Stacy Earl

I only found about this singer from the good people at Milk Carton Pop Stars (thanks so much!)

Stacy Earl (born on December 25, 1962 in Boston, Massachusetts) is a pop singer who scored a couple of Top 40 hits in the early '90s. After graduating from high school, she moved to New York for a few years to do some session work and take acting lessons.

Stacy returned to Boston where she recorded demos with producer\songwriter, Andy Mendelson and Maurice Starr (who worked with New Edition & New Kids on the Block). She was signed to RCA Records after a demo she did with Andy attracted attention from the label.

In 1991, she released her self-titled debut album which peaked at #16 on Billboard's Heatseekers Albums chart.

Her first single "Love Me All Up" peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January of 1992 and #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart.

The follow-up single "Romeo & Juliet" featuring the Wild Pair, peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April of 1992 and #66 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart in May of 1992, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

The third single "Slowly" didn't reach the same success as her previous singles, peaking only at #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 in July of 1992. Another song from the album "Can't Go On This Way" didn't chart, but a music video was made for it.

In 1993, Stacy released the song, "Blood From a Stone" for the "Untamed Heart" movie soundtrack. Even though the commercial soundtrack release didn't feature the song, the song was released by RCA on a cassette single.

The cassette also featured an additional previously unreleased Stacy Earl song called "The World is Not a Stranger" on the B-side. A one-track promotional CD single of the song was shipped to radio outlets, but no CD of the song was ever released commercially.

In 2006, she appeared in the independent film, "Crazy" performing the song "Honky Tonk Blues" by Hank Williams Sr.

These days, Stacy appears to be active in the music business again. She sang and composed some original songs for the feature film "The 5th Quarter."

To see Stacy's official website, go to:
http://stacyearl.net/

To see a fan-made video for "Love Me All Up," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaXVEUAO-Xk

To see the music video for "Romeo & Juliet," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKGw0uECKxI

To see a fan-made video for "Slowly," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFUcIG4WLRA

To see the music video for "Can't Go On This Way," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkMjIoMIWOI

To see a fan-made video for "The World is Not a Stranger," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7DJZ1yVMtQ


[updated on 08\28\2018]

Genobia Jeter

Genobia Jeter (born in Washington, D.C.) was a female R&B\gospel singer who started out singing in church. She is the niece of legendary gospel singer Reverend Julius Cheeks and the cousin of disco singer Julie Cheeks.

Genobia made her recording debut in the late 70s as a guest on a live album recorded with her church choir and uncle.

She later met R&B singer, Glenn Jones (who would later become her husband), who was singing gospel music with his group, The Modulations at the time & were signed to Savoy Records. The two of them went on tour together with Genobia's uncle and they later started dating.

In 1979, Genobia released her first gospel album "Heaven." She scored success with the song "Master I Know You Can" which received national radio play in 1980. 

The success of her debut album lead to a second album "Things Have Got to Get Better." Many of the songs from the album were written by her. Glenn Jones and his music group were backup singers on Genobia's national gospel music tours.

After Glenn left Savoy Records in 1983 and signed with RCA Records, Genobia was featured on his debut album "Everybody Loves a Winner" on the songs "Keep on Doin'" and "I Am Somebody." She did several tours with Glenn and his band. Her vocals on the song "Keep on Doin'" led to Genobia signing a record deal with RCA Records as well.

In 1986, Genobia released her debut R&B album "Genobia" