B.T. Express - Function at the Junction

​Today Marks The 49th Anniversary of B.T.Express’s 4th Studio Album “Function at the Junction” Originally Released on May 1, 1977.

“Function at the Junction” is the fourth studio album by Brooklyn, New York’s funk/disco band B. T. Express. It was released in 1977 on Columbia Records.

 

The album peaked at #39 on the US Billboard R&B Soul chart and at #111 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape charts.

 

The song "Funky Music (Don't Laugh at My Funk)" was released as the album’s lead single it failed to reach the U.S. Billboard charts.

 

The album was produced by Jeff Lane.

 

Tracklisting

 

1. Funky Music

2. Expose Yourself

3. Scratch My Itch

4. Eyes

5. We Got It Together

6. Sunshine

7. The Door To My Mind

8. Star Gazer

9. How Big Can You Dream

 

By Romie Rome For Musique Funkology.©

Central Line - Choice

​Today Marks The 42nd Anniversary of Central Line’s 2nd Studio Album “Choice” Originally Released on May 1, 1984.

“Choice” is the second studio album by London, England soul, funk band Central Line released in 1984 on Mercury Records.

 

The album upon it's released fail to chart in the United States

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, “Surprise Surprise”, "Time for Some Fun", "Lovely Day" and "Betcha Gonna".

 

"Surprise Surprise" reached #48 on the UK singles charts.

 

"Time for Some Fun" reached # 39 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs charts, and at #49 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles charts.

 

"Lovely Day" failed to chart in the United States, but reached #81 on the UK singles charts.

 

"Betcha Gonna" failed to chart in both the United States and in the United Kingdom.

 

The band disbanded in August 1984.

 

Tracklist

 

1. Time For Some Fun

2. Betcha Gonna

3. How About You

4. Lost In Love

5. Bad Floyd

6. Nature Boy

7. Man At The Top

8. Surprise Surprise

9. You've Said Enough

10. Lovely Day

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

B.T. Express - Energy to Burn

​Today Marks The 50th Anniversary of B.T. Express’ 3rd Studio Album “Energy to Burn” Originally Released on May 1, 1976.

“Energy to Burn” is the third album by Brooklyn, New York’s funk/disco band B. T. Express. It was released in 1976 via Roadshow/Columbia Records.

 

The album peaked at #11 on the US Billboard R&B Soul chart and at #45 on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape charts.

 

Two singles were released from the album, "Can't Stop Groovin' Now, Wanna Do It Some More" and the album’s title track "Energy to Burn".

 

"Can't Stop Groovin' Now, Wanna Do It Some More" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart,  #52 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #11 on the US Billboard  Dance Club Songs chart.

 

The album’s title track "Energy to Burn" reached #37 on the Billboard Hot R&B Singles charts.

 

Track-listing

 

1.  Depend On Yourself

2. Can't Stop Groovin' Now, Wanna Do It Some More

3. Now That We Found Love

4. Energy To Burn

5. Time Tunnel

6. Make Your Body Move

7. Herbs

8. Energy Level

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Average White Band - Shine

​Today Marks The 46th Anniversary of The Average White Band’s 8th Studio Album “Shine” Originally Released on May 1, 1980.

“Shine” is the eighth studio album by Scottish funk and R&B band The Average White Band released in 1980 on RCA Records.

 

The album reached #38 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at #116 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes charts.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, "Let's Go Round Again", "For You, for Love", and "Into the Night".

 

"Let's Go Round Again" reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, #40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"For You, for Love"  reached #60 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles charts.

 

"Into the Night" failed to chart in the United States on the U.S. Billboard charts as well as the United Kingdom’s UK singles charts.

 

The song "Whatcha' Gonna Do for Me" was another fan favorite from the album.

