Edwin Starr - Clean (1978)

Edwin Starr was an integral part of the soul and dance floor scene since the mid-fifties and the formation of his first band The Future Tones in 1956. He was on the road right to the end.

Born Charles Edwin Hatcher on January 21st, 1942 in Nashville, Tennessee, Edwin was raised and educated in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1962, after completing two years of military service in the USA and Germany he moved to Detroit, the automobile city. By the middle of the decade he was one of the artists on the up-and-coming Ric-Tic label under Ed Wingate. Together they released one immortal Northern Soul hymn after another. Songs like "Agent 00 Soul", S.O.S (Stop her On Sight)" and "Headline News" laid the foundations for Edwin's continuing world-wide fame.

In 1968 mogul Berry Gordy swallowed up the Ric-Tic artists and Edwin suddenly found himself on the great Motown record label. He got off to a good start with "I Am The Man For You Baby", but it was with "25 Miles" in 1969 that things really took off.

Edwin was a somewhat unusual member of the Motown family. He co-wrote some of his numbers and stood out from the Motown program with his rough soul shout. The visionary producer, Norman Whitfield (Temptations, Gladys Knight, Rose Royce) was looking for just this kind of voice. He chose Edwin to sing the re-recording of the song "War, huh, Whatizzit Good For, Absolutely Nothing" and the single marched all the way to number 1.

In the times that followed, more and more Motown artists such as Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder directed their creative energy towards soul and social criticism. When Edwin parted company with Motown with the soundtrack "Hell Up In Harlem" (from which samples can be heard on hip-hop records from Tone Loc to Ice T) the great Motown "Sound of Young America" was already drawing to a close.

One year later Edwin celebrated his regained freedom with the album "Free To Be Myself" and the "Afternoon Sunshine" LP. His disco / soul stompers "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio", "(Eye to Eye)Contact" and "Get Up Whirlpool" once and for all established him with an enormous audience at the end of the seventies.

Edwin has been twice nominated for a Grammy, once with "Agent 00 Soul", and "H.A.P.P.Y Radio", and he is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Tierra - City Nights (1975)

Tierra, the band named "Best R&B Vocal Group" by four leading magazines including Billboard. They started their career in East Los Angeles with a blend of rock, pop, jazz, R&B and salsa. The result was a Latin R&B rhythm which produced classics like "Together", "Gonna Find Her", "Memories" and "Zoot Suit Boogie". The band's quarter century commitment shows a dedication that can only be understood by listening to their smooth and soulful sounds.

Tierra was the first Latino band to have four songs on the national chart and two simultaneously in the Top 100. They have performed in such prestigious shows such as Carnegie Hall, The American Music Awards, American Bandstand, and The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Tierra is widely known to have played a role in opening doors for other Latino and non-Latino superstars of today, including comedian Paul Rodriguez, Arsenio Hall, Sheila E., Gloria Estefan, Los Lobos, Latino Comic of the Year, Rudy Moreno, and more.

Leader of the band, Rudy Salas holds the foundation of the group strong as he leads TIERRA into the new millenium. With their new CD, "Welcome to Cafe East L.A.", a billingual album “Two Worlds/Dos Mundos”, and a recently released Greatest Hits album, this is one band that will not stop! (http://www.tierramusic.com)

The Blackbyrds - City Life (1975)

Rock Creek Park (Live)


Happy Music


The Blackbyrds was a group formed out of Washington D.C. by the legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd. He and a few of his Howard University buddies comprised the group. In 1973 the Fantasy label signed them to a contract and they eventually were nominated for a Grammy for their hit "Walking In Rhythm" which has been sampled on numerous occasions.

Siouxsie & The Banshees - Cities In Dust (1985)

"Cities in Dust" is a song written and produced by English rock band Siouxsie & the Banshees. It was released as the first single from Siouxsie & the Banshees' seventh studio album Tinderbox. The "Cities in Dust" 12 inch single was the first Banshees' single-release in the United States, through Geffen Records.

The song obliquely describes the city of Pompeii, destroyed in a volcanic eruption in 79 CE. Imagery describing the volcano and its magma chamber, the condition of the victims of the eruption, and the subsequent discovery and excavation of the city comprises the bulk of the lyrics.

"Cities in Dust" was a more Post-punk affair than singles released by Siouxsie & the Banshees in the previous several years. It also had more of a pop music melody than past releases from the band, although its cryptic lyrics were still dark, mentioning a shrine to Lares Familiares. Its upbeat 4/4 rhythm also made it a hit in danceclubs. "Cities in Dust" peaked at number twenty-one in the UK singles chart. Although not Siouxsie & the Banshees' first song to hit the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, it was their first significant hit, climbing to number seventeen. (Wikipedia)

Related articles by Zemanta

• Next Week On Rock Band: Pickup Some Siouxsie [Harmonix]

Steve Miller Band - Circle Of Love (1981)

11th LP by The Steve Miller Band that was certified gold. I like it for "Macho City" which graced the whole B-Side. The LP sleeve says the time is18:32, but the 12" Promo which is exactly the same says 16:35. Either way it's long. One of the meanest breakdowns ever. And a nice head-boppin groove. Oh. And the thunder sounds nice also.

Sister Sledge - Circle Of Love (1975)

Rare debut LP by Sister Sledge. Not very popular amongst the masses but collectors know of the gem "Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me". Many of the songs were c0-written by Gwen Guthrie. And all the girls were still teenagers when they recorded this album in 1974. Surprisingly there is no American CD release of this as of yet. But you can plunk down the extra money and get the CD. It may just be cheaper to hunt down the vinyl.

Hot Chocolate - Cicero Park (1974)

Hot Chocolate was a band from Brixton, London, England. They included in alphabetical order Errol Brown, Tony Connor, Larry Ferguson, Harvey Hinsley, Derek Lewis, Pat Olive and Tony Wilson. Their most popular song is "You Sexy Thing". I am sure they are still seeing royalties from that one. Cicero Park was their debut LP.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Chronicle (1976)

http://www.creedence-online.net/

Christopher Cross - Christopher Cross (1979)

Ride Like the Wind was Christopher Cross' biggest single. From the Self-titled LP. It was released in 1979 and was his debut LP. In the U.S it reached Number 2 on the Billboard Pop Charts. Michael McDonald of Doobie Brothers fame is prominent on the backing vocals. Inside the LP cover Cross dedicated "Ride Like The Wind" to former Little Feat member Lowell George who passed in 1979. The LP won the Grammy for Best LP in 1981.