Atlantic Starr - Radiant

​Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Atlantic Starr’s 3rd Studio Album “Radiant” Originally Released on February 3, 1981.

 

“Radiant” is the third studio album by American rhythm and blues band Atlantic Starr released in 1981 on A&M Records.

 

The album peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart and at #47 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album in 1981. "Send for Me",  "When Love Calls" and "Am I Dreaming".

 

"Send for Me" reached #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

"When Love Calls" peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and at #16 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.

 

"Am I Dreaming" the album’s third single failed to reach the Billboard charts.

 

The album was produced by veteran Motown producer James Anthony Carmichael, best known for his work with the Jackson 5 and Commodores.

 

Track-listing

 

1. When Love Calls

2. Does It Matter

3. Think About That

4. Send For Me

5. Mystery Girl

6. Am I Dreaming

7. Under Pressure

8. My Turn Now

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©

Unlimited Touch - Yes, We're Ready

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Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Unlimited Touch’s Sophomore Studio Album “Yes, We're Ready!” Originally Released February 2, 1983.

 

Yes We're Ready is the second studio album by American, New York–based post-disco group, Unlimited Touch the album was released in 1983 on Jupiter Records.

 

The album released three singles Yes, We're Ready, Happily Ever After and No One Can Love Me (Quite The Way) You Do.

 

Yes, We're Ready would be the group’s final studio album after a on going dispute with their original label the group first disbanded in 1981. They formed in 1983 with a new line-up of just three of the original members: Wheeler, Anderson, and James. They released a second album Yes We're Ready in 1983.

 

Their final single "Reach Out (Everlasting Lover)" reached number 54 on the US Dance chart in 1984, but the group disbanded again not long afterwards.

 

On March 31, 2020, bassist Sandy Anderson died from the COVID-19 virus.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Yes, I'm Ready

2. Your Love Is Serious

3. Love Explosion

4. No One Can Love Me (Quite The Way) You Do

5. Good Loving

6. Yes, I'm Ready (Reprise)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

The Ohio Players - Pain

​Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of The Ohio Players Sophomore Studio Album “Pain” Originally Released February 2, 1972.

 

“Pain” is the second studio album by Ohio Players, and their debut for the Westbound label.

 

The album peaked at #21 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #177 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

 

The album’s lead single “Pain” peaked at #35 on the Billboard The Hot R&B Songs chart and at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

After significant lineup changes, including the addition of wunderkind Walter “Junie” Morrison, Ohio Players recorded their first album, Pain, and brought their vision of soul to the world early in 1972. Released on Westbound, this album set the template for all the records to follow.

 

The album was one of their first to feature a bald African-American dancer and model Patricia Evans.

 

Evans would be featured on their next two album Pleasure, and Ecstasy.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Pain

2. Never Had a Dream

3. Players Balling (Players Doin' Their Own Thing)

4. I Wanna Hear from You

5. The Reds

6. Singing in the Morning

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Earth, Wind & Fire - Earth, Wind & Fire

​Today Marks The 55th Anniversary of Earth, Wind & Fire’s Debut Self-Titled Album “Earth, Wind & Fire “ Originally Released on February 2, 1971.

 

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American R$B band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in February 1971 by Warner Bros. Records.

 

The album peaked #24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and reached #172 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

The single "Love Is Life" reached No. 43 on the Billboard Hot Soul Songs chart.

 

The album was produced by Joe Wissert.

 

The album served as a sampling source for various recording artists. "Moment of Truth" was sampled by LL Cool J on the track "Murdergram", Kid N Play on the track "Energy" and The Jungle Brothers on "Good News Comin' and What You Waiting For". "Bad Tune" was sampled by Brand Nubian on "Dance to My Ministry", Diamond D on "Feel the Vibe", DJ Shadow on "In/Flux" and by Lupe Fiasco on "Carrerra Lu". "Fan the Fire" was also sampled by Michie Mee on "Jamaican Funk"

 

Track-listing

 

1. Help Somebody

2. Moment Of Truth

3. Love Is Life

4. Fan The Fire

5. C'mon Children

6. This World Today

7. Bad Tune

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Con Funk Shun - Organized Con Funk Shun

​Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of Con Funk Shun’s Debut Studio Album “Organized Con Funk Shun” Originally Released February 2, 1973.

 

“Organized Con Funk Shun”is the debut studio album by Vallejo, California funk band Con Funk Shun released in 1973 on Pickwick Records.

 

This album was initially recorded in 1973  at Audio Dimensions Studios in Memphis,  it was reissued in 1978 on Pickwick Records.

 

Being that this was Con Funk Shun's first album, it set the stage for what was to come during their reign as a premier R&B group.

