Atlantic Starr
Encyclopedia
Atlantic Starr was a 1980s R&B
band
. Among their biggest hits
were "Always
" and "Secret Lovers
."
by trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer
Porter Carroll Jr., bassist
Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist
Joseph Phillips, and three brothers: David Lewis
(vocals and guitar
), Wayne Lewis (keyboards
and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone
). Other members of the band were lead singer Sharon Bryant
(who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers
), trumpeter William Sudderth, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels). In 1977 the band came to Westwood, California and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban" which was changed on their debut hit single.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts. However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts
) did not come until halfway into the 80s, with the release of their As The Band Turns
album, and the single "Secret Lovers." By this time, the band had pared itself down to a quintet, consisting of the three Lewis brothers, Phillips, and Weathers. In 1987, the band solidified their pop success by scoring a #1 pop
(and R&B) hit with "Always," a slow jam off their album All In The Name Of Love
. Following this success, Weathers left for a solo career, and she was replaced by Porscha Martin for the band's next album, 1988's We're Movin' Up. Although this album was not quite as successful as its predecessor, it did produce another #1 R&B hit with "My First Love
."
The band would continue to score hits on both the R&B and Pop
charts into the early 90s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Rachel Oliver for the album, Love Crazy. This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 90s, with "Masterpiece" reaching #3 on both the pop
and R&B charts in early 1992.The Group toured to Japan in 1992 with yet another lead vocalist at the helm "Crystal Blake" (Studio vocalist for Stevie Wonder,and lead on " Bust A Move" w/ Youmg M.C.)
Following the release of Love Crazy, Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. Records
dissolved, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista
: Time
. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles
charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continues to perform today.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
. Among their biggest hits
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
were "Always
Always (Atlantic Starr song)
"Always" was the second single from All in the Name of Love, the seventh album from R&B group, Atlantic Starr. The song went to number one on both the Hot Black Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts in June 1987. The song also spent two weeks atop the U.S. adult contemporary chart...
" and "Secret Lovers
Secret Lovers
"Secret Lovers", released in 1985, was the third single from As the Band Turns, the sixth album from R&B group, Atlantic Starr. "Secret Lovers" was Atlantic Starr's true breakthrough hit on the pop charts in both the US and UK, though the group had previously minor pop and R&B hits in both...
."
History
The group was started in 1976 in White Plains, New YorkWhite Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
by trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Porter Carroll Jr., bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist
Flautist
A flautist or flutist is a musician who plays an instrument in the flute family. See List of flautists.The choice of "flautist" versus "flutist" is the source of dispute among players of the instrument...
Joseph Phillips, and three brothers: David Lewis
David Lewis (singer)
David Lewis was the lead singer/guitarist for the 1980s R&B supergroup Atlantic Starr. He left the band and return to his Seventh Day Adventist roots. R&B/Pop sensation "Atlantic Starr's" David Lewis along with his wife Marian, a , are the co-founders of True Light Ministries, a Christian based...
(vocals and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Wayne Lewis (keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
). Other members of the band were lead singer Sharon Bryant
Sharon Bryant
Sharon Bryant is an American R&B singer. She began her career as the lead singer of the R&B group Atlantic Starr in 1976.Bryant sang lead on songs such as "When Love Calls" and "Circles"...
(who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers
Barbara Weathers
Barbara Weathers is an American R&B/soul singer, and former lead singer of R&B vocal group, Atlantic Starr. After leaving her first band, Covacus , Weathers replaced Sharon Bryant, who left the group for a solo career in 1984. Weathers sang on two of Atlantic Starr's biggest hits, "Always" and...
), trumpeter William Sudderth, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels). In 1977 the band came to Westwood, California and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban" which was changed on their debut hit single.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts. However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
) did not come until halfway into the 80s, with the release of their As The Band Turns
As The Band Turns (Atlantic Starr album)
As The Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1985. Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers...
album, and the single "Secret Lovers." By this time, the band had pared itself down to a quintet, consisting of the three Lewis brothers, Phillips, and Weathers. In 1987, the band solidified their pop success by scoring a #1 pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
(and R&B) hit with "Always," a slow jam off their album All In The Name Of Love
All in the Name of Love
All In The Name Of Love is a hit album by the R&B band Atlantic Starr recorded in 1986 and released in early 1987. It featured the band's biggest hit on the pop charts, "Always" as well as the top ten R&B follow-up, "One Lover at a Time" and the late-1986 single "Armed and Dangerous," which was...
