When the R&B group Champaign burst on the scene in 1981, it appeared to be a group that was going to be around for quite awhile, and a big part of it was the excellent lead vocals by Pauli Carman. Combined with great production by Leo Graham and strong songwriting by group members, the septet had a crossover smash hit in “How ‘Bout Us” and one of the most complete albums of that year. Unfortunately, that debut album would be the commercial high point for the group.
Though highly anticipated, their next album, Modern Heart, was not nearly as strong as its predecessor and spawned only a minor charter with the ballad “Try Again.” There were some other hidden gems on the disc (especially the acappella cut “Walkin;”) but it exited the charts almost as quickly as it arrived. The group’s third disc, Woman in Flames, fared even worse, and was generally ignored despite a couple nice radio cuts, “Off And On Love” and “This Time.”
Pauli Carman left in 1985 for a solo career and immediately landed a moderate dance hit with “Dial My Number.” He and the group reunited in 1991 for the album Champaign IV on, of all things, the Malaco blues label. It barely dented the charts, despite having a number of solid cuts.
Carman moved to Hong Kong, where he continued to perform Champaign hits before moving back to Illinois and rejoining the group in 2000. Champaign performed again until the death of group member Michael Day (Jones’ husband) of cancer in 2001. Carman then moved to the field of education by day and continued to record and perform with his own Pauli Carman and Champaign. In 2008, he released a new album, Carma, under the group moniker, and another single, “Share,” in 2011.
A decade and a half later, in 2026, Carman re-emerged as a solo artist and teamed with legendary songwriter and producer Preston Glass to issue the ballad “I Just Can’t Let You Go” on David Nathan’s Soul Music Records.
