September Artist of the Month: Kashif

Kashif was born Michael Jones in 1959 in Brooklyn, NY. Later taking the name Kashif Saleem after converting to Islam in the late early 80s. His early career was as a keyboard playing for the moderately successful 70s funk/disco band BT-express. He left the group in 1980, to focus on his own songwriting and production work .

1981 Kashif formed Mighty M Productions along with Paul Laurence and Morrie Brown. Kashif's sound, whether he worked within the Mighty M Productions company or by himself, was characterized hypnotic rhythm guitar along with synth bass and heavy keys. Kashif had developed a signiture sounds that he would ride for more than half the decade.

His first taste of success came when he produced Melba Moore's album including the hit "Take my love". But his true break-out came when he wrote and co-produced the mega hit "I'm In Love" with Evelyn "Champagne" King.

He followed that up in 1982 when he produced and wrote another smash hit, Howard Johnson's "So fine". Kashif and his team were now turning heads in the R&B world as keepers of a new sophisticated uptown sound. He kept up his workman like approach by heading back into the studio with Melba Moore and emerging with "The Other Side of The Rainbow" then quickly following that up with a reteaming with Evelyn King on "Get loose". The later which included the brilliant "Love come down" one of the decades most beloved songs. In addition, Kashif worked as an assistant producer on High fashion's Popdisco debut album "Feelin' lucky" in 82 under Jacques Fred Petrus (best known for the group Change). Kashif wrote two tracks on their album including the catchy "Hold on".

In 83 he produced for the third time an album with Melba Moore "Never Say Never" including hits like "Keepin' My Lover Satisfied" and "Love Me Right". In addition to all his production work, Kashif finally found time to start work on his own album. Recording tracks in between his other projects, the self titled "Kashif" was released in the second half of 1983. It was a brilliant album with gems like "I Just Got To Have", "Stone love", "The Mood" and "Help Yourself to My Love". "The Mood" would win a Grammy for best R&B instrumental of the year.

It was also in 83 when Kashif joined forces with sax player Kenny Gorelick (who he would make over as Kenny G) and guitarist George Benson. Kenny G's "G-Force" album would launch him as one of the best known sax players of all time and "Inside Love (So Personal)" would put George Benson back at the top of the R&B charts . Kashif released his solo follow up "Are You The Woman" in 84. The album included such high powered guests as Al Jarreau, George Benson, Kenny G and a young unknown backup singer named Whitney Houston.

When Clive Davis was ready to launch the young Houston's solo career, he turned to Kashif. The first single was the Kashif song "You Give Good Love"

The second half of the decade would be hit and miss for Kashif. He scored his biggest solo hit ever with "Love changes" (a duet with Meli'sa Morgan) but many other projects and solo work wasn't charting the way much of his early work was.

Kashif took a hiatus from recording in 1990, devoting his time to holding seminars and conducting classes for aspiring performers about the music business but he couldn't shake his love of the studio. Because in 1998 he released "Who Loves You" on the UK label Expansion records exclusively for the UK. Although this album was never released in the US, some of these songs appeared on his 2003 state-side album "Music of My Mind".

During the month of September, Reunion Radio will celebrate a key architect of the 80s boogie sound. We'll bring you Kashif's & Mighty M's production work along with the best of his solo albums. So sit back, relax and enjoy the feel good grooves of the 80s mixed with few sweet sounds from recent years. September is Kashif month people ........ enjoy!

August Artist of the Month: Cameo

An outlandish, in-your-face stage presence, a strange sense of humor, and a hard-driving funk sound that criss-crossed a few musical boundaries earned Cameo countless comparisons to Parliament/Funkadelic in their early days. However, Cameo eventually wore off accusations of being derivative by transcending their influences and outlasting almost every single one of them. Throughout the '70s and '80s, the group remained up with the times and occasionally crept ahead of them, such that they became influences themselves upon younger generations of R&B and hip-hop acts. By the time the group's popularity started to fizzle in the late '80s, a series of R&B chart hits -- ranging from greasy funk workouts to synthesized funk swingers to dripping ballads -- was left in their wake. Further separating Cameo from their forebears, they didn't have a diaper-clad guitarist. Instead, they had a codpiece-wearing lead vocalist.

