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mardi 16 septembre 2025

The Controllers

The Controllers are an American soul and R&B vocal group, originally from Birmingham, Alabama, who had a series of successful recordings in the late 1970s and the 1980s.

Originally part of an eight-member gospel group, the group became four in number by the time they entered junior high school, comprising Reginald McArthur (baritone lead), Rickey Lewis (tenor lead), Larry McArthur and Lenard Brown.^[1] Their growing reputation in the Birmingham area led to an introduction to Cleveland Eaton, bassist for the Ramsey Lewis Trio. Under Eaton's guidance, the Soul Controllers, as they were then called,^[1] recorded their first single, called "Right on Brother, Right On". It became a regional hit while they were still attending Fairfield High School.^[2]

In 1976, the group came to the attention of Juana Records, run by Frederick Knight,^[1] also from Birmingham. Recording at the Malaco Studios in Jackson, Mississippi, their first single on Juana charted, but it was their second release, "Somebody's Gotta Win, Somebody's Gotta Lose", that established them. The song, a ballad lasting over eight minutes on the album, climbed to number 8 on US Billboard R&B chart,^[3] and number 3 on the Cash Box soul chart in 1977. The group's on-stage performances also helped them to open for Ray Charles, Nancy Wilson, B.B. King and the Temptations.

A follow-up ballad, "Heaven Is Only a Step Away" climbed to number 37 R&B,^[3] but despite the release of two more albums on Juana, the group failed to find another major single success.

In 1983, the group signed with the late Jimmy Bee, a San Francisco-based manager, and got a recording contract with MCA Records. Their first release on the label, "Crushed" (which featured Stevie Wonder on harmonica)^[1] returned them to the charts, reaching number 30 R&B, in 1984 and two years later, "Stay" climbed to number 12.^[3] Their cover version of the Marvin Gaye song, "Distant Lover" also proved popular. These hits led to a series of appearances on Soul Train and performances at the Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall. During this time, the group also performed on MTV, BET's Video Soul and on HBO.^[4]

Under the guidance of Bee, the Controllers made a move to Capitol Records in 1989 for the album Just in Time, which was co-produced by Donnell Spencer, Jr., Sam Sims, Ollie E. Brown and Vassal Benford.^[5] It failed to produce any top 40 hits but rekindled their popularity among the group's loyal following.^[2] However, two songs from the album did chart. The Donnell Spencer composition, "Temporary Lovers" got to no. 43 on the Billboard R&B chart and another song "Just in Time" which was co-composed by Spencer and Sims got to no. 87.^[6]

After a break from touring and recording, the four returned in the late 1990s, and joined Malaco Records for their self-produced album, Clear View, which contained a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition", and a revised "Somebody's Gotta Win".^[7]

Lenard Brown and Reginald McArthur were co-hosts of a syndicated talk show in the Southeastern United States, Inside the Juke Joint, where artists, songwriters, arrangers and musicians talk about their careers and lives.^[4]

Reginald McArthur (born Reginald Duwayne McArthur on September 25, 1954) died on April 19, 2018, at age 63.

lundi 15 septembre 2025

1619 Bad Ass Band (1976) (Expanded Edition) [Digitally Remastered] (2016)

The Good Old Days Vol.4 (2020 Compiled By PascalGf)

Brooklyn Dreams - Music, Harmony And Rhythm_ The Casablanca Years (1996)

Brooklyn Dreams (1980) Won't Let Go (2025)

Brooklyn Dreams (1979) Sleepless Nights (Bonus Tracks Edition) (Light Mellow 2010)

Brooklyn Dreams (1977) Brooklyn Dreams (BBR Expanded 2010)

Brooklyn Dreams (1979) Joy Ride (Vivid Sound 2017)

mardi 9 septembre 2025

Narada Michael Walden - Still Yours For the Summer (2025)

dimanche 7 septembre 2025

80's Soul Special 25% Off Selected Titles

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samedi 6 septembre 2025

Funky Town ''85 (1985)

Nikita Germaine

Nikita Germaine is another bright star to emerge from the talent rich soil of Oakland, CA. As the youngest of twelve children, she’s been singing since the age of five years old.

