Brides of Funkenstein - Funk or Walk

Name: The Brides of Funkenstein
Album: Funk or Walk
Year: 1978
Style: Disco, Funk
Similar Bands: Disco Boogie, Parliament Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Sly Stone, Parlet
"One-Word" Review: Big Band Mellow Funk
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI
Label: Atlantic Records, Warner Communication

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Funk or Walk (1978)

1. Disco to Go 5:03 (single: gold in US, platinum in Europe/Asia)
2. War Ship Touchante 5:27 (single b-side)
3. Nappy 4:29
4. Birdie 5:39 /
5. Just Like You 9:17
6. When You're Gone 5:19 (single b-side)
7. Amorous 4:54 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Lynn Mabry - Vox (Sly Stone, P-Funk, Eddie Hazel, Talking Heads, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Junie, George Michael, Elton John, Aaron Neville, Mick Jagger, Shelia E, Eric Clapton, Steve Perry, Hozier, Killers, more)
• Dawn Silva - Vox (Sly Stone, P-Funk, Eddie Hazel, New Wave Brides, Gap Band, Ice Cube, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Sweat Band, General Caine, Yarbrough & Peoples, WC and the Maad Circle, Slapbak, Bootsy Collins, Caine, Shorty, )
• George Clinton - Producer, Writer, 
• Williams Collins - Producer, Bass, Drums (Bonzo Goes to DC, Bootsy Phelps & Gary, The Complete Strangers, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Flo, Funkadelic, Hardware, House Guest Rated X, Malcolm McLaren, P-Funk Allstars, Parliament, Praxis, Science Fiction, Groovegrass Boys, JB's, World-Wide Funkdrive, Deee-Lite more)
• Phelps Collins - Guitar (Bootsy Phelps & Gary, Complete Strangers, Bootsy's Rubber Band,  Houseguests, The JB's, Funkadelic, Parliament, Fred Westley & Horny Horns, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, James Brown, George Clinton, Brian Culbertson)
• Gary Shider - Guitar (Drugs, Flo, Funkadelic, Incorporated Thang Band, Legz, P-Funk All Stars, Parliament, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, U.S., Bernie Worrell, Sweat Band, Bohannon, Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boogie Boys, Prince, Material, Digital Underground, Too $hort, Black Crows, Parlet, many)
• Michael Hampton - Guitar (Funkadelic, Kiddo, Material, No Self Control and the Band, P-Funk Allstars, Parliament, Slave Master, Spaceship Earth, Michael Hampton, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Eddie Hazel, Fuzzy Haskins, Parlet, Bernie Worrell, Sly & Robbie, Golden Palominos, Afrika Bambaataa, Deee-Lite, Digital Underground, Too Short, Meshell Ndegrocello, Dean Ween Group, more)
• Bernard Worrell - Keys, String & Horn Arrangement (Activities of Dust, Baby Elephant, Bahia Black, Black Jack Johnson, Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains, Flo, Fool Proof, Funkadelic, Jack Bruce, Cuicoland Express, Jerry Harrison, Khu.eex, Material, Method of Defiance, Niels & NY St Percussionists, Parliament, Praxis, SociaLybrium, Space Cadets, Spacer, Third Rail, WesNWorrell, Open Operatives, Fred Wesley, Horny Horns, Talking Heads, Fred Schneider, Bootsy Collins, Ruth Copeland, Parlet, O'Jays, Lou Rawls, Stephanie Mills, Nona Hendryx, Rita Coolidge, Gil Scott-Heron, Mtume, Black Uhuru, Yoko Ono, Golden Palominos, Sly & Robbie, Matthew Sweet, Public Image Ltd, Pretenders, Afrika Bambaataa, Victoria Williams, Little Steven, Face to Face, Woodentops, Drivin' N Cryin, Keith Richards, Syd Straw, Throwing Muses, Maceo Parker, Soul Asylum, Deee-Lite, Color Me Badd, Mike Watt, Arlo Lindsay, Jah Wobble, Cibo Matto, Spin Doctors, Big Head Todd & Monsters, Herb Alpert, Bijou Phillips, Gov't Mule, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Simply Red, Mos Def, OAR, Buddy Guy, Burning Spear, Keith Richards,Lee Scratch Perry, more)
• Joel Johnson - Keys (Bootsy's Rubber Band, Madhouse, Sweat Band, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, Parliament, Maceo Parker, Bootsy Collins, Octavepussy, Fred Wesley & the Horny Horns, Super Sonic Sid, Boy Meets Girl, Parlet, Dodge, Kohndo, Cody ChesnuTT, Freekbass)
• Rodney "Skeet" Curtis - Bass (Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk All Stars, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Philippe Wynne, Mutiny, Gerry Cott, George Clinton, Dolby's Cube, Thomas Dolby, Richie Rich, Maceo Parker, Da Campaign, Corey Parker, Dennis Chambers, Martha High, Ishan Cooper, Susanne Alt)
• Gary Cooper - Drums  (Parliament, Funkadelic, P-Funk All Stars, Bernie Worrell, Parlet, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Madhouse, The Put Yo Body Where Yo' Mouf Iz Choir, Da Universal Playaz, Matrieal, Shining Path, Sly Fox, Eddie Hazel, Mtume, George Clinton, Empyre, Sly & Robbie, Bernie Worrell, Deee-Lite, Digital Underground, Black Crows, Jimmy Cliff, Mick Jagger, Anastacia, more)
• Frankie "Kosh" Waddy - Drums (400 Years of What, Parliament, Funkadelic, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Houseguests, JB's, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Parlet, Stealin' Horses, George Clinton)
• Tyrone Lampkin - Drums (Parliament, Funkadelic, Flo, Space Cadets, Bernie Worrell, Fred Wesley & Horny Horns, Philippe Wynne, Busta Jones, Parlet, Jesse Rae)
• Larry Fratangelo - Percussion (Parliament, Funkadelic, Albert King, Solid Solution, Bobby Womack, David Ruffin, Dramatics, Bootsy's Rubber Band, Philippe Wynne, Parlet, Alicia Myers, Jerry Carr, Was (Not Was), LJ Reynolds, Sweat Pea Atkinson, Shotgun, Josep LoDuca, Wendell Harrison, Pharaoh, Eramus Hall, Floy Joy, One Way, Mitch Ryder, Jimmy G & Tackheads, Lyman Woodard, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Dennis Coffey, RJ's Latest Arrival, Anita Baker, Helen Terry, Detroit Energy Asylum, Minister Thomas A Whitfield, Bert Robinson, Al Hudson, Earl Klugh, Eric Leeds, Aretha Franklin, Higher, AWOL, Dave Stewart, Ronnie McNeir, Alto Reed, Hip Bop Essence Allstars, Bob James, Dan Hall, John Arnold, Amp Fiddler, Kid Rock, Randolph. Mark Moultrup, Blackfoot)
• Wayman Reed - Horns (Count Baise, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Butch Miles, James Brown, George benson, Frank Foster, Eddie Jefferson, Oliver Nelson, Art Webb, Harold Vick, Pee Wee Ellis, Charlie Rouse, John Gordon, Milt Kackson, Sarah Vaughan, BB King, Hank Crawford, Al Grey, Bobby Byrd, Buddy Rich, Marva Whitney)
• Pete Minger - Horns (Count Baise, Frank Wess, Mel Torme, HIlton Ruiz, Al Grey, Oliver Nelson, Milt Jackson, Cleveland Eaton, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Reed, University of Miami Concert Jazz, Joe Turner, Athenas, Turk Mauro, Keter Betts, Oscar Peterson, Alice Day)
• Danny Turner - Horns (Chris Powell, Five Blue Flames, Count Baise, Doc bagby, Jimmy McGriff, Bobby Cook, Milt Buckner, Jack McDuff, Pat Martino, Jimmy Witherspoon, Voices Four, Shirley Scott, Bohannon, Milt Jackson, Caroline Crawford, Cleveland Eaton, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Manhattan Transfer, Caterina Valente, Viktor Lazlo, Diane Schuur, Thad Jones, George Benson, Joe Williams, Lena Horne, Four Tops, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, Lucky Thompson, Hans Mantel, Gladys Knight & Pips, 
• Detroit Symphony - Strings
• Ron Banks - Backing Vox (The Dramatics, Browns All-Star Band, Bobby Lyle, Wayne Henderson, The Dells, WC)
• Larry Demps - Backing Vox (The Dramatics, Ron Banks, Dells)
• Dave Van De Pitte - String Arrangement
• Fred Wesley - Horn Arrangement
• Jim Vitti - Mixing & Recording Engineer
• Mike Iacopelli  - Recording Engineer
• Jerry Estes - Recording Engineer
• Allen Zentz - Mastering
• In Search of the Miraculous - Cover Concept, Design, Illustrations

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the Brides of Funkenstein, but this is one album that's pretty clear what's going to be played: Disco Funk. George Clinton (& Parliament Funkadelic), Bootsy Collins (& Bootsy's Rubber Band) and Bernie Worrell have their name all over the writing and performing of this record. Between this and the Disco Boogie cover, it seems like there was a Sci-Fi niche in the funk boogie & disco category, most likely, boosted by Star Wars popularity.