That vocalist was Larry Blackmon. In 1974, the ex-Juilliard student and New York City club-goer instigated a funk band with a membership of 13 called the New York City Players. Blackmon, Tomi Jenkins and Nathan Leftenant formed the group's nucleus. The Casablanca label signed the group to their Chocolate City offshoot, and shortly after that, the group changed its name to Cameo. Their excellent debut album, 1977's Cardiac Arrest, was highlighted by four singles. Three of those hit the Billboard R&B chart: "Rigor Mortis" (number 33), "Funk Funk" (number 20), and "Post Mortem" (number 70). Although the group was clearly inspired by elder funk groups likeParliament, Funkadelic, and the Ohio Players, Cardiac Arrest made Cameo's case for belonging in the same division an open-and-shut one.

In an attempt to keep the ball rolling, 1978 saw the release of Cameo's second and third albums. Neither We All Know Who We Are nor Ugly Ego were as solid as the debut, but the group's singular characteristics were becoming increasingly evident. The winding, horn-punctuated "It's Serious" (from We All Know Who We Are) narrowly missed the Top 20 of the R&B chart, while "Insane" (from Ugly Ego) dipped just inside it, peaking at number 17. The best halves of these two albums would've made a fine sophomore LP.

1979's Secret Omen, featuring a disco-fied re-visiting of Cardiac Arrest's "Find My Way" and the magnificently funky and slightly loony "I Just Want to Be" (a number-three R&B chart hit), was stacked with fine album cuts and brought Cameo back as a group that excelled in the LP format. "Sparkle" was one of their best ballads, a sinewy number that hit the Top Ten. Five albums released between 1980 and 1983 (Cameosis, Feel Me, Knights of the Sound Table, Alligator Woman, Style) brought about a slight dip in quality on the album front. Despite an abundance of filler on each record, none of those albums were strict disappointments, delivering hot Top 20 R&B singles like "Shake Your Pants," "We're Goin' Out Tonight," "Keep It Hot," "Freaky Dancin'" "Just Be Yourself," "Flirt," and "Style."

One of the most significant ripples in Cameo's time line came during that period, in 1982, when they packed up and set up shop in Atlanta. Pared down to a quintet and located in a less hectic city, the group became bigger fish in a smaller pond.Blackmon even started his own label, Atlanta Artist. The label's first LP, Style, also marked a significant shift in sound, with synthesizers taking on a pronounced role. Paydirt was struck with 1984's She's Strange; the title cut, a late-night slithery smolder, topped the R&B chart and eclipsed the Top 50 of the pop chart, kicking off a remarkable three-album run that made Cameo one of the most popular groups of the '80s. Single Life and Word Up!, released respectively in 1985 and 1986, continued the hot streak. The singles from those two albums -- "Attack Me With Your Love," "Single Life," "Word Up," "Candy," and "Back and Forth" -- held down the Top Five plateau of the R&B chart. "Word Up" even went to number six on the pop chart, giving them their biggest bite of the mainstream. The song was everywhere.

What goes up must come down, and that's exactly what happened to Cameo. Despite the fact that two more singles -- "Skin I'm In" and "I Want It Now" -- scaled up to number five on the R&B chart, neither Machismo nor Real Men Wear Black performed well as albums. After 1991's Emotional Violence, the group's profile was lowered significantly, but they did tour sporadically to the delight of hardcore fans as well as plenty of misguided people who thought Cameo was all about "Word Up" and nothing more. Notably, Blackmon spent a few years of the '90s at Warner Bros., as the vice president of A&R.

