The New Birth ‎- Birth Day 1972 (USA, Jazz-Funk/Soul)

Исполнитель: The New Birth
Откуда: USA
Альбом: Birth Day
Год выхода: 1972
Жанр: Jazz-Funk/Soul
Формат: MP3 CBR 320
Размер архива: 75.9 МB

Biography by Craig Lytle

Formed by Tony Churchill and music-industry veteran Harvey Fuqua, New Birth was originally named the Nite-Liters. As the Nite-Liters, they enjoyed chart action with three R&B hits: «K-Jee,» «Afro-Strut,» and «Pull Together.» Of the three, «K-Jee» was the most successful, peaking at number 17 during a 13-week run. The roots of the band lie with Leslie and Melvin Wilson, who were gospel singers living in Muskegon, MI. After moving on to Detroit in the late ’60s, their interest remained centered in gospel. Melvin Wilson eventually met the Nite-Liters, who at the time were backing Motown artists, and expressed the possibility that he and his brother Leslie could perform with them. As fate would have it, the two brothers became acquainted with former Marvelette Anne Bogan, who introduced them to Fuqua. He had three groups under his tutelage: Love Peace & Happiness (of which Leslie and Melvin became members), the Nite-Liters, and New Birth. All but two members of New Birth had left the group around this time, leaving just Londee Loren and Bobby Downs. The three groups toured, backed each other up, and ultimately merged into one, with New Birth the name of the new group. Leslie, with his feisty vocals, and Melvin, with his more serene appeal, emerged as the primary lead singers. New Birth’s first release was the R&B Top Ten single «I Can Understand It.» Led by Leslie Wilson’s intense vocals and reminiscent of Bobby Womack, the single zoomed up the charts, peaking at number four after only 12 weeks. In January of 1974 they released «It’s Been a Long Time,» one of their celebrated hits and another Top Ten entry. That single was followed by the classic, soulful ballad «Wildflower.» During this time, the group was living in California, which presented problems; from egotism associated with the lights of Tinseltown to group-management problems, the band’s best interests began to suffer. Consequently, New Birth terminated its affiliation with their founder and producer Fuqua, manager Jerry Weintraub, and RCA Records. In mid-1975 they signed with Buddah Records and immediately recorded their first and only number R&B one, «Dream Merchant.» They recorded just one album for Buddah, however, before signing with Warner Bros. and later Ariola. In 1977, Leslie and Melvin Wilson left the group, and by 1979 the rest of the group had disbanded. However, in 1994, Leslie and Melvin re-formed the group and began performing at venues around the nation.

Tracks:
01. I Can Understand It — 6:22
02. Until It’s Time For You To Go — 5:36
03. Got To Get A Knutt — 7:33
04. Theme From «Buck & The Preacher» — 4:22
05. Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) — 4:54
06. Easy, Evil — 4:09
07. You Are What I’m All About — 3:53

Personnel:
Alan Frye — soloist
Ann Bogan — female vocals
Bobby Downs — vocals
Leslie Wilson — vocals
Londee Loren — female vocals
Melvin Wilson — vocals
+
Harvey Fuqua — arranger & conductor (02, 04, 06, 07)
The New Birth — arrangers & conductors (01, 03, 05)
The Nite-Liters — backing band

Enjoy

Категории: Albums, Funk, Soul, USA  Метки:
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