Album Review: The music on the first couple tracks is definitely funk, with driving percussion, and bouncy bass, but they don't dive head first into disco. "War Ship Touchante" takes on the space/sci-fi genre with aliens boarding a ship...to have a dance party. "Nappy" is a smooth, slower groove, but not without life: definitely a showtune. "Just Like You" slows it down and dims the lights. 

The duo started as background singers for Sly Stone and progressed to Parliament Funkadelic, and the name comes from George Clinton himself, as an extension of his album Clones of Dr. Funkenstein. The band won awards as best new act, their second album was rated as a top 50 coolest albums by Rolling Stone, and they had a hall of fame list of funk musicians in support and production but they never received the acclaim that they seemed to be destined for. Mabry was in The Talking Heads as of 1984, and Silva worked with Ice Cube.

Stand Out Track: Disco to Go

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Best Albums Ever

Winans, The - Decisions

Name: The Winans    
Album: Decisions
Year: 1987
Style: Gospel, Smooth RnB
Similar Bands: Dixie Hummingbirds, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, George Benson
"One-Word" Review: sleek synth spirituals
Based Out Of: Detroit MI
Label: Qwest Records, Warner Bros. / Communications

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Decisions (1987)

1. Ain't No Need to Worry 5:43
2. Millions 4:19
3. Breaking of Day 4:43
4. What Can I Say? 4:41 /
5. Right, Left in a Wrong World 6:08
6. The Real Meaning of Christmas 4:40
7. Love Has No Color 4:13
8. Give Me You 4:46
9. How Can You Live Without Christ 4:23

