Four decades into his enviable career, Michael J. Calhoun founder continues moving forward while never looking back. Known as part of the R&B collective Kinsman Dazz – transformed in the late 70s to the Grammy winning Dazz Band –he continues to be a strong presence in today’s adult contemporary R&B market with the reconstituted Kinsman Dazz Band.
As a testimony to their relentless dedication, Kinsman Dazz Band has showered their audiences with electro spiced funk grooves and a number of hits over the past decade. But this collective is also willing to forsake the dancefloor with smooth jazz, gospel, socially conscious themes and old school soul stories. And this versatility along with appealing vocal collaborations (Heidi Tann, Eddie B. Sands, etc.) keeps SoulTracks fans casting their ballots for Kinsman Dazz Band, resulting in several SoulTracks Readers Choice Awards nominations.
For the latest First Listen installment, Calhoun and company return to one of their familiar musical zones – dancing those cares away. “On Friday Night,” Kinsman Dazz Band’s debut on their new label, World Movement Enterprises, is the ultimate getaway track to the club, away from the pressures dominating the work week. Rick Marks takes the lead microphone on a funky and fun song driven by multi-instrumentalist Pete Tokar (Gerald Levert, Tamia). And Jim Dudash’s vision in the video director chair emphasizes a couples smiling while relishing all the perks to a romantic night, proving the point behind “On Friday Night”: “You only live once/And when you’re dead you’re done.” “On Friday Night” is our Video of the Month. Check it out below.
By Peggy Oliver
