Sugarfoot - Sugar "Kiss"

​Today Marks The 41st Anniversary of ‘Sugarfoot’s Debut Studio Album “Sugar "Kiss" Originally Released on February 4, 1985.

 

Sugar "Kiss" is the debut studio album by the Ohio Players’ frontman Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner released in 1985 on Warner Bros. Records.

 

After a few failed attempts to rekindle their success that they had during the 70’s The Ohio Players released three albums in the 80’s that barely got noticed, the band’s frontman Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner went solo in 1985 with Sugar Kiss.

 

The album was produced by Zapp’s frontman Roger Troutman  many of the musicians who were involved in the project were Ohio Players fellow bandmates Billy Beck, James “Diamond” Williams and Clarence "Chet" Willis. Roger Troutman also included a few members of Zapp to participate in the project.

 

Though the album was very synth heavy it didn’t capture the rawness that earlier Ohio Players or Zapp albums fans were used to which is probably why the album failed to chart.

 

Two songs were released from the album “Fire "85"” and “Kiss” both songs failed to chart on the Billboard charts. Another popular song on the album was the ballad “I Will Be Your Star”.

 

Tracklisting

 

1.  Kiss

2. I'm Your Sugar

3. Call Me

4. You Better Love Somebody

5. Fire "85"

6. I Choose You

7. I Will Be Your Star

8. Until The Moment We Met

9. Girl, I Need You

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Ohio Players - Angel

​Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of The Ohio Players’ 9th Studio Album “Angel” Originally Released on February 4, 1977.

 

“Angel” is the sixth studio album by the Ohio Players released in 1977 on Mercury Records.

 

The album peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs chart, and at #41 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

 

Three singles were released in support of the album: "Body Vibes," "O-H-I-O," and "Merry Go Round."

 

"Body Vibes” reached #19 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

"O-H-I-O" peaked at #9  on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #45 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"Merry Go Round" reached #77 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

The song "O-H-I-O" would prove to be a concert favorite, with the band and crowd chanting in unison the letters.

 

The band grew from seven to eight members with the addition of Clarence "Chet" Willis on rhythm guitar.

 

The New York Times deemed the album "a basic kind of rambling funk."

 

All tracks were composed by Billy Beck, James "Diamond" Williams, Marshall Jones, Marvin "Merv" Pierce, Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrooks, Clarence Satchell, and Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner.

 

Track-listing

 

 1. Angel

2. Merry-Go-Round

3. Glad to Know You're Mine

4. Body Vibes

5. Don't Fight My Love

6. Can You Still Love Me?

7. O-H-I-O

8. Faith

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

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

​

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. ©