. Following this success, Weathers left for a solo career, and she was replaced by Porscha Martin for the band's next album, 1988's We're Movin' Up. Although this album was not quite as successful as its predecessor, it did produce another #1 R&B hit with "My First Love
My First Love (Atlantic Starr song)
"My First Love" is a 1989 single by Atlantic Starr. The single was their second number one on The Black Singles chart, in which lead vocals were performed by Porscha Martin . From the band's We're Movin' Up album, "My First Love" peaked at number one for one week, but it failed to chart on the Hot...
."
The band would continue to score hits on both the R&B and Pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts into the early 90s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Rachel Oliver for the album, Love Crazy. This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 90s, with "Masterpiece" reaching #3 on both the pop
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
and R&B charts in early 1992.The Group toured to Japan in 1992 with yet another lead vocalist at the helm "Crystal Blake" (Studio vocalist for Stevie Wonder,and lead on " Bust A Move" w/ Youmg M.C.)
Following the release of Love Crazy, Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
dissolved, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista
Arista Records
Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records...
: Time
Time (Atlantic Starr album)
Time is the eleventh album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1994. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts.- Tracklisting :...
. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continues to perform today.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | US certifications |
Record label | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
||||
| 1978 | Atlantic Starr Atlantic Starr (album) Atlantic Starr is the self-titled debut album by R&B/funk band Atlantic Starr. Produced by Bobby Eli, founding member and lead guitarist of Philadelphia studio group MFSB... |
67 | 21 | — | — | A&M A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... |
| 1979 | Straight to the Point | 142 | 65 | — | — | |
| 1981 | Radiant Radiant (album) Radiant is the third studio album by Atlantic Starr. This collection featured the hit single "When Love Calls" and the quiet storm staples, "Send For Me" and "Am I Dreaming."... |
47 | 5 | — | — | |
| 1982 | Brilliance Brilliance (Atlantic Starr album) Brilliance is the fourth studio album by Atlantic Starr. This album featured hit singles "Love Me Down" and "Circles."-Tracklisting:# "Love Me Down" # "Sexy Dancer" # "Love Moves"... |
18 | 1 | — | — | |
| 1983 | Yours Forever Yours Forever Yours Forever is the fifth studio album by Atlantic Starr. This album featured the hit single "Touch A Four Leaf Clover." The same song was later remade by Erykah Badu on her neo-soul-defining debut album Baduizm. Yours Forever was the last album to feature Sharon Bryant as a lead vocalist before... |
91 | 10 | — | — | |
| 1985 | As the Band Turns As The Band Turns (Atlantic Starr album) As The Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1985. Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers... |
17 | 3 | 64 | Gold | |
| 1987 | All in the Name of Love All in the Name of Love All In The Name Of Love is a hit album by the R&B band Atlantic Starr recorded in 1986 and released in early 1987. It featured the band's biggest hit on the pop charts, "Always" as well as the top ten R&B follow-up, "One Lover at a Time" and the late-1986 single "Armed and Dangerous," which was... |
18 | 4 | 48 | Platinum | Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Records Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... |
| 1989 | We're Movin' Up | 125 | 26 | — | — | |
| 1991 | Love Crazy | 134 | 25 | — | — | Reprise Reprise Records Reprise Records is an American record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra. It is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated through Warner Bros. Records.-Beginnings:... |
| 1994 | Time Time (Atlantic Starr album) Time is the eleventh album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1994. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts.- Tracklisting :... |
— | 80 | — | — | Arista Arista Records Arista was an American record label. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment and operated under the RCA Music Group. The label was founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, who formerly worked for CBS Records... |
| 1997 | All Because of You | — | — | — | — | SoundAsia EX |
| 1999 | Legacy | — | — | — | — | Street Solid |