Cameo's presence continued to be felt throughout the early 2000s, not only through extensive sample use and less tangible influences upon younger artists and producers. Several retrospectives have kept the group's music alive: Casablanca's 1993 compilation The Best of Cameo is an excellent point of entry. Mercury's 12" Collection & More, released in 1999, covers the group's best dancefloor moments. 2002's spectacular Anthology, a double-disc set also released by Mercury, covers a lot of ground and does the group justice as a total package. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide

We're Going Out Tonight (1980)

Flirt (1982)

New Music added this week:

Whateva U Want - Ivana Santilli
Triple Black Room - Joe
Take Me Home - Victoria White
Whole Lotta Kisses - R. Kelly
Relief - R. Kelly
Spaceship - Olivierdaysoul
I Fell - Noel Gourdin

July Artist of the Month: The Jackson Family

The Jackson's are without a doubt the most successful and influential family in American Pop Music history.

Born and raised in Gary Indiana, the Jacksons brothers were guided early in their careers by their father Joseph. He saw their potential and in 1964, he decided to form a group around his three eldest sons Jackie, Tito and Jermaine. But it wasn't long until younger brother Michael was added to the group after Joseph discovered his remarkable talent.

The family moved to Los Angeles shortly after the boys signed with Motown in the fall of 1968. It wasn't long before The Jackson 5 was one of the most popular groups in the world. Sisters Rebbie, La Toya and Janet along with the youngest son Randy would stay at home in LA with their mother Katherine while Joesph and the boys were on the road. Randy would replace Jermaine after he left the group to stay at Motown (He had married founder Barry Gordy's daughter) when Joseph took the boys over to CBS for a new more lucrative deal. Jermaine would go on to build a successful solo career as well as mentor other Motown groups such as the Bobby DeBarge lead Switch. (Bobby even dated La Toya for a while and is rumored to have inspired the Switch hit "I Call Your Name") Rebbie, La Toya and Janet would form a short lived group in the late 70s but it would stall almost immediately due to the sisters constant arguing. Around this same time baby sister Janet would try her hand at acting on the then popular sitcom "Good Times" before gaining some minor success with her first two solo albums. Rebbie married and faded from the spotlight for a while before reemerging in the mid 80s with the number one song "Centipede" (Produced by brother Michael). La Toyta (and her headband) would release a few mildly successful albums but eventually become know as the family's "black sheep" after a series of magazine layouts and tell all books.

Brother Michael had left the Jacksons in the early 80s and was now the biggest star in pop music history following "Off The Wall" (79) and the massively successful "Thriller" (82). The bothers tried to carry on without Jermaine and Michael but the public had little interest. Michael briefly rejoined his brothers in 1984 for the Victory tour and album but that was pretty much the last gasp for The Jacksons as group.

Janet would strike pay dirt with her third solo album "Control"(86). Produced by ex Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the album would remake Janet into a pop icon that would rule the charts for the next 15 years.

Michael & Janet alone have sold more records than any brother sister combo in the history of American music. Add the solo albums from Randy, Marlon, Jermaine, Rebbie, La Toya, The Jacksons & Jackson 5, and you have a run that will no doubt never be touched in our lifetime. July in Jacksons month at Reunion Radio. Let's all give it up for America's First Family of Music.

New Music added this week:

Body Rock - Dwele
A Few Reasons (Truth Pt. 2) - Dwele
Mr Sexy Boy - Chin Chin
TONY - Ivana Santilli
Hollywood (Nothing Over U) - Ivana Santilli
Imagination - The G

New Music added this week:

Like It - Raphael Saadiq Feat Stevie Wonder
Can't Do It - Chante Moore
Just For Me - Al Green
What's A Man To Do - Usher
You Know What - N.E.R.D.
Life - Hil St. Soul
Front Runna - Wayman Tisdale
Watch Me Play Again - Wayman Tisdale Feat Robert Wilson of The Gap Band

New Music added this week:

Fast Car - The Dream
Love Toy - Plantlife
So Over You - Ashanti
The Way That I Love You - Ashanti
Heavenly - Jennie Laws
Why Do We Try - Mint Condition

June Artist of the Month: Prince

Prince Rogers Nelson was born on June 7, 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Jazz pianist John L Nelson and Singer Matti Shaw. Named after the Prince Roger Trio, a jazz band in which his father was a pianist, Prince had a somewhat unsettled childhood that saw him moving in with a neighborhood family at 13. Prince would befriend their oldest son Andre Anderson (later known as Andre Cymone) and they would both join his cousin Charles Smith's band Grand Central. In 1977 Prince and Andre joined up with Pepe Willie's new band 94 East. Pepe, the husband of Prince's cousin, Shantel, had been influential in Prince's early career, mentoring and managing the young prodigy in his Grand Central days. Prince learned many of his production skills while working in the studio for Willie as a teenager. In 1977 94 East would record their first and only album. Prince wrote most of the songs as well as played guitar and keyboards. He was also the lead vocalist on the track "Just Another Sucker". The album was not commercially released at the time but would finally be made available for a short time in the mid 80s under the title Minneapolis Genius.

Shortly after the completion of the album, Prince was signed to Warner Brother Records and released For You in 1978. The first single "Soft and Wet" would become a minor success but would pale in comparison to what Prince would release over the next decade. His next 4 albums Prince (1979), Dirty Mind (1980), Controversy (1981), and 1999 (1982) would each raise the bar creatively as well as attract increasing controversy with their mix religious and overtly sexual themes. During this period, Prince directed his side projects The Time and Vanity 6 to mainstream success under the production alias Jamie Star. The 2 acts would join Prince on the Triple Threat Tour, a now legendary series of concerts running from the end of 1982 and into the summer of 1983.

In 1984 Prince would star in the semi-biographical motion picture Purple Rain. The movie and accompanying soundtrack would launch Prince to super stardom, rivaled only by fellow icon Michael Jackson. With Prince firmly established as a musical genius and mega star, Prince would begin to challenge his core audience with sounds and styles they were unaccustomed too. Around The World in a Day (1985) and Parade (1986) saw Prince depart from his Minneapolis Sound formula and mix and match multiple genres. Hits like "Raspberry Beret" and "Kiss" kept Prince front and center on the charts during this time. Some would say the pinnacle of his career would come with his next release Sign O The Times (1987). A masterful double album and concert film, SOTT is Prince bringing his 10 year career to a boiling point, showing off what he's learned and what he's going to be for the next two decades.

A label fight, name changes and copy write battles would define Prince in the 90s and into the 21st Century. But the foundation Prince built in the 80s sustains him to this day. The most dynamic performer of his generation, Prince regularly sells out wherever he performs. Most recently he sold out 21 straight nights at London's massive O2 arena.

In the month of Gemini, we here at Reunion Radio have fittingly picked the most famous Gemini of them all as our artist of the month. You'll hear the early stuff, 80s hits, 90s gems and newer cuts that proves Prince can still funk with the best of them. We'll also sprinkle in some the side projects like Vanity 6, The Time and Sheila E. June is Prince month y'all - - All hail his Royal Badness!

New Music added this week:

Something Special - Usher
This Ain't Sex - Usher
When Words Are Just Word - Icognito
Everyday - Lina
Endangered Species - Coultrain
The Girl Of My Dreams - Coultrain
Relief - Swade
Love Story - Mariah Carey
The Floor - Keith Sweat
Can I Keep U - Algebra

New Music added this week:

Amazing - Reel People
Insect Funk - Elmore Judd
Do You Wanna - Swade
Fire - Swade
Migrate - Mariah Carey Feat. T-Pain
Somthin' - Mint Condition
Got 2 Find A Better Way - Plantlife

New Music added this week:

Me And My Girl - Keith Sweat
Love You Better - Keith Sweat (Feat. Keyshia Cole)
Let Me Know - Angela Johnson (Feat. Eric Roberson)
I've Changed - Jaheim (Feat. Keyshia Cole)
Half Way - Algebra
Don't Go Around Looking For A Broken Heart - Planetlife
Agirllikeudeservesamanwhotreatsuhowulike - Planetlife

Album Review: Keith Sweat - Just Me (2008)

R&B icon Keith Sweat returns May 6th with his 10th studio album "Just Me". After 17 years with Elektra Records, the Harlem-born singer-songwriter brings his smooth grooves to Rhino. The album opens with a song called "Somebody", built around the classic Delfonics jam "La La Means I Love You". It's a nice mid-tempo groove but what makes this song most interesting is it marks the first time Sweat sings falsetto. While he's no Philip Bailey, Sweat does a more than serviceable job with the change in vocal style. Track #2 "The Floor" is another noteworthy cut in it reunites Keith with Teddy Riley. The two collaborated on the Sweat's 1987 debut "Make It Last Forever". The milestone album sold over 3 million copies and helped launch the New Jack Swing era of the late 80s/early 90s. "The Floor" kicks off with a classic Teddy/Keith keyboard sample but then switches into something that sounds more like Riley's Blackstreet work. Solid & enjoyable song, even if it doesn't rank with the very best of Riley/Sweat collaborations. The next couple songs are pleasant enough although not likely to be memorable. Track #5, "Butterscotch" seems to be a song the marketing people at Rhino are focusing on. The duet with Athena Cage (former Kut Klose vocalist) attempts to recapture the sound of their 1996 #1 hit “Nobody”. The fact I was not a fan of "Nobody" should be taken into account when I say, I really hate this song. "Butterscotch" is the type of cookie-cutter R&B that has so plague urban radio the last 10-12 years. The album gets back on track (briefly) with "Me & My Girl". Besides the slight hint of autotune, which is the worst trend going in R&B today (think T-Pain if you don't know what autotune is), this is the type of song that puts Sweat in the pocket. Good clean beat with a simple but pleasant melody. "Suga Suga Suga" with Paisley Bettis is another decent cut, even if it is a little too R Kelly-esq at times for my tastes. Of the remaining 5 songs, only the Keyshia Cole duet “Love You Better” is worthwhile. This is another song Rhino is hyping and is probably Keith's best shot at mainstream radio play. Keyshia is definitely one of the best "new school" female vocalists around now and compliments Sweat well on the track.

The BOTTOM LINE

I have to say the album is a bit of a disappointment. There are some nice cuts on here but none are in the class of his early work. All the songs in and of themselves are decent enough. But the album really suffers from a lack of quality and creative production (which doesn't make it much different than most mainstream R&B albums today). It would have been more interesting for Sweat and Riley to work together on most if not all of the tracks or had Keith take a left turn and go for something more soulful. But it seems Sweat is still playing the "hit-chaser" game that so many older artist get caught up in.

BUY or BURN

If you're a huge Keith Sweat fan or like the sound of current R&B slow jams, buy it. For everyone else this one's a burn.

The SCORE

4.5 (10)

May Artist of the Month: Alexander O'Neal

As the original lead singer of The Time (known then as Flyte Tyme) Alexander O'Neal would experience numerous set backs before finally breaking through as a solo artist with his 1985 self-titled debut. Joining forces with ex-band mates Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis (as well as Monte Moir & Jellybean Johnson on various other tracks) Alex would become one of the top Male R&B vocalist of the mid to late 80s. Best known for his duets with label mate Charrelle, the two would help define what would be called The Minneapolis Sound. Alexander split from Jam & Lewis in the early 90s which marked the end of his days on the US charts. However O'Neal remained popular in the UK throughout the decade and into the next. Listing Minneapolis as his home, Alex spends a great deal of time in Britain where he still enjoys sold out tours and good record sales. In 2008 Alex released his 13th album "Alex Loves" a collection of standards including new versions of his own "If You Were Here Tonight" and "Saturday Love" (the duet hit with Charrelle) During the month of May, Reunion Radio will be bringing you the past and present music of Alexander O'Neal. From classic slow jams to Minneapolis Funk one thing is for sure ....... "It's gonna be kinda right" (c) Alexander O'Neal

