The Brothers Johnson - Kickin’

​Today Marks The 38th Anniversary of The Brothers Johnson’s 7th Studio Album “Kickin'” Originally Released on April 25, 1988. 

Kickin' is the Brothers Johnson’s seventh and final studio album released in 1988 on A&M Records.

 

The album moved away from the "slick R&B" of their earlier work toward a harder, uptempo funk groove inspired by contemporaries like Cameo and Prince.

 

Critics consider it a much-improved follow-up to their 1984 album Out of Control, noting it successfully captured the "industrial dance funk" energy of the late '80s without compromising the duo's standards.

 

Track Highlights and Features:

 

"Kick It to the Curb": Released as a single, this track became a minor R&B hit.

 

"Ball of Fire": Features horn arrangements by funk legend Sly Stone, who may have been present during the sessions.

 

"I Fresh": A standout funk track featuring George Johnson on lead vocals.

 

"Party Avenue": A high-energy, "James Brown-styled" funk jam that serves as the album's celebratory conclusion.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Kick It To The Curb

2. Real Love

3. I Fresh        5:03

4. Still In Love

5. P.O. Box 2000

6. Ball Of Fire

7. We Must Be In Love

8. I'll Give It Up        

9. This Is Our Love

10. Party Avenue

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Atlantic Starr - Straight to the Point

​Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Atlantic Starr’s 2nd Studio Album “Straight to the Point” Originally Released on April 25, 1979.

“Straight to the Point” is the second studio album by the American band Atlantic Starr, released in 1979 on A&M Records.

 

The album reached #65 on the US Billboard Top Soul LPs chart and at #142 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

 

The album’s lead single "(Let's) Rock & Roll" reached #46 on the US Billboard R&B charts.

 

The album was produced by Bobby Eli. The band labeled its sound "classy funk."

 

Track-listing

 

1. (Let's) Rock & Roll

2. Kissin' Power

3. Let The Spirit Move Ya

4. Straight To The Point

5. Bullseye

6. What'cha Feel Inside

7. Fallin' In Love With You

7. Losin' You

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Cameo - Cameosis

​Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of Cameo’s 5th Studio Album “Cameosis” Originally Released on April 24, 1980.

“Cameosis” is the fifth album by New York City funk band Cameo, released in 1980 on Chocolate City Records.

 

The album peaked at #1 on the US Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and at #25 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

Two singles were released from the album "We're Goin' Out Tonight" and "Shake Your Pants".

 

"We're Goin' Out Tonight" peaked at #11 on the Billboard The Hot R&B Songs chart.

 

"Shake Your Pants" peaked at #8 on the Billboard The Hot R&B Songs chart.

 

"Shake Your Pants" received considerable radio play as an album track, and was already a bonafide hit prior to being released as a single.

 

The album's closing track, "Why Have I Lost You", was a new version of the same song that was originally released on the band’s second studio album “We All Know Who We Are”.

 

This re-recorded rendition also received considerable airplay, and has remained a staple of the late night "quiet storm" format at urban adult contemporary radio.

 

“Cameosis” was certified gold by the RIAA for selling more than 500,000 copies in the United States.

 

Track-listing

 

 1. Cameosis

2. Shake Your Pants

3. Please You

4. We're Goin' Out Tonight

5. I Care for You

6. On the One

7. Why Have I Lost You

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

The Isley Brothers - Between the Sheets

​Today Marks The 43rd Anniversary of The Isley Brothers’ 22nd Studio Album “Between the Sheets” Originally Released on April 24, 1983.

“Between the Sheets” is the twenty-second studio album by the Isley Brothers released in 1983 on T-Neck Records.

 

The album peaked #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul Albums chart, and at #19 in the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.

 

Four songs were released as singles from the album, Between the Sheets,

Choosey Lover, I Need Your Body and

Let's Make Love Tonight.

 

"Between the Sheets", the album’s title track peaked #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

“Choosey Lover” peaked #6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

The songs  I Need Your Body and

Let's Make Love Tonight were released as singles later that year but both failed to chart in the United States.

 

The song "Touch Me" was another popular song from the album it wasn't released as a single.

 

 "Between the Sheets" was sampled by multiple recording artist including,

The Notorious B.I.G., Da Brat, Keith Murray, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Whitney Houston, Nas and countless others.

 

The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of one million copies alone in the United States.

 

The following year, due to tax problems the three elder Isley members were dealing with at the time, Ernie, Marvin and Chris Jasper left the group and formed Isley-Jasper-Isley.

 

The album was reissued in 2011 with bonus instrumental tracks.

 

Tracklist

1.Choosey Lover

2.Touch Me

3.I Need Your Body

4.Between the Sheets

5.Let's Make Love Tonight

6.Ballad for the Fallen Soldier

7.Slow Down Children

8.Way Out Love

9.Gettin' Over

10.Rock You Good

11.Between the Sheets (Instrumental Version)

12.Choosey Lover (Instrumental Version)

13.I Need Your Body (Instrumental Version)

14.Let's Make Love Tonight (Instrumental Version)

15.Between the Sheets (Single Version)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©

Side Effect - Goin' Bananas

​Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of Side Effect’s 4th Studio Album “Goin' Bananas” Originally Released April 24, 1977.

Goin' Bananas is the fourth album by soul group Side Effect. Released in 1977 by Fantasy Records.

 

The album reached #53 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and at #86 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

Two singles were released from the album  the title track “Goin' Bananas”.and "It's All In Your Mind”.

 

The album’s title track was released as a single but didn’t chart on the Billboard charts.

 

"It's All In Your Mind" reached #18 on the Billboard U.S. R&B Singles chart.

 

The album was produced by Wayne Henderson, Like other releases by the group, the work featured an R&B based sound greatly influenced by contemporary disco and jazz music. In terms of background, the group had endured a major line-up change as singer Helen Lowe had her role taken over by Sylvia St. James.

 

Side Effect embraced bananas as a gimmick. Besides the cheeky title, the cover depicts vocalist Sylvia St. James in an outfit highly reminiscent of film icon Carmen Miranda. The record company even pressed the release on yellow vinyl.

 

Track-listing

 

1. Goin' Bananas

2. Open Up Your Heart

3. Watching Life

4. Keep On Keepin' On

5. It's All Your Mind

6. Private World

7. Mr. Monday

8. Never Be The Same

9. Back In Time

10. Cloudburst

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©