Patrice Rushen - Straight from the Heart

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Patrice Rushen’s 7th Studio Album “Straight from the Heart” Originally Released on April 14, 1982.

 

“Straight from the Heart” is the seventh studio album by jazz/funk pianist Patrice Rushen released in 1982 on Elektra Records.

 

The album peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at  #14 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, Forget Me Nots, Breakout, and I Was Tired of Being Alone.

 

“Forget Me Nots” peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Breakout” reached reached #46 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

“I Was Tired of Being Alone” reached #79 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

Other album standouts include:

 

"Remind Me": Frequently cited as a "quiet storm classic" and a foundational track for modern hip-hop sampling.

 

"Number One": An instrumental track often described as a "Chic outtake" that showcases Rushen's piano skills.

 

"Forget Me Nots": The album's centerpiece is universally hailed for its "funky" bassline (by Freddie Washington) and "buoyant" handclaps.

 

Rapper, Will Smith sampled "Forget Me Nots" for his 1997 hit song "Men in Black" theme. The Grammy-winning track heavily features the distinct bassline and melody from Rushen’s 1982 R&B hit, which was famously reworked for the sci-fi movie soundtrack.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Forget Me Nots

2. I Was Tired of Being Alone

3. All We Need

4. Number One (Instrumental)

5. Where There Is Love

6. Breakout!

7. If Only

8. Remind Me

9. (She Will) Take You Down to Love

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Mary Jane Girls - Mary Jane Girls

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of The Mary Jane Girls’ Debut Self-Titled Album “Mary Jane Girls” Originally Released on April 13, 198.

 

“Mary Jane Girls” is the debut self-titled album released by R&B/Funk girls group the Mary Jane Girls released in 1983 on Gordy Records.

 

The album was produced and written entirely by Rick James.

 

The album peaked at # 6 on the Billboard US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #56 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

 

Three singles were released from the album in 1983, "Candy Man", “Boys” and "All Night Long".

 

"Candy Man" peaked at #23 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

Singer Kylie Minogue sampled "Candy Man" in "Always Find the Time" from her hit album, Rhythm of Love.

 

“Boys” reached #29 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

"All Night Long" peaked at #11 on "All Night Long" and at #101 just shy of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

"All Night Long" has been sampled in many songs, including "Smooth Operator" by Big Daddy Kane on his 1989 LP, It's a Big Daddy Thing, "Around the Way Girl" by LL Cool J, "Tonight's da Night" by Redman and "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" by Mary J. Blige, Da Bitchez by Jeru The Damaja, Can't Wait by Redman.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Candy Man

2. Boys

3. Prove It

4. Jealousy

5. You Are My Heaven

6. On The Inside

7. All Night Long

8. Musical Love

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Lakeside - Your Wish Is My Command

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Lakeside’s 6th Studio Album “Your Wish Is My Command” Originally Released on April 13, 1981.

Your Wish Is My Command is the sixth album by American funk band Lakeside. Released in 1981 on the SOLAR Records.

 

The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #58 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

Two singles were released from the album "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "Something About That Woman".

 

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

"I Want to Hold Your Hand" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles, written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

 

"Something About That Woman" reached #25 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

The title-track “Your Wish Is My Command” although it wasn’t released as a single it did get played on many radio stations throughout the United States.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Your Wish Is My Command

2. Something About That Woman

3. I Want to Hold Your Hand

4. Special

5. Magic Moments

6. The Urban Man

7. I'll Be Standing By

8. The Songwriter

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers - Funk Express

​Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers’ 4th Studio Album “Funk Express” Originally Released on April 13, 1980.

 

“Funk Express” is the fourth studio album by the Washington, D.C.-based go-go band Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers released in 1980  on Source Records.

 

Two songs were released from the album, “Sticks and Stones" and "Come On and Boogie".

 

"Sticks and Stones" reached #55 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart.

 

"Come On and Boogie" was released as a single but failed to reach any of the Billboard charts.

 

Funk Express was the follow up to the Bustin’ Loose album was originally released in 1980.

 

The album precedes the Go-Go sound he later created, but you can hear the initial elements of call and response and percussion breakdowns, as well as the signature funky tight horn and rhythm section of the Soul Searchers.

 

Track Listings

 

1 Come on and Boogie (Part 1 - Vocal)

2 Come on and Boogie (Part II - a Fantasy of Fusion)

3 In the Pocket

4 Who Are You

5 Sticks and Stones

6 Time Has No Ending

7 Slow Down (You Keep Telling Me)

8 Keep That Same Old Feeling

9 I Love You, I Do

10 Get Up Get Down

11 I Want to Ta Ta You Baby

12 The Key

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Lakeside - Untouchable

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Lakeside’s 7th Studio Album “Untouchables” Originally Released on April 12, 1983.

 

“Untouchables” seventh album by American funk band Lakeside. Released in 1983 on the SOLAR Records.

 

The album peaked at #10 on the Billboard U.S. Soul LPs chart and at #42 on the Billboard U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

 

Three singles were released from the album “Raid". “Turn the Music Up" and “Real Love".

 

“Raid” peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

“Turn the Music Up" reached #38 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

“Real Love" reached at #17 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

Untouchables was a concept album. the album cover shows the group posing as FBI agents.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Raid

2. Turn The Music Up

3. So Let's Love

4. Real Love

5. Alibi

6. Untouchable

7. Tinsel Town Theory (a. k. a. The Hollywood Story)

8. So Let's Love (Reprise)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©