Monday 1/17/22 1am ET: Feature LP: Atlantic Starr – As The Band Turns (1985)

As the Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released April 15, 1985. Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers. This proved to be one of the band’s more successful releases, yielding several R&B hits, such as “Freak-A-Ristic,” “If Your Heart Isn’t In It” (written by former Average White Band vocalist Hamish Stuart), and the smash quiet storm anthem “Secret Lovers.” This would be the band’s last release for A&M Records after a memorable, although inconsistent, run of hits throughout the early 80’s.

“Freak-A-Ristic” 4:05
“Cool, Calm, Collected” 4:04
“One Love” 3:52
“In the Heat of Passion” 4:38
“If Your Heart Isn’t In It” 4:02
“Silver Shadow” 4:53
“Let’s Start It Over” 5:33
“Secret Lovers” 5:30
“Thank You” 4:29

Barbara Weathers – lead vocals (5, 6, 8), backing vocals (6, 7, 8)
David Lewis – guitars (1-4, 6-9), drum programming (1, 6, 8, 9), backing vocals (1, 2, 4-9), arrangements (1, 3, 6), lead vocals (2, 3, 4, 8, 9)
Wayne Lewis – keyboards (1, 3-9), lead vocals (1, 5, 7), backing vocals (1, 2), arrangements (1, 3, 4, 6)
Jonathan Lewis – keyboards, trombone
Joseph Phillips – percussion
Atlantic Starr – arrangements (4)
John Barnes – keyboards (1, 3, 9)
Bill Bottrell – keyboards (1), keyboard programming (1)
Derek Nakamoto – keyboard programming (1, 3)
William “Dr. Z” Zimmerman – keyboards (1, 7)
Joey Gallo – keyboards (2, 4, 7), arrangements (2, 7)
William Shelby – keyboards (4)
Calvin Harris – keyboard programming (5)
Rex Salas – keyboards (5)
Craig Harris – synthesizer string programming (6, 8)
David Cochrane – guitars (4, 9), saxophone solo (5)
Barry “Sonjohn” Johnson – bass guitar (5, 9)
Wardell Potts, Jr. – drums (2, 4, 7), percussion (2, 4, 7), arrangements (2, 4, 7)
Derek Organ – drums (5)
Paulinho Da Costa – percussion (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Damon Rentie – saxophone ending (5)
Gene Page – horn arrangements (3), string arrangements (3, 5)
Hamish Stuart – arrangements (5)
Clare Fischer – synthesizer string arrangements and performance (6, 8), string and horn arrangements (9)
Dana Meyers – backing vocals (4)
Darryl Phinnessee – backing vocals (5)
Phyllis St. James – backing vocals (5)
Krystal Davis – backing vocals (9)
Fonzi Thornton – backing vocals (9)

Friday 4pm ET: Feature Artist – Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr is a White Plains, New York-based band and among their biggest hits were “Always”, “Secret Lovers”, “Send for Me”, “Circles”, “Silver Shadow” and “Masterpiece”.

Atlantic Starr began in Greenburgh, New York with trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, Sheldon Tucker (Guitar; parted ways with the band before the first recordings), and three brothers: David Lewis (vocals/guitar), Wayne Lewis (keyboards and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone). The band’s membership eventually stabilized around Carroll, Archer, Phillips, the three Lewis brothers, lead singer Sharon Bryant (who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was later replaced by Koran Daniels). In 1977, the band came to Westwood, California and performed on the nightclub scene under the name “Newban,” which they agreed to change at the request of A&M Records executive Herb Alpert when they were signed. Having already agreed to keep the Starr part of an early idea for a new band name, the members decided to add the word Atlantic, because of their East Coast roots.

Tuesday 2pm: Sounds of The 80’s

This week on the Sounds of The 80’s, Edie Brickell, Cars, Robert Palmer, America, Julian Lennon, Dave Edmunds, Hall & Oates, Whispers, Jacksons, AC/DC and more. . .