American pop stars Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. He is the sixth eldest Jackson child.
After the inclusion of youngest brother Randy and the group's name change to the Jacksons, Marlon took the place of Jermaine as one of the group's co-leaders often taking Jermaine's spot when singing older hits at concert. The group's later albums, Destiny and Triumph, returned the brothers back to the top of the pop charts. Marlon took a special co-lead spot on the Jacksons' album track "Give It Up" from their Triumph album playing a second tenor contrast to brother Michael's falsetto lead. The return of Jermaine to the group in 1983 after their reunited performance at Motown 25 led to a new album and tour, both titled Victory in 1984. Despite the success of both the album and tour, monetary problems and rumored accounts of the brothers' egos led to the collapse of the Jacksons as a group. Michael announced his exit from the group at the end of the tour while Marlon stunned family members a year later and announced his split from the group leaving the Jacksons as a quartet of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy. The Jacksons later confirmed their breakup in 1990. Marlon didn't participate in much of the Jacksons' final album, 1989's 2300 Jackson Street though he and Michael were featured on the title track, which became an R&B hit. Marlon issued his debut album, Baby Tonight, on Capitol Records, which was only a modestly successful album. As far as playing a pivotal role in his brothers' careers, he produced songs for all three of his sisters, producing Janet's 1984 album, Dream Street, which featured the top ten R&B single, "Don't Stand Another Chance". He also produced a song on Rebbie Jackson's debut album, Centipede. (wikipedia)
After the inclusion of youngest brother Randy and the group's name change to the Jacksons, Marlon took the place of Jermaine as one of the group's co-leaders often taking Jermaine's spot when singing older hits at concert. The group's later albums, Destiny and Triumph, returned the brothers back to the top of the pop charts. Marlon took a special co-lead spot on the Jacksons' album track "Give It Up" from their Triumph album playing a second tenor contrast to brother Michael's falsetto lead. The return of Jermaine to the group in 1983 after their reunited performance at Motown 25 led to a new album and tour, both titled Victory in 1984. Despite the success of both the album and tour, monetary problems and rumored accounts of the brothers' egos led to the collapse of the Jacksons as a group. Michael announced his exit from the group at the end of the tour while Marlon stunned family members a year later and announced his split from the group leaving the Jacksons as a quartet of Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Randy. The Jacksons later confirmed their breakup in 1990. Marlon didn't participate in much of the Jacksons' final album, 1989's 2300 Jackson Street though he and Michael were featured on the title track, which became an R&B hit. Marlon issued his debut album, Baby Tonight, on Capitol Records, which was only a modestly successful album. As far as playing a pivotal role in his brothers' careers, he produced songs for all three of his sisters, producing Janet's 1984 album, Dream Street, which featured the top ten R&B single, "Don't Stand Another Chance". He also produced a song on Rebbie Jackson's debut album, Centipede. (wikipedia)
Baby Tonight (1988)
Don't Go
TITO JACKSON
Toriano Adaryll "Tito" Jackson (born on October 15, 1953 in Gary, Indiana) is an American singer and guitarist and a charter member of the The Jackson 5.
Growing up in a large family, young Tito Jackson originally hid his musical talent from his father Joseph. While his father was at work, Jackson would play his father's guitar while his siblings danced and sang.[1] It was not until the young Jackson broke a string on the guitar that father Joseph learned about his musical aspirations. Joseph was then inspired to form his three sons into a band; eventually, younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined the group, which became the legendary Jackson 5.
The Jacksons followed up with an album entitled Triumph which sold 10 million copies worldwide and 3 million copies in the US only, but Michael's Thriller became the biggest selling album of all. In 1984, the group released an album called Victory (reuniting the group with Jermaine) and followed it up with a tour. Tito sang lead on a song known as, "We Can Change The World," and played many of the instruments, but his other contributions to the album were limited to backing vocals. The subsequent tour would be one of the Jacksons' greatest successes, but almost immediately after it ended, lead singer Michael Jackson resigned from the group. Marlon Jackson also quit following the Victory Tour.
The Jacksons' final release, "2300 Jackson Street" was a more "New Jack Swing"-oriented album, who's title song reunited all of the members of the Jackson family, except LaToya. Tito didn't contribute guitar parts to the record, according to liner notes. However, he did contribute vocals, including a narration that precedes the first song. (wikipedia)
Growing up in a large family, young Tito Jackson originally hid his musical talent from his father Joseph. While his father was at work, Jackson would play his father's guitar while his siblings danced and sang.[1] It was not until the young Jackson broke a string on the guitar that father Joseph learned about his musical aspirations. Joseph was then inspired to form his three sons into a band; eventually, younger brothers Marlon and Michael joined the group, which became the legendary Jackson 5.
