Rockie Robbins

Born Edward W. Robbins, Jr. in Minneapolis, balladeer Rockie Robbins began singing at an early age. Working with famed arranger/producers Richard Evans (Natalie Cole, Peabo Bryson) and Johnny Pate (Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions, Lonette McKee, OKeh Records), Robbins made an impressive debut on his self-titled LP, which was released in the spring of 1979 on A&M Records. The ballad singles "If I Ever Lose You" and a cover of EWF's "Be Ever Wonderful" received a lot of radio airplay but weren't big sellers, although "Be Ever Wonderful" charted at number 67 R&B in late 1979. Another impressive fact is that the record was even made, as the original session tapes were somehow erased while en route from the recording studio to the record company. Although Rockie Robbins wasn't a major seller, A&M believed in Robbins and kept him as an artist. Teaming with producer/arranger Bobby Martin -- whose previous credits including arranging a slew of hits for Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International Records and fellow A&M signees LTD with lead singer Jeffrey Osborne -- Robbins' second LP, You and Me, was issued the spring of 1980. The title track went to number nine R&B. The next single, the danceable, inspiring "Hang Tough," made it to number 70 R&B. Robbins' other A&M singles were "After Loving You," "Time to Think," and "I Believe in Love" (all were moderate hits). Switching to MCA Records, Robbins earned the distinction (like Loleatta Holloway and Ronnie McNeir, among others) of having two self-titled LPs in his catalog. The MCA LP was released in early 1985 and there was one charting single around the time of its release ("We Belong Together") .

Year : 1980
Label : A&M Records

Lenny Williams

Oakland, California native Lenny Williams possesses one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music.  With his rich, passionate vocal style, he is rightfully regarded as one of R & B's most influential soul men.  Williams began his musical career making records that have subsequently become R & B and Pop classics, tunes like the mega-hit "Cause I love You" (recorded on his solo album) and "So Very Hard To Go', which he recorded as the lead singer for Tower of Power.  Lenny William's style has transcended into the new millennium, influencing many of today's newest R & B and Pop vocalists.

Year : 1977

Label : Abc Rec.

Minnie Ripperton

Minnie Julia Riperton (November 8, 1947 – July 12, 1979) was an American singer-songwriter best known for her vocal range of more than five octaves and her 1975 single "Lovin' You". She was married to songwriter and music producer Richard Rudolph (1968 until her death in 1979). She was also the mother of music engineer Marc Rudolph and actress/comedienne Maya Rudolph.

Riperton grew up in poverty on Chicago's southside. As a child Riperton studied music, drama, and dance at Chicago's Lincoln Center. In her teen years, Riperton sang lead vocals for the Chicago-based girl group, The Gems. Her early affiliation with legendary Chess Records afforded her the opportunity to sing backup for various established artist such as Etta James, Fontella Bass, Ramsey Lewis, Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, and Muddy Waters. While at Chess, Riperton also sang lead for the experimental rock/soul group Rotary Connection, from 1967 to 1971. In 1969 Riperton, along with Rotary Connection, played in the first Catholic Rock Mass at the Liturgical Conference National Convention, Milwaukee Arena, Milwaukee, WI. produced by James F. Colaianni. Riperton reached the apex of her short, but esteemed, career with her number-one hit single, "Lovin' You", on April 4, 1975. The single was the last release from her 1974 gold album entitledPerfect Angel.

In 1976 Riperton was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a modified radical mastectomy. Though she was given just six months to live, she continued recording and touring, and in 1977 she became spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. Riperton was one of the first celebrities to go public with her breast cancer diagnosis, but did not disclose that she was terminally ill. In 1978, Riperton also received the prestigious Society's Courage Award presented to her at the White House by then-President Jimmy Carter. She died at age 31 on July 12, 1979.

Beau Williams

Houston, Texas born singer Beau Williams may be one of the greatest Soul voices of the past 30 years, but he still remains relatively unknown outside of the Gospel world. Williams was performing at an early age, and his clear, booming Gospel voice began winning local talent contests for him by the time he was a teen. He began providing backup vocal work in the late 70s and nearly became the Temptations' lead singer after the departure of Louis Price in 1980.