Album Rating (1-10): 2.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Marvin Winans - Writer, Producer, Percussion (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Perfect Praise Choir, Andrae Crouch, Maria Muldaur, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, George Duke, Tim Bowman, Anita Baker, Kirk Franklin, Lavine Hudson, Mervyn Warren, )
• Carvin Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Gospel Buggy Choir, Andrae Crouch, Keith Green, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Annita Baker)
• Michael Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker)
• Ronald Winans - Co Producer, Writer  (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Lavine Hudson, Kelli Williams, Anita Baker, Sounds of Blackness)
• Barry Hankerson - Co & Executive Producer, Writer, MGMT, Percussion (Rob Milner)
• Quincy Jones - Executive Producer
• Benny Medina - Executive Producer
• Anita Baker - Vox (Chapter 8, Melba Moore, Howard Hewett, Stevie Wonder, Cyrus Chestnut, Frank Sinatra, Marek Niedzwiecki, Dave Koz, Aaron Robinson, Andreus)
• Michael McDonald - Vox (All Star Choir, Artists United for Nature, Del-Rays, Doobie Brothers, The Guild, NY Rock 'n Soul Review, Steely Dan, Guy Finley, Carly Simon,  Jack Jones, Paul Williams, Tommy James, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Craig Fuller, Eric Kaz, Dirt Band, Stephen Bishop, Gary Wright, Rita Coolidge, Kenny Loggins, Elton John, Christopher Cross, Donna Summer, Helen Redy, Paul Anka, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell, Toto, Sergio Mendes, El DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, Wang Chung, Alan Silvestri, Aretha Franklin, Pointer Sisters, Dave Matthews Band, Vince Gill, John Tesh, Edwin McCain, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Rogers, many)
• Percy Bady - Writer
• Karen Jones - Project Coordinator
• Laythan Armour - Keys, Drums & Synth Programming (Hinton Battle, Chico DeBarge, Will Downing, La Rue, Jeremy Jordan, Alison Limerick, Frankie Knuckles, Tavares, Bobby Bland, Mystic Merlin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Alberto Fortis, Alfie, Durell Coleman, Dynasty, Stop the Madness, Vesta Williams, Sherrick, Imagination, NJ Mass Choir, Herb Alpert, Joan Baez, Magic Lady, Beau Williams, LA Mass Chour, Bert Robinson, Cassandra, Yours Truly, Vanessa Williams, Classixx)
• Wayne Linsey - Keys (Maze, Frankie Beverly, Tonight Show Band, Linseym, Bobby Thurston, Starpoint, Enchantment, Lenny Williams, Emotions, Stanley Clarke, Bobby Womack, George Howard, Garry Glenn, Ray Parker Jr, Paul Jackson Jr, Brenda Russell, Mighty Clouds of Joy, By All Means, Nancy Wilson, Jackie Jackson, James JT Taylor, Jacksons, Paul Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marva Hicks, Patti Austin, Andrew Logan, Gene Rice, Nona Gaye, Gerald Alston, John Pagano, Norman Brown, James Ingram, Phil Perry, Terence Trent D'Arby, Dean James, Harbvey Mason, Doc Powell, Brigette McWilliams, Babyface, Arnold McCuller, Gary Taylor, Donnie, Frank McComb, David Nathan, Trina Broussard, Gerald Albright, Impromp2, Traincha, Lynne Fiddmont, Dwayne Smitty Smith, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis, Leon Ware, Jermaine Lockhart)
• Harlan Rogers - Keys (Koinonia Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Andrae Crouch, Reba, maria Muldaur, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Rivers, Maranatha Singers, Katinas,  more)
• Thomas A Whitfield - Keys (James Cleveland, Craig Bros, Gospel Soul Children, Mel Carter, Edwin Hawkins, Beverly Glenn, Howard Lemon Singers, James Cleveland, Voices of Tabernacle, Keith Pringle, Gospel Soul Children of NOLA, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
• Loris Holland - Keys (Mel Carter, Patti Labelle, Celine Dion, R.Kelly, Millie Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Santana, Mary J Blige, Smokey Robinson, more)
• John Bokowski - Keys (Teena Marie, Rick Dees, Charlene, Four Tops, KoKo PoP, Rockwell, Bobby Womack, Teen Dream, Chill Factor, Tracie Spencer, Angela Bofill, Pointer Sisters, Paul Jackson Jr, Club Nouveau, Helen Baylor, Louis Price, Power of Seven, Rodney Mannsfield, For Lovers Only, Donnie McClurkin, Phyllis St James)
• Michael Rochelle - Keys, Synth (Gift of Dreams, The GT's, Buddy Montgomery, Rudy Copeland, Kristine, Natalie Cole, West Coast Crew, Michael Jackson, Magic Lady)
• Dean Parks - Guitar (Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Karizma, Koinonia, Patrick Williams,Ray Conniff, Lyle Lovett, Madeleine Peyroux, North TX Lab Bands, Helen Reddy, Sonny & Cher, David Cassidy, Wayne Newton, Vicki Carr, Partridge Family, T-Bone Walker, Billy Joel, Garfunkel, Donald Byrd, Righteous Bros, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Neil Sedaka, Glen Campbell, Lulu, Rita Coolidge, Tavares, lots)
• Hadley Hockensmith - Guitar (Koinonia, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Big John Hall, Pam Thum, Bruce Hibbard, Kelly Willard, Andreae Crouch, Arlo Guthrie, Reba, Imperials, Barbara Mandrell, America, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond, more)
• Abraham Laboriel - Bass (Los Traviesos, Johnny Mathis, Gary Burton, Michel legrand, Ella Fitzgerald, 3prime, Friendship, Henry Mancini, Koionia, Los Profetas, Open Hands, Jazz Ministry, Akira Jimbo, Leo Sayer, Al Jarreau, Pointer Sisters, Commander Cody, Stephen Bishop, Grimaldi/Zeiher, Barbara Streisand, Captain & Tennille, Dolly Parton, Stan Getz, Tom Jones, Leonard Cohen, Peter Allen, Herb Alpert, Jimmy Cliff, Barry Manilow, Debby Boone, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Quincy Jones more)
• Andrew Gouche - Bass (NPG-Q, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, Pattie Howard, David Foster, Moments of Faith, James Cleveland, S.Cali Comm. Choir, Voices of Cornerstone, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gangs Back, LaQuint, Aguilar, Cheryl Lynn, Michael Trammell & Blest, Edwin Hawkins, LA Gospel Messengers, Sandra Crouch, NJ Mass Choir, Tramaine Hawkins, Philip Bailey, Crystal Lewis, 32Phreeze, Beau Williams, Debbie McClendon, Melba Moore, Louis Price,  Lonnie Morgan, Andre David Brooks, Arvis Strickling Jones, PH Factor, Randy Crawford, Coolio, Five Star, Montell Jordan, Paul Russon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Ruff, Mary mary, TQ, Warren G, Ann Nesby, Smokey Robinson, Ruben Studdard, Patti Labelle, Heather Headley, Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg, Jackie Gouche, Keb Mo, Dorian Holley, Quincy Jones, Kurupt, Lowell Pye, Terrance Martin, Aretha Franklin, Bridgette Bryant, Murs, Prince, Judith Hill, Mano Brown, Bottom 40, Mike Phillips, Carole Simmons)
• Lanar Brantley - Bass (James Cleveland, Vernard Johnson, Clark Sisters, Linda, Keith Pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Gospel Sould Children of NOLA, Royce Javan, Minister Thomas A Whitfield, Aretha Franklin, Clark Sisters, Lavine Hudson, Rev. Charles Nicks Jr, Truthettes, Bert Robinson, Eddie Murphy, Jade, LL Cool J, Karen Clark-Sheard, Will Smith, Boys Choir of Harlem)
• Dean Gant - Bass (Don Kinsey, Chosen Ones, Invisible Man's Band, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Spinners, Stephanie Mills, Larry Graham, Jones Girls, Madonna, Keni Burke, Anita Baker, Outkast, Peabo Bryson, Sunfire more)
• Bill Maxwell - Drums (Andrae Crouch, Koinonia, Open Hands, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Elton John, Leon Russell, Melody Gardot, Barbara Mandrell, Maria Muldaur, Qunicy Jones, Alpha Band, Phil Driscoll, T-Bone Burnett, more)
• Greg Phillingame - Synth Programming (Steve Vai, Toto, Quincy Jones, Donna Summer, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Ray Parker Jr, Neil Diamond, Denise Williams, Kenny Koggins, Patti Austin, George Harrison, Richie Sambora, Rickie Lee Jones, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Isley Bros, Santana, David Gilmour, Stevie Wonder many)
• Justo Almario - Horn (Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Open Hands, Koinonia, Roy Ayers, Ubiquity, Tolu, Mongo Santamaria, Peabo Bryson, Linda Ronstadt, Engelbert, Placido Domingo more)
• Alex Acuna - Percussion ( Weather Report, Perez Prado, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Placido Domingo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Antonio Carlos Jobmin, Beck, Roberta Flack, Al Jarreau, Acuna-Hoff-Mathisen Trio, Birds of a Feather, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Lye, Caldera, Clare Fischer's Latin Sound, Friendship, GRP All Star Big Band, Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Koinonia, Los Hijos del Sol, Session II, Blues Caravan, Tia Dia, Tolu, Toon Roos Group, many)
• Ollie Brown - Percussion, Linn Drum (Raydio, Ollie & Jerry, Ollie Baba, Blackbyrds, Ray Parker Jr, Fire Fox, James Ingram, Tahiti, Tracie Spencer, Paul Jackson Jr, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Bill Cosby, Temptations, Rolling Stones, Eric Carmen, Van Morrison, Billy Preston, Diana Ross, Grease (sndtk), Deniece Williams , Sly & Family Stone, Moulin Rouge, Commodores, Jermaine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Blondie Pointer Sisters, Quincy Jones, Kenny Rogers, Village People, Gloria Gaynor, DeBarge, Wilson Pickett, Michael Jackson, more)
• Melvyn Williams - Additional Vox (Williams Bros, Verlin Sandles, Gospel Concerto, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, Anita Baker, Regina Belle, United Inspirational Quire of Columbus OH, Jackson Southernaires, Truthettes, Leomia Boyd, Friends, Gospel Miracles, Sammy Stevens & the Ephesians, Ralph Favors)
• Doug Williams - Additional Vox (Paradise, Williams Bros, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, New Frontiers, Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Gospel Miracles, Jackson Southernaires)
• Kevin Session - Backing Vox 
• Kevin Jackson - Backing Vox (Andy Stokes, Marcell Russell, BeBe & CeCe)
• Victor Adams - Backing Vox (Active Force, Bobby Barth, EZB & DJ Los)
• Celeste McKinney - Backing Vox
• Jerome Earl Wright - Backing Vox (Andrew Wartts, Gospel Storytellers, Thomas Whitfield, NOLA Gospel Soul Children, Keith pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Commissioned, Aretha Franklin, Witness, Angelo & Veronica, Randy Crawford)
• Dwayne Whitehead - Backing Vox (The MOB)
• Debra Renee Winans - Backing Vox (BeBe-CeCe-Vickie-Ron-Daniel Winans, Tim Miner, Melba Moore, Carman, Bobby Brown)
• Regina Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members)
• Angelique Winans - Backing Vox  (various Winans, Tim Miner, Lavine Hudson, Melba Moore, Bobby Brown, Kelli Williams, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Darwin hobbs, Michelle Williams, TD Jakes)
• Benjamin BeBe Winans - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, PTL Club, BeBe & CeCe, 3 Winans Bros, Artists (United) for Haiti, Tammy Faye Bakker, Howard & Vestal, Melba Moore, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Gladys Knight, Anastacia, Sam Moore, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Louie Vega, more)
• Deborah Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members, Tim Miner. Lavine Hudson, Margaret Becker, Mark Lowry, Carman, Margaret Bell, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams)
• Fred Hammond - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, Commissioned, Brian McKnight, Ruben Studdard,  more)
• Mario Winans - Child Vox (The Hitmen, Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Ginuwine, R. Kelly, 98 Degrees, Limp Bizkit, Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole, Jay-Z, more)
• Marvin "Coconut" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Erica Campbell, Vickie Winans)
• Michael "Baby Mike" Winans Jr - Child Vox (P. Diddy)
• LaShay Winans - Child Vox (Danity Kane, P.Diddy)
• Carvin "Bronco" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Juan Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir, Michelle Williams, Michael Bolton)
• Joy Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Steve King - Engineer
• Barney Perkins - Engineer, Mixing
• Craig Bervage - Engineer
• Win Kutz - Engineer
• Peter Hadon - Engineer
• Mary Ann Dibs - Art Direction
• Russell Comfort - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. At first, when i bought the record, i thought it would be a new age sort of album: abstract/fossil art & the band name font suggested as much. But the band image on the back and sleeve, prompted me to change my guess to Smooth Jazz...1987 was a solid year for both genres. But since the band consists of family members with Winans as the last name, and songs like Real Meaning of Xmas & How Can You Live Without Christ, i now believe this will be some sort of christian cult gospel band with smooth jazz leanings.

Album Review: Smooth RnB spirituals starts from the first track, with vocals layered over each other, and what sounds to be all synth production. I can automatically tell, this is not an album for me, and had to turn it off before the last song finished. I know Anita Baker is on the first (Grammy winning, top 20 R&B charting) track, "Ain't No Need to Worry," and it was weird hearing Michael McDonald on "Love Has No Color."

