They only had a short time in the sun, but the band Crackin’ has continued to charm fans of its mid-70s soul-pop-jazz sound a half century later. Consisting of bassist/vocalist Rick Chudacoff, drummer and vocalist Leslie Smith, and band members Peter Bunetta,, Arno Lucas, George T. Clinton and Bob Bordy, Crackin’ issued a series of albums on Polydor and Warner Records that received more critical acclaim than spins at the time, but which have received increased fan interest as the years have gone on.
The band’s sound drew comparisons to Earth, Wind & Fire and Average White Band, but with a softer, West Coast vibe. Tracks like “The Force Is Watching You” and “Don’t You Wish You Could Be There” showed off their knack for lush arrangements and grooves, while their soul roots peeked through in their vocal interplay.
Though Crackin’ never broke through commercially, its members all went on to second acts in the music industry after the group broke up in the late 70s. Chudacoff and Bunetta, in particular, went on to form one of the industry’s top production teams of the 80s, particularly notable for their work with of The Temptations, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, and Stephanie Mills.
