B.T. Express - Keep It Up

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of B.T. Express’ 7th Studio Album “Keep It Up” Originally Released on April 30, 1982.

 

“Keep It Up” is the  seventh studio album by the Brooklyn, New York, funk band B. T. Express. Released in 1982 on Coast to Coast Roadshow Records.

 

The album reached #49 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's charts.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, Let Yourself Go, Keep It Up, and Star Child (Spirit of the Night),all three songs failed to chart on Billboard.

 

The album “Keep It Up” was the band’s final studio album on Coast to Coast/Roadshow Records.

 

The band would resurface in 1983

with the release of two singles "Hangin' Out" and "This Must Be the Night" neither of the singles charted on the Billboard charts.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. This Must Be The Night For Love

2. It's Got To Be You

3. Star Child

4. Keep It Up

5. Just Can't Stop Dancin'

6. Dancin' Dream

7. Let Yourself Go

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

René & Angela - Rise

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of René & Angela’s 3rd Studio Album “Rise” Originally Released on April 29, 1983.

“Rise is the third studio album by R&B duo René & Angela, released in 1983 on Capitol Records.

 

The album reached #33 on the U.S. Billboard Top Black Albums charts.

 

Two songs were released as singles, "Banging the Boogie" and "My First Love".

 

"Banging the Boogie"reached #33 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs charts.

 

"My First Love" reached #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles charts,

 

The song R&B ballad "My First Love", was covered by R&B singer Avant with female R&B singer Keke Wyatt .

 

The album was co-produced by René & Angela, alongside Bobby Watson, the album is lauded for its "polished" and "hook-laden" arrangements that avoided the clichés of 1980s pop.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Rise

2. Keep Runnin'

3. My First Love

4. Bangin' The Boogie

5. When It Comes To Love

6. Wait Until Tonight

7. Can't Give You Up

8. Take Me To The Limit

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

The Temptations - The Temptations Wish It Would Rain

​Today Marks The 58th Anniversary of The Temptations 7th Studio Album “The Temptations Wish It Would Rain” Originally Released on April 29, 1968.

“The Temptations Wish It Would Rain” is the seventh studio album by Motown soul, funk group The Temptations released in 1968 on Gordy Records.

 

The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B LP's chart, and at #13 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs charts.

 

Four songs were released from the album as singles, I Wish It Would Rain, I Truly, Truly Believe, I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You), and Please Return Your Love to Me,

 

“I Wish It Would Rain" peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

“I Truly, Truly Believe” reached #41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and at #116 just beneath the Billboard Hot 100.

 

“I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)” peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Please Return Your Love to Me”  peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

The album was the last Temptations album to focus on the classic "Motown Sound", and the last to feature production from Smokey Robinson.

 

The album was the final studio album to feature the "Classic 5" lineup before David Ruffin was fired in June 1968 due to unprofessional behavior and ego clashes. It also marked the end of the group's traditional "Motown Sound" before they shifted into the "psychedelic soul" era with his replacement, Dennis Edwards.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. I Could Never Love Another (After Loving You)

2. Cindy

3. I Wish It Would Rain

4. Please Return Your Love to Me

5. Fan the Flame

6. He Who Picks A Rose

7. Why Did You Leave Me Darling

8. I Truly, Truly Believe

9. This Is My Beloved

10. Gonna Give Her All The Love I've Got

11. I've Passed This Way Before

12. No Man Can Love Her Like I Do

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Maze - We Are One

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Maze’s 5th Studio Album “We Are One” Originally Released on April 28, 1983

We Are One is the fifth studio album and sixth overall album by Bay Area-based R&B group Maze. It was released in 1983 on Capitol Records.

 

The album peaked at #5 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts and at #25 on the Billboard 200 charts.

 

Four singles were released from the album in 1983, "Love Is the Key”, "Never Let You Down", "We Are One" and "I Wanna Thank You".

 

"Love Is the Key” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

"Never Let You Down" peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.

 

"We Are One" reached at #47 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

"I Wanna Thank You" peaked at #59 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

Track-listing

 

 All songs written by Frankie Beverly.

 

1. "Love Is the Key"

2. "Right on Time"

3. "Your Own Kind of Way"

4. "I Wanna Thank You"

5. "We Are One"

6. "Never Let You Down"

7. "I Love You Too Much"

8. "Metropolis"

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©

Mother’s Finest - Black Radio Won't Play This Record

​Today Marks The 34th Anniversary of Mother’s Finest’s 10th Studio Album “Black Radio Won’t Play This” Originally Released on April 28, 1992.

“Black Radio Won't Play This Record” is the tenth studio album by Atlanta, Georgia, Funk/Rock band Mother's Finest released in 1992 on Scotti Bros. Records.

 

The album tackles serious subjects, including racism ("Like a Negro"), female independence ("Power"), the crack epidemic ("Crack Babies"), and government criticism ("Attitude").

 

The album is widely considered one of the best rock albums of the 1990s by critics.

 

Critics praised the album for its integrity and its bold defiance of industry expectations

 

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Like a Negro

2. Power

3. Generator

4. Cry Baby

5. Shirt

6. The Wall

7. Attitude

8. Crack Babies

9. Head Bangin' and Booty Shakin'

10. Stop

11. Move (Get Outta My Way)

12. L.P.F.

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Sly & the Family Stone - Dance to the Music

​Today Marks The 58th Anniversary of Sky & The Family Stone’s 2nd Studio Album “Dance to the Music” Originally Released on April 27, 1968.

“Dance to the Music” is the second studio album by funk/soul band Sly and the Family Stone, released in 1968 on Epic/CBS Records.

 

The album peaked at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B LPs chart and at #142 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

 

The album’s title track "Dance to the Music" peaked at #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Dance to the Music

2. Higher

3. I Ain't Got Nobody (For Real)

4. Dance to the Medley

5. Ride the Rhythm

6. Color Me True

7. Are You Ready

8. Don't Burn Baby

9. I'll Never Fall in Love Again

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©