I just recently ordered two CDs that were released on Solar Records in the 80s: Adventures In The Land Of Music by Dynasty (1980) and Love For Love by The Whispers (1983).I seem to be going through a Solar Records phase right now I'm collecting some of the finest music from that record label,which was very popular in the late 70s and throughout most of the 80s.What were your favorites?

the two hit singles from the Dynasty CD that I ordered.....

70s funk flashback: "It's All The Way Live" by Lakeside (1978)

70s disco flashback: "Dance With You" by Carrie Lucas (1979)

Is there a thorough box set that compiles the label's hits? I have different compilations from individual artists of the label.

This deserves a book and/or documentary series. It was the closest thing to Motown on the west coast.

Hamad said:

Is there a thorough box set that compiles the label's hits? I have different compilations from individual artists of the label.

There are a couple of multi-disc box sets that I know of.....this is one of them

There is also this one.....a 6-CD box set

Don't really know much about the other acts except the Sylvers, who were well past their best by this stage, but I love me some Shalamar. Their music was sweet and melodic and yet it was funky and catchy too. Plus it helped that Jody Watley was such a fox, Howard could sing and Jeffrey could dance his ass off and had that big ass Afro well into the 80s until he got it made into a flat top in 1982.

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This is the guy who taught MJ the moonwalk. The new guys in Shalamar (Micki Free and that other chick) never lived up to the high standards set by Jody and Jeffrey.

Adorecream said:

Don't really know much about the other acts except the Sylvers, who were well past their best by this stage, but I love me some Shalamar. Their music was sweet and melodic and yet it was funky and catchy too. Plus it helped that Jody Watley was such a fox, Howard could sing and Jeffrey could dance his ass off and had that big ass Afro well into the 80s until he got it made into a flat top in 1982.

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This is the guy who taught MJ the moonwalk. The new guys in Shalamar (Micki Free and that other chick) never lived up to the high standards set by Jody and Jeffrey.

speaking of Jeffrey.....check out his amazing dancing skills in this clip...Wow!!

I found out about Solar Records' act COLLAGE through Queen Latifah and 45 King using their "Get In Touch With Me" bassline (on "Princess Of The Posse").

"Body Talk" by The Deele (1984)

mrwiggles said:

Definitely a good groove and distinctive catchy sound. A recent Wax Poetics did a feature on Leon Sylvers III and blew the roof off the whole Solar situation. [Edited 3/16/18 10:23am]

Unsung definitely needs to an episode on Solar Records & Leon Sylvers.

Even though I was basically still a kid I really loved and appreciated SOLAR records a lot and was a huge fan of the Midnight Star albums, especially Planetary Invasion.

When I think of SOLAR records I think of funky bass and synthlines, eccentric 80s clothes and jheri curls. I really miss that era and that look.

I think music started going downhill when people stopped sporting the jheri curl style.

A good friend of mine owns a bar and Midnight Star paid him an after concert visit in their original line-up. I still regret that I missed out on that opportunity.

just a heads up: I got my Whispers Love For Love CD in the mail today.This album (and other Solar titles) is on a label called Unidisc.I believe it's a Canadian record label that specializes in reissues.The sound quality is fantastic!! It's a crisp,powerful remaster.I played it in the car and the music just "jumps out" at you

tonight......we're gonna paint the town.....no more messin' around

I can't wait to order some more Solar CDs on Unidisc.This CD sounds incredible!!

SoulAlive said:

Nice. And i loved SOLAR Records.

Thanks for the memories!

There needs to be some kind of documentary or Unsung episode on Solar Records.I'd like to know the whole story.There were times in the 80s when it appeared that Solar was giving Motown a run for their money,lol....one hit after another.

ReddBlitz said:

Still to this day, I haven't seen a record label in the traditions of SOLAR to ever produce and successfully to have an all female band as like it did with KLYMAXX.

Klymaxx was truly one of a kind....an all-female R&B/funk band.