After studying music at Merritt Junior College and San Francisco State University, Nikita decided to pursue her music career, performing in clubs throughout the Bay Area, creating an industry buzz. She soon took her talents to the recording studio, developing her own musical style and sharpening her songwriting skills. It was during this time she was introduced to Grammy Award winning producer Narada Michael Walden. Impressed with Nikita’s unique voice, she quickly became part of Narada’s signature sound, and he had her singing background vocals on albums such as Aretha Franklin’s " Who’s Zoomin' Who”?, Whitney Houston’s “The Body Guard”, Tevin Campbell, Steve Winwood, Curtis Mayfield, and many more.

Nikita’s stunning beauty and sultry voice caught the eyes and ears of Motown Records which she called home for her debut album “As Sweet as it Comes.” Nikita again teamed up with producer Narada Michael Walden, this time as THE artist and he produced one of the singles "All Over You, All Over Me." She also ventured into song writing and co- wrote "Take Me Higher" with Narada for Diana Ross. Nikita’s sophomore album "Just Kita" was produced by Darkside of Family Tree Productions.

Over the years Nikita have performed on stage with legends, such as Narada Michael Walden, Stevie Wonder, Patti Austin, James Ingram, Chaka Khan, James Taylor, George Michael, Carlos Santana, Huey Lewis And The News, Steve Winwood, Sheila E, Tevin Campbell, and Shanice Wilson, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr, and also Lisa Fischer. Nikita is a former member of the Grammy Award winning band “Train”, they have traveled around the globe to places such as, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Dubai, London and many more performing many of their signature songs like, Hey Soul Sista, Meet Virginia, 50 Ways, Drive By, Calling All Angels and Mary Me. Nikita’s passion for music keeps her moving forward allowing her to tap into other genres of music that she loves, namely Jazz. She has performed one woman shows singing songs of legends such as, Dinah Washington, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughn, Billie Holliday, and Ella Fitzgerald. She is looking forward to recording her debut Jazz EP singing some of the great jazz standards along with original songs she has written.

Nikita is also a founding member of a dynamic musical duo “Les Femmes Fatales” (LFF) with singer songwriter Sakai. They have an upcoming CD which they have released four singles & videos. Their first release, “? Is That Enough”, which bring awareness, accountability and give hope to people all around the world as we navigate through these times of political and social unrest and worldwide health concerns. Following was “Sleeping with A Rockstar”, “Beautiful Girl” and their most current release, “N.O.T.O.L. – No Ordinary Type of Love”. Music is available to stream on all music platforms Or visit their website, www.lesfemmesfatales.net

Jeffrey Osborne (Jeffrey Linton Osborne)

Jeffrey Linton Osborne (born March 9, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and lyricist.^[1] He is the former drummer and lead singer of the American R&B/soul group L.T.D., with whom he began his musical career in 1970.

Osborne was born in Providence, Rhode Island.^[1] Born the youngest of twelve children which consisted of six brothers and six sisters, Osborne's family was musically inclined. Some of Osborne's siblings went on to have music careers as well; his brother Billy Osborne was his band-mate in L.T.D. Osborne's father, Clarence "Legs" Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Osborne's father died in 1961 when Osborne was thirteen.

Osborne began his music career in 1970 becoming a member of the American soul band "Love Men Ltd.", who would later become known as L.T.D.^[1] The band recorded hit singles such as "(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again" (1977), "Concentrate on You," "Love Ballad" (1976) and "Holding On (When Love Is Gone)" (1978). At first, Osborne served as only a drummer, sharing lead vocal duties with his brother Billy Osborne but, by 1976, he became the group's primary lead vocalist. Osborne and his brother both left the band in late 1980 to start solo careers.^[1] Osborne sang lead vocals on L.T.D.'s three No. 1 songs on the U.S. R&B Chart and for the band's three gold and platinum albums.