With the help of George Benson, Williams landed a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1981. He recorded four albums for Capitol during 1982-86 which were of uneven quality but which included a number of notable ballads that showed off his strong, multi-octive Sam Cooke-like voice. "Elvina," "I Think I Know You," "The Last Time I Made Love" and the booming "Another Place and Time" earned for Williams critical acclaim and an international following but little success in the U.S. He achieved his only notoriety in America when he became the winning male singer on the TV talent show Star Search in 1983 (which was designed as an amateur show, though oddly Williams won after he had already released two albums).
In 1989 Williams went back to his roots, signing with Light Records and releasing the Gospel album Wonderful. He scored a number one Gospel hit with the title cut, a Sam Cooke remake. His follow up album, Love, also hit the top 5 and included another hit Cooke cover, "That's Heaven to Me." Williams recorded three more less popular Gospel albums, the last being 1996's They Need to Know on Insync Records, before his solo recording career faded.
Williams continues to perform in Gospel shows around the U.S.

Year : 1982
Label : Capitol

 

Lew Kirton

Smooth soul singer Lew Kirton was born in Barbados and grew up singing in his church choir; he later performed with island vocal groups as Jiggs Kirton. Also an accomplished drummer, he later moved to the United States and took over the drum chair in Sam & Dave's touring revue in 1969. He joined the Philly-styled soul group the Invitations in 1972 as lead vocalist, and they attracted some attention with singles like "They Say the Girl's Crazy" and "Look on the Good Side." Kirton went solo in the late '70s, signing with the Miami-based TK label family (best known for hits by George and Gwen McCrae) in 1977. Teamed with writer/producer Clarence Reid (whose alter ego was, of course, the bawdy comedian Blowfly), his first releases on the Marlin subsidiary included the future collector's item "Do What You Want, Be What You Are." 1978 saw the single release of his best-known song, "Heaven in the Afternoon"; two years later, he issued his first full-length album, Just Arrived, on another TK subsidiary, Alston. After recording as a guest vocalist with B. Baker's Chocolate Company, Kirton left TK and moved to New York. His second album, Talk to Me, appeared in 1983 on the Believe in a Dream label, and spawned singles in the title track and "Don't Give Up Your Dream (Hang On in There)." One further single, "Don't Wanna Wait," was released on MCA in 1986; despite having completed another album, Kirton has yet to find an outlet for its release. Just Arrived was later reissued by the British label Expansion under the title Heaven in the Afternoon, with bonus tracks from Kirton's earlier singles included...This is my fav tune...just amazing! 

Year : 1983
Label : Believe in a Dream

Byrd Pressley

Byrd Pressley was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He traveled around the world entertaining with The New Century Platters. Byrd later formed the Byrd Pressley Band. In the mid eighties he was managed by Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother, and Toni Chambers for their Company, Personal Touch Management. Byrd also was a special guest performer for the Miss Maryland Pageant. He had several songs released in Europe that hit the UK charts.

Year: 1987
Label: Heat Recording

B.O.F.

Awesome record out of Chicago, realized with the help of The Chi-Lites manager
Marshall Thompson in a joint effort to financially support the 'Probation Challenge'
program. Revenues made from sales of the record would be donated to fund education
programs, with the purpose to give people a 'second chance' and prevent encarcelation.
A noble and unselfish project by this band that didn't just seek stardom and fame.

Year: 1985
Label: Dupar

Pleasure

Formed in Portland, Oregon, U.S.A.

Original group members were:

Dennis Springer (Tenor and Soprano Sax)

Dan Brewster (Trombone)

Marlon 'The Magician' McClain (Guitars and Background Vocals)

Bruce Carter (b. Bruce Edward Carter, 28th December 1956, d. 12th August 2006, Portland, Oregan, U.S.A., Drums)

Tony Collins (Trumpet / Flugelhorn)

Donald Hepburn (Keyboards and Background Vocals)

Michael Hepburn (Keyboards and Background Vocals)

Nathaniel Phillips (Bass and Background Vocals)

Bruce Smith (Percussion and Background Vocals)

Sherman Davis (Lead Vocals and Background Vocals)

Pleasure blended soul, funk and jazz with a tough street edge and became a cult group on the underground black music scene of the late 70's.

Bruce Edward Carter, as a teenager, formed a Portland R & B band called the Franchise with friends Marlon McClain on guitar and Nathaniel Phillips on bass.