 

During this time, the group was under contract to the Memphis-based Crankshaft Productions, Inc. and under the direction of Ted Sturges.

 

The album features the track "Sure Feels Good To Me", which is also featured in an alternative mix on the Organized album

 

The album was produced by Ted Sturges, the album documents the band's transition from their time as "Project Soul" backing The Soul Children to becoming a self-sufficient, self-contained funk group.

 

Con Funk Shun was a young group with maturity destined for success, The album is a mixture of everything from funk to R&B/soul to jazz;  featuring vocals from a young Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. Time

2. Get Down With It

3. Do You Really Know What Love Is For

4. Sure Feels Good To Me

5. Love In Me

6. Seascape (Instrumental)

7. Funky Things On Your Mind

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Rest in Paradise 🕊️ To Steve Washington of Slave and Aurra.

​Stephen C. Washington (September 18, 1958 to February 1, 2026). was a trumpeter and Multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and producer. 

Born in Newark, NJ, raised in nearby East Orange. At fifteen he toured with his uncle Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks of the Ohio Players during school vacations and had a band of his own with his East Orange High School classmates Mark Hicks and Tim Dozier called Black Satin Soul.

The Black Satin Soul eventually fused with The Young Mystics (Floyd Miller, Mark Adams and Tom Lockett), creating the group Slave. 

Steve was also a key figure in the formation and musical direction of the group Aurra.

Washington was an early pioneer of the "electric trumpet" and significantly influenced the band's signature sound: a mix of raw funk, deep basslines, and jazz-fusion.

During his tenure, the band called Slave together they produced numerous R&B classics, including their 1977 breakout hit

"Slide", “Just a Touch of Love.” ,  "Foxy Lady (Funky Lady)" · "Sizzlin' Hot" and “Watching You”, 

In 1981 Steve Washington, Starleana Young, Curt Jones and Thomas Lockett departed to form the R&B funk band Aurra in 1981.

The offshoot band Aurra, achieved success with hits like "Are You Single" and "Checkin' You Out".

In 1983 Steve Washington along side former Slave and Aurra bandmates Mark Hicks, A.C. Drummer, and Sheila Washington formed the hard funk group called Civil Attack, Together they released one self-titled album called Civil Attack.

In 1984 Steve Washington released his first and only solo album called “Like A Shot”, from the album he released his first solo single called “Please Don't Go”.

After a long hiatus in 2013, Steve Washington, Sheila Horne, A.C. Drummer and Mark Stevens revamped the band Aurra and released two albums “Satisfaction” and Body Rock.

Steve Washington was a frequent collaborator with George Clinton, producing and performing on vario Parliament-Funkadelic projects throughout the years.

Washington’s legacy continues through his work, which has been widely sampled by hip-hop artists for decades.

On February 1, 2026 Stephen C. Washington got his wings,No official cause of death was announced.

Musique Funkology would like to send our condolences to all of his family, friends and fans. ~ Romie Rome

White Heat - White Heat

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Today Marks The 51st Anniversary of White Heat’s Debut Self-Titled Studio Album “White Heat” Originally Released on February 1, 1975.

“White Heat” is the debut self titled album of White Heat released in 1975 by RCA Victor Records.

White Heat was the backing band of singer, songwriter and composer Berry White who produced their debut studio album.

The band consisted of key musicians that would later become the funk/soul band Switch, members Bobby DeBarge, Gregory Wiliams and Jody Sims were key members of the eight piece band.

Barry White produced the album and wrote a few songs, and titles include "Funk Freak", "What A Groove", "You Can Change My Life For Me", "Talkin", and "I Love Every Little Thing About You".

Three songs were released as singles in 1975, “Don't Let The Bad Times Get You Down”, “If That's The Way You Feel (Then Let's Fall In Love)” and “What A Groove”.

Though the band had minor success, Barry White was forced to drop the band because of a tax problems and kept one of the band's saxophonists as part of Love Unlimited Orchestra.

Members Gregory Wiliams, Jody Sims and Philip Ingram would later form the band Hot Ice with Bobby DeBarge’s brother Thomas DeBarge.

Those members would undertake a couple more names before they eventually form as Switch re-uniting with former White Heat member Bobby DeBarge and with keyboardist Eddie Fluellen.

Track-listing

1. Take a Look at Yourself (Before You Frown on Someone Else)

2. If That's the Way You Feel (Then Let's Fall in Love)

3. I Love Every Little Thing About You

4. Talkin’

5. What a Groove

6. I've Been So Lonely (Without You)

7. You Can Change My Life For Me

8. Funk Freak

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.