I can’t even with this track and this group. Honestly when I listen to this one I am just grateful to have been so alive through the ’80s and to have found so many loving friends while this one was on endless repeat.
Here for your collection, the 12″ vocal :
Costumes, poses…now I know where I got it from…GOALS.
Ok, so add to that the performance…
Imagination were a three piece British
soul and funk band, who came to prominence in the
early 1980s. They had chart hits in 28 countries, earning four platinum discs, nine gold
discs and more than a dozen silver
discs around the world between 1981 and 1983
Singer Leee
John was working as a backing
vocalist for The
Delfonics, Chairmen
of the Board, The
Velvelettes and The
Elgins when he
met Ashley Ingram, a guitarist/bassist (born 27 November 1960, Northampton). John and Ingram formed a songwriting partnership, resolving to start their own ‘slinky, sexy and
erotic’ group, working in a short-lived band called Fizzz. Whilstauditioning for another short-lived band, Midnight Express, they met drummer Errol Kennedy (born
9 June 1953, Montego
Bay) who had learned to drum in the Boys’ Brigade and Air
Training Corps.
Formed in 1981, the trio took
a demo tape of
a track called “Body Talk” to producers Jolley & Swain. It was released as
a single in April 1981 under the group name
Imagination, a name that the group chose as a tribute to John Lennon. The track reached number
4 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1981, selling 250,000 copies in
the UK and spending eighteen weeks in the Top
50. They had two more hit singles that year, “In and Out of
Love” (September) and “Flashback” (November), both of which
peaked at number 16, all from their debut album,
also called Body Talk.
Their biggest hit, “Just an Illusion”, peaked at number two in March 1982 (“Just an Illusion” would later be used as the end title song to the 1986 movie, F/X); followed by “Music and Lights” The group’s second album, 1982’s In the Heat of the Night, was their most successful, spawning a trio of chart hits in the form of “Just an Illusion” , “Music and Lights” and “Changes”. The remix collection Night Dubbing appeared the following year, as did the group’s third proper album, Scandalous.
The trio frequently appeared on BBC Television’s Top of the Pops, and other pop music TV programmes,
with a distinctive exotic style, reminiscent of Roman senators, harem orderlies and slaves. John made a guest appearance on Doctor Who in 1983. They were also known for their esoteric album sleeve notes.
Following this the success of the group in the UK waned, but they
continued to perform, tour and record.
In 1987, they were signed to RCA Records and recorded two albums and seven more singles. Their last album Fascination Of The Physical, recorded in 1990, was a commercial failure. This caused the band to split in 1992.
John went back to acting, but re-surfaced as a singer in the reality television show, Reborn in the
USA.John also remains active by continuing his recording career as a solo artist and collaborator while also working on a project documenting British black music.
Ingram also enjoyed success as a songwriter for Des’ree.
Since the group split there have been several compilations released while ‘The Very Best Of Imagination’ is the best place to start.
Laid Back was a Danish duo – Tim Stahl and John Guldberg – this is the extended version of the B-side of their single, Sunshine Reggae. Sometimes the B-sides are better.
Now, this one really was my jam. Empress. Get into her. Sister Dimension owned this track. This was the sound of Whisper’s ( Sunday night at Pyramid. ) The levels on this rare 12″ mix are all over the place – so be ready for some ear bleed. It’s worth it though – the “rap” is hilarious but then again, this was 1981. Any lyric that starts off with a desperately shreeking, “Somebody help me!” is good for me. I hear you babe… I’m dying to be dancing.
Prelude Records made it happen. -Written and performed by Crown Heights Affair.ย – Produced my William Anderson and Raymond Reid.
I’ll be there tonight from 6 to 10 PM filling in for Bunny. The last time I did this the staff freaked out and the dance floor was full from 6:30 onward. I’m not the type to boast so I won’t tell you I received a very gracious and surprising round of applause after my set! I do it all for the dancers.
Come and dance – I’ll be doing it all for you.
