Chapter 8 - The Best Of...

Chapter 8 were formed in 1972 in Detroit and were the backup band for The Detroit Emeralds. Anita Baker joined in 1975 replacing Barbara Love, who in turn had replaced Carolyn Crawford.  They were a touring band until being signed by Ariola in 1979.  

After releasing their first self-titled album which spawned 3 singles (Ready For Love, I Just Wanna Be Your Girl, Don't You Like It)  Ariola was bought out by Arista.  Now here's the interesting part - some clueless executive(s) at Arista decided to drop Chapter 8 as they didn't think Anita Baker had 'star potential' - between 1987-2013 she has received 18 Grammy nominations and won 8 of them and she took several years hiatus from the music business in between to raise her children! ... I wonder who got the last laugh?

It wasn't until 1985 that Chapter 8's next project was released on Otis Smith's Beverly Glen label following Anita Baker who had left to pursue a solo career also on Beverly Glen with the release of The Songstress in 1983.  Valerie Pinkston replaced Baker in Chapter 8.

1979 - Chapter 8 [Ariola #SW 50056]

Link to playlist of full album

Ready For Love

Their debut single featuring Gerald Lyles & Anita Baker sharing lead. A soulful ballad/stepper which is their second highest charting record reaching #38 US R&B in 1979.

I Just Wanna Be Your Girl

Anita Baker on lead with this ballad. Reached #81 US R&B.

Let's Get Together

The flipside to I Just Wanna Be Your Girl - a nice modern soul dancer.

1985 - This Love's For Real [Beverly Glen #BG 10007]

Link to playlist of full album

Don't Stop Loving Me

How Is It Possible

This Love's For Real

How Can I Get Next To You

Reached #89 US R&B

1988 - Forever [Capitol #C1-46947]

Link to playlist of full album

Give Me A Chance

This was their highest charting record reaching #20 US R&B in 1988

So In Love

This was released after the first release of Give Me A Chance with  Give Me A Chance on the flip (the first release had an instrumental version of Long Time In Love on the flip) - it didn't chart.

Understanding

A decent 'overlooked'  80s modern soul dancer

Yvonne Gage [1981] - Garden Of Eve / Tonight (I Wanna Love You) [Atlantic #3869]

Another '80s Hidden Gem' which I found by accident whilst looking for something else.

A great double-sider from Yvonne Gage and her debut outing on Atlantic in 1981.  The only other material I knew from her was the dreadful 'Doin' It In The Haunted House' from her debut album 'Virginity' released a couple of years later (1983) on Chycago International on the cover of which she is scantily clad holding a white fur coat.  There is nothing special 'soul wise' on the whole album (unless you like the synthesised electro boogie sound!), but the debut single on Atlantic is special.

I can find no evidence that this record charted even on the US R&B chart.  Her only chart entry was the aforementioned 'Haunted' which only reached #78 US R&B but fared better in UK with a Pop chart position of #45 in June 1984.

I believe she was predominantly a session singer and had about half a dozen sporadic releases between 1984 and 2018 and released a self-titled album  in 2004 which has a few decent cuts on it.  Her latest release from 2018 First Touch & Yvonne Gage ‎– Tonight's The Night / You Can Have It All is one of her better releases.

Yvonne Gage [1981] - Garden Of Eve [Atlantic #3869]

Rare Groove / Modern Soul Boogie - I've been trying to think what this track reminds me of and think I detect hints (rhythmically) of Change's - Glow Of Love which was released a year earlier and certainly elements of a Chic bassline in there.

Some nice live footage of her performing this track.

Yvonne Gage [1981] - Tonight (I Wanna Love You) [Atlantic #3869]

Superb rare groove stepper on the flip.

Ceci Jones [2020] - Levels Of Love [Red Virgo] LP

Hot off the press (well it's been out since 28th Oct 2020) is brand new album from Ceci Jones entitled Levels Of Love.  Her name is new to me but a couple of tracks feature a familiar name Curt Jones (Slave, Aurra, DeJa) who is her husband (they met in 2013) who also co-wrote and produced the album.  

Although this is her debut album, Ceci has been in the music business since the 80s and at one time was signed to Virgin records, however, so far, I can't find any of her earlier material, presumably because her surname wasn't Jones at the time, but I'll keep digging.

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Official Website

The whole (13 track) album has been posted on Ceci Jones topic on YouTube, but below I've posted what I regard as the standout tracks, but on a first listen the whole album sounds good to me - another added to the list of best albums 2020.

Count On Me Feat. Curt Jones

This track features her husband Curt Jones who was originally a member of Slave, then Aurra  who later changed their name to DeJa when Aurra became a duo consisting of Curt Jones and Starleana Young.

A cool neo soul stepper with a real soul feel. I expect this to feature in UK Soul Chart real soon!

When It Comes To You

Similar tempo and feel to Count On Me with a Spanish spoken intro.

Levels Of Love

Haven't quite decided whether I prefer this or Count On Me as the top track, there's not much in it. A stepper with a double beat that just grooves along.

The Way That I Do Feat. Curt Jones

Another stepper, but not quite up to the same standard as Count On Me.