Lost Gem: The Stylistics returned in hidden glory on “I’ve Got This Feeling”
By 1981, it seemed like The Stylistics were on their third career. The group, led by the soaring falsetto of Russell Thompkins, Jr., broke out in a big way in the early to mid-70s with three knockout albums produced by the great Thom Bell, which included some of the most iconic songs written by Bell and his […]
SoulTracks Lost Gem: Kool & The Gang reunited “In The Hood”
There weren’t many bands in the 1980s that had the golden touch that Kool & The Gang had. With #1 smashes like “Ladies Night” and “Celebration,” they could do no wrong from 1979 to 1986, and they toured the world around their platinum recording success. By 1988 the normal arc of their second stint on […]
SoulTracks Lost Gem: The Spinners teamed with the NBA’s Dr. J for a basketball music rarity
There weren’t many soul music acts that were bigger in the 1970s than The Spinners. The quintet, working with master producer Thom Bell, issued a series of charttopping albums and one hit after another — songs that are revered now as much as they were back then. But amid all of the hits was a song that […]
Lost Gem: Sly Stone joined Jesse Johnson for a “Crazay” single
There is a belief regarding Sly Stone that has been elevated to the level of myth. That belief is that the legendary funk master, co-founder and leader of the band Sly and the Family Stone disappeared and wasn’t involved musically from the mid 1970s until he performed during a 2006 Grammy Awards tribute to the band. Stone […]
SoulTracks Lost Gem: Remembering when Brownstone covered an Eagles classic
In 1995, unlike the present, there was an abundance of female groups. Radio, video shows and music stores were already embracing Jade, TLC, SWV and En Vogue, but a saucy, sangin’ Cali trio by the name of Brownstone exploded out of nowhere with their stellar debut album From the Bottom Up. Signed to Epic as artists for Michael […]
SoulTracks Lost Gem: Tavares joined Stephen Bishop on wonderful, forgotten soul ballad
In the mid-80s, when pop singer songwriter Stephen Bishop (“On and On”) wanted to recreate the terrific soulful, falsetto ballads of the prior decade, he called on the five brothers from New Bedford, Massachusetts, better known as Tavares, to make the song happen. It was a pivotal moment for both acts: The Tavares brothers had just […]
Lost Gem: Herbie Hancock and Patrice Rushen “Give It All” on rare groove
Herbie Hancock is a legendary composer, performer, and producer who long ago blurred the musical lines in his multi-stylistic approach. He may have started out performing under the label of Jazz, but the depth of his talent on keyboards of all shapes and sizes and his epic, widescreen Quincy Jones style imagination long ago transcended labels. […]
Lost Gem: Jamie Jones of All-4-One inspired us on “Rise”
Longtime SoulTrackers know that we feel that the quartet All-4-One created some of the best harmonies of the 90s and beyond (and they’re still recording great albums to this day). But fewer know that All-4-One lead singer Jamie Jones has also established himself as a top notch songwriter and producer, working with his production team The Heavyweights and delivering […]
SoulTracks Lost Gem: Natalie Cole and Freddie Jackson say “I Do”
In the realm of the female artists who first began recording in the 70s, few had the kind of impact that Natalie Cole did. While her pedigree – as the daughter of the legendary Nat King Cole – certainly didn’t hurt in gaining the immediate attention of the media and the public alike, Natalie quickly […]
Lost Gem: Enchantment’s classic 70s hit “Gloria” goes acapella
Formed in the late 60s at Detroit’s Pershing High School, Enchantment became one of the most enjoyable but underrated groups of the late 70s and early 80s. Consisting of lead singer Emanuel “EJ” Johnson, Bobby Green, Mickey Clanton, Joe Thomas and Dave Banks, Enchantment was for many years a local favorite, playing gigs in the […]