In 1982, Osborne sang the opening song "I Just Want to Be Your Friend" for the comedy film The Toy. Osborne later released his self-titled debut album in 1982, which featured two hit singles, "On the Wings of Love" and "I Really Don't Need No Light" (1982),^[1] peaking at No. 29 and No. 39, respectively, on the pop chart. It was followed the next year by Stay with Me Tonight, his first solo gold album, which spawned four more hits, "Don't You Get So Mad" (No. 25), the title track (No. 30), "Plane Love" (No. 10 R&B, No. 6 dance), and "We're Going All the Way (No. 48). "Stay with Me Tonight" (May 1984, No. 18) and "On the Wings of Love" (August 1984, No. 11) would belatedly reach the UK Singles Chart.^[1]

In 1985, Osborne wrote the lyrics to the Whitney Houston hit "All at Once" (music by Michael Masser). He appeared on USA for Africa's fundraising single, "We Are the World" in 1985. Osborne sang the unreleased single "Everything Good Takes Time" which was part of a video tribute to Julius Erving ('Dr. J') in 1987. He would later appear on Celebrity Duets in 2006, performing "On the Wings of Love" with Alfonso Ribeiro. Osborne lent his vocals to the theme song of the soap opera, Loving, from 1992 to 1995^[2] as well as the first-season theme song for the Kirstie Alley comedy Veronica's Closet.

Osborne had two more gold albums, Don't Stop and Emotional, the latter of which had his highest-charting solo pop hit, "You Should Be Mine", which peaked at No. 13 in 1986.^[1] The following year, Osborne had the highest-charting hit of his career duetting with Dionne Warwick on "Love Power",^[1] which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the Adult Contemporary singles chart. It was a turning point in his pop success, as his albums and singles began charting lower and lower.^[1] Osborne's 1988 single "She's on the Left" would be his final Hot 100 entry, as well as his only No. 1 R&B hit.

n the new millennium, he returned with a series of albums that, while far from the success he enjoyed in the 1980s, returned him to Adult R&B radio, scoring modest chart singles such as "Rest of Our Lives" (No. 75, 2003) and his cover of Barbara Mason's classic "Yes, I'm Ready" (No. 64, 2005).

In 2008, Osborne sang the national anthem before game 4 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, a feat which he repeated in 2009 before game 1 of the 2009 NBA Finals, and also again in 2010 before game 1 of the NBA Finals, all at Staples Center. He also performed the national anthem prior to game 3 of the 1988 World Series, a feat he repeated two years later at game 3 of the 1990 World Series, both at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. He also regularly sang the national anthem before Hartford Whalers games. On March 1, 2010, Osborne appeared on The Bachelor: On the Wings of Love season finale, "After the Final Rose", singing his hit "On the Wings of Love" while Bachelor Jake Pavelka took to the dance floor with his newly announced fiancée, Vienna Girardi.

Osborne married Sheri Osborne in 1983,^[3] and together they have three daughters: Tiffany Nicole,^[3] Dawn and Jeanine Osborne; and a son, Jeffrey Jr. His wife died in 2025 at the age of 69.

In 2019 Osbourne was recognized with the Wheeler community Spirit Award, given to a member of the Providence, RI community who advocates for those who have fewer opportunities. Recipients are recognized for their efforts in four key areas:

Passion for equity and social justice, both locally and globally
Appreciation for and promotion of the benefits of education
Commitment to creating opportunities in the community for those who otherwise might not have a voice or an advocate
Resilience in the face of challenge and adversity. We ask each recipient to attend the annual Wheeler School Community Potluck Dinner, where the award is presented. The Family Potluck dinner is a school-wide event, sponsored by the Upper School's diversity club Students Involved in Cultural Awareness (SICA), the Office of Unity & Diversity, and the Wheeler Parent's Association.^[13]

Osborne received the 2014 New England Pell Award for Artistic Excellence from Providence (Rhode Island)'s Trinity Repertory Company in honor of his artistic achievements and philanthropic work in Rhode Island.