The band / family (10 siblings) has kept their religious beliefs close to their hearts, with most surviving members still preaching or recording gospel records. All this despite a strict upbringing of no music (other than gospel) or theater/movies/TV. They've won grammys and one sibling, not on this record, CeCe (Pricilla) is the #1 selling gospel artist of all time. This is the fifth of their records and it reached #1 on the Gospel Album Chart (Billboard), and they are revered for updating gospel's sound by mixing in Soul & RnB.

Stand Out Track:

Links:
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Allmusic
Detroit Free Press: Winans family member on Songland May'20

Michael W. Jr Jailtime
Encyclopedia . com
NY Times Father passing 2009

Grove Music Online
BeBe website
DT Free Press: Covid + Winans

Winans Online

Warren, Paul & Explorer - One of the Kids

Name: Paul Warren & Explorer
Album: One of the Kids
Year: 1980
Style: Powerpop, Oldies
Similar Bands: Beatles, Marshall Crenshaw, Steve Forbert, Pezband, Shoes, Records
"One-Word" Review: Good & Plenty Pop
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI, Los Angeles, CA
Label: RSO, Polygram

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

One of the Kids (1980)

1. One of the Kids 3:04
2. Takin' Her Back 4:01 (single)
3. The Others 2:29
4. A and R Man 3:06
5. Suzanne 3:59/
6. You Can't Touch Her 3:25
7. Kiss Me Chrissy 2:56
8. Faded Glory 4:30
9. For the Love of a Girl 3:07
10. Hats Off to Winners 2:50

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Coleman - Producer
• Paul Warren - Vox, Guitar (Rod Stewart, Rare Earth, Pacific Gas & Electric, Explorer, Jack Wagner, Robin Trower, Neil Norman, Bobby Sexton, Richard Marx, Ventures, Temptations, Undisputed Truth, Funkadelic, Elkie Brooks, Prism, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Richard Marx, Tamara Champlin, Eros Ramazzotti, Alessandro Mara, Joe Cocker, Her Name is Death, ABC, Actual Russian Brides, Nite City)
• Steve Gornall - Guitar, Vox (Carl Stewart)
• Jimmy Hunter - Drums (Nite City, Nick Gilder, Hilary Laddin, David London, Gabriele Morgan, POOK Family All Star Line Up Band, Fortune, Bobby Barth, Bobby Alexander, Greg Ginn. Beckley)
• Dene Jordan - Bass, Vox 
• Doug Schwartz - Engineer Asst
• Steve Hall - Mastering
• Charles Weinberger - Mgmt
• Greg McCutcheon - Mgmt
• Glenn Ross - Art Direction
• Tim Owens - Design
• Moshe Brakha - Photos
• Rachel Guinan - Cover Kid
• Andy Owens - Cover Kid

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the mixed message of Warren smoking in front of the kids, yet declaring himself as one of the kids in the title is a shame. The kids, obviously from the future sport the 80's new wave business clothes with Geordie La Forge glasses. There was a big drive in the early 80's to mark yourself as new wave with the Red, Black & White color scheme, and this fits in with the red lines across the title and back of album. So the only question is how nerdy or power poppy will this record be...no mention of keys on the member list, so my guess is that it most likely won't be the bouncy neurotic powerpop, and will lean on the more pub rock sound.

Album Review: The album is full of singer/songwriter powerpop, lots of Beatles influence in the simple melodies, and basic, catchy song structures. The only difference, and quite shockingly so, is the driving metal anxiousness of "For the Love of a Girl."

Last June, I added a record from his band, Nite City, that preceded this album. Starting in the early 70's, Warren was a session guitarist for Motown Records (recorded The Temptations' "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"), as he was discovered in the area at 17. He moved with the label when they relocated to LA. After this one album and a bankrupt RSO label, he began his stint as a guitar for hire, before he ended up as touring guitarist for Richard Marx in 1987 - 1994 and Rod Stewart 1999 - 2013.

Stand Out Track: For the Love of a Girl

Links:

Youtube album + 1 extra track
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rate Your Music

Down Underground

This Is Powerpop
Local Show 2010

707 - s/t

Name: 707
Album: s/t
Year: 1980
Style: Power Pop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: Hawks, Producers, Shoes, Journey, Styx, Kansas, Nick Gilder, Foreigner, Ben Folds
"One-Word" Review: Piano Heavy Harmonic Pop
Based Out Of: LA, CA & Detroit, MI
Label: Casablanca Record & Filmworks Inc.

Cover & Record

Back & Record

707 (1980)

1. I Could Be Good For You 4:46 (single #52 BB Hot 100)
2. Let Me Live My Life 2:46
3. One Way Highway 4:17
4. Save Me 2:49
5. You Who Needs To Know 4:59 /
6. Slow Down 3:19
7. Feel This Way 3:49
8. Waste of Time 4:51
9. Whole Lot Better 6:37

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Phil Bryant - Bass, Lead & Backing Vox (Sax Maniacs)
• Jim McClarty - Drums, Percussion 
• Duke McFadden - Keys, Lead & Backign Vox, Acoustic Guitar (Chi Coltrane)
• Kevin Russell - Guitars, Lead & Backing Vox (Brian & the Sensations, Rick Derringer, Clarence Clemons, Whitesnake, Phantom-Rocker&Slick, Kokomo, NYC, Taxxi, Frank Marino, Leslie West, Jimmy Dillon, Ted Nugent, Stu Blank, F Machine Sea Hags, Nils Lofgren, Rod & The Shotgun Blues, Ruminators)
• David Carr - Piano, Arrangements (Simeon, Janine Maunder, Rich Mountain Tower, London, Tim Steen, Judty McComb, Kyle Vincent, Sarah Sarah, Paul Colman, Acetylene, Antiskeptic, Naked Raven, Steph Atkins, Guy Sebastian, Cilla Jane, Solicitors, Joe Cannon)
• Norman Ratner - Producer
• Fred Ruppert - Executive Producer
• Bob Stringer - Engineer, Mixing
• Steve DeGennaro - Production Assistant
• Bess Gilbert - Production Assistant
• Russell Schmitt - Asst. Engineer
• Dan Everhart - Asst. Engineer
• Mike Saunders - Asst Mixing Engineer
• Ed Schreyer - Mastering
• Ross Warren - Album Design & Execution
• Gribbitt - Graphics

Unknown-ness: Never heard of 707. On one hand, they look like a power pop band, but i've also seen where this sort of album design means they are a jazz fusion band. The liner notes on the back do suggest there are three singers, so most likely not a jazz band, and their photographs on the band steer them clear from any sort of new wave act.

Album Review: The band had success with their lead off song from this album, and after two more albums, one recorded in 1981, but never released until 2004, they left their label and recorded their biggest record Megaforce, who's title track was the theme for the film of the same name in 1982. For that album, their new label wanted one single front man, instead of a shared mix of various leading vocalist. McFadden passed away in 2005, and Russell tried to continue in the spirit of 707 with new material which fell apart to the degree he is now just leaving it in the past. The name 707 was considered a catchy name, and was also Russell's birthdate. This record is mostly light power pop, lots of harmonies and piano support that reminds me of Ben Folds at times. 

