The Brief: The Gap Band came roaring down the tracks for the release of their 7th studio album entitled ‘Gap Band V: Jammin’ with the leadoff single “Party Train”. Surprisingly, after all the success with the previous album, the band failed to continue the momentum with the single falling short of #1 on the R&B charts and the [...]
The Brief: Guest Blogger: Chris “Break Dancin’-Electric Boogie” was released in 1983 on Sugar Hill Records and was the fifth and penultimate single by West Street Mob, an American hip-hop group consisting of Joey Robinson, Jr., Bill McGee and Sabrina Gillison. It reached #37, #52 and #64 on the U.S. R&B, U.S. Dance and U.K. [...]
The Brief: In early 1980, Lipps, Inc. made a huge splash on the music charts with their Hot 100 #1 smash “Funkytown”. The group was formed and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was one of the revolving doors of talent in the Minneapolis music scene. Several members who were with Lipps, Inc., over the group’s period of [...]
The Brief: I’ve often mentioned my college radio station WABR in previous posts, and I have often griped about our Program Director and his darned ink stamp. Well, this record brings to my mind my favorite and longest story I have about DJ’ing at the station (well, except for the night that Selena came to [...]
The Brief: I don’t know who to write about more on this release, the artist it is credited to or the song writers and producers of the song. I’ll try to intertwine them all. Tom Browne was born in Queens in 1954. He was a regular player in the New York jazz scene in the [...]
The A Side: Survivin’ In The 80′s 4:44 M.O.T.F. 4:22 Make Me Wanna Dance 4:54 Lovedog 3:17 The B Side: Body Thang 3:42 Stay 3:14 What Are We Doing Here 3:40 Don’t Let The Future (Come Down On You) 5:08 The Brief: As with his first LP, Andre Cymone wrote and produced all the tracks [...]
The A Side: Make Me Wanna Dance (Special Version) 4:49 The B Side: Make Me Wanna Dance (Instrumental) 4:49 The Brief: The second single from ‘Survivin’ In The 80s‘ got Andre Cymone his first taste of chart success as a performer. Of course, his biggest chart success would come later as a producer for other [...]
The A Side: Fo-Fi-Fo (Vocal/LP Version) 4:40 The A Side: Fo-Fi-Fo (Vocal/LP Version) 4:40 The Brief: “You guys play jazz?” “No!” Well, sometimes they do and whether it’s jazz or R&B, they do it well. Pieces of a Dream hail from the city of Philadelphia and the nucleus of the band was formed in 1976 by [...]
Posted in FWV, Pieces Of A Dream 
Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Elektra Records, Jazz, Promo, R&B 
6 Comments »
The A Side: I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock and Roll) (Vocal) 6:57 The B Side: I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock and Roll) (Instrumental) 6:15 Play At Your Own Risk (Acapella Version) 6:06 The Brief: “I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw [...]
Posted in FWV, Planet Patrol Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Arthur Baker, Electro-Funk, R&B, Tommy Boy Records 2 Comments »
The A Side: Your Thing Is Your Thing (Special Version) 7:45 The B Side: Your Thing Is Your Thing (Special Version) 7:45 The Brief: New Horizons were Varges Thomas, Mark Thomas, Bart Thomas, Tim Abrams and Art Thomas. The group recorded and released 2 albums on Columbia Records in 1983 and 1984. Both records were [...]
The A Side: Sunshine Reggae 6:35 The B Side: White Horse 5:50 The Brief: In the fall of 1983 I began my first year of college at a small two-year college in Tifton, GA known as ABAC. To my delight, the college had a small, and I mean small, 10-watt college radio station, WABR. I [...]
The A Side: Don’t Fight The Feeling 3:53 The B Side: Don’t Fight The Feeling 3:53 The Brief: Enchantment toured and played together for the better part of the early 1970’s before getting a record contract and releasing their first LP in 1977. The 45 single in today’s post comes from the last LP the [...]
