Herbie Hancock - Lite Me Up

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Herbie Hancock’s 28th Studio Album “Lite Me Up” Originally Released on April 15, 1982.

Lite Me Up is the twenty eighth studio album by jazz-funk musician Herbie Hancock released in 1982 on Columbia Records.

 

The album was the first on which Hancock played the Synclavier, a digital polyphonic synthesizer.

 

The album is regarded as Hancock‘s most commercial pop-R&B effort, heavily influenced by the "West Coast" soul and disco-funk sounds of the era.

 

Standout Tracks:

 

"Gettin' to the Good Part": Frequently cited as the album's best track, noted for its Steely Dan-style groove and Hancock's "loved or hated" vocoder vocals.

 

"Lite Me Up!": The title track is an energetic, "sun-bright" opener with a strong disco-funk feel.

 

"Paradise": A smooth ballad written by David Foster and Jay Graydon, featuring Hancock on lead vocals without his usual vocoder.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Lite Me Up! 3:41

2. The Bomb 3:59

3. Gettin' To The Good Part 6:13

4. Paradise 4:29

5. Can't Hide Your Love 3:55

6. The Fun Tracks 4:04

7. Motor Mouth 3:59

8. Give It All Your Heart 7:41

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©

Con Funk Shun - Electric Lady

​Today Marks The 41st Anniversary of Con Funk Shun’s 12th Studio Album “Electric Lady” Originally Released on April 15, 1985.

 

“Electric Lady” is a 1985 album released by R&B, Funk band Con Funk Shun released by Mercury Records.

 

The album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums  chart and at #62 on Billboard 200 music chart.

 

Three singles were released from the album "Electric Lady", "I'm Leaving Baby"  and "Tell Me What (I'm Gonna Do)".

 

The album title track "Electric Lady" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and at #102 barely making the Billboard Hot 100.

 

"I'm Leaving Baby"  reached #12 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

"Tell Me What (I'm Gonna Do)" reached #47 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

Track-listing

 

1.  Turn The Music Up

2. Rock It All Night

3. I'm Leaving Baby

4. Tell Me What You're Gonna Do

5. Electric Lady

6. Don't Go (I Want You Back)

7. Circle Of Love

8. Pretty Lady

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology©

Chaka Khan - What Cha' Gonna Do for Me

​Today Marks The 45th Anniversary of Chaka Khan’s 3rd Studio Album “What Cha' Gonna Do for Me” Originally Released on April 15, 1981.

 

“What Cha' Gonna Do for Me” is the third solo studio album by American R&B/funk singer Chaka Khan, released in 1981 on Warner Bros. Records.

 

The album peaked at #3 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at #35 on the U.S. Billboard Top Jazz Albums chart.

 

Four songs were released as singles in the United States, The album’s title track "What Cha' Gonna Do for Me", "We Can Work It Out", "Any Old Sunday" and "I Know You, I Live You".

 

"What Cha' Gonna Do for Me" peaked at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles chart and at #53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

"We Can Work It Out" reached #34 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, #22 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Singles chart.

 

"Any Old Sunday" reached #68 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

"I Know You, I Live You" failed to chart on the U.S. Billboard Music charts.

 

"Heed The Warning" was the fifth single released from the album it was released in the United Kingdom only.

 

The instrumental intro to "Fate" has been sampled by a host of dance acts all through the 1990s and 2000s, most notably by Stardust on their 1998 hit single "Music Sounds Better With You" and a section of "I Know You I Live You" also features on "Bad Habit" by ATFC & Onephatdeeva feat. Lisa Milett.

 

The album was certified gold in the United States by the RIAA with sales of 500,000^ units sold.

 

The album was never released on CD in the United States. But was re-issued on CD in both Europe and Japan.

 

Track-listing

 

1. We Can Work It Out

2. What Cha' Gonna Do for Me

3. I Know You, I Live You

4. Any Old Sunday

5. We Got Each Other

6. And the Melody Still Lingers On (Night in Tunisia)

7. Night Moods

8. Heed the Warning

9. Father He Said

10. Fate

11. I Know You, I Live You (Reprise)

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Atlantic Starr- As the Band Turns

​Today Marks The 41st Anniversary of Atlantic Starr’s 6th Studio Album “As the Band Turns” Originally Released on April 15, 1985.

 

As the Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1985 on A&M Records.

 

The album peaked at #17 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop charts and held its position for on the Billboard charts for number of 19 Weeks in the Top 50.

 

A total of five singles were released from the album, Freak-a-Ristic, Cool Calm Collected, Silver Shadow, Secret Lovers and "If Your Heart Isn't in It".

 

Freak-A-Ristic reached #90 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

Cool Calm Collected was released as the second single but failed to chart on any of the Billboard  songs charts.

 

Silver Shadow was the third single from their successful album. The song peaked at #13 on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

 

Secret Lovers became the band’s true breakthrough hit, The song peaked at #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, at #3 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and #4 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

If Your Heart Isn’t In It reached #57 on the US Billboard Hot Black Singles chart.

 

Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, as well as 4 other members of the band (drummer Porter Carroll, Jr; bassist Clifford Archer, trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Koran Daniels). As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers.

 

The album proved to be one of the band's most successful releases, yielding several R&B hits.

 

As the Band Turns would be the band's last release for A&M after a memorable, although inconsistent, run of hits throughout the early 80's.

 

Track List:

1. "Freak-A-Ristic"

2. "Cool, Calm, Collected"

3. "One Love"

4. "In The Heat Of Passion"

5. "If Your Heart Isn't In It"

6. "Silver Shadow"

7. "Let's Start It Over"

8. "Secret Lovers"

9. "Thank You"

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology.©

Patrice Rushen - Straight from the Heart

​Today Marks The 44th Anniversary of Patrice Rushen’s 7th Studio Album “Straight from the Heart” Originally Released on April 14, 1982.

 

“Straight from the Heart” is the seventh studio album by jazz/funk pianist Patrice Rushen released in 1982 on Elektra Records.

 

The album peaked at #4 on the U.S. Billboard Soul LP's chart, and at  #14 on the U.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart.

 

Three songs were released as singles from the album, Forget Me Nots, Breakout, and I Was Tired of Being Alone.

 

“Forget Me Nots” peaked at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart, #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, and at #23 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

 

“Breakout” reached reached #46 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

“I Was Tired of Being Alone” reached #79 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

 

Other album standouts include:

 

"Remind Me": Frequently cited as a "quiet storm classic" and a foundational track for modern hip-hop sampling.

 

"Number One": An instrumental track often described as a "Chic outtake" that showcases Rushen's piano skills.

 

"Forget Me Nots": The album's centerpiece is universally hailed for its "funky" bassline (by Freddie Washington) and "buoyant" handclaps.

 

Rapper, Will Smith sampled "Forget Me Nots" for his 1997 hit song "Men in Black" theme. The Grammy-winning track heavily features the distinct bassline and melody from Rushen’s 1982 R&B hit, which was famously reworked for the sci-fi movie soundtrack.

 

Tracklisting:

 

1. Forget Me Nots

2. I Was Tired of Being Alone

3. All We Need

4. Number One (Instrumental)

5. Where There Is Love

6. Breakout!

7. If Only

8. Remind Me

9. (She Will) Take You Down to Love

 

By Romie Rome for Musique Funkology ©