In 1972, the band merged with a rival band, the Soul Masters, to form Pleasure.

Strong Love is an amazing smooth jazz funk - soul tune...I just adore this sound!

Enjoy ;)

Year : 1979

Label :  Beat Goes Public Bgp

Atlantic Starr

The group was started in 1976 in White Plains, New York by trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, and three brothers: David Lewis (vocals and guitar), Wayne Lewis (keyboards and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone). Other members of the band were lead singer Sharon Bryant (who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels). In 1977 the band came to Westwood, California and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban" which was changed on their debut hit single.

Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts. However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts) did not come until halfway into the 80s, with the release of their As The Band Turns album, and the single "Secret Lovers." By this time, the band had pared itself down to a quintet, consisting of the three Lewis brothers, Phillips, and Weathers. In 1987, the band solidified their pop success by scoring a #1 pop (and R&B) hit with "Always," a slow jam off their album All In The Name Of Love. Following this success, Weathers left for a solo career, and she was replaced by Porscha Martin for the band's next album, 1988's We're Movin' Up. Although this album was not quite as successful as its predecessor, it did produce another #1 R&B hit with "My First Love."

The band would continue to score hits on both the R&B and Pop charts into the early 90s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Rachel Oliver for the album, Love Crazy[1]. This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 90s, with "Masterpiece" reaching #3 on both the pop and R&B charts in early 1992.The Group toured to Japan in 1992 with yet another lead vocalist at the helm "Crystal Blake" (Studio vocalist for Stevie Wonder,and lead on " Bust A Move" w/ Youmg M.C.)

Following the release of Love Crazy, Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. Records dissolved, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista: Time. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continue to perform.








Year: A&M Records
Label: 1983

Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones (better-known for his production of several Michael Jackson records, and has worked with stars such as Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald) was handed the task of producing the music score for The Italian Job as director Peter Collinson wanted to give the pennyless musician a chance.

Quincy Jones back in the 60's

Apparently Quincy had no job, no money and he and his wife were expecting a baby, but he was talented. So producer Michael Deeley brought Quincy and his family over to England and set then up in a flat in Marble Arch and was commissioned hired.

The production team were worried about the last few minutes of the film as the editing was a little choppy and Quincy was credited in saving the film by creating a music score that pulled it all together.

Get a Bloomin' Move On...
Highly regarded lyricist Don Black wrote the lyrics for the two vocal tracks on the score - On Days Like These and Get a Bloomin' Move On. Matt Monroe sang On Days Like These, as he was working with Don Black at the time.

Music Sheet

Get a Bloomin' Move On (or The Self-Preservation Society as it is sometimes referred to) originated from old East End tunes like My Old Man's a Dustman. Quincy had a fascination with Cockney rhyming slang, he found it very funny and apparently created it for the amusement of the production team.

For years many fans of the film believe that Michael Caine himself is performing the lyrics on the infamous track, and in the book 'The Making of The Italian Job', the author Matthew Field conducts an interview with Caine and he confirmed that he is on the track with many of the other 'lads' from the film!

Quincy Jones and Michael Caine became good friends during the production and they still keep in contact today, they even share the same birthday, March 14th 1933!

Quincy Jones went on to be a highly successful musician, working on over 1600 titles spanning five decades, for more info, visit his website:www.quincyjonesmusic.com

I love this Stevie Wonder's Version..so smooth and Soulful!

Year : 1975

Label : A&M

Ronnie Laws

From the album Flame. This classic album by saxophonist Ronnie Laws from 1978 has been an all-time favorite of mine. Only briefly available on CD during the early 90's this album still remains only available on LP. This album features EWF members Larry Dunn and Philip Bailey among others like Roland Bautista and Pat Kelly representing Ronnie Laws at his best.

Year : 1978

Label : United Artists Records

Leon Ware

Songwriter, singer, and producer Leon Ware is one of the less-recognized products of the Motown Records music factory of the 1960s and '70s, primarily because he has tended to work behind the scenes despite recording a series of albums under his own name. His signature style is a highly romantic approach to soul music that has resulted in many hit records, notably "I Wanna Be Where You Are," recorded by Michael Jackson, and "I Want You," recorded by Marvin Gaye, both of which he co-wrote. 