The A Side: Stay With Me Tonight (Extended Remixed Version) 5:52 The B Side: Plane Love (Specially Remixed Version) 6:17 The Brief: From an A&M Records “Extended Memories” re-issue, we get two of Jeffrey Osborne’s more danceable tunes in their full on extended mixes. Both songs came from the former LTD front man’s second LP [...]
Posted in FWV, Jeffrey Osborne Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, A&M Records, Bill Bottrell, Larry Levan, R&B 6 Comments »
The A Side: Swoop (I’m Yours) 8:30 The B Side: Joystick (Vocal) 6:13 The Brief: Doesn’t matter which side you drop the needle on this record, you’re going to hear some infectious, early 80’s R&B that will get your feet tappin’, your hips shakin’ and your ass wigglin’. Both tracks on this 12” were charting [...]
The A Side: New Song (Vocal) 4:15 Change The Man (Vocal) 4:27 The B Side: New Song (Extended Version) 5:27 Conditioning (Vocal) 4:06 The Brief: Howard Jones was one of the defining figures of mid 1980s synthpop. He released his first album on Elektra Records in 1984. The LP was ‘Human’s Lib’ and the first [...]
The A Side: Radio Activity 9:59 The B Side: Radio Activity (Instrumental) 9:59 The Brief: Darryl Cash released “Radio Activity” in 1983 under the pseudonym Royalcash. The track was written, produced and arranged by Darryl and Co-Producer credit went to Reggie Calloway, one of the driving forces behind Midnight Star. The Billboard Charts: Chart Debuted [...]
The A Side: Raid 6:54 The B Side: The Urban Man 4:25 The Brief: Lakeside were recording artists on Dick Griffey’s Solar Records label and released their 7th studio album in 1983 entitled ‘Untouchables’. The album reached #42 on the Billboard 200 and went to #10 on the Top R&B Albums charts. The single “Raid” [...]
The A Side: We Got The Juice (Vocal) 5:10 The B Side: We Got The Juice (Dub Version) 5:53 We Got The Juice (A Capella Glimmer) 3:21 The Brief: Attitude was a trio made up of Cindy Mizelle, Stephen Miller and Khris Kellow. Their one LP release was ‘Pump The Nation” of 1983. The album [...]
The A Side: The Sign Of Fire 3:50 The B Side: One Thing Leads To Another (Live Version) 3:30 Saved By Zero (Live Version) 3:40 The Brief: The Fixx released their second studio album, ‘Reach The Beach’, in 1983. The album produced three Top 40 hits and “The Sign Of Fire” was the third and [...]
The A Side: Lollipop Luv 5:21 The B Side: Lollipop Luv (Instrumental Version) 6:20 Lollipop Luv (Short Version With Vocal) 3:51 The Brief: From danceclassics.net: Bryan Loren started writing music at about age 12, doing recording sessions at 15, and signed his first record deal at the tender age of 17. He debuted with a [...]
Side 1: Jingle Bell Rock (From Daryl) 2:09 Side A: Jingle Bell Rock (From John) 2:09 The Brief: “Jingle Bell Rock” was originally written by Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe. The song was first released by Bobby Helms in 1957 only two days before Christmas. Despite the close proximity to the holiday, the [...]
The A Side: It’s Like That 7:25 Sucker M.C.’s (Krush Groove 1) 3:15 The B Side: It’s Like That (Instrumental) 7:10 Sucker M.C.’s (Krush Groove 1) (Instrumental) 3:05 The Brief: This is the first pure rap record I remember buying, it’s been in my collection since it was released in 1983. I first heard the [...]
The A Side: For Your Love (Extended Version) 9:35 The B Side: For Your Love 6:28 The Brief: “For Your Love” is the third and final single from The S.O.S. Band’s ‘On The Rise’ LP. Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis wrote and produced all three songs which make side one of ‘On The Rise’. All [...]