The Jacksons followed up with an album entitled Triumph which sold 10 million copies worldwide and 3 million copies in the US only, but Michael's Thriller became the biggest selling album of all. In 1984, the group released an album called Victory (reuniting the group with Jermaine) and followed it up with a tour. Tito sang lead on a song known as, "We Can Change The World," and played many of the instruments, but his other contributions to the album were limited to backing vocals. The subsequent tour would be one of the Jacksons' greatest successes, but almost immediately after it ended, lead singer Michael Jackson resigned from the group. Marlon Jackson also quit following the Victory Tour.
The Jacksons' final release, "2300 Jackson Street" was a more "New Jack Swing"-oriented album, who's title song reunited all of the members of the Jackson family, except LaToya. Tito didn't contribute guitar parts to the record, according to liner notes. However, he did contribute vocals, including a narration that precedes the first song. (wikipedia)
LA TOYA JACKSON
La Toya Jackson (born May 29, 1956) is an American singer, musician, New York Times Bestselling author, songwriter, actress, and the fifth child of the famous Jackson family. She had a semi-successful career as a singer throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and returned to music in 2004 with her Billboard charting songs "Just Wanna Dance" and "Free The World". A forthcoming album entitled Startin' Over has yet to be released. (wikipedia)
If You Feel The Funk
Playboy video
Heart Don't Lie
You're Gonna Get Rocked
Wanna Be Starting Something
JANET JACKSON
Janet Damita Jo Jackson (born May 16, 1966) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actress. Born in Gary, Indiana and raised in Encino, California, she is the youngest member of the Jackson family of musicians. She initially performed on stage with her family beginning at the age of seven, and later started her career as an actress with the variety television series The Jacksons. She went on to star in other television shows including Good Times, A New Kind of Family, Diff'rent Strokes, and Fame.
Jackson faced initial difficulties after launching her recording career in 1982, often criticized for having a limited vocal range and being yet another child from the Jackson family to become a recording artist. However, with the collaboration of record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson found record-breaking success, producing five consecutive number one studio albums on the Billboard 200; these include Control (1986), Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), janet. (1993), The Velvet Rope (1997), and All for You (2001). Although critics have compared her contemporary work less favorably to that of her initial breakthroughs, the critical and commercial success of her innovative multi-platinum albums, music videos and choreography have contributed to Jackson's successful career as an entertainer.
Jackson has been regarded as one of the most influential recording artists in the history of contemporary R&B, as her music has incorporated elements of rap music with sample loop, triple swing and industrial beats, which led to crossover appeal in popular music. She became a pop icon in the late 1980s, and was recognized as a role model for youth, as her music promoted abstinence over promiscuity, self-respect and social consciousness. Jackson’s public image later developed into that of a fully matured adult, as her music began to explore topics such as sexual freedom, domestic violence and sadomasochism. The 1990s established her as one of the highest paid recording artists in contemporary music. She later emerged the second most successful artist of the decade, although her status in popular music has since diminished.
Though Jackson is listed by the Recording Industry Association of America as the eleventh best-selling female artist in the United States with 26 million certified albums, Billboard magazine named her one of the top-ten selling artists in the history of contemporary music. She is ranked as the ninth most successful act in the history of rock music and the second most successful female artist in pop music history, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Amidst her recording career, Jackson has also starred in feature films since the mid-1990s. (wikipedia)
Jackson faced initial difficulties after launching her recording career in 1982, often criticized for having a limited vocal range and being yet another child from the Jackson family to become a recording artist. However, with the collaboration of record producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Jackson found record-breaking success, producing five consecutive number one studio albums on the Billboard 200; these include Control (1986), Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 (1989), janet. (1993), The Velvet Rope (1997), and All for You (2001). Although critics have compared her contemporary work less favorably to that of her initial breakthroughs, the critical and commercial success of her innovative multi-platinum albums, music videos and choreography have contributed to Jackson's successful career as an entertainer.
Jackson has been regarded as one of the most influential recording artists in the history of contemporary R&B, as her music has incorporated elements of rap music with sample loop, triple swing and industrial beats, which led to crossover appeal in popular music. She became a pop icon in the late 1980s, and was recognized as a role model for youth, as her music promoted abstinence over promiscuity, self-respect and social consciousness. Jackson’s public image later developed into that of a fully matured adult, as her music began to explore topics such as sexual freedom, domestic violence and sadomasochism. The 1990s established her as one of the highest paid recording artists in contemporary music. She later emerged the second most successful artist of the decade, although her status in popular music has since diminished.
