In 1988, people all over the world were moving to the smooth R&B sound of Kiara and their great hit, “The Best of Me.”
Consisting of multi-instrumentalist John Winston and vocalist Gregory Charley, the Detroit-based duo was signed major-label Arista Records and dropped their debut set To Change And/Or Make A Difference, an apt title for their musical and societal aspirations. The lead-off smash “The Best of Me” reached #5 on the Hot Black Singles chart, a fresh, summery number that literally popped from the speakers with Charley’s bright voice fronting a sound that blended old school soul with new jack crispness.
Kiara would have one more major it (the #2 “This Time” with Shanice Wilson) before fading from the charts, and the duo went their separate ways (check out our bio of them). But while Kiara’s music is generally out of print and not played much on terrestrial radio, the guys still hold a place for us — and this Lost Gem sounds great all these years later.
