Alton McClain & Destiny "It Must Be Love"

[FrontPage22]

I had heard this song, first when it was covered by Robin S for her floppish follow up album (which also included a cover of Phyllis' "You Know How To Love Me" oddly). I downloaded the original not knowing a thing about it. Still don't, despite enjoying the production. Ca anyone shed some light on this record for me? :oops:

[Forrrce]

Alton McCLain & Destiny released 3 LPs as a group - 'It Must Be Love' (1979), 'More Of You' (1980) and 'Gonna Tell The World' (1981). 'It Must Be Love' and 'Push & Pull', from the first LP, were cult tunes in the UK - and 'My Destiny' from the last album even enjoyed 'rare groove' status. 'It Must Be Love' was one of many tracks from the time which seemed inspired by The Emotions' 'Best Of My Love'.

I don't know anything about the other vocalists - at least that I can remember (maybe I have an interview in an old Blues & Soul somewhere...) but I do know that Ms. McClain is the late Skip Scarborough's widow.

[markydefad]

From AMG:

Heavily influenced by the Emotions, Alton McClain & Destiny was a female R&B vocal trio that was active in the late '70s and early '80s. The Los Angeles-based group was formed in 1978 when lead singer McClain (whose voice had a Deniece Williams-like quality) joined forces with backup singers D'Marie Warren and Robyrda Stiger. That year, they signed with Polydor, which hired Frank E. Wilson to produce their debut album. First released in early 1979, the trio's debut album was originally titled Alton McClain & Destiny but was re-released as It Must Be Love a few months later. "It Must Be Love" was also the title of the threesome's debut single, which reached the Top Ten on Billboard's R&B singles chart. Regrettably, the group turned out to be a one-hit wonder, and their 1980 sophomore effort, More of You, (which Wilson produced with John Footman) received very little attention. Alton McClain & Destiny's second album was also its last; the trio was dropped by Polydor/PolyGram in 1980 and called it quits in 1981. After the breakup, McClain went on to marry producer Skip Scarborough. Alton McClain & Destiny should not be confused with the late '80s heavy metal band Destiny, the lesbian/women's music trio Destiny or the '90s rapper Destiny.


---------------------------------------------------------

Alton also sang with Johnny Bristol on his 1980 remake of "Hang On In There Baby". It's 5:08 in length and is on the "Disco Nights, Vol 2: Best Of Disco Funk" CD.

It's REAL GOOD. :D

[FrontPage22]

I completely missed out on how similar it is to The Emotions.

Anyone know off hand how Robyn S's cover version did???

[NickNack]

OK --- AMG says they released two albums, Forrrce says three. I'm more inclined to believe you, Forrrce . Was their third also on Polydor? I only have one and two.

As for the 'cult' tunes from the first lp: In the US, that would be "It Must Be Love" and "Crazy Love", both remixed by Jim Burgess.

Personally, I always liked "Sweet Temptation" 8) and always cried that "IMBL" wasn't longer than its four-and-a-half minutes.

[Forrrce]

Nicky, you'll probably recognise this:



Poor quality scan, but it's all I could find online. Star cut, 'My Destiny', was also on Polydor 12".

[K-Bee]

Frontpage,
The Robin S version wasn't that bad although not nearly as good as Alton McClains version (always a fav :) )
Don't think it ever made it to the charts at all - at least not over here.
I must admit I kinda liked the 1997 "From Now On" album on which it appeared. At least she was trying to move on by not making ALL the tracks sound like "Show Me Love" :lol:. Interesting gathering of musicians on the album too, including Todd Terry, Bryce Wilson and surprisingly...Terry Burrus :D

[efunk_adelic]

Actually, It Must Be Love sounds pretty much like the best of my love version. All you have to do is take out the strings. :D

[Pizzazz]

If i remember correctly, after leaving Polydor Alton & Destiny changed their name to Krystol and signed to Epic for two albums their tenure there probably best remembered for 1984's cult boogie tune 'After The Dance Is Through' ! Group member Darren Marie died in a car crash in early 1985.