Stand Out Track: Let Me Live My Life 

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Mark Farner - s/t

Name: Mark Farner
Album: s/t
Year: 1977
Style: Pub Rock, Bluesy Rock
Similar Bands: The Who, Bee Gees, Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater, Grand Funk Railroad,
"One-Word" Review: Mellow Classic Rock in a Pub
Based Out Of: Flint Michigan
Label: Atlantic Recording, Warner Communications

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Mark Farner (1977)

1. Dear Miss Lucy 3:37
2. Street Fight 3:55
3. Easy Breezes 3:45
4. Social Disaster 3:35
5. He Let Me Love 3:34 /
6. You and Me Baby 2:51
7. Second Chance to Dance 3:15
8. Lorraine 3:55
9. Lady Luck 3:45
10. Ban the Man 3:05

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Mark Farner - Lead Guitar, Lead & Backing Vox (Terry Knight and the Pack, Bossman, The Fabulous Pack, Dick Wagner, Grand Funk Railroad, John Beland, Ringo Starr, Alice Cooper )
• Phil Aaberg - Keys, Clavinet, String Ensemble (New Grange, Peter Gabriel, Elvin Bishop. Henry Gross, Dick Wagner, Marshall Chapman, Valdy, Maria Muldaur, Duroc, Dillard, Pat Hoffman, Rogers & Burgin, Amos Garrett, Roger Voudouris, Juice Newton, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Eddie Rabbitt, Metamora, Roy Rogers, 
• Bob Babbit - Bass (Marfvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Jimi Hendrix, Alice Cooper, more)
• Bob Kulick - Guitar (Balance, Blackthorne, Hookfoot, Murder's Row, Skull, Neverland Express, Todd Rundgren, Michael Schenker Group, Lou Reed, Michael Wendroff, Pepper, Kiss, Meatloaf, Janice Ian, Diana Ross, Tim Curry, Rachel Sweet, Balance, Richard T Bear, Was Not Was, Spys, Michael Bolton, WASP, Motorhead, Status Quo)
• Al Wotton - Drums (Rachel Sweet, Frankie and the Knockouts, Mitch Ryder)
• Jimmy Maelan - Percussion (Ambergris, Shobizz, Hollywood Vampires, Latin Dimension, Roxy Music, Peter Gabriel, James Taylor, Alice Cooper, John Lennon, Jacksons, Talking Heads)
• Dick Wagner - Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vox, Remixing (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Kiss, Bossmen, The Frost, Hollywood Vampires, Ursa Major, much more)
• Ricky Farner - Backing Vox
• Dennis Bellinger - Backing Vox (Grand Funk Railroad, Rusty Wright Band, Robert Richmond)
• Andy Abrams - Engineer, Remixing
• Jim Frank - Asst. Engineer
• Mark Stebbeds - Asst Engineer
• Ringo Hrycyna - Asst. Engineer
• Jay Krugman - Remixing
• Steinbicker - Houghton - Cover Photo
• Lynn Goldsmith - Liner Photo
• Bob Defrin - Art Direction
• Andy Cavaliere - Personal Mgmt

Unknown-ness: never heard of this artist, and the cover looks like a complete rock star wanna-be cliche. Wanna-be because I've never heard of him. But the metallic logo and Saturday afternoon UHF fantasy b-movie image of shirtless Farner on a horse is trying hard to be iconic. As for what this will contain, it imagine it to be some aggressive Journey-like arena rock.

Album Review: So this is a gentle mix of southern bluesy rock and piano based pub tracks with some god influence ("He Let Me Love"). The songs on this album do mix it up, as there is also a little funk, some vague motown sound, and slow, harmonic "sexy" r&b. He was the lead singer & guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad. And through struggle and strife (father's early death, pacemaker, son's accident, fired from GFR & legal battles, finding god) he has come out the other end still playing music. The songs on this album do mix it up, as there is also a little funk, some vague motown sound, and slow, harmonic "sexy" r&b.

Stand Out Track: Dear Miss Lucy

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Shotgun - Shotgun IV

Name: Shotgun
Album: Shotgun IV
Year: 1980
Style: Disco, Smooth R&B, Funk
Similar Bands: Earth Wind Fire, Bar-Kays, Con Funk Shun, Cameo, Smokey Robinson
"One-Word" Review: Roller-Dancing Ballads
Based Out Of: Detroit, MI
Label: MCA Records

 Cover, Record

Record, Back

Shotgun IV (1980)

1. Come On With It 5:24
2. I Want you 4:54
3. You Deserve the Best 4:05
4. Go Head 5:04 /
5. Come On & Dance 3:52
6. Standing in Need of Love 5:03
7. You Just Wanna Dance 4:57
8. Happy Feelin' 5:25

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• William Talbert - Producer, Arrangement, Guitar, Keys, Synth (24 Carat Black, Phil Flowers & The Inner Connection, Jerry Carr)
• George Osaki - Art Direction
• Shosei Nagaoka - Illustration
• Rod Dyer/Vartan - Design
• Ernest Lattimore - Guitar, Lead & Backing Vox (24 Carat Black)
• Larry Austin - Bass, Lead & Backing Vox (24 Carat Black)
• Tyrone Steels I - Syndrums, Drums, Lead & Backing Vox (24 Carat Black, Jerry Carr, The Steele Family)
• Leslie Carter - Drums (Jerry Carr)
• Greg Ingram - Sax (24 Carat Black
• Rickey Sebastian - Trumpet, Trombone, Lead & Backing Vox
• Clare Fisher - additional musician (Bill Perkins, Latin Jazz Sextet, Salsa Picante, Foriegn Exchange, Henry Mancini, NPG Orchestra, Vox Humana)
• Tom Scott - additional musician (Asche & Spencer, Don Ellis, George's Band, GRP All-Star Big Band, Jimmy Gordon & his Jazznpops, Joe Byrd & the Field Hippies, LA Workshop, Oliver Nelson, Revolutionary Blues Band, Roger Kellaway, Blues Brothers Band, Jazz Central Station All Stars, LA Express, Tom Scott, Victor Feldman) 
• Paulinha Da Costa - additional musician (Baby'O, Fuse One, Samba 4, Sergio Mendes & Brasil'77, Bridge, The Dizzy Gillespie)
• Baker Bigsby - Engineer
• Terry More - Asst. Engineer
• Ralph Osborne - Asst. Engineer
• Tony Casella - Asst. Engineer
• Mrs Virginia Talbert - Dedication
• Gary P. Deeb - Exclusive Legal Rep.

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but based on the huge metallic spaceship speeding away from earth cover art, i'm guessing this is going to be a Prog or Metal record.

Album Review: And i was quite wrong..i should have considered the amount of space disco coming out at the time, and realized this might have been a heavy on disco. It also breaks up the dance numbers with smooth, romantic R&B ballads (#3,6). Ultimately, this is classified as Detroit Funk. Lots of big horns and funky bass on the dancy tracks and lots of thick harmonies.

Stand Out Track: Come On With It

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Look (the) - We're Gonna Rock

Name: The Look
Album: We're Gonna Rock
Year: 1981
Style: Power Pop, Pub Rock, Metal
Similar Bands: Def Leppard, Foreigner, Bad Company, Rod Stewart, Journey, Cheap Trick, Rockets
"One-Word" Review: Pretentious Radio Rockers
Based Out Of: Detroit
Label: Plastic Records

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

We're Gonna Rock (1981)

1. Nothin's Gonna Stop Us 3:12
2. We're Gonna Rock 3:07
3. Dreamin' 3:31
4. Be With me 3:59
5. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood 4:50 (Animals cover) /
6. Been Used 3:55
7. Can't Think Right 4:11
8. Do You Want Me Too 3:24
9. Race Against Time 4:03
10. Last Night 3:45

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

• Members & Other Bands:
• Johnny Sandlin - Producer
• Mark Stebbeds - Producer
• Bruce Lorfel - Mgmt
• Rick Cochran - Bass
• Dave Edwards - Lead Vox (Tantrum, RH Factor, Belle Islanders)
• Randy Volin - Guitar, Vox (John Surge & the Haymakers, Songbox)
• John Sarkisian - Drums, Vox
• Sam Warren - Guitar, Vox
• Steve Tillisch - Engineer
• Ann Holloway - Engineer
• Glenn Meadows - mastering
• Joe Walk - Keys (Eddie Hinton, Scott Boyer, Microwave Dave & the Nukes)
• Dennis J Ritter - Art Direction
• Bob Alford - Photos
• Rockart - Album Design

Unknown-ness: Never heard of these guys, but since they ARE the Look, the album is called We're Gonna Rock, and the first track is Nothin's Gonna Stop Us, I'm led to believe that they are Rock...it's just a matter of how hard. The photo depicts a band coming out of 70's glam style, so i imagine it will be a more powerpop version of Rock.