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart or was not certified | ||||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album | Chart positions | Record label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
|||||
| 1986 | Secret Lovers: The Best of Atlantic Starr | — | — | A&M A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:... |
||
| 1987 | Classics, Vol. 10 | — | — | |||
| 2000 | Ultimate Collection | — | — | Hip-O Hip-O Records Hip-O Records is a record label, currently part of Universal Music Group, which specializes in reissues and compilations. Their Hip-O Select label is currently in the midst of releasing the Complete Motown Singles, a series of fourteen box sets which include both sides of every 45 from Motown... |
||
| 2001 | Millennium Collection: The Best of Atlantic Starr | — | — | A&M | ||
| "—" denotes the album failed to chart | ||||||
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
US Dance |
US A/C |
UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 1978 | "Stand Up" | — | 16 | 26 | — | — | Atlantic Starr |
| "Gimme Your Lovin' | — | — | — | — | 66 | ||
| "Keep It Comin'" | — | 49 | — | — | — | ||
| 1979 | "(Let's) Rock 'n' Roll" | — | 46 | — | — | — | Straight to the Point |
| "Kissin' Power" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Losin' You" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981 | "When Love Calls" | 101 | 5 | 80 | — | — | Radiant |
| "Send for Me" | — | 16 | — | — | — | ||
| "Think About That" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982 | "Circles Circles (Atlantic Starr song) "Circles" is 1982 single by Atlantic Starr. The single was the most successful for the group thus far, peaking at number two for two weeks on the Soul Singles chart and it also became their first single to hit the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number thirty-eight.... " |
38 | 2 | 9 | — | — | Brilliance |
| "Love Me Down" | — | 14 | — | — | — | ||
| "Perfect Love" | — | 32 | — | — | — | ||
| "Your Love Finally Ran Out" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983 | "Touch a Four Leaf Clover" | 87 | 4 | — | — | — | Yours Forever |
| "Yours Forever" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984 | "More, More, More" | — | 11 | — | — | — | |
| "Second to None" | — | 50 | — | — | — | ||
| 1985 | "Freak-A-Ristic" | 90 | 6 | — | — | — | As the Band Turns |
| "Cool, Calm, Collected" | 110 | 33 | — | — | — | ||
| "Silver Shadow Silver Shadow (song) "Silver Shadow" is a song by American R&B group Atlantic Starr, released as the third single from their successful 1985 album As the Band Turns. Lead vocals were performed by Barbara Weathers.... " |
— | 13 | — | — | 41 | ||
| "One Love" | — | — | — | — | 58 | ||
| "Secret Lovers Secret Lovers "Secret Lovers", released in 1985, was the third single from As the Band Turns, the sixth album from R&B group, Atlantic Starr. "Secret Lovers" was Atlantic Starr's true breakthrough hit on the pop charts in both the US and UK, though the group had previously minor pop and R&B hits in both... " |
3 | 4 | — | 1 | 10 | ||
| 1986 | "If Your Heart Isn't in It" | 57 | 4 | — | 11 | 48 | |
| "In the Heat of Passion" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Silver Shadow" (re-release) | — | — | — | — | 98 | ||
| "Armed and Dangerous" | — | 86 | — | — | — | Armed and Dangerous Soundtrack | |
| 1987 | "Always Always (Atlantic Starr song) "Always" was the second single from All in the Name of Love, the seventh album from R&B group, Atlantic Starr. The song went to number one on both the Hot Black Singles and Billboard Hot 100 charts in June 1987. The song also spent two weeks atop the U.S. adult contemporary chart... " |
1 | 1 | — | 1 | 3 | All in the Name of Love |
| "One Lover at a Time" | 58 | 10 | 16 | — | 57 | ||
| "All in the Name of Love" | — | 51 | — | — | — | ||
| 1988 | "Thankful" | — | 65 | — | — | — | |
| "Let the Sun In" | — | — | 28 | — | 79 | ||
| 1989 | "My First Love My First Love (Atlantic Starr song) "My First Love" is a 1989 single by Atlantic Starr. The single was their second number one on The Black Singles chart, in which lead vocals were performed by Porscha Martin . From the band's We're Movin' Up album, "My First Love" peaked at number one for one week, but it failed to chart on the Hot... " |
— | 1 | — | — | — | We're Movin' Up |
| "My Sugar" | — | 27 | — | — | — | ||
| "Bring It Back Home Again" | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991 | "Love Crazy" | 75 | 7 | — | — | — | Love Crazy |
| 1992 | "Masterpiece" | 3 | 3 | — | 2 | — | |
| "Unconditional Love" | — | 38 | — | — | — | ||
| 1994 | "I'll Remember You" | 55 | 58 | — | 32 | — | Time |
| "Everybody's Got Summer" | — | — | — | — | 36 | ||
| "—" denotes the single failed to chart | |||||||