Alexander O'Neal Live London Wembley Arena 1990

New Music added this week:

Lay It Down - Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton
I've Been Waiting - Incognito
Sumthin About Her - Plantlife
Your Love - Plantlife
Rollerskate Jam - Plantlife
Good Man - Tony Kurtis

New Music added this week:

Green - Coultrain
Dance 2Night - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
Cruise Control - Mariah Carey
Hollywood Swinging - Brian Culbertson
Back & Forth - Mint Condition
Customer - Raheem DeVaughn

New Music added this week:

I'll Be Loving You Long Time - Mariah Carey
I'm That Chick - Mariah Carey
Ain't Nobody's Bizness - Sy Smith
Spies - Sy Smith
Gratitude - Mint Condition
Nothing Left To Say - Mint Condition
It's Over - Conya Doss
Emotions - Conya Doss
Who's Your Daddy - Lina

April Artist of the Month: Earth, Wind & Fire

Formed in Chicago in 1969 by jazz drummer Maurice White, Earth Wind & Fire would become one of the most beloved bands of the 20th century. Breaking through with That's The Way of the World in 1975, the group would go on an amazing run over the next 6 years. During that period they gave us classics like September, Shinning Star, Reasons, Let's Groove, Devotion, After The Love is Gone, Fantasy, Getaway & Serpentine Fire just to name a few. Mastermind Maurice White was also behind classics like The Emotions "Best of My Love" and Deniece Williams' debut album "This is Niecey". Besides rolling out classic song after classic song, the band brought their fans one of the greatest live shows seen before or since. After losing key members like Al McKay and Larry Dunn, the group briefly disbanded in the early 80s while Phillip Baily and Maurice White pursued solo careers. A stripped down version of the group reunited in 1987 and have been recording and touring ever since. Although Maurice no longer tours due to having Parkinsons Disease, he remains the driving force behind the group. In 2005 Earth, Wind & Fire released it's strongest album in over two decades (Illumination) and saw Maurce return as lead vocalist on a few of the tracks. This month Reunion Radio is spotlighting 4 decades of music from this legendary band. We'll include many of their classics and newer releases, as well as the production work and side projects of prominent members. We hope you'll enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed putting it together. But after all, this is Earth, Wind & Fire we're talking about -- How could you not?

Earth Wind & Fire Live in Brazil 1980

New Music added this week:

Wherever You Go - Robbie Jenkins
Valentine - Ryan Leslie
4 Minutes - Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
Master Teacher - Eryka Badu

New Jackin 4 Beats

Our March mix by Reunion Radio's DJ Freddie Rock is now available for download

Download

Track list:

Stone Cold Gentleman - Ralph Tresvant Feat. Bobby Brown
Don't Be Cruel - Bobby Brown
Your Love: Part I - Keith Sweat
Fairweather Friend - Johnny Gill
I Like (extended version) - Guy
I Don't Wanna Fall In Love (7" mix) - Jane Child
Do Me Baby - BBD
My Girlie (extended version) - Ready For The World
I Want Her - Keith Sweat
The Way You Love Me - Karyn White
Remember The Time (new jack mix) - Michael Jackson

New Music added this week:

Cool - Snoop Dogg
Angel Love - Samantha James
Hello - Randy Muller
Empty - Raheem DeVaughn
This Moment Is All There Is - Lenny Kravitz
Groove To The Lie - Ola Onabule
I Remember - Keyshia Cole
Losing You - Keyshia Cole (Featuring Anthony Hamilton)
Amerykahn Promise - Erykah Badu