Album Review: So they cover the Animal's Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, which is right up their bluesy, pub rock style of Rock. They fit into all the 70's radio prepped bands that were the counterbalance to New Wave that was also looking for audience pull. The music is not as obnoxious as their name, and song/album titles are. In fact, the title track is their "demo" of the song, as they explained: "a subsequent recording of the song did not match the feel of the original." In fact, they have the prestigue as the first Detroit band on MTV in Sept'81 with the title track. The vocals are somewhere close to Steve Perry, and Rod Stewart at times, and they have harmonies in support, but not as dynamic as Journey. Dave Edwards is apparently an important figure in the Detroit Rock history, and still plays to this day (2020).

Stand Out Track: Be With Me

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(the) Rockets - Turn Up The Radio~ No Ballads^, Back Talk*

Name: The Rockets

Album(s): Turn Up The Radio~, No Ballads^, Back Talk*

Year(s): 1979~, 1980^, 1981*

Style: Pub Rock, Bluesy Rock, Powerpop, Southern Rock

Similar Bands: J Geils Band, Cactus, Foreigner, Meatloaf, Bob Seger, Bad Company, ZZ Top*

"One-Word" Review: Steady pub snacks.

Based Out Of: Detroit, MI

Label: RSO~^, Elektra*

 Turn Up The Radio~ - Cover & Record

 Turn Up The Radio~ - Back & Record

 No Ballads^ - Cover & Record

 No Ballads^ - Back & Record

 Backtalk* - Cover, Sleeve, Record

 Backtalk* - Back, Sleeve, Record

 Backtalk* - Promo Folder, Headshot

 Backtalk* - Promo Bio

  Backtalk* - Promo Bio

  Backtalk* - Promo Bio

  Backtalk* - Promo Bio

 Backtalk* - Promo Bio

Turn Up The Radio (1979)~

1. Can't Sleep 3:04
2. Turn Up The Radio 3:05
3. Oh Well 3:19
4. Lost Forever, Left for Dreaming 6:48 /
5. Long Long Gone 2:59
6. Love Me Once Again 3:55
7. Something Ain't Right 4:56
8. Lucille 2:57
9. Feel Alright 4:39

No Ballads (1980)^

1. Desire 3:30
2. Don't Hold On 4:15
3. Restless 2:55
4. Sally Can't Dance 3:55
5. Takin' It Back 5:00/
6. Time After Time 4:20
7. Sad Song 3:22
8. I Want You to Love Me 3:50
9. Is It True 4:28
10. Troublemaker 5:30

Backtalk (1981)*

1. Back Talk 3:52
2. Jealous 4:09
3. Lift You Up 3:43
4. Shanghaied 3:59
5. Love for Hire 4:00/
6. I Can't Get Satisfied 3:44
7. Tired of Wearing Black 4:15
8. I'll Be Your Lover 3:20
9. American Dreams 3:53
10. Lie To Me 5:04

Album Rating (1-10): ~7.0

^6.5

*6.5

Members & Other Bands:

Jimmy McCarty - Guitar, Backing Vox (Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheels, The Hell Drivers, Cactus, Buddy Miles Express, Catfish Hodge, Raymond Louis Kennedy, Albert King, Bob Seger)~^*

Johnny "Bee" Badanjek - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox (Mitch Ryder & Detroit Wheels, The Hell Drivers, Detroit, Alice Cooper, Dr John, Edgar Winters Group, Nils Lofgren)~^*

Dennis Robbins - Slide/Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vox~^*(Billy Hill)

David Hood - Bass ((Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Traffic, Boz Scaggs, Aretha Franklin, WIlson Pickett) ~

John Fraga - Bass~(Happy Dragon Band, Larry Santos, Albert King)

David Gilbert - Vox ~^*(Ted Nugent & The Amboy Dukes, Shadow, The New Order)

Donnie Backus - Keys, Backing Vox~^* (Nugent)

Kurt Klazel - Engineer~
Steve Tillisch - Asst Engineer~
David Pinkston - Asst Engineer~
Norman Seeff - Photography & Design~
Max Black - Photography & Design~
Jim Evans - Logo Design~

Chuck Leavell - Organ Clavinet~ (Allman Brothers Band, Sea Level, George Harrison)

Johnny Sandlin - Producer~^
George Marino - Mastrering~
Jim Hamblin - Road Manager

Dan Keylon - Bass^

Lee Michaels - Organ^ (The Family Tree, Steve Miller Band, Tim Curry, Jimi Hendrix)

Glenn Ross - Art Direction~^

Anita Pointer - Backing Vox^ (Pointer Sisters)

Ruth Pointer - Backing Voz^ (Pointer Sisters)

Tim Owens - Design^

Tom Flye - Engineer^

Rich Sanchez - Asst Engineer^

Gary Lazar - Manager, coordinator~^*Cover Concept*

Stan Ricker - Mastering^

Moshe Brakha - Photography^
Devon Stacey - Drum Crew^
Mike Lilley - Sound Tech^

Bobby Neil Haralson - Bass*
Jack Douglas - Producer, Percussion* (John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Cheap Trick, Aerosmith, The Knack, Graham Parker)
Jimmy Z - Harmonica* (Faster Pussycat, Rod Stewart, Weird Al Yankovic, Shakespear Sister, Corey Hart, Flesh-N-Bone, Dr Dre, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Etta James)
Eric Ernst - Road Manager, Lighting Director^*
Elmer Haggadone - Equipment Manager~^*
Dave Golder - Sound Tech*
Steve "New Wave" Lane - Bus Driver, Equipment*
Lee De Carlo - Engineer*
Bill Freesh - Asst. Engineer*
Greg Calbi - Mastering*
Ron Coro - Art Direction*
Dave Willamston - Illustration, Design*
Charlie White - Illustration*
Paul Mussa - Design*
Robert Mattheu - Photography*

Unknown-ness: I had never heard of this band, and I picked up three albums at two different times. They look like a typical blue collar, pub rock band focused on AOR style guitar rock. I don't expect it to be much different.

Album Review: This band was born from the collaboration of the guitar and drums from Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. But they adopted a more southern bluesy rock inspired style for this band. They appeared on The Midnight Special TV show. They never made it really huge outside of the Detroit area, but they worked with some artists that went on to work with some big names. Singer David Gilbert died of liver cancer in 2001.

“Can't Sleep” starts with a bouncy, funky bass beat and strutting guitar and drums. It definitely has a Foreigner – J Geils Band feel to it: gritty with strained vocals and a touch of blues.

“Turn up the Radio” was a single. It revves up with a power pop start and shrill vocals. It is a pretty catchy song, full of energy from start to finish. Even the piano carries the tempo with a jovial nature. The guitar solo could be found on an album by anyone from Social Distortion to Cheap Trick.

“Oh Well” was a Fleetwood Mac cover and a top 40 hit for them. It shuffles in with a stealthy swagger. And without the piano, could possibly be considered to be comparable to a Black Sabbath guitar riff with Led Zeppelin styled vocals. The song jams out freely as the instrumental section comes early, and the song ends abruptly.

“Lost Forever, Left for Dreaming” is more ballady, with a meandering guitar intro. Calmed vocals introduce the melody, which has a little Boston-More Than a Feeling similarity. It does not build into the climactic energy; however, it stays the lighter inducing, mellow course. The face melting slow jam seems to last a very long time, and it comes back for a harmonized Allman Band style chorus. With the fade out, it feels like an album ender, not the end of side one.

“Long Long Gone” starts out with a smooth power pop tempo, and lyrics that stumble over the melody. The chorus builds and is catchy, but the song over all does not have much power behind it, and is hard to classify other than a steady, sturdy track.

“Love Me Once Again” builds up with power chords and a Chuck Berry guitar. The bluesy, country barroom tone dances through like a Meatloaf showtune. Maybe a little Rolling Stones-like too. The vocals really carry the emotion of the song.

“Something Ain't Right” is very slow and a little unsure from the get go. It is a ballad, with a little bit of reflective tempo for the chorus. It could easily be produced differently, slowed down even more and simplified for a female R&B (Etta James) song thanks to its tone and melody.

