SOLAR RECORDS

[QUINNY]

They had one hell of a lot of great releases, didn't they? None of their stuff ever gets a mention here, but Prelude sure does. Why the obvious lack of discussion of bands such as The Whispers, Lakeside, Dynasty, Midnight Star, Collage, Shalamar etc?

[paul]

Hey Quinny.
When I did Best From Artist, I did do Shalamar, Carrie Lucas, The Whispers, and I think Dynasty as well.
If you wanna start something (not you Quinny ) feel free to catalyze a discussion.

[QUINNY]

Paul: I realise that you had these in your best of strings, but that hardly makes 'em widely discussed.

For me, Solar was THE sound of Disco in late '79 going well into 1980 and beyond. Ultra funky and ultra danceable too, but how many people mention any of the artists associated with the label in day to day discussions around here? I just find it a little surprising, that's all considering both the quality and success the label had.

[K-Bee]

The power of Solar should not be underestimated. Loads of good stuff on that label. Actually I think I've mentioned Solar quite a few times too

[paul]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

Paul: I realise that you had these in your best of strings, but that hardly makes 'em widely discussed.

:( Quinny, you hurt my feelings.

[Forrrce]

I would guess that the Solar sound was maybe too slick, well-rehearsed and R&B for some; just not 'disco' enough.

[discosavvy]

Originally Posted by QUINNY

For me, Solar was THE sound of Disco in late '79 going well into 1980 and beyond. Ultra funky and ultra danceable too, but how many people mention any of the artists associated with the label in day to day discussions around here?

I thought I mentioned them a few times? And they are my favorite record label in my profile for the 12" and LP A-Z section.

"I Can Make It Better" by the Whispers, "Right in the Socket" by Shalamar, and "Dance With You" by Carrie Lucas have such energy! "And the Beat Goes On" and "The Second Time Around" are OK but they are overplayed on the radio at the expense of the other songs and they are less exciting. I like Shalamar so much I bought the UK version of their deluxe best-of from the UK.

BTW Fragile on the Rocks made a nice French-language version of the Whispers' "And the Beat Goes On" in 1989, which sounds pretty close to the original.

[Mixmachine]

I also mentioned this period too, I dubbed it "Lite Funk" sound, I used to spin them all locally and they were popular floor fillers. Many other non-Solar acts also produced music in the same similar vein during this years, among then the 'new ' Kool and the Gang and countless other small label acts that can't recall.