Probably pretty well known to most soul connoisseurs, but what surprised me is that this never hit the UK Top 40. I thought it had, but even though it was #1 US R&B #24 Hot 100 it reached only #68 in UK so would never have been on TOTP or get much airplay, so probably got most exposure in clubs.
It, therefore, occurred to me that there may be some, especially younger readers, who weren't old enough to attend clubs back then (or weren't even born!) who have yet to appreciate this gem. If you're in that category then you're in for a treat as I personally think that this is by far their best track - forget 'Oops Upside Your Head', adopted by the hand bag brigade, and join the grown ups 😉
Co-written by Charlie Wilson (who is still going strong - I posted his latest release featuring Smokey Robinson a week or so ago) with band members Lonnie Simmons (R.I.P. 6 Feb 2019) and Raymond Calhoun who later formed Sunfire with Rowland Smith and Reggie Lucas who released a dance floor classic 'Step In The Light' (written by Reggie Lucas & James Mtume) that did absolutely nothing on any chart either here or across the pond! ... criminal!.
UPDATE I have just received a comment from an 'indignant' reader stating that in fact it was Raymond James Calhoun alone who wrote this track. I have since verified that on BMI, however, the US & UK 12" and UK 7" labels all credit the 3 above as writers. Only the US 7" credits Calhoun alone, although they have mis-spelled his name as Raymond Cathound and the Dutch 7" release has R. Cathound! ... so what can I do except double-check with BMI for every item I post - which I simply do not have time nor intend to do, so please, by all means leave a comment if you think something is not accurate and I will investigate.
Here's 'Outstanding' in it's full unexpurgated 12" glory
This came off the Gap Band VI album and I think has the same vibe and feel as Outstanding - it could almost be part II
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4 comments:
Fake because Raymond Calhoun wrote OUTSTANDING the song THAT DEFINED WHO CHARLIE AND HIS CAMP ARE and the 12 in is bootleg FACT CHECK
Thanks for your feedback ... albeit a bit 'abrupt' if I might say so!
1/ The label is NOT a bootleg it is the official UK issue of the 12" which I chose to post in preference to the US one, only as it was a better quality image. I have since compared it with my own UK 12" copy and can verify that the image is genuine. FACT CHECK!
2/ I have checked BMI and you are absolutely correct, 'Outstanding' is credited to Raymond James Calhoun only.
https://repertoire.bmi.com/ListView.aspx?torow=25&fromrow=1&page=1
3/ I am not responsible for the credits given by Total Experience on their label and do you really expect me to check with BMI for every item I post rather than rely on what the record label publishes?
I DID fact check and the listing for this 12" on Discogs which states what's on the label here : https://www.discogs.com/The-Gap-Band-Outstanding/release/11285107
Further if you wish to check other entries on Discogs the US 12" and UK 7" also has the 3 credited. To make matters worse the US 7" credits Ray Cathound! I suggest that if you feel so strongly about this become a member of Discogs and change ALL the entries for this release! FACT CHECK!
4/ The Gap Band (according to their own website http://gapband.com/) were formed in 1967, almost 15 years before this release (and continued long after) so I think you're 'opinion' may be misguided in thinking Ray Calhoun 'defined' them. He formed Sunfire in 1982 who lasted only a year! With no disrespect to him, if he was so good how come Sunfire didn't outlast the Gap Band?
5/ Perhaps you should consider taking a breath before firing off your misguided 'anger'. This website is purely a labour of love, I make nothing from it, get very little 'thanks' for it and yet you find it necessary to criticise bordering on abuse - certainly your previous comment which I have chosen not to publish was abusive. Please refrain from an further abuse or you may find yourself being blocked!
P.S. does it 'really' matter what's written on the label as if Calhoun is the sole writer and the only one credited on BMI, then he alone will receive writers royalties not Simmons or Wilson? Just a thought .. or is it more about 'recognition' which I could empathise more with if he wasn't credited at all .. like many, many black artists who have been consistently ripped off ... especially in the 60s.
Hi my name is Raymond James Calhoun fact check
It’s outstanding was written by myself only the copyright will prove that any fraudulent names placed on my song were done by Charlie Wilson and Lonnie Simmons trying to get in on my writing but we’re not able to do so. That’s the facts. Also Sun fires young free and single was a top 10 UK song look at top of the pops to verify
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