“Lucille” is a bouncy bar room stomp with an oldies structure. Very simple straightforward rock and roll with a honkytonk base and passionate vocals.

“Feel Alright” is a building song, as it is constantly building the entire time. Even the chorus builds its momentum, which is the best part of the song, singing “Everybody / Come over”. It’s not fast or slow, but steady, with a pounding, pulsing bass beat.

“Desire” Was a single from this album. It starts with an echoing, chugging heavy guitar. It has some Rolling Stones slickness to it, with a little more concentrated energy in the guitar solos. But it never really goes anywhere. The chorus that it tries to reach is just an instrumental section. The nervous piano pulsing can instigate restless leg syndrome.

“Don't Hold On” is a southern bluesy song with swamp swagger and funk.

“Restless” is less funky, but still steams off a bluesy rock n roll fog, with a contemplative breakdown before it transitions into the instrumental. The structure is power chords played in sets of two.

“Sally Can't Dance” features two of the Pointer Sisters on backing vocals. Like the rest of the album, it neither really rocks nor croons. It is somewhere in the middle. It’s a jammy version of power pop, incorporating the bluesy slink of the bass.

 “Takin' It Back” rushes forward from the start with a sprinting tempo and fast electric Chuck Berry guitars and after it climbs to the top, it rides the rollercoaster down. There is a weird strained “Mmmmm” vocalization in the song that is a little creepy, but otherwise, this is a catchy as hell song. It does go on for a little too long, jamming out at the end to be a nice, compact pop song.

“Time After Time” pulses along nicely in the chorus, with a focus and build to the chorus. The chorus delivers, but does not completely deliver the energy anticipated. This feels like a J Geils Band song.

“Sad Song” pretty much says it all in the title, even if the melody is upbeat in a Bee Gees harmonized way in the chorus. This feels like an early 80’s sitcom theme.

“I Want You to Love Me” is dark version of Jail House Rock. It flattens out and loses the darkness, but the basic melody remains.

“Is It True” takes it back to a dripping, bluesy swamp rock song. The vocals are reigned in more here, they don’t seem to have the emotional diversity of the rest of their catalogue. But by the end of the song, he does let loose more.

“Troublemaker” is a relaxed slow-funk-jam. Even the couple of power chords in the chorus don’t ramp it up enough to get out of the chair to change the TV channel. As it fades out, the shaking feedback of the electric guitar is eerie and interesting at the same time.

“Back Talk” almost has a Duran Duran like quality to it, and it feels smoother and more produced than the other two albums. The drums are tighter and the bass line sounds synthesized. I like the shift in guitar style about 2 minutes in, it gets peppier and catchier. But it is only for a brief section. Overall, the song kind of sounds neutered, and I believe it is because of the production.

“Jealous” has a bit of a mystical feel to it, a wandering windswept landscape that becomes a hair band rock song.

“Lift You Up” begins with a somewhat bouncy bass line, like an uncomfortable mash of funk and country. The song seems to have a spiritual connotation. The instrumental is mainly a jammy wah-wah guitar.

“Shanghaied” is a free-flowing rock song, reminding me a little of Aerosmith mixed with J Geils. It has a honkytonk swagger and some new wave keyboard sounds. The vocals have a lot of passion, and are supported by a strong female set of vocals. The chorus is very catchy and really sells the song as a whole as the hook to look forward to.

“Love for Hire” sounds like their song from the first album “Lost Forever, Left for Dreaming” in the verse. The chorus is a repeating, half-hearted uttering of the song title that just feels incomplete. Some of the emotion in the vocals reminds me of Roger Daltrey.

“I Can’t Get Satisfied” goes back to the piano based barroom bluesy jam. There is a playful tone that runs throughout the song, from talking about joining a band to the bouncy bass line and complementary piano.

“Tired of Wearing Black” reminds me of a Sammy Hagar song, It is kind of meandering and unfocused, creating more of a renegade pent-up atmosphere than a followable melody. And then some ZZ Top guitars are added in for good and relatable measure.

“I'll Be Your Lover” is a bouncy number, that almost shares a passing resemblance to Devo at the beginning. But the harmonica and the way the vocals are just slapped over the pulsating music takes away the new wave fun quality. The backing harmonized vocals also pull it away from the nervous, anxious tempo the bass and guitar create.

“American Dreams” is a power ballad dedicated to ‘murican pride. The verse is just a solid harmony, supported by echoing power guitar licks.
“Lie To Me” takes the whole mood down a notch further with a real side-to-side swaying slow ballad, with a little Journey-like singing (just not quite as melodic). 

Stand Out Tracks: ~Turn Up The Radio
^Taking It Back
*Shanghaied 

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Radio Therapy - Adjusted Frequency

Name: Radio Therapy
Album: Adjusted Frequency
Year: 2003
Style: Alt Pop-Rock, Jangle Pop
Similar Bands: Cure, Bowie, Hank Williams, Rentals, Young Fresh Fellows, Counting Crows, Joe Jack Talcum, Hootie & Blowfish, Barenaked Ladies.
"One Word" Review: local pub house band
Based Out Of: Bay City, Michigan
Label: self released

Adjusted Frequency - Cover, Insert Back, CD

Adjusted Frequency - Inner Notes, Back

Adjusted Frequency (2003)

1. Say Hello 2:27
2. Something to Believe 4:46
3. Electric Life 2:49
4. Partners in Crime 3:23
5. She's Mine 3:44
6. Bondage Love Song 3:21
7. I Love You To Death 3:24
8. My Blood is Red 5:42
9. Last Night I Saw Your Ghost 3:33
10. Fool Like Me 4:23
11. Do You Wanna Live Forever 3:05
12. Life on Planet Hell 3:44
13. No More Sunshine 3:10

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:
Robert Atha - Lead Vox, Guitars, Producer, Mixing, Cover Photo (Round & a Distant Few, Screaming Casanovas. Fantastic Four, The Savior Machine)

John Cashman - Vox, Drums (Round & a Distant Few, Fantastic Four, The Savior Machine)

Kurt Cunningham - Lead Vox, Bass (Round & a Distant Few, Screaming Casanovas)

Tom Towns - Bass, Guitars (Round & a Distant Few, Fantastic Four, The Savior Machine)

Marko Musich - Guitar on "Say Hello"

Patrick Archer - Mixing

Jeremy Pawlak - Graphic Design, Back Cover Photo

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. But the production looks very DIY, from the color ink rubbing away on the crease, to the generic font on the mare-to-order CD, and crappy low-res band photo on the back. Knowing that this came from a friend's discarded selection makes me think that this will be some alt-pop-rock outfit, Perhaps some cheesy lyrics and straight forward chord progression. It does remind me of an early Sugarplastics record, so that is nostalgically promising.

Album Review: In the middle of the evolution of bands by the same core group of friends in Bay City, MI comes Radio Therapy. Incarnations came before it, and a majority of the members are currently working in The Savior Machine. The album here has been described as a compilation of the member’s influences, as it is not strictly pop, new wave or country, but a generous mix of all three at different times. Some songs are just good, and some songs are terrible. Also of note, John Cashman owns his own comic book shop, Cashman Comics, in Bay City.

“Say Hello” starts out with fuzzy glam guitar chords. The vocals are nasally and nerdy: A little like Joe Jack from Dead Milkmen. The straightforward alt-rock sound reminds me of the Rentals. They repeat the hook a little too much, even if the song is less than 2 and a half minutes.

“Something to Believe” has a Matthew Sweet-style guitar riff in the background, buried below the drum beat and muted vocals, that sound a little like Hootie & The Blowfish or stylistically like Blues Traveler. It just sounds poorly recorded, and jammy, with the rhythm guitar being the main focus.  

“Electric Life” has power pop hooks played in a fuzzy “alternative (Urge Overkill)” style. The vocals don’t feel all that confident, and the shaky performance seems to sap energy from the music. The lead guitar meanders around, just making a backdrop for the rhythm chords.

“Partners in Crime” starts with a jangly train tempo song. Then the slide guitar comes in the background, and between that and the melodies, this is the ham-bone slappin’ Alt-Country story-song the reviews promised.