The legendary MONSTER NYC – 80 Grove Street – ( Gay Ground Zeroย )-ย from 6PM till after dark.
It’s their 32nd Year on the Square , Sheridan Square.
I’ll be there next Sunday too but it might be very crowded after tonight!
That’s Quincy Jones’ masterful touch you’re hearing. The track was co-produced by Michael and Quincy. I consider it to be perfect. There is no fat, it’s trimmed down and reduced to a sonic crystalline structure that can exist as pop. ( ? )
Mastah Q do more with less.
(Funky grasshopper learn big lesson on dance floor.)
Funky grasshopper think lyric have Buddhist flair. Also same message that Jesus spread…”You’re just another part of me.”
We’re taking over
We have the truth
This is ourย mission
To see it through
Don’t point your finger
We’re not dangerous
This is our planet
You’re one of us
We’re sending out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin’ up
We’re bringing brighter days
They’re all in line
Waiting for you
Can’t you see?
You’re just another part of me
A brother nation
Fulfill the truth
The final message
We’ll bring to you
There is no danger
Fulfill the truth
So come together
We’re me and you
We’re sending out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin’ up
We’re bringing brighter days
They’re all in line
Waiting for you
So know the truth
You’re just another part of me
We’re sending out
A major love
And this is our
Message to you
(Message to you)
The planets are linin’ up
We’re bringing’ brighter days
They’re all in line
Waiting for you
Can’t you see?
You’re just another part of me
Another part of me
We’re taking over
This is the truth, baby
Another part of me
Go on and take it. This song will only ever be “Susan’s Favorite.”
Good times. Further proof that the music in the ’80s was better, but take note: Stephanie’s voice is just as good today if not better . TOLD.
This video is one of my faves – now I remember why. Green screen leotards and Stephie in nurse drag? A little magic involving a ring and a handsome doctor? No wonder! Stephie made it through in style. Love me my Stephanie Mills. What a talent…I have pics from her show last nightย at B. B. King’s. I’ll be posting those tomorrow. I won’t be posting the heartburn from the BBQ platter. God Bless.
No idea what the lyrics mean – but Michael sounds great and this production is GLOSSY. (three horn hits) Valentina played this one on Thursday nightย high up overlooking Manhattan from the closed in terrace of Company 3. It filled the floor. It’s a floor filler. When you just can’t listen to “Can You Feel It” one more time, throw this one on. It has all the same effects and did I mention?…(Three horn hits.) This would be a great track to teach a toddler how to count to three.
Written, produced, arranged and performed by The Jacksons, this track never made it past seventy-three but went to number seven in the UK in 1981 (when the music was better.) This is a special promo 12″ version. The album is TRIUMPH by
OK – I gotta stop now. It’s the ’70s classics and the Non-Stop Suites that are the most important to have. Everybody should have them. Donna Summer had many more hits after 1982 when this one came out. I think I better leave it up to each of you individually to find them and add them to your collections. Now let’s go back and listen to all of them again!
I’m Donna’d out. But it feels great.
9/11 dust! Why am I still alive? I was down near ground zero cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the firemen! It’s a cruel world, but the Non-Stop Suites make things easier. They just keep playing and playing and playing….
Vangelis in the house of Summer. This one may cause emotional flashbacks to a happier time. Listen with caution and if you are using headphones, for God’s sake please have a few extra Kleenex stuffed into the cuff of your sleeve. This music is very powerful and should be played with consideration.
One of the greatest important remixes of all time….this is history you can listen to.
In 1978, disco and Hi-NRG pioneer Patrick Cowley created a 15:45 remix of “I Feel Love” which, despite not impressing Moroder, became a popular “underground classic” available only on acetate discs. The remix used loops, keeping the song’s bass-line going for extended passages of overdubbed effects and synthesizer parts.
In mid-1980, Cowley’s mix was released with the title “I Feel Love / I Feel Megalove” and subtitle “The Patrick Cowley MegaMix”, but only on a limited vinyl pressing by the DJ-only subscription service Disconet.