Mandrill - Mandrill Is

Today Marks The 52and Anniversary of Mandrill’s Sophomore Album “Mandrill Is” Originally Released on April 1, 1972.

Mandrill Is is the second album by the Brooklyn-based soul/funk band Mandrill. Released in April 1972 on Polydor Records.

The album peaked at #24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and at #56 on Billboard’s Pop Albums chart.

The album released the song "Git It All " it peaked at #37 on the Billboard US Soul Singles chart.

Track-listing

All songs written and arranged by Mandrill

1. "Ape Is High"

2. "Cohello"

3. "Git It All"

4. "Children of the Sun"

5. "I Refuse To Smile"

6. "Universal Rhythms"

7. "Lord of the Golden Baboon"

8. "Central Park"

9. "Kofijahm"

10. "Here Today Gone Tomorrow"

11. "The Sun Must Go Down"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

New Birth - Blind Baby

Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of New Birth’s 7th Studio Album “Blind Baby” Originally Released April 1, 1975.

Blind Baby is the seventh studio album by American funk and R&B collective New Birth, released in March 1975 by Buddah Records.

The album reached #17 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and at #57 on The Billboard 200.

Two singles were released from the album “Dream Merchant” and “Granddaddy”.

“Dream Merchant” peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #36 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Granddaddy” reached #28 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #95 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Track-listing

1. Blind Baby

2. Dream Merchant

3. Forever

4. Granddaddy

5. I Remember Well

6. Blind Man

7. Why Did I

8. Epilogue

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

One Way - Lady

Today Marks The 40th Anniversary of One Ways’ 6th Studio Album “Lady” Originally Released on April 1, 1984.

“Lady” is a 1984 album by the R&B Funk band One Way released on MCA Records.

The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and at #58 on the Billboard 200 Album charts.

Three singles were released from the album "Lady You Are", "Mr. Groove” and “Don’t Stop”.

"Lady You Are" reached #5 on the Billboard US Hot Soul Singles chart.

"Mr. Groove" reached #8 on the Billboard US Hot Soul Singles chart. The song reach #58 on the UK songs charts.

“Don’t Stop” reached #51 on the Billboard US Hot Soul Singles chart.

Track-listing

1. Lady You Are

2. I'll Make It Up To You

3. If Only You Knew

4. Don't Stop

5. Mr. Groove

6. Smile

7. Dynomite

8. Can't Get Enough Of Your Love

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Ohio Players - Skin Tight

This Month Marks The 50th Anniversary of The Ohio Players’ 5th Studio Album “Skin Tight” Originally Released April 1, 1974.

Skin Tight is the fifth studio album by the Ohio Players, released in April 1974. It is their first album released through the Mercury Records label, and considered to be their commercial breakthrough album.

The album peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Top Soul LPs and at #11 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs chart.

The album released two singles “Jive Turkey “ and “Skin Tight”.

Jive Turkey peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Skin Tight” peaked at #2 the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart and at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Skin Tight signified a turning point in the group's career towards a more jazzy and polished funk sound.

The album began the Players' dominant platinum-selling period, and would bring them a much bigger audience. In fact, this release would outsell all of their previous LPs combined.

Track-listing

All tracks are written by James Williams, Billy Beck, Clarence Satchell, Leroy Bonner, Marshall Jones, Ralph Middlebrooks, Marvin Pierce

1. "Skin Tight"

2. "Streakin' Cheek to Cheek"

3. "It's Your Night/Words of Love"

4. "Jive Turkey"

5. "Heaven Must Be Like This"

6. "Is Anybody Gonna Be Saved?"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

 

Heatwave - Central Heating

Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Heatwave’s Sophomore Studio Album “Central Heating” Originally Released on April 1, 1977.

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. 

Graham Central Station - Now Do U Wanta Dance.

Today Marks The 47th Anniversary of Graham Central Station’s 5th Studio Album “Now Do U Wanta Dance” Originally Released on April 1, 1977.

The album peaked at #12 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart and at #67 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart.

The album released the hit single and album’s title track “Now Do-U-Wanta Dance"

The song peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs charts.

Track-listing

All songs written by Larry Graham except where indicated.

1. "Happ-E-2-C-U-A-Ginn"

2. "Now Do-U-Wanta Dance"

3. "Last Train"

4. "Love and Happiness" (Al Green, Mabon Hodges)

5. "Earthquake"

6. "Crazy Chicken"

7. "Stomped Beat-Up and Whooped"

8. "Lead Me On" (Deadric Malone)

9. "Saving My Love For You"

10. "Have Faith in Me"

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Switch - Switch II

Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Switch’s Sophomore Album “Switch II” Originally Released April 1, 1979.

Switch II is the second album by the R&B, Funk group Switch, released in 1979 on Gordy Records.

The album peaked at #8 on the Billboard US Top R&B Albums chart and at #37 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Two singles were released from the album “Best Beat In Town" and "I Call Your Name".

“Best Beat In Town" peaked at #16 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart, #65 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"I Call Your Name" peaked #8 on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart and at #83 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"I Call Your Name" became one of the band's biggest and most often-sampled hits,

The album was produced by Jermaine Jackson, Bobby DeBarge and Gregory Williams.

Track listing

1. "You're the One For Me"

2. "Next To You"

3. "Best Beat In Town”

4. "Calling On All Girls"

5. "Go On Doin' What You Feel"

6. "Fallin'"

7. "I Call Your Name"

By Romie Rome For Musique Funkology