Posted in FWV, The SOS Band Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Flyte Tyme Productions, Promo, R&B, Tabu Records 5 Comments »
The A Side: Just Be Good To Me 8:55 The B Side: Just Be Good To Me 8:55 The Brief: The band that got Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis “fired” from The Time by Prince. Probably the best career move they could have made. Jam and Lewis first worked with The S.O.S. Band on their [...]
Posted in FWV, The SOS Band Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Flyte Tyme Productions, Promo, R&B, Tabu Records 26 Comments »
The A Side: The Haunted House Of Rock (Extended Version) 6:33 The Haunted House Of Rock (Haunted Mix) 4:29 The B Side: The Haunted House Of Rock (Vocoder Version) 5:27 The Haunted House Of Rock (Acappella) 1:50 The Brief: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Figured I would put up a Halloween “themed” song today for all you ghosts [...]
The A Side: Say It Isn’t So (Special Extended Dance Mix) 6:45 The B Side: Say It Isn’t So (Dub Version) 4:47 Kiss On My List 4:24 The Brief: In 1983, Daryl Hall & John Oates released their first greatest hits compilation entitled ‘Rock ‘n Soul Part 1’. The compilation included five previous #1 singles [...]
Posted in FWV, Hall and Oates Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Jellybean Benitez, John Potoker, Pop, RCA Records 9 Comments »
The A Side: Far From Over (Club Mix) 5:18 The B Side: Far From Over (Instrumental) 3:49 The Brief: In 1983, the “sequel” to the movie Saturday Night Fever was released in movie theaters nationwide. The film was called Staying Alive and it featured the song “Far From Over” by Sylvester Stallone’s younger brother Frank [...]
The A Side: Believer (Dance Music Mix) 7:24 The B Side: Believer (Edit) 3:50 The Brief: Grammy Award winning saxophonist David Sanborn started out in the late 60’s as a session player. He signed a recording contract with Warner Brothers and released his first album in 1975. “Believer” is from his eighth solo album, ‘Backstreet’, [...]
Posted in David Sanborn, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Jazz, Marcus Miller, Michael Colina, Pop, Promo, Ray Bardani, Warner Brothers Records 1 Comment »
The A Side: Boogie Down (Long Version) 6:30 The B Side: Boogie Down (LP Version) 4:12 The Brief: Al Jarreau is the only vocalist in history to net Grammy Awards in three different categories: jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively. His sixth LP since 1975 was simply titled ‘Jarreau’ and was released in 1983. The first [...]
Posted in Al Jarreau, FWV Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Jazz, Promo, R&B, Warner Brothers Records 4 Comments »
The A Side: Inside Love (So Personal) (LP Version) 5:13 The B Side: Inside Love (So Personal) (Long Instrumental Version) 7:03 Inside Love (So Personal) (Edit) 4:15 The Brief: George Benson has won 10 Grammy awards over the course of a recording career that began in 1964 and continues today with a new CD titled [...]
Posted in FWV, George Benson Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Jazz, Promo, R&B, Warner Brothers Records 6 Comments »
The A Side: When You Were Mine 3:50 The B Side: When You Were Mine 3:50 The Brief: Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels recorded several hit records on the DynoVoice Records label in the mid to late 1960s. They released their first full length LP in 1966. Ryder alternated recording with the Detroit Wheels [...]
The A Side: Hand Dance 4:49 The B Side: Erotic Groove 1:53 The Brief: Dexter Redding and Otis Redding III, sons of the late great Otis Redding, along with their cousin Mark Lockett formed The Reddings around 1980. Their fourth album was ‘Back To Basics’ and it was released in 1983. From that album comes [...]
The A Side: Survivin’ In The 80′s (Special Version) 6:04 The B Side: Survivin’ In The 80′s (Instrumental) 6:04 The Brief: Well, happy birthday to the blog. Yep, one year ago, the first Fun With Vinyl blog post was put online with very little fanfare and not much notice. Since then, I have made a [...]