Year : 1981

Label : Elektra Rec.

The Futures

RARE GROOVE CLASSIC FROM THE SAME LP AS PARTY TIME MAN
Formed 1968 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvannia, U.S.A.One of Philadelphia's finest groups, The Futures comprised of: Frank Washington Kenny Crew James King John Kingand Henry McGilberry The Futures tried to attain the status of the Temptations.Amjo Records released their first single in 1970, 'Breaking Up' b/w 'Our Thing.'Richard Wright (deceased) sang lead on the Amjo side, along with other members, that with one or two exceptions, differed from the previously mentioned names.Avalanche Records reissued the Amjo single the following year.The next single 'Love Is Here,' appeared on Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Gamble label.The Futures made a poor career move when Gamble Records ended up by signing with Buddah Records, thus missing a golden opportunity to join Philadelphia International Records.Their first Buddah release '(That's) The Way Of A Woman In Love' b/w 'Grade A Woman,' was released in January 1974.The second single 'No One Could Compare' b/w 'You Better Be Careful' was released shortly afterwards.Without the major label support that Philadelphia had to offer bands like the O'Jays, and Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes & the Stylistics, the band failed to reap the benefits of their productions. Buddah released the Futures third single 'Castles' June 1975, which continued the string of under achievments.They issued the Futures' first album 'Castles In The Sky', in 1975 which didn't include the first two singles. Its promotion was almost non existent.Barbara Mason wrote their final Buddah single 'We Got Love,' prompting a poorly promoted tour with Philly's First Lady of Soul. Finally, they reunited with Gamble & Huff in 1978 at Philadelphia International Records, but the company's glory days were over.The first release 'Part Time Party Time Man,' was their most successful single.Its 'rare groove' successor 'Ain't No Time For Nothing,' was succeeded by three more singles including 'Mr. Bojangles.'

Year : 1978
Label : Philadelphi Int'l

Al Johnson

0Alfred Orlando Johnson is an American R&B singer, writer, arranger and producer. Born in Newport News, Virginia in 1948, Johnson attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. and while there, co-founded the soul group, The Unifics.

Personally "Al" is one of the most powerful and soulful artist in my world for me. "I've Got My Second Wind" is the the first song on the LP "Peaceful" from 1978 on the label "Marina Records". The song is my absolutely favorite song on the LP. "Come Check Out This Love" and "Since You Walked Out Of My Life" are 2 amazing songs in highest quality on the LP to definitely check out right now!

Year: Marina Records
Label: 1978

Sunfire

Based in New York, Sunfire are best remembered for "Step In The Light," written by Brian Jackson, produced by James Mtume and Reggie Lucas and released by Warner Brothers in 1982.

Year: 1982
Label: Warner Bros Records

Herbie Hancock

From the Lp Sunlight. Written by Jeffrey Cohen, who gave Herbie his best disco track, The Chorus is a smooth talk box chant, awesome, Enjoy!

Year : 1979
Label : Cbs Records

Ronnie Laws

Saxophonist Ronnie Laws held high profile gigs with Quincy Jones and Earth, Wind And Fire before signing with Blue Note in 1975 where his first album Pressure Sensitive yielded the hit "Always There" which is still a staple in dance clubs around the world. By Every Generation, his fourth album, Laws's writing and production was getting so sophisticated and R&B-oriented, that he was moved to United Artists Records. With writing and producing partner William Jeffrey, Ronnie produced state-of-the-art R&B gems with this album, using his own band plus siblings Hubert and Eloise Laws and guests Larry Dunn, Joe Sample and Patrice Rushen.
This tune is perfect....;) Enjoy

Year : 1980

Label : Blue Note

Apollo

Apollo was founded by Kerry Gordy and Benny Medina in late 70's. Teena Marie was originally in the group as the female lead but dropped out right before the band released their first single for Motown entitled Astro Disco. The group graced the covers of teen magazines, performed on national television shows and performed over 200 concerts in Asia alone according to executives in Motown.





Year: 1979
Label: Gordy (Motown Records)

The Live Band

Hello dear family N friends. Don't pass by without checking this wonderful "2 Step" groove from 1982 on TSOB (The Sound Of Brooklyn). The LP contains 8 wonderful songs, something worth to check out as soon as possible.





Year: 1982
Label: TSOB