Though Jackson is listed by the Recording Industry Association of America as the eleventh best-selling female artist in the United States with 26 million certified albums, Billboard magazine named her one of the top-ten selling artists in the history of contemporary music. She is ranked as the ninth most successful act in the history of rock music and the second most successful female artist in pop music history, having sold over 100 million albums worldwide. Amidst her recording career, Jackson has also starred in feature films since the mid-1990s. (wikipedia)
Control
What Have You Done For Me Lately
Nasty
When I Think Of You
Escapade
Miss You Much
Love Will Never Do
Alright
Pleasure Principle
Black Cat
Rhythm Nation
That's The Way Love Goes
Come Back To Me
Let's Wait Awhile
Runaway
Got Till Its Gone
Someone To Call My Lover
All For You
Superbowl
Saturday, July 19, 2008
CARL CARLTON
Carl Carlton (born 1953, Detroit, Michigan) is an American R&B, soul, and funk singer and songwriter best known for his hits "Everlasting Love" and "She's a Bad Mama Jama (She's Built, She's Stacked)". Carlton first began recording in the late 1960s as "Little Carl" Carlton, a marketing ploy to capitalize on some vocal similarities to Stevie Wonder, who recorded under the name "Little Stevie" Wonder in the early 1960s. After scoring some minor local hits, Carlton was signed by Don D. Robey and moved to Houston, Texas, the home of his new record label, Back Beat Records. Carlton saw some success with the new label including his first major hit, a disco-tinged remake of Robert Knight's "Everlasting Love" that went to #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Robey sold his labels to ABC Records in 1972, and in 1976 Carlton became embroiled in a royalty dispute with the new ownership that caused him to stop recording for some time. He then signed with Mercury Records in 1977, but only released one single on that label. Carlton was unable to land a new recording contract for several years until Leon Haywood helped him get a singles deal with 20th Century Records. A Haywood-penned single, "She's a Bad Mama Jama", became a major hit, peaking at #2 on the soul chart and earning Carlton a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Carlton's subsequent album, Carl Carlton, went gold in 1981. "She's a Bad Mama Jama" has since become a staple of compilation albums and soundtracks and is often sampled in rap music.
Carlton released several more albums in the 1980s but had only a few minor R&B hits, and eventually fell out of favor with record companies and out of the public eye. After 1985's Private Property, he did not release another album until 1994's Main Event, which also failed to chart. (wikipedia)
Robey sold his labels to ABC Records in 1972, and in 1976 Carlton became embroiled in a royalty dispute with the new ownership that caused him to stop recording for some time. He then signed with Mercury Records in 1977, but only released one single on that label. Carlton was unable to land a new recording contract for several years until Leon Haywood helped him get a singles deal with 20th Century Records. A Haywood-penned single, "She's a Bad Mama Jama", became a major hit, peaking at #2 on the soul chart and earning Carlton a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male. Carlton's subsequent album, Carl Carlton, went gold in 1981. "She's a Bad Mama Jama" has since become a staple of compilation albums and soundtracks and is often sampled in rap music.
Carlton released several more albums in the 1980s but had only a few minor R&B hits, and eventually fell out of favor with record companies and out of the public eye. After 1985's Private Property, he did not release another album until 1994's Main Event, which also failed to chart. (wikipedia)
She's A Bad Mamma Jamma (1981)
Swing That Sexy Thang
Baby I Need Your Loving
Everlasting Love
Competititon Ain't Nothing
PEACHES AND HERB
Peaches & Herb are a vocalist duo, once comprising "Herb" Fame, and Francine "Peaches" Hurd Barker (born April 28, 1947, died August 13, 2005). Herb has remained a constant in "Peaches & Herb" since its creation in 1967, while five different women have filled the role of "Peaches". Herb Fame (born Herbert Feemster, 1 October 1942, in Washington, D.C.), sang in church and neighborhood groups as a child. After graduation from high school, he worked in a local record store, where he eventually met record producer Van McCoy. McCoy agreed to let Fame audition, and decided to record him with Francine Barker, the lead singer of another group he was producing. The duo impressed McCoy so much that he released singles to local radio stations. Francine "Peaches" Barker (so nicknamed by her mother as a newborn because of her fuzzy, "peach-like" cheeks) was born on April 28, 1947 in Washington, D.C. Before joining with Herb, Peaches started her own singing group, The Sweet Things, who were also a signed music trio. Upon suggestion of Van McCoy, Francine and Herb teamed up. Peaches & Herb then had a string of successful singles in the next two years with the songs "Let’s Fall in Love", "Close Your Eyes" (a Pop #8 hit in 1967, and also their debut single), "For Your Love", and "Love Is Strange". Despite the duo's burgeoning success, Barker chose to leave the duo because of the rigours of touring. During this time she also worked as a solo artist. One of the more popular tunes is "Angels in the Sky" released on Columbia Records.
Marlene Mack initially replaced Barker for touring, becoming the second of the five "Peaches"; however Barker's voice remained on the actual music and albums. The new duo continued to chart with such singles as "Two Little Kids" and "When He Touches Me". However their popularity began to fade. Depressed by the slumping prospects of his partnership with Mack, Fame chose to retire from the music industry in 1970, after which time he got a job at the Washington, D.C. police department. Also lived in the neighborhood of Glenarden on Brightseat Road where they composed music and held meetings.
"Peaches & Herb" thus lay dormant until Fame decided to re-enter the music business in 1976. In his search for a new "Peaches", Feemster again enlisted the assistance of Van McCoy, who suggested that Linda Greene would be suitable for the position. Fame met Greene and concurred, leading to the formation of the most successful of the "Peaches & Herb" incarnations.