 

Track Listing:

 

1. Our Time Has Come

2. For You, for Love

3. Let's Go Round Again

4. Whatcha' Gonna Do for Me

5. Into the Night

6. Catch Me (Before I Have to Testify)

7. Help Is on the Way

8. If Love Only Lasts for One Night

9. Shine

10. Wasn't I Your Friend (Included on some versions)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©

Tower of Power - Tower of Power

​

Today Marks The 53rd Anniversary of Tower of Power’s 3rd Studio Album “Tower of Power” Originally Released on May 1, 1973.

Tower of Power is the third album release for the Oakland-based band, Tower of Power released on Warner Records in 1973.

The album peaked at #15 on the Billboard Top LPs chart in 1973 

Three singles were released from the album, “So Very Hard to Go”, "This Time It's Real" and "What Is Hip?".

“So Very Hard to Go” peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“This Time it's Real” peaked at #27 on the US Billboard R&B chart and at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“What Is Hip?” peaked at #39 on the US Billboard R&B chart and at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The album received a gold record award for sales in excess of 500,000. 

The album marked the debut of Lenny Williams being the lead vocalist (though Williams had a solo career prior to joining T.O.P.

The album was also the first Tower of Power album to feature future Saturday Night Live band leader Lenny Pickett, who was the youngest member of the band at the time, replacing original lead sax player Skip Mesquite. 

Also joining the lineup were organist/keyboardist Chester Thompson and guitarist Bruce Conte, who replaced original guitarist Willie James Fulton.

Track-listing

1.  What Is Hip?

2. Clever Girl

3. This Time It's Real

4. Will I Ever Find a Love?

5. Get Yo' Feet Back on the Ground

6. So Very Hard to Go

7. Soul Vaccination

8. Both Sorry Over Nothin'

9. Clean Slate

10. Just Another Day

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.

Tower of Power - Bump City

​Today Marks The 54th Anniversary of Tower of Power’s Sophomore Studio Album “Bump City” Originally Released May 1, 1972.

“Bump City” is the second album by the soul/funk group Tower of Power released on Warner Bros. Records in 1972.

 

The album reached #16 on the US Billboard R&B Albums chart and at #85 on the Billboard 200 chart.

 

Two singles were released from the album  "You're Still A Young Man" and "Down To The Nightclub".

 

"You're Still A Young Man" peaked at #24 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart and at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

"Down To The Nightclub"  reached #66  on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 

Track-listing

 

1.  You Got to Funkifize

2. What Happened to the World That Day?

3. Flash in the Pan

4. Gone (in Memory of Jacqueline Mesquite)

5. You Strike My Main Nerve

6. Down to the Nightclub

7. You're Still a Young Man

8. Skating on Thin Ice

9. Of the Earth

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

The Meters - The Meters

​

Today Marks The 57th Anniversary of The Meters’ Debut Studio Self-titled Album “The Meters “ Originally Released on May 1, 1969.

The Meters is the debut album by the American funk group The Meters released on Josie Records in 1969.

The album reached # on the US Billboard R&B Albums chart and at #108 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Three singles were released from the album "Cissy Strut", "Sophisticated Cissy" and "Ease Back".

"Cissy Strut" peaked at #4 on the US Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart and at #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

 "Cissy Strut" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011, which honors "recordings of lasting qualitative or historical significance that are at least 25 years old".

"Sophisticated Cissy" peaked at #7 on the US Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart and at #34 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

"Ease Back" reached #20 on the US Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles chart and at #61 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. 

The song "Cissy Strut" was featured in the films Jackie Brown,[7Red, King Richard and Another Round as well as in the BBC television series The Pursuit of Love.

In 2021, Rolling Stone ranked "Cissy Strut" at number 158 on their "500 Greatest Songs of All Time" list, one of the handful of instrumentals to make the list.

Track-listing

1.  Cissy Strut

2. Here Comes the Meter Man

3. Cardova

4. Live Wire

5. Art

6. Sophisticated Cissy

7. Ease Back

8. 6V6 LA

9. Sehorn's Farm

10. Ann

11. Stormy

12. Simple Song 

13. The Look of Love

14. Soul Machine 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology. ©