Heatwave - Central Heating

​Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of Heatwave’s Sophomore Studio Album “Central Heating” Originally Released on March 31, 1978.

 

Central Heating is the second studio album by funk-disco band Heatwave. It was released in 1977 on the GTO label in the UK and in 1978 on the Epic label in the US.

 

The album peaked at #2 on the Billboard Top Soul LPs charts and at #10 on the Billboard Top LPs charts.

 

The two singles taken from the album were both hits. "The Groove Line" reached No 7 in the US and No 12 in the UK, while "Mind Blowing Decisions" also made No 12 in the UK.

 

The song "Star of a Story" appeared on George Benson's album Give Me the Night, a song written by Temperton, which was produced by Quincy Jones.

 

The album was the last Heatwave album to feature bassist Mario Mantese and guitarist Eric Johns, as well as the first to feature new member Roy Carter on guitar.

 

The album was also the final performance of Rod Temperton as an official member of Heatwave, although he would continue to write songs for the band after his departure until 1982.

 

The album was produced by Barry Blue.

 

Central Heating sold more than a million copies in its first two years of release.

 

The album was remastered and reissued with bonus tracks in 2015 by Big Break Records.

 

Track-listing

 

 1. "Put the Word Out"

2. "Send Out for Sunshine"

3. "Central Heating"

4. "Happiness Togetherness"

5. "The Groove Line"

6. "Mind Blowing Decisions"

7. "The Star of a Story”

8. "Party Poops"

9. "Leavin' for a Dream" 

10. "Wack That Axe"

11. "The Groove Line" (12" Disco Version)

12. "Mind Blowing Decisions" (12" Disco Version)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Prince - Sign “☮︎” the Times

​Today Marks The 39th Anniversary of Prince’s 9th Studio Album “Sign “☮︎” the Times” Originally Released on March 31, 1987.

 

“Sign “☮︎” the Times” is the ninth studio album by Minneapolis, Minnesota pop-funk musician Prince released in 1987 on Paisley Park/ Warner Bros Records.

 

The double album serves as the soundtrack to the American concert film of the same name, It was directed by, scored by, and starring Prince.

 

The album peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Soundtrack Albums chart, #4 on the U.S. Billboard Top Black Albums chart, and at #6 on the U.S. Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

 

Four songs were released as singles from the album, the title track "Sign o' the Times", "If I Was Your Girlfriend", "U Got the Look", and

 

"Sign o' the Times" peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"If I Was Your Girlfriend" reached #12 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart, and at #67 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"U Got the Look" peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

"I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man" peaked at #10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

Sign o' the Times is one of the most critically acclaimed albums in popular music, widely being regarded as Prince's best album, ahead of Purple Rain (1984).

 

“Sign “☮︎” the Times” was nominated for Album of the Year at the 30th Annual Grammy Awards.

 

The album is a frequent inclusion in lists of the greatest albums of all time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

Tracklisting

All songs written by Prince, except where noted.

 

1. Sign o' the Times

2. Play in the Sunshine

3. Housequake

4. The Ballad of Dorothy Parker

5. It

6. Starfish and Coffee

7. Slow Love

8. Hot Thing

9. Forever in My Life

10. U Got the Look

11. If I Was Your Girlfriend

12. Strange Relationship

13. I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man

14. The Cross

15. It's Gonna Be a Beautiful Night

16. Adore

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Aurra - Send Your Love

​Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Aurra’s Sophomore Album “Send Your Love” Originally Released on March 31, 1981.

 

“Send Your Love” is the second studio album by the American R&B/funk band Aurra released in 1981 on Salsoul Records.

 

The album peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #103 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

The album released two singles "Are You Single",

“Make Up Your Mind" and "Keep Doin' It".

 

"Are You Single"  peaked at #16 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #36 on the Billboard Dance Club Song chart.

 

The second single “"Keep Doin' It" peaked at #27 on the  Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and at #36 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

The album was produced by Steve Washington.

 

1. Nasty Disposition

2. Send Your Love

3. Kingston Lady

4. Forever

5. Are You Single

6. Keep Doin' It

7. Living Too Fast

8. Party Time

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.© 

Instant Funk - Looks So Fine

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Instant Funk’s 5th Studio Album “Looks So Fine” Originally Released on March 31, 1982.

 

“Looks So Fine” is the fifth studio album by Trenton, New Jersey disco, funk band Instant Funk released in 1982 on Salsoul Records.

 

The album reached #43 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at #147 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes charts.

 

The song "Why Don't You Think About Me" was released as a single from the album it reached #59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts.

 

The album Looks So Fine is considered a strong addition to the Instant Funk catalog, offering a mix of danceable, soulful, and upbeat tracks.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. Looks So Fine

2. Why Don't You Think About Me

3. Slam Dunk The Funk

4. Gotta Like That

5. Jumpin' To Conclusions

6. Give It To You Baby

7. Punk Rockin'

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Aurra - A Little Love

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Aurra’s 3rd Studio Album “A Little Love” Originally Released on March 31, 1982.

 

“A Little Love” is the third studio album by the American R&B/funk band Aurra released in 1982 on Salsoul Records.

 

The album peaked at number 12 on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at number 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

 

The album released five singles “Checking You Out", “Make Up Your Mind", "In My Arms", "Such a Feeling" and “It’s You”.

 

"Checking You Out" peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and at number 64 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

“Make Up Your Mind" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, #35 on Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart and at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100.

 

"Such a Feeling" peaked at number 29  on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and at number 40 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

The singles "In My Arms" and "It's You" failed to chart on any of the Billboard charts.

 

Track-listing

 

 1. Make Up Your Mind

2. Patience

3. It's You

4. Checking You Out

5. A Little Love

6. In My Arms

7. Still Free

8. Thinking of You

9. Make Up Your Mind (12" Remix)

10. Checking You Out (Original Mix)

11. a Little Love (Original 12" Remix)

12. Make Up Your Mind (12" Disconet Remix

13. Checking You Out (Original Shep Pettibone 12" Mix)

14 l. Make Up Your Mind ("A Tom Moulton Mix")

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©