Their first album 2 Hot went gold . It contained the songs "Shake Your Groove Thing" which peaked at number 5, on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1979, and "Reunited", the unlikely follow-up single, which reached number 1. Unable to repeat the success of 2 Hot with their subsequent albums, Greene and Fame decided to retire their partnership in 1983. (wikipedia)
Marlene Mack initially replaced Barker for touring, becoming the second of the five "Peaches"; however Barker's voice remained on the actual music and albums. The new duo continued to chart with such singles as "Two Little Kids" and "When He Touches Me". However their popularity began to fade. Depressed by the slumping prospects of his partnership with Mack, Fame chose to retire from the music industry in 1970, after which time he got a job at the Washington, D.C. police department. Also lived in the neighborhood of Glenarden on Brightseat Road where they composed music and held meetings.
"Peaches & Herb" thus lay dormant until Fame decided to re-enter the music business in 1976. In his search for a new "Peaches", Feemster again enlisted the assistance of Van McCoy, who suggested that Linda Greene would be suitable for the position. Fame met Greene and concurred, leading to the formation of the most successful of the "Peaches & Herb" incarnations.
Their first album 2 Hot went gold . It contained the songs "Shake Your Groove Thing" which peaked at number 5, on the Billboard Hot 100 in March of 1979, and "Reunited", the unlikely follow-up single, which reached number 1. Unable to repeat the success of 2 Hot with their subsequent albums, Greene and Fame decided to retire their partnership in 1983. (wikipedia)
Reunited
Shake Your Groove Thing (1980)
We Got Love (1979)
ASHFORD AND SIMPSON
Nickolas Ashford (born May 4, 1942, in Fairfield, South Carolina) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946 in The Bronx, New York) are a successful husband and wife songwriting/production team and recording artists. They met in the choir of Harlem's White Rock Baptist Church. After having recorded unsuccessfully as a duo, they joined another aspiring artist, Joshie Jo Armstead, at the Scepter/Wand label where their compositions were recorded by Ronnie Milsap ("Never Had It So Good"), Maxine Brown ("One Step At A Time"), as well as the Shirelles and Chuck Jackson. Another of the trio's songs "Let's Go Get Stoned" gave Ray Charles a number one U.S. R&B hit in 1966. Ashford & Simpson then joined Holland/Dozier/Holland at Motown where their best-known songs included "Ain't No Mountain High Enough", "You're All I Need To Get By", "Reach Out And Touch Somebody's Hand" and "Remember Me". As performers, Ashford and Simpson's best-known song is "Solid" (1984). (wikipedia)
Found A Cure (1979)
Street Corner (1982)
Solid (1984)
Ain't No Mountain High Enough (1988)
Count Your Blessings
SISTER SLEDGE
Sister Sledge is an American musical group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, formed in 1972 and consisting of four singers, who are each sisters to the others: Kim Sledge (born 21 August 1957), Debbie Sledge (born 9 July 1954), Joni Sledge (born 13 September 1956), and Kathy Sledge (born 6 January 1959).
Sister Sledge were born and raised in West Philadelphia and began singing in local Philadelphia churches like the Second Macedonia Baptist Church. They were discovered by Charles Simmons and entered the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with "Mama Never Told Me" and "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me". Their career went into decline before it revived under the magisterial production skills of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic. This association gave them their biggest successes which came in 1979: the popular disco anthems "We Are Family" (#1 R&B, #2 Pop in the U.S.) and "He's the Greatest Dancer" (#1 R&B, #9 Pop in the U.S.) Both songs were included on their eight song 1979 album We Are Family. Their follow up album was 1980's Love Somebody Today, which included the songs "Got to Love Somebody" (#6 R&B, #64 Pop in the U.S., #34 in the UK) and "Pretty Baby".
Switching to producer Narada Michael Walden in 1981, they released the album All-American Girls, yielding two hits (the title track, which reached #3 R&B and #79 Pop in the U.S. and #41 Pop in the UK), and "Next Time You'll Know", which reached #28 R&B in the U.S.) The sisters continued singing new material throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They achieved an international #1 hit with "Frankie" in 1985 (#1 in the UK for 4 weeks); surprisingly the follow-up single, "Dancing on the Jagged Edge", failed to make the UK Top 40. In 1992, Kathy left the group and recorded the solo album Heart. The group continued to perform with her and recorded the album African Eyes in 1998 as well as the Live in Concert album in 1997. (wikipedia)
Sister Sledge were born and raised in West Philadelphia and began singing in local Philadelphia churches like the Second Macedonia Baptist Church. They were discovered by Charles Simmons and entered the UK Singles Chart in 1975 with "Mama Never Told Me" and "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me". Their career went into decline before it revived under the magisterial production skills of Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards of Chic. This association gave them their biggest successes which came in 1979: the popular disco anthems "We Are Family" (#1 R&B, #2 Pop in the U.S.) and "He's the Greatest Dancer" (#1 R&B, #9 Pop in the U.S.) Both songs were included on their eight song 1979 album We Are Family. Their follow up album was 1980's Love Somebody Today, which included the songs "Got to Love Somebody" (#6 R&B, #64 Pop in the U.S., #34 in the UK) and "Pretty Baby".