[Forrrce]

If i remember correctly, after leaving Polydor Alton & Destiny changed their name to Krystol and signed to Epic for two albums their tenure there probably best remembered for 1984's cult boogie tune 'After The Dance Is Through'

That's a good connection - just pulled out the 'Getting Ready' LP. Roberta (Robyrda) Stieger was indeed a third of Krystol, along with Tina Scott and Karon Floyd.

[DevP]

Pizzazz/Forrrce:

According to Joel Whitburn's Billboard book of R&B singles Alton McClain & Destiny didn't change there name to Krystol. It was that Robryda Stiger and Delores Warren, of Destiney, joined Tina Scott & Robbie Danzie to form Krystol in the early 80's. During production of there 2nd album, "Talk Of The Town", Delores Warren died in a car crash in February of 85' at the age of 32. However, her positive spirit aided the group in finishing the album which features her vocals thoughout the album.

Although I do hear the resemblance between "The Best Of My Love" and "It Must Be Love" I have always felt the bass line from "It Must Be Love" sounded a little more like that of Cheryl Lynn's "Got To Be Real", which was also influenced by The Emotions "The Best Of My Love."

DevP

[efunk_adelic]

that reminds me Dev to do a GIRL GROUP fever mix :D


Best Of My Love
to
It Must Be Love
to
Got To Be Real

:D

[Pizzazz]

DevP, thanks for straightening out the facts, i even got the poor girls name wrong ! Krystol's 'After The Dance Is Through' still rocks almost 20 (!) years later though i've never actually heard 'It Must Be Love'.

[DevP]

Efunk-adelic that's an awesome idea. I would love to hear that. Let me know how it goes. :D

My pleasure, Pizzazz. But as soon as you get a chance you have to hear it. It's an awesome classic. :D

DevP

[Rab]

I have 2 copies of the Alton, McClain & Destiny LP that has the "It Must Be Love" hit and each of them has a different cover?

[Forrrce]

I have 2 copies of the Alton, McClain & Destiny LP that has the "It Must Be Love" hit and each of them has a different cover?

I had an English copy of the LP before I found an American one - and both had the same group photo, but with a different layout on each. Are your copies of the same origin?

Cheryl Lynn's 'In The Night' LP has two rear covers - I always wondered why...

[Mixmachine]

that reminds me Dev to do a GIRL GROUP fever mix :D


Best Of My Love
to
It Must Be Love
to
Got To Be Real

:D

Locally at the time many Deejays did this mix, (including me) it was fun. :P

[SandraDee]

I always thought that Krystol's 'After The Dance Is Through' had a very Solar-esque sound, but I s'pose that's no surprise as it was produced by Leon Sylvers & William Zimmerman.

[efunk_adelic]

that reminds me Dev to do a GIRL GROUP fever mix :D


Best Of My Love
to
It Must Be Love
to
Got To Be Real

:D

Locally at the time many Deejays did this mix, (including me) it was fun. :P

cool, we think alike

[BelieveInTheBeat]

Interesting thread - don't hear Alton McLain & Destiny mentioned much. I have a track by them from 1980 called "99½", which hasn't been mentioned so far in this thread. Anyone remember it?

[originalbigm]

Interesting thread - don't hear Alton McLain & Destiny mentioned much. I have a track by them from 1980 called "99½", which hasn't been mentioned so far in this thread. Anyone remember it?

No I don't.Was it a cover of Wilson Pickett's 60's classic"Ninety Nine and a Half"

[MUSIQMAN]

I completely missed out on how similar it is to The Emotions.

Anyone know off hand how Robyn S's cover version did???

Robin S.'s cover went no. 1 on the Hot Dance/Club Play Billboard charts. And it became a top 40 hit on Billboard's R&B chart. Peace.