(October 27, 2021) For many R&B lovers, the jams of Solar Records in the 70s and 80s were a high point. The L.A.-based label of Dick Griffey was the home to a cavalcade of stars, including The Whispers, Shalamar, Lakeside, The Deele, Klymaxx, Dynasty and Carrie Lucas, among others, many working with legendary producer Leon Sylvers and his frequent collaborator Dana Meyers.
Following Griffey’s death, the Solar label faded. But it was relaunched in 2018 with new CEO Jessie Tsang, along with the Griffey family. And one of the first projects of the new label will be a series of Soulful House compilations in partnership with Groove Odyssey, pairing Solar stars with some of the world’s most accomplished DJs and producers, including Louie Vega, DJ Spen and more.
We just received word that Sylvers and Meyersare back in the studio with Carrie Lucas on the Groove Odyssey project, working on both house versions of past Solar hits as well as new material. Also slated for the collections are songs by The Whispers, Shalamar and more.
We’re looking forward to the new Carrie Lucas recordings as well as these much anticipated collections of refreshed versions of classic Solar material. We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.
By Chris Rizik
