CAMERON OOP S/T '80 LP SALSOUL DISCO BOOGIE MODERN FUNK

CAMERON CAMERON LPCategory / Style / Moods: R&B Urban, Post-Disco / 1377 S1980 SALSOUL US LPTITLE: CAMERONARTIST: CAMERONCONDITIONVINYL: VG+COVER: VG+Click here for info on grading and abbreviationsNICE COPY, STILL IN ORIGINAL SHRINK OUT OF PRINT!Click the pix for a better view TRACKS: Disc: 11.Magic of YouMuller 2.FunkdownMuller 3.TogetherMuller 4.Let's Get It OffMuller 5.Feelin'sMuller 6.I Can't Live Without Ya'Review by Amy Hanson Renewing a partnership with Brass Construction's Randy Muller that was forged when the two played in the early-'70s group Panharmonics, Rafael Cameron released his solo debut on Salsoul in 1980. Backed by an uncredited Funk Deluxe (the instrumental alias of funk band Skyy, who were also produced by Muller), Cameron unleashed an exuberant, joyful fusion of funk underpinned by disco-inflected soul. Cameron brought a vivacity to the genre that had been missing in the onslaught of sub-disco bands that had glutted the marketplace. Both "Magic of You," which gave Cameron a Top 20 hit, and "Together" are lengthy dance grooves, divided into movements that break the pace but keep the flow. "Funkdown," meanwhile, is a throwback to classic funk that would have been as at home in the early '70s as it is here. It also lets both Cameron and Funk Deluxe really strut their stuff. But despite "Funkdown"'s brilliant edge, it was the heavily disco-fied "Let's Get It Off" that became a club hit, as much for its subtle raunch as for its effortless, spangly beats. But Cameron wasn't done yet, and proved he was as easy on the downbeat as the up, rounding the whole thing out with the marvelous, tender ballad "Feelin's," which landed him a third hit. The only problem with this outstanding LP is one of timing. Cameron slid this nugget into the Top 20 as the decade was ticking over. Too late for the dying disco movement and too early for the next wave of clubbers, it would have its flash, only to be forgotten in the long run. Biography by Ed Hogan Randy Muller of '70s disco/funk band Brass Construction ("Movin'") produced Georgetown, Guyana, native Rafael Cameron's biggest early-'80s hits, "Magic of You (Like the Way)" and "Funtown U.S.A." Initially recording as Cameron, his silky tenor proved to be the perfect counterpoint to Muller's brassy funk-driven production style. Born Rafael Cameron in 1951, he sang in bands while growing up. In the early '70s, he moved to America to further his education. Meeting Muller while performing in the active New York City music scene, the two didn't start to record together until a few years later. Muller's own band was later signed to the United Artists Records distributed label, Roadshow Records. Their self-titled LP was produced by Jeff Lane (B.T. Express) and spawned "Movin'" -- which went to number one R&B and number 14 pop -- in 1976. Muller produced the band Skyy, who was having hits ("First Time Around," "Call Me," "High," "Skyyzoo," "Superlove") for the Cayre Brothers' Salsoul Records, so he shopped the young singer to the label. Cameron was the name of his gold Salsoul 1980 debut LP which yielded several hits: the squishy, funny, funky "Magic of You (Like the Way)," "Funkdown," and "Feelin'." Cameron continued having hits, including "Funtown U.S.A." and "Boogie's Gonna Get Ya'" from the album Cameron's in Love, and "Desires" and "Shake It Down" from Cameron All the Way. "Let's Get It Off" was a disco hit from Cameron; it sports the most Brass Construction influence and can be found on the flip side of "Magic of You (Like the Way)" and its own 12" single with a short version on one side and an extended, slightly faster Larry Levan remix on the other. In 1983, Salsoul became dormant when the Cayre Brothers decided to concentrate on their newly created First Choice Home Video division. Without a recording contract, Cameron faded into private life. Becoming a born-again Christian, he resurfaced in the mid-'90s recording gospel music. A reactivated Salsoul Records reissued his records on CD in the '90s.This exquisite piece of retro music history is a vinyl sound recording (not a CD). Please visit the A Sound Deal store for similar items and information on grading and shipping. Add me to your favorites for red hot sales bulletins and sneak previews of upcoming products. Combine Items to Save $$$! Click here to check the store for more!©A Sound Deal