The Spinners
by Nat Burgess/Whitepine Entertainment: Sept 2008
It should come as no surprise that The Spinners have always made timeless music. Their classic group sound and approach never loses its universal appeal. Throughout the years they have acquired twelve (12) gold records with hits on top of both Pop and R&B charts and they are one of the few groups who can boast of four lead singers. Today, original members Bobbie Smith, Henry Fambrough, and Pervis Jackson are joined onstage by lead singer Charlton Washington, high tenor Harold “Spike” Bonhart and a soul-infused 5-piece band.
In 1972, The Spinners signed with Atlantic Records and teamed up with producer Thom Bell, setting into motion an amazing recording career. A partial list of their hit singles on Atlantic include “Mighty Love,” “Then Came You,” “I’ll Be Around,” “One Of A Kind (Love Affair),” “Games People Play,” and “Could It Be.” In 1979, The Spinners completed their first collaboration with producer Michael Zager, and by early 1980, the single, “Working My Way Back to You,” was topping Pop and R&B charts giving the group its 12th gold record. The Love Trippin’ album’s release included “The Cupid Medley,” one of the fastest selling records in The Spinners’ career. The follow-up album, Labor of Love, featured such stand- out tunes as “Yesterday Once More,” and “Long Live Soul Music.” With the release of “Can’t Shake This Feeling,” their fourth LP in just over two years, the quintet entered a brand new phase of their remarkable career as they joined the award winning producing/ writing/playing team of James Mtume and Reggie Lucas. Other past releases include songs on the motion picture soundtracks of “Twins” and “Spaceballs,” and a single on Arista Records, a duet with Dionne Warwick entitled “Then Came You.”
The mighty Spinners have six Grammy nominations and have performed twice during the awards ceremony. They received a Black Gold Award from Dick Clark for their many achievements in the recording industry, and they have been awarded the Rhythm and Blues Foundation Award for their contribution to R & B. The group has performed for presidents, received a star on the Hollywood “Walk of Fame,” and has appeared in numerous network and cable television specials paying tribute to the music of the 70’s.
Throughout the years, The Spinners have taken the opportunity to give back to the community through charity, making appearances on behalf of autistic children, the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization, the NAACP, the Urban League, and many others.
Today, this legendary R & B group maintains a full touring schedule, performing for fans of all ages in sold out houses around the country.
The Spinners record releases:-
Rubberband Man
One of a Kind (Love Affair)
I’ll Be Around
Could It Be I’m Falling in Love
It’s a Shame
Ghetto Child
Mighty Love
Working My Way Back to You/Forgive Me, Girl
I Don’t Want to Lose You
Sadie
I’ll Always Love You
So Far Away
Then Came You
I Love the Music
I Just Want to Be With You
Games People Play
Cupid
The Real Thing
by Tony Hall: Sept 2008
Three original vocalists, Chris Amoo, Eddie Amoo and Dave Smith, who had three million selling hit singles in the 70s, “You To Me Are Everything”, “Can’t Get By Without You” and “Feel The Force”, plus other top ten successes, such as “You’ll Never Know What You’re Missing” and “Whenever You Want My Love”.
In 1986 “You To Me Are Everything”, “Can’t Get By Without You” and “Can You Feel The Force” were all remixed and became huge hits again, thanks to their huge club following.
“Children Of The Ghetto”, another classic Amoo brothers’ composition, has been covered worldwide by artistes as diverse as Phillip Bailey (of Earth, Wind and Fire) on the Chinese Wall album, Courtney Pine on his Journey To The Urge Within album and The Swingle Singers Live At Ronnie Scott’s. The song was also featured in the Spike Lee movie ‘Clockers’.
To quote from the Guinness Book of Hit Records “they were the UKs best selling black group of the late 1970s and only fellow Liverpudlians, The Beatles and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, have had more singles in the all time top 100”.
Still going strong in the 21st Century, The Real Thing have definitely earned their reputation as the UKs No. 1 soul band. Eight on stage, performance includes all their top ten hits, plus a medley of classic covers from Kool & The Gang “Ladies Night” and “Celebration”, “Good Times” by Chic and from McFadden & Whitehead “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now”, or for club dates the vocalists can perform independently on playback singing live vocals over backing tracks, and in this respect they have definitely earned the reputation of the best live playback act you can possibly hope to book.
HOT NEWS February 2008 on EMI the chart album “LIVERPOOL THE NUMBER ONES ALBUM included their version of ELENOR RIGBY. Also out May 2008 on UNIVERSAL is a double album THE SINGLES COLLECTION with 35 tracks including some previously unreleased on CD.