Switching to producer Narada Michael Walden in 1981, they released the album All-American Girls, yielding two hits (the title track, which reached #3 R&B and #79 Pop in the U.S. and #41 Pop in the UK), and "Next Time You'll Know", which reached #28 R&B in the U.S.) The sisters continued singing new material throughout the 1980s and 1990s. They achieved an international #1 hit with "Frankie" in 1985 (#1 in the UK for 4 weeks); surprisingly the follow-up single, "Dancing on the Jagged Edge", failed to make the UK Top 40. In 1992, Kathy left the group and recorded the solo album Heart. The group continued to perform with her and recorded the album African Eyes in 1998 as well as the Live in Concert album in 1997. (wikipedia)
We Are Family (1979)
He's The Greatest Dancer (1979)
Lost In Music (1979)
Got To Love Somebody (1980)
All American Girls (1981)
Frankie
Saturday, July 12, 2008
DONNA SUMMER
Donna Summer (born LaDonna Adrian Gaines December 31, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and musician who gained prominence during the disco era of music.
Summer was trained as a gospel singer prior to her introduction in the music industry, as were many then-contemporary music artists. However, Summer's notable songwriting capabilities, in addition to her collaborations with producer-songwriters Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, were able to set her apart from rivals in the industry.
Though she is most notable for her disco hits, Summer's repertoire has expanded to include contemporary R&B, rock, mainstream pop, and even gospel. Summer is one of the most successful female recording artists of the 1970s and 1980s, and still holds the record for having three consecutive double albums hit #1 on the Billboard charts. She also became the first female artist to have four number-one singles in a twelve-month period. According to her official MySpace page, Summer has sold over 130 million records worldwide.
Summer was trained as a gospel singer prior to her introduction in the music industry, as were many then-contemporary music artists. However, Summer's notable songwriting capabilities, in addition to her collaborations with producer-songwriters Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte, were able to set her apart from rivals in the industry.
Though she is most notable for her disco hits, Summer's repertoire has expanded to include contemporary R&B, rock, mainstream pop, and even gospel. Summer is one of the most successful female recording artists of the 1970s and 1980s, and still holds the record for having three consecutive double albums hit #1 on the Billboard charts. She also became the first female artist to have four number-one singles in a twelve-month period. According to her official MySpace page, Summer has sold over 130 million records worldwide.
On September 27, 2007, Summer was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but did not succeed in being inducted. Because of her success into the Disco era she is titled the Queen of Disco. (wikipedia)
(1969)
Lady Of The Night
The Hostage (1974)
Love To Love You Baby (1975)
Could It Be Magic (1976)
I Feel Love (1977)
Last Dance (1978)
On The Radio (1979)
Hot Stuff
A Song For You
Romeo
There Goes My Baby
Spring Affair
Bad Girls
Heaven Knows w/Brooklyn Dreams
State Of Independence (1983)
She Works Hard For The Money (1984)
SWAMP DOGG
One of the great characters in rock and soul music is Jerry Williams, better known as the eccentric, idiosyncratic, and always entertaining Swamp Dogg (no relation to Snoop Doggy Dogg). A Virginia native, Williams invented his own legend by claiming that he had little proper schooling, only to wake up one day and find himself a musical genius (his words). Williams made his first recording in 1954 under the moniker "Little Jerry", a 78 rpm single on the Mechanic label titled "HTD Blues" / "Nats Wailing". In 1963 he began using the moniker "Little Jerry Williams", recording with Loma Records, and by 1966 he had dropped the "Little" to record as Jerry Williams.