The A Side: Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song) 7:49 The B Side: Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song) (The Wikki-Wikki Rap) 5:13 Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song) (Instrumental) 4:41 The Brief: An electro classic from 1983. With sped up vocals, reminiscent of the Chipmunks, and a funky electro beat, Newcleus created quite a [...]
Posted in FWV, Newcleus Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Electro-Funk, Jonathan Fearing, Sunnyview Records 3 Comments »
The A Side: She’s Trouble (Special Extended Mix) 7:45 The B Side: Tell Jack (Extended Mix) 5:45 The Brief: Trivia time… who were the first black artists to have a video shown on MTV? Yep, Musical Youth, in 1982 with their worldwide hit “Pass The Dutchie”. In 1983, the Youth released their second album, “Different [...]
Posted in FWV, Musical Youth Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, MCA Records, Peter Collins, R&B, UK Pressing Comments Off
The A Side: You Shook Me All Night Long (Extended Vocal Mix) 6:23 You Shook Me All Night Long (Instrumental Mix) 4:25 The B Side: You Shook Me All Night Long (Extended Instrumental Mix) 6:05 You Shook Me All Night Long (Radio Mix) 3:26 You Shook Me All Night Long (No Mix) 2:09 The [...]
The A Side: Tour de France (Radio Mix) 6:23 Tour de France (Dub) 4:25 The B Side: Tour de France (Radio Mix Edit) 3:26 Tour de France (Instrumental) 4:16 The Brief: In 1983, Kraftwerk released a 12″ single entitled “Tour de France” that went to #4 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart. It was also [...]
The A Side: Leave It (Hello, Goodbye Mix) 9:30 The B Side: Leave It (Vocal) 3:52 Leave It (A Capella) 3:19 The Brief: Yes was formed in 1968 by vocalist Jon Anderson and bassist Chris Squire. From 1969 to 1980, they released 12 albums. On lucky number 13, they struck multi-platinum with the 1983 hit [...]
Side A: Cheap Thrills Danger Zone I Didn’t Know I Loved You (Till I Saw You Rock And Roll) Side B: Play At Your Own Risk It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference Don’t Tell Me The Brief: Planet Patrol was an electro group led by Arthur Baker and John Robie that released their one and [...]
Posted in FWV, Planet Patrol Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Arthur Baker, Electro-Funk, LP, Tommy Boy Records Comments Off
Side A: Irene Cara – The Dream Shalamar – Deadline U.S.A. Peabo Bryson – D.C. Cab Champaign – Knock Me On My Feet Karen Kamon – Squeeze Play Side B: Leon Sylvers – World Champion DeBarge – Single Heart Stephanie Mills – Party Me Tonight Gary U.S. Bonds – One More Time Around The Block [...]
Posted in Champaign, D.C. Cab Soundtrack, DeBarge, FWV, Gary U.S. Bonds, Giorgio Moroder, Irene Cara, Karen Kamon, Leon Sylvers, Peabo Bryson, Shalamar, Stephanie Mills Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, LP, MCA Records, Pop, R&B, Soundtrack 3 Comments »
Side A: Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa) (Special “Daa Daa” Mix) 6:20 Side B: Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa) (Original Version) 4:11 Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa) (Dub Version) 3:11 The Brief: A #1 Hit on the Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart in 1984, “Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa)” is from George Kranz’s debut album ‘My Rhythm’ released in 1983. [...]
Posted in FWV, George Kranz Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, Electro-Funk, George Kranz, Personal Records, The Magnificent Kordak 1 Comment »
Side A: Stay With Me Tonight (Extended Remixed Version) 5:52 Side B: Stay With Me Tonight (Dub Version) 6:42 The Brief: Jeffrey Osborne started off as the drummer for LTD and eventually took over lead vocalist duties before departing the band in late 1980 for a solo career. “Stay With Me Tonight” is the title [...]
Posted in FWV, Jeffrey Osborne Tags: 12 Inch, 1983, A&M Records, Bill Bottrell, John McClain, R&B 7 Comments »