“She's Mine” slows it down, still carries a jangly guitar, and features sympathetic harmonies. It is not really a slow dance song, rather, a thoughtful reflection with a steady, lazy pace. It feels like it could be on a Gin Blossoms record.
“Bondage Love Song” chugs right along energetically with the vocals, unfortunately, mixed down in the back. It has a very college radio, Lemonheads feel with fuzzy guitars and a simple-to-follow melody.

“I Love You To Death” was a parody of Oprah’s show about people who wanted to kill themselves after their loved ones left. It is a guitar heavy song pairing a fuzzed out constant guitar and a wah-wah lead guitar. It is a solid song with a template verse-chorus, but they flow nicely into each other, and it is playful and silly lyrically, as long as you don’t take the lyrics to heart personally. “I love you to death / I wanna blow my head off, maybe hang myself instead.”

“My Blood is Red” starts with a muted heart pulse drum beat, whiny vocals, and more jangly guitars. The tempo is slow and steady like “She’s Mine.” But there is a poor-man’s Counting Crows feel to the vocals here. This song is just really kinda bad, with a chord progression kind of like Bush’s “Glycerin.” And it is the longest song on the album.

“Last Night I Saw Your Ghost” starts with a water-echoy jam rhythm guitar. The vocals are harmonized sleepily. The song tries to kick in, and it just kind of hangs there, the vocals like a controlled, emotionless Dave Pirner. Also, the lead solo vocals sound a little like Barenaked Ladies.

“Fool Like Me” starts off as a pub / garage rock song featuring mini guitar solos and a side to side, yet driving tempo. The music teeters on aggressive, but the vocals bring it back to the harmless side. The end has a power drum finish in time with the guitars.

“Do You Wanna Live Forever” is more aggressive, as it is a faster, driving song with gradual chord shifts. The vocals are a little nasally and not very melodic. The repetitive chorus reminds me a little of Cheap Trick. The song winds down into a slightly chaotic bashing of instruments and warped guitars.

“Life on Planet Hell” starts out with a few power pop chords, and a bit of a Dramarama like presentation of vocals. Actually, as the song progresses, it feels like a Joe Dead Milkmen song: simple, a few chords and similar vocal delivery.

“No More Sunshine” is a jammy acoustic ballad, in the same vein as an alt-country Hootie song. That said, it’s no good.

Stand Out Track: I Love You To Death

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Moods for Moderns - Loud & Clear

Band: Moods for Moderns

Album: Loud & Clear

Year: 2001

Style: Power Pop, Indie, Garage

Similar Bands: New Pornographers, Chisel, Posies, Big Star, Weezer

One Word Review: 1-D 70's Power Nuggets

Based Out Of: Detroit, MI

Label: Doghouse Records

 Loud & Clear - Cover & Track List

 Loud & Clear - Liner Photo & Back

 Loud & Clear - CD, Inner Fold Out

Loud & Clear - Liner Notes & Lyrics

Loud & Clear (2001)

1. Lust for Luster 5:02
2. Whatever She's Doin' 4:38
3. Popstar 2:41
4. Slacker Ways 4:23
5. Two Tracks Left 2:42
6. Only on a Saturday Night 3:28
7. Runaround 2:57
8. Candy Apples 2:46
9. So Long Canada 3:41
10. Long Distance Dedication 3:49

Album Ratings (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Nate Beale - Vox, Guitar, Percussion, Hammond, Wurlitzer (Dirty Sweet, Blondfire)
Ben Force - Bass, Vox, Percussion (King for a Day, Koufax, Bulldog)
Dave Shettler - Drums, Hammond, Vox, Percussion, Moog, Farfisa (Koufax, Sights, Saturday Looks Good to Me, Nathaniel Mayer, Andre Williams, Scott Morgan, Paul Collins, Brian Olive)
Jim Diamond - Vox, Percussion, Organ, Producer
Dirk Hemsath - Percussion (Transcend, Majority of One, Upwelling)
Emily Lazar - Mastering
Bryan Sheffield - Photography

Unknown-Ness: So I bought this for a buck just because the name is taken from Elvis Costello. That's really it. I imagine the band to have that sort of sound, with a Who influence (thanks to the cover art). But I imagine this band will really sound like the early 00's young indie garage bands like Redwalls or Rooney.  Unfortunately the liner notes and lyrics are not complete due to the water damage to the case. CD looks to be in fine shape, though.

Album Review: Not much out there about this short lived band. Many of the musicians went on to form other projects, but nothing was that notable. They excel at trying to capture that 70’s power pop ‘garage vibe that is just as fun to watch and listen to as it must be to play. It is a solid piece of nostalgia done well, but it is lacking one punchy, unidentifiable thing that would make it shine beyond the one dimension.

“Lust for Luster” begins the album with a fade up of a garage rock guitar hook and rollicking bass line. Once the song really kicks in, I can see the comparisons of power pop heros Big Star. Also a less shiny Jellyfish. Short harmonies punctuate each verse, and the chorus is a two note harmony as well. There are a bunch of sections to this song that flow into each other quite seamlessly. And the song could go on forever, but they cut it short with a fade out without any loss of intensity.

“Whatever She's Doin'” was one single from the album. And it continues the mid 7’s power pop spirit alive with chords and a Weezer like melody from verse into the chorus. It also reminds me of a favorite short lived band called the Realistics. After a couple run throughs of verse-chorus, they employ hand claps for percussion, and later a cowbell and whiny electric guitars for an instrumental whine down.

“Popstar” was the B-Side to “WSD.” Is a side to side bouncy pop/folk song. The vocals are slightly distorted with a minor megaphone/echo effect. The tempo slows down in the chorus with a harmonized section, and it picks back up. It has continual starting and stopping of the tempo.

“Slacker Ways” continues the happy, shiny power pop, with a pretty aggressive (yet fully harmonized) stomping chorus. There is also a small use of synth to bolster the melody. At about the 2 minute mark, they abandon music and just showcase the melody with an acapela  measure with handclaps in support. After the instrumental, they cut back the driving tempo for a sleepy time swaying melody…but not for long until they kick it back in. This song feels like a waking up from a coma of what the slacker alternative era was like. The guitars don’t have much distortion, the vocals are alive and harmonic and the chords are punchy and catchy.

“Two Tracks Left” was the first single they released that predates this album. After the power pop intro, the song takes more of a singer songwriter guitarist direction, where the vocals are left out there by themselves, with no competition from the instruments.  

“Only on a Saturday Night” finds an Elvis Costello style organ to play a fun power pop melody. The song does a nice job building anticipation, and has a nice wash that delivers the chorus quite enjoyably. I think the song has too much going on to figure out what to enjoy most and pay attention to…the organ, the pounding guitars, the harmonies or the main melody. It is a good song at its root, but it is just too busy.

“Runaround” begins with a country music angle with steel guitar featured overtop pub room power pop. It reminds me a little of the late 70’s early 80’s pub rock like the A’s. It is sung in a little snottier and nasally manner than the other songs. Still has come nice whoo-hoo-hoo harmonies and toward the end, it used the organ, but it feels like it is trying to change gears form the country pub song in the beginning to a new wave power pop song in the middle. It converts back to the countrified melody at the very end, however.

“Candy Apples” sounds like it is a 69’s bubblegum pop song coming in over a radio. It is recorded in with a muted, swampy, low fi sound. The effect of the production over top of the organ gives it a little bit of a psychedelic feel. It glides itself along on the one dimensional idea, and even with harmonized Ah-Ah-Ah’s, it doesn’t climb out of mediocrity.

“So Long Canada” starts with a slow melody, then transitions to a snotty stomping march. It has a side to side swagger, and could be produced to sound like a pop-punk song if they chose.

“Long Distance Dedication” is a slow-dance with a light garage rock edge. It again uses the technique of sounding like it was recorded with echoing vocals through a lo fi radio, giving a spacey large vacant room feeling. This sounds like the band’s sound check before the auditorium filled up with prom kids.  

Stand Out Track: Whatever She's Doin'

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