Track releases:-
You To Me Are Everything
Can’t Get By Without You
You’ll Never Know What
You’re Missing
Love’s Such A Wondering Thing
Whenever You Want My Love
Let’s Go Disco
Rainin’ Through My Sunshine
Can You Feel The Force
Boogie Down (Get Funky Now)
She’s A Groovy Freak
You To Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix 76-86)
Can’t Get By Without You (The Second Decade Remix)
You To Me Are Everything (The Decade Remix 76-86)
Can You Feel The Force
Straight To The Heart
So Much Love To Give
Afro Elements
MySpace URL: www.myspace.com/afroelements
The trio of Simon T. Bramley (bass), Phil Nelson (drums) and Neil Burditt (keyboards) formed in Leicester, UK in May of 1995. Live, the band expands to at least an eight piece, with guitar, horn section, percussion and vocals. The band's influences include Herbie Hancock, George Duke, Jeff Lorber, Banda Black Rio, Earth Wind & Fire, Incognito & Masters At Work.
In 1997 Internal Bass Records (home to Mr Gone & Down To The Bone amongst others) decided to include the cut 'Casa Del Ritmo' on their compilation
'A Taste of Internal Bass' (IBCD10). The track went down a storm with jazzheads, clubbers and DJ's around the world. The band followed up this track with a new cut entitled 'It Remains To Be Seen' released on 'Internal Bass...Another Taste' (IBCD15), which was also released on vinyl as part of the band's 'Chocolat EP'. The EP received extensive licensing around the world, with the title track appearing on the massively popular 'Nude Dimensions 2' compilation on Naked Music.
With Afro Elements appearing as backing band to Mr.Gone & other visiting artists throughout Europe, releases came to a brief stop. However, many members of the band contributed to the soul-funk album 'Stories' released in 2005 under the name 'Black Gold Massive'. The album also featured renowned soul vocalist Cindy Mizelle (Steely Dan, Beyonce & Alicia Keys) & was mixed by Grammy Award winner Dave Darlington (Roger Sanchez, Wayne Shorter, Masters At Work).
Around this time various members of the band backed a variety of legendary jazzfunk artists including Reuben Wilson, Eddie Henderson & Gary Bartz for tours of the UK & Europe. Indeed, when Eddie Henderson & the band appeared at London's Jazz Cafe for two nights the concerts were cited as one of the gigs of the year by Blues & Soul magazine. In late 2007 members of the band were used in the new UK Down To The Bone (Blue Note Records) lineup for dates at the Jazz Cafe in London and the Cotton Club in Tokyo, Japan.
Not to be outdone in all things musical, Afro Elements also do the occasional remix. In 2006 the Afros remixed 'Wildfire Woman (Afro Elements Jazzin' Bossa Mix)' for the Down To The Bone 'Angel Baby' 12" on Shanachie Records, which was well received and has apparently become a bit of a rarity.
After all this The Afro Elements still found time to record their debut album, entitled 'It Remains To Be Seen'. It got its initial release in Japan in April 2007 on Swanky Records. A worldwide release of the debut 7" single 'Stop You're Killing Me' on Freestyle Records was released in October 2007, gaining some great reviews.
January 2008 sees the worldwide release of 'It Remains To Be Seen’ on UK label Freestyle Records, and includes newly recorded versions of previously released tracks 'It Remains To Be Seen', 'Ju Ju' and 'Casa Del Ritmo', along with a new vocal version of 'Chocolat'. The album features over 20 musicians including one of the bands heroes, keyboard legend Jeff Lorber on 'Volcano (Raydio Mix)'.
Live dates will follow the album release, something the band are looking forward to.
Official Website www.afroelements.com
Afro Elements are;
Simon T Bramley - bass
Phil Nelson - drums
Neil Burditt - keys
Tommy Emmerton - guitar
Robin Jones - percussion
Jamie Harris - sax
Graeme Flowers - trumpet
Cherri Voncelle - vocals
Two recent reviews of the Afro Elements 7” ‘Stop You’re Killing Me’:
“Wickedly funky work from Afro Elements - real up and comers on the global funk scene! ‘Stop You're Killing Me’ is a warmly jazzy number that features some great moog right down the middle – sharp edged keys that step out quickly over wah wah guitar and a bit of horns - all sewed tightly together in the groove! ‘Latinspiration’ is very much what you'd guess - a more Latin-styled number that's heavy on percussion, but also has a bit of a Brand New Heavies sort of soul groove too! The cut is great - and almost takes us back to Dingwalls, circa 1990!”
Dusty Groove (USA)
“Quality nu-soundtrack style jazz funk from the 8-piece who have backed people such as Mr Gone on European tours. One of the best from the Freestyle camp, the band create a mellow groove whilst remaining uptempo and dancefloor friendly.
'Stop You're Killing Me' is taken from their forthcoming LP on Freestyle!”
Tracklisting:
1. Think
2. It Remains To Be Seen
3. Ju Ju
4. The Things You Do
5. Latinspiration
6. Volcano
7. Afrolude
8. Four Letter Word
9. Lift Your Life
10. Volcano (Raydio mix)
11. Chocolat
12. Stop You're Killing Me
13. Casa Del Ritmo
14. Heavy Hands
15. Chocolat (Mr.Gone remix)