Midnight Star - The Beginning

​Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of Midnight Star’s Debut Album “The Beginning”  Originally Released on March 11, 1980.

 

The Beginning is an album by Midnight Star. It was released in 1980 on SOLAR Records.

 

Two singles were released from the album “Make It Last" and "You're the Star".

 

“Make It Last" reached #85 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

“You're the Star” was released as the second single but failed to chart on any of the Billboard charts.

 

Track-listing

 

1.  Keep The Spirit High

2. You're The Star

3. Follow The Path

4. Set Me On Fire

5. Make It Last

6. Searching For Love

7. Two In Love

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Johnny “Guitar” Watson - A Real Mother For Ya

​Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of Johnny "Guitar" Watson’s 8th Studio Album “A Real Mother For Ya” Originally Released on March 11, 1977.

 

“A Real Mother For Ya” is the eighth studio album by American funk musician Johnny "Guitar" Watson, released in 1977 on DJM Records.

 

The album reached #20 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

Two songs were released as singles, the album’s title-track “A Real Mother for Ya” and

 

“A Real Mother for Ya” peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and at #41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Lover Jones” reached #34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

Track List:

 

1. "A Real Mother For Ya"

2. "Nothing Left To Be Desired"

3. "Your Love Is My Love"

4. "The Real Deal"

5. "Tarzan"

6. "I Wanna Thank You"

7. "Lover Jones"

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Mass Production - In a City Groove

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Mass Production’s 7th Studio Album “In a City Groove” Originally Released on March 7, 1982.

 

“In a City Groove” is the seventh studio album by American funk/disco musical group Mass Production released in 1982 on Cotillion Records.

 

The album reached #166 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

 

The song “Inner City” was released as a single it reached #61 on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart.

 

The album was produced by Mass Production and Executively produced by Ed A. Ellerbe.

 

Tracklist

 

1. Maybe Maybe

2. Never Ever

3. One More Chance

4. Should Have Known Better

5. Rock

6. Inner City

7. Solid Love

8. Weird

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Fatback - Is This the Future?

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Fatback Band’s 18th Studio Album “Is This the Future?” Originally Released on March 7, 1983.

 

“Is This the Future?” is the eighteenth studio album by New York City disco-funk The Fatback Band released in 1983 on Spring Records.

 

The album reached #29 on the U.S. Billboard Black LPs albums chart.

 

Three songs were released from the album as singles “Is This the Future?”, “With Love” and "Up Against the Wall".

 

“Is This the Future?” reached #28 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

“With Love” reached #43 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

The third single "Up Against the Wall" fail to chart on Billboard.

 

Other standout tracks are Spread Love, Up Against The Wall, and Sunshine Lady.

 

The album marks a shift from 70s funk toward a more polished, electronic, and hip-hop-influenced sound.

 

Tracklist

 

1. Is This The Future?

2. Double Love Affair

3. Spread Love

4. Funky Aerobics (Body Movement)

5. Up Against The Wall

6. Finger Lickin' Good

7. Sunshine Lady

8. The Girl Is Fine (So Fine)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Mass Production - In the Purest Form

​Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Mass Production’s 4th Studio Album “In the Purest Form” Originally Released on March 7, 1979.

 

“In the Purest Form” is an album by American funk/disco musical group Mass Production released in 1979 on Cotillion Records.

 

The album reached #43 on the Billboard Hot R&B Albums chart.

 

Two singles were released from the album “Can't You See I'm Fired Up” and “Firecracker”

 

Can't You See I'm Fired Up reached #43 on the Billboard US R&B Singles chart.

 

Firecracker peaked at #4 on the Billboard US R&B Singles chart and at #43 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart .

 

"Firecracker" was sampled by 2 Live Crew for their 1989 hit single "Me So Horny", from their album As Nasty As They Wanna Be.

 

The album was a triumph for Mass Production and deservedly their biggest selling album on the US national charts.

 

 

Track-listing

 

1. "Firecracker"

2. "Love You"

3. "With Pleasure"

4. "Our Thoughts (Purity)"

5.. "Can't You See I'm Fired Up"

6. "Eyeballin'"

7. "Next Year"

8. "Strollin'"

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Bohannon - Make Your Body Move

​ Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of Bohannon's 12th Studio Album “Make Your Body Move” Originally Released on March 7, 1983.

 

“Make Your Body Move” is the twelfth studio album by disco/funk drummer, percussionist Bohannon released in 1983 on Compleat Records.

 

Upon its release the album failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard charts.

 

The album’s title track "Make Your Body Move" was released as a single from the album, it reached #63 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles charts.

 

The album was produced and written largely by Hamilton Bohannon with contributions by guitarist Ray Parker Jr., the album shows a successful adaptation to the 1980s musical landscape, featuring strong, long-form tracks designed for the dance floor.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. Make Your Body Move

2. Wrong Number

3. Don't Leave Me

4. B.T. Is Doing The Raggae

5. School Girl

6. Funkville

7. Come Back My Love

8. Make Your Body Move (Instrumental)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Ohio Players - Tenderness

​Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of The Ohio Players 13th Studio Album “Tenderness” Originally Released on March 6, 1981.

 

“Tenderness” is the thirteenth studio album by Dayton,Ohio jazz-funk band The Ohio Players released in 1981 on Boardwalk Records.

 

The album reached #49 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at #165 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes charts.

 

The album Includes covers of Otis Redding’s "Try A Little Tenderness" and "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay".

 

Like most funk bands from the 70’s era The Ohio Players shortened their original lineup down to five members, Leroy “Sugar” Bonner, Marshall “Rock” Jones, Ralph “PeeWee” Middlebrooks and Marvin “Merv” Pierce and James “Diamond” Williams all have came together to record this album which is a little toned down compared to their earlier albums the band recorded for Mercury Records.

 

The album leans into a more grown-up, soulful R&B vibe. While it was a commercial disappointment, it is now considered a "last great organic work" from the band, featuring notable covers and deep soul moments.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. Try A Little Tenderness

2. Sometimes I Cry

3. Skinny

4. Try To Be A Man

5. Boardwalkin'

6. Call Me

7. Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay

8. It Takes A While

9. Hard To Love Your Brother

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©