I love all of these faceless early '80s R&B 'studio' bands that nicked all of Nile Rodgers' and Bernard Edwards' ideas. Especially Change, who did get a lot of the wider Chic family involved at various points (Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown, Diva Gray, Fonzi Thornton etc.). Change still sounded pretty good to me in 1985, long after their peak.

Great selection,

He(Jacques) might not have striked gold with these bands, but I loved his work there just the same,,,,

I love all of these faceless early '80s R&B 'studio' bands that nicked all of Nile Rodgers' and Bernard Edwards' ideas. Especially Change, who did get a lot of the wider Chic family involved at various points (Luther Vandross, Jocelyn Brown, Diva Gray, Fonzi Thornton etc.)

Not only did Petrus and Malavasi got some singers who worked with Chic, they actually wanted Chic to produce the first Change album, but Rodgers & Edwards were too busy to do it. Nile did pay a friendly studio visit when Change was recording their second album. That cut by the Ritchie Family (I"ll Do My Best) is one I haven't heard since high school but loved it from day one.

UnderMySun said:

Rodgers and Edwards might have been able to come up with some good material for a group consisting of a revolving door of vocalists and musicians. Fonzi Thornton sang lead on Chic's own You Can't Do It Alone (from the Real People album), and he was basically hired help for Chic. But even they might not have been able to come up with something worthy enough to showcase Luther Vandross like The Glow of Love and Searching actually did.

The first two albums of Change were indeed more or less without a direct image of a band image, but when their third album "Sharing Your Love" came out in 1982, they sure weren't faceless anymore. True, occasionaly some interchangeable musicians and singers but not everyone can be riding high on the waves in icon land. Singers Deborah Cooper and James "Crabs" Robinson, bassist Timmy Allen, guitarist Michael Campbell, keyboardist Jeff Bova and others were continuous band members on the covers of albums and singles, until the group's last recording. James Robinson went to sing lead on the single "Last Part Of The Night" by Jeff Lorber in 1985, and James eventullay released his solo abum "Guilty" in 1989 on Tabu Records. Michael Campbell and Jeff Bova continued to record on much sessions of other artists during and after Change was active. Michael toured with D'Angelo and more. Jeff Bova toured with Jeffrey Osborne, Herbie Hancock, etc.

The BB&Q Band portrayed themseves right from the start, including bassists Paris Ford and Tony Bridges, guitarists Kevin Robinson and Chieli Minucci, and drummer Terry Silverlight. The lineups changed somewat on albums but neverteless this was a steady force of studio artist. Singers Johnny Kemp and the late Curtis Hairston were guest artists. Guitarist Chieli Minucci continued as jazz guitarist with the group Special EFX, and guitarist Ḳevin Robinson released a solo album under the artist name "Chas".

Petrus' 1983 production of the album and singles by Zinc was appearing as a studio project, as was the Peter Jaques Band.

More background info about the production activities can be found here: Jacques Fred Petrus

[Edited 3/13/13 8:21am]

ChickenMcNuggets said: I'm sort of glad they didn't do it, though.

Why is that? The productions of Petrus weren't of any less quality than Chic's work. Even more tight funk elements were mixed in there.

[Edited 3/13/13 16:31pm]

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This was my favorite from them (along with Change's "Paradise"):

BB&Q Band -"Time For Love"

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paligap said:

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This was my favorite from them (along with Change's "Paradise"):

BB&Q Band -"Time For Love"

Paris Ford is slappin his bass up and down on this one. The whole group's groove is in the pocket.

I once taped this track on a 1981-mix. From that "Miracle" album of Change I also dig "Heaven Of My Life".

Shango said:

ChickenMcNuggets said: I'm sort of glad they didn't do it, though.

Why is that? The productions of Petrus weren't of any less quality than Chic's work. Even more tight funk elements were mixed in there.

[Edited 3/13/13 16:31pm]

That's what I meant, I'm glad Nile and Bernard didn't have the time to write and produce, meaning that Change (and the other Petrus acts) ended up developing their own sound.

ChickenMcNuggets said: That's what I meant, I'm glad Nile and Bernard didn't have the time to write and produce, meaning that Change (and the other Petrus acts) ended up developing their own sound.

Ah okay, cheers