An early association with Jerry Wexler and Phil Walden led to him working for a number of years as a producer, engineer, and occasional songwriter with Atlantic in the '60s. At decade's end, however, he decided that the time was right to unleash Swamp Dogg's singular view of the world on an unsuspecting public. The initial result was one of the most gloriously gonzo soul recordings of all time, Total Destruction to Your Mind. Along with living up to its title, it was a renegade chunk of not-quite-commercial music, with an unforgettable (though fuzzy) cover shot of the portly Dogg in his underwear. Although undeniably great, Total Destruction to Your Mind is one of the most obscure soul records ever made. That, however, has nothing to do with the music, which rocks in a way reminiscent of Solomon Burke or Wilson Pickett. The album's charm may have to do with Dogg's world view: part libertarian politics; part Zappa-style critiques of commerciality and capitalism; and part horny male, the latter defining for better and worse his view of women. Although he spent years working in the industry, Dogg was simply not the standard-issue soul type. And that was good. Dogg continued to make records, albeit infrequently, after 1969, some good, a few great, and most all extremely difficult to find. With contemporary soul sounding increasingly mannered and sterile, Dogg's yelling, screaming, and general craziness is missed. Thankfully, he hasn't disappeared for good, although he only makes records when he feels like it. Moving from one record label to another during the next 26 years of his recording career, he finally settled on his own record label S.D.E.G. Records [Swamp Dogg Entertainment Group]. His latest recording is titled "Resurrection". (allmusic.com)
An early association with Jerry Wexler and Phil Walden led to him working for a number of years as a producer, engineer, and occasional songwriter with Atlantic in the '60s. At decade's end, however, he decided that the time was right to unleash Swamp Dogg's singular view of the world on an unsuspecting public. The initial result was one of the most gloriously gonzo soul recordings of all time, Total Destruction to Your Mind. Along with living up to its title, it was a renegade chunk of not-quite-commercial music, with an unforgettable (though fuzzy) cover shot of the portly Dogg in his underwear. Although undeniably great, Total Destruction to Your Mind is one of the most obscure soul records ever made. That, however, has nothing to do with the music, which rocks in a way reminiscent of Solomon Burke or Wilson Pickett. The album's charm may have to do with Dogg's world view: part libertarian politics; part Zappa-style critiques of commerciality and capitalism; and part horny male, the latter defining for better and worse his view of women. Although he spent years working in the industry, Dogg was simply not the standard-issue soul type. And that was good. Dogg continued to make records, albeit infrequently, after 1969, some good, a few great, and most all extremely difficult to find. With contemporary soul sounding increasingly mannered and sterile, Dogg's yelling, screaming, and general craziness is missed. Thankfully, he hasn't disappeared for good, although he only makes records when he feels like it. Moving from one record label to another during the next 26 years of his recording career, he finally settled on his own record label S.D.E.G. Records [Swamp Dogg Entertainment Group]. His latest recording is titled "Resurrection". (allmusic.com)
Total Destruction To Your Mind
I Got To Get A Message To You
Sal-A-Faster
Synthetic World
In My Resume
Sam Stone
In Time Of War, Who Wins?
If You Ask Me
King Of Kings
CHARLIE WHITEHEAD
Charlie Whitehead (September 12, 1942) was a soul singer from Franklin, Virginia. Whitehead moved to New York City in 1968 and was subsequently signed to Musicor's R&B subsidiary, Dynamo Records, by Charlie Foxx. At Dynamo, Whitehead was paired with Jerry Williams, Jr., and the two wrote songs (often with Gary U.S. Bonds) for artists such as Dee Dee Warwick and Doris Duke, including Warwick's 1970 hit, "She Didn’t Know (She Kept on Talking)".
Releasing only one single on Dynamo, Whitehead followed Williams when he left for Canyon Records. In 1970, using the name Raw Spitt, Whitehead released a self-titled album, produced and mostly written by Williams. One song from the album, "Songs to Sing" was also released as a single on United Artists. Whitehead released some material under his own name on Williams' Stone Dogg Records and in 1973, the album Charlie Whitehead and the Swamp Dogg Band on Williams' Fungus Records. In 1975, he made the Billboard R&B chart with "Love Being Your Fool" on Island Records. He released one more album, 1977's Whitehead at Yellowstone before dropping from view. (wikipedia)
Releasing only one single on Dynamo, Whitehead followed Williams when he left for Canyon Records. In 1970, using the name Raw Spitt, Whitehead released a self-titled album, produced and mostly written by Williams. One song from the album, "Songs to Sing" was also released as a single on United Artists. Whitehead released some material under his own name on Williams' Stone Dogg Records and in 1973, the album Charlie Whitehead and the Swamp Dogg Band on Williams' Fungus Records. In 1975, he made the Billboard R&B chart with "Love Being Your Fool" on Island Records. He released one more album, 1977's Whitehead at Yellowstone before dropping from view. (wikipedia)
Raw Spitt
Midnight Rider
Between The Lines
LABI SIFFRE
Labi Siffre was born and brought up in London, England, the son of an English mother and Nigerian father. After jobs such as mini-cab driver and delivery man he started to concentrate on music full-time leaving for Cannes, France to play guitar with a variety of soul musicians and bands. He returned to the UK in the late 60s and enjoyed solo hits in 1971 with "It Must Be Love" (later covered by Madness) and "Crying, Laughing, Loving, Lying". Although "Watch Me" in 1972 was his last hit of the 70s, he made a spectacular comeback in 1987 with "(Something Inside) So Strong". In recent years Siffre's work has been reassessed by a new generation after the break from his song "I Got The.." was sampled by Eminem in his breathrough hit "My Name Is". Labi Siffre nowadays spends much of his time writing poetry which deals with gay rights and other world issues. (discogs.com)
It Must Be Love (1972)
Watch Me
Dreamer/Fire And Rain (1974)
Something Inside So Strong
My Song
I Got The
Saturday, July 5, 2008
CURTIS MAYFIELD
Curtis Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American soul, R&B, and funk singer, songwriter, and record producer best known for his anthemic music with The Impressions and composing the soundtrack to the blaxploitation film Super Fly. From these works and others, he was highly regarded as a pioneer of funk and of politically conscious African-American music. He was also a multi-instrumentalist who played the guitar, bass, piano, saxophone, and drums.
Mayfield is remembered for his introduction of social consciousness into R&B and for pioneering the funk style in the 1970s. Many of his recordings with the Impressions became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and his most famous album, Super Fly, is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music. His distinctive, hard guitar riffs influenced the development of funk, and was highly influential on a young Jimi Hendrix who cited Mayfield as his biggest influence.[citation needed] He is also regarded as influencing other landmark albums, like Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters. One magazine notes, "eulogies...have treated him...as a sort of secular saint--rather like an American Bob Marley".[citation needed] That noted, he is not as well-known as contemporaries like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, or James Brown, perhaps because of their more consistent streams of hits or more mainstream style of music. Nevertheless, he is still highly regarded for his numerous innovations in the 1960s and 1970s and for his unique style of music, perhaps best described as "black psychedelia...remarkable for the scope of its social awareness". (wikipedia)
Mayfield is remembered for his introduction of social consciousness into R&B and for pioneering the funk style in the 1970s. Many of his recordings with the Impressions became anthems of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, and his most famous album, Super Fly, is regarded as an all-time great that influenced many and truly invented a new style of modern black music. His distinctive, hard guitar riffs influenced the development of funk, and was highly influential on a young Jimi Hendrix who cited Mayfield as his biggest influence.[citation needed] He is also regarded as influencing other landmark albums, like Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters. One magazine notes, "eulogies...have treated him...as a sort of secular saint--rather like an American Bob Marley".[citation needed] That noted, he is not as well-known as contemporaries like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, or James Brown, perhaps because of their more consistent streams of hits or more mainstream style of music. Nevertheless, he is still highly regarded for his numerous innovations in the 1960s and 1970s and for his unique style of music, perhaps best described as "black psychedelia...remarkable for the scope of its social awareness". (wikipedia)
Get Down (1971)
Superfly
Keep On Keeping On (1972)
Kung Fu (1974)
Freddie's Dead (1973)
We Got To Have Peace (1972)
Future Shock
Jesus (1975)
Move On Up (1987)
Gypsy Woman (1987)
Pusherman
People Get Ready w/Taylor Dane
To Be Invisible
It's All Right
Little Child Running Wild
THE IMPRESSIONS
The Impressions are an American music group from Chicago that formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B. The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks, and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their line-up to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962, Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and new Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian, and Nate Evans were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash. Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, The Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement. (wikipedia)
It's All Right (1965)
If It's In You To Do Wrong
Sad Sad Girl And Boy
Woman's Got Soul (1965)
People Get Ready
Talkin About My Baby
I Need You
I Love And I Lost
On The Move
Sooner Or Later
BABY HUEY AND THE BABYSITTERS
Baby Huey (born James Ramey, January 1, 1944 - October 28, 1970) was an American rock and soul singer, born in Richmond, Indiana. He was the frontman for the band Baby Huey & The Babysitters, whose single LP for Curtom Records in 1971 was influential in the development of hip hop music.
A native of Richmond, Indiana, James Ramey moved to Chicago, Illinois at the age of nineteen, and worked with several local bands as a singer. Due to a glandular disorder, Ramey was a large man, weighing about 350 pounds. His size contributed to his stage presence, but also to health problems. Nevertheless, he made light of his condition, adopting the stage name "Baby Huey" after Paramount Pictures' giant duckling cartoon character of the same name. In 1963, Ramey, organist/trumpeter Melvin "Deacon" Jones, and guitarist Johnny Ross founded a band called Baby Huey & the Babysitters, which became a popular local act and released several 45 RPM singles, including "Beg Me", "Monkey Man", "Messin' with the Kid" and "Just Being Careful".
During the late-1960s, the band followed the lead of Sly & the Family Stone and became a psychedelic soul act. Huey began wearing an Afro and donned psychedelic African-inspired robes, and adding sing-song, self-referential rhymes to his live performances. According to his bandmates, Ramey's rhymes were very similar in style to those later popularized by rappers in hip-hop music. The Babysitters were a popular live act, but never took the time out to record an album.
In 1969, the band's agent Marv Heiman secured them an audition with Curtom Records arranger Donny Hathaway. Hathaway was impressed by the act, and got Curtom Records head Curtis Mayfield to sign Baby Huey, but not the band. Although the band participated in the recording of Ramey's debut album, there were feelings of unease among them, and Ross and Jones quit the band during the recording.
By 1970, Ramey had developed an addiction to heroin, and his weight had increased to over 400 pounds. He began regularly missing gigs or turning up late, and, at the insistence of his bandmates, briefly entered rehabilitation in the spring of 1970. James Ramey died of a heart attack on October 28, 1970, at the age of 26, and was found in his hotel bathroom by his manager. His funeral was held on November 1, in his native Richmond, Indiana.
Baby Huey & the Babysitters' album, The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend, was released after the death of their lead singer. Produced by Curtis Mayfield, the album featured several Mayfield compositions, as well as a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and two original compositions by Ramey. The album did not sell well upon its original release, and was largely forgotten by the mainstream. Today, the album is considered a classic of its period. (wikipedia)
A native of Richmond, Indiana, James Ramey moved to Chicago, Illinois at the age of nineteen, and worked with several local bands as a singer. Due to a glandular disorder, Ramey was a large man, weighing about 350 pounds. His size contributed to his stage presence, but also to health problems. Nevertheless, he made light of his condition, adopting the stage name "Baby Huey" after Paramount Pictures' giant duckling cartoon character of the same name. In 1963, Ramey, organist/trumpeter Melvin "Deacon" Jones, and guitarist Johnny Ross founded a band called Baby Huey & the Babysitters, which became a popular local act and released several 45 RPM singles, including "Beg Me", "Monkey Man", "Messin' with the Kid" and "Just Being Careful".
During the late-1960s, the band followed the lead of Sly & the Family Stone and became a psychedelic soul act. Huey began wearing an Afro and donned psychedelic African-inspired robes, and adding sing-song, self-referential rhymes to his live performances. According to his bandmates, Ramey's rhymes were very similar in style to those later popularized by rappers in hip-hop music. The Babysitters were a popular live act, but never took the time out to record an album.
In 1969, the band's agent Marv Heiman secured them an audition with Curtom Records arranger Donny Hathaway. Hathaway was impressed by the act, and got Curtom Records head Curtis Mayfield to sign Baby Huey, but not the band. Although the band participated in the recording of Ramey's debut album, there were feelings of unease among them, and Ross and Jones quit the band during the recording.
By 1970, Ramey had developed an addiction to heroin, and his weight had increased to over 400 pounds. He began regularly missing gigs or turning up late, and, at the insistence of his bandmates, briefly entered rehabilitation in the spring of 1970. James Ramey died of a heart attack on October 28, 1970, at the age of 26, and was found in his hotel bathroom by his manager. His funeral was held on November 1, in his native Richmond, Indiana.
Baby Huey & the Babysitters' album, The Baby Huey Story: The Living Legend, was released after the death of their lead singer. Produced by Curtis Mayfield, the album featured several Mayfield compositions, as well as a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" and two original compositions by Ramey. The album did not sell well upon its original release, and was largely forgotten by the mainstream. Today, the album is considered a classic of its period. (wikipedia)
Running
Hard Times
Listen To Me
Mighty Mighty
MAJOR LANCE
Major Lance (April 4, 1939, Winterville, Mississippi — September 3, 1994, Decatur, Georgia) was an American R&B/Northern soul singer. As a child, he relocated to Chicago, attending the same school as Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler. He formed a group, the Floats, and became a featured dancer on local TV. His 1959 Mercury release, "I Got A Girl", was written and produced by Mayfield, but his career did not take off until he signed with OKeh Records in 1962. Another Mayfield song, "The Monkey Time" (1963), reached number 2 on the R&B charts and number 8 on the corresponding pop listings, and the partnership continued with further hits, including "Um Um Um Um Um Um", which reached number 5 on the pop and R&B charts.
Lance had less success after breaking his relationships with Mayfield and OKeh, releasing records on several record labels into the early 1970s, including Osiris Records, which he set up with Al Jackson. He then moved to England for two years in the 1970s, and after returning to the U.S., served a prison term for cocaine possession. Lance made few performances after a heart attack in 1987. He died in 1994, at the age of 55, as a result of heart disease. (wikipedia)
Lance had less success after breaking his relationships with Mayfield and OKeh, releasing records on several record labels into the early 1970s, including Osiris Records, which he set up with Al Jackson. He then moved to England for two years in the 1970s, and after returning to the U.S., served a prison term for cocaine possession. Lance made few performances after a heart attack in 1987. He died in 1994, at the age of 55, as a result of heart disease. (wikipedia)
The Beat
Monkey Time
Since I Lost My Baby's Love
Mama Didn't Know
Rhythm
Love Pains
THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS
The Five Stairsteps, known as "The First Family of Soul", were an American Chicago soul group made up five of Betty and Clarence Burke Sr.'s six children: Alohe, Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis, and Kenneth "Keni", and briefly, Cubie. They are best known for the 1970 song Ooh Child. The Chicago group was dubbed "the First Family of Soul" because of their successful five-year chart run; the moniker was later passed on to the Jackson 5. (wikipedia)
World Of Fantasy
You Waited Too Long
Ooh Child
Friday, July 4, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
