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Episodes on this pod cast are based on, real issues concerning real people and real events. (All episodes are hosted by THE REAL DEAL HIMSELF) This is a totally NO FRILLS approach,to all that affects our daily life's. Lets talk and share ideas with each other. E-mail youef.elamin@gmail.com All E-mails will get answered period. My motto is: If you take time out of your day to e-mail me, I'm going to take time out of my day to answer you period! Get involved and have some fun, lets enlighten each other. http://trdnewstalk.mypodcast.com/fbrss.xml

Sunday, Sep 07, 2008

Remembering the five Stairsteps The first family of soul

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The Five Stairsteps bio...
The Five Stairsteps was formed in Chicago in 1965 and comprised of Burke family members Clarence Jnr., James, Aloha, Kenneth and Dennis. They got their name, when "Momma Stairsteps" as Betty Burke was affectionately called, noticed that her kids looked like stair steps when stood next to each other according to age. Close friend and neighbor Fred Cash of The Impressions, took Keni and the guys to see Curtis Mayfield. Shortly they were signed to the Windy City imprint Curtis had with Buddah Records. They later switched to Mayfield's Curtom Records.

The young quintet enjoyed a consistent run of R&B chart success, with releases on the Windy City, Curtom and Buddah labels. The albums were: "The Five Stairsteps" (Windy 1967), "Our Family Portrait" (Buddah 1967), "Love's Happening" (Curtom 1968), "Step By Step By Step" (Buddah 1970) and "The Stairsteps" (Buddah 1970). The material ranged from gentle dance songs to orchestrated ballads and their talent was recognized in 1967 with a NATRA award as that year's outstanding R&B group.

For two years the group's name was expanded to The Five Stairsteps & Cubie to include five-year-old sibling Cubie, but when the newcomer left in 1969, the line-up reverted to The Five Stairsteps. Later, when sister Aloha got married and left the group, they dropped the "5" altogether. They had their biggest hit in 1970 with "O-o-h Child", a US Top 10 entry and a signature song of the early 70's.

Instrumentally self-contained, the quintet pursued a direction similar to Sly And The Family Stone, but they were unable to capitalize on this new-found position. The group broke up in 1972, and Clarence Jnr. and Kenneth became session musicians.

Stairsteps: 2nd Resurrection - 1976In 1976 the duo resumed work with brothers Dennis and James, now calling themselves just Stairsteps, securing a contract with George Harrison 's Dark Horse label. It was singer Billy Preston who introduced them to The Beatles and helped them get the Dark Horse deal. They released the album "2nd Resurrection" produced by Billy Preston and Robert Margouleff. Although The Stairsteps returned to the soul Top 10 with the single "From Us To You", written by Keni and Clarence Jnr., they split up again soon afterwards

There are several CD compilations available, but the 17 track "The First Family of Soul: The Best of the Five Stairsteps" from the reincarnated Buddha label is by far the best. Included are most of the groups' higher-charting singles anchored by the passionate and uplifting "O-o-h Child", but what makes this collection special is that many of the old Windy C recordings appear in stereo for the first time. The sonic improvement is substantial and breathes new life into these tracks that have been available only in somewhat lifeless mono versions. All tracks but one are presented in crystalline stereo. A six-page liner notes booklet provides a musical background of the group along with track info. If you're a fan and already own a Five Stairsteps compilation CD, the sonic improvements alone make this a worthwhile replacement or addition.

The Invisible Man's Band - 1980Clarence Jnr. subsequently formed the Invisible Man's Band, who recorded two albums, "The Invisible Man's Band" (1980) - scoring a sizable hit seller with "All Night Thing" - and "Really Wanna See You" (1981). Both on Mango/Island Records. The group again split up and Kenneth, latterly known as Keni Burke, enjoyed a successful career as a solo artist and producer.

Posted by Yousef El-amin at 04:05 |

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Yousef El-amin
Carmel, California
Great fun loving brother who loves, music, acting and flying. The most important thing in my life is, being self. My father once said."When things are going wrong in life, always look within first for the answer" "Always look to help other's before helping yourself" Thats my motto and, thats what i try and live by. With the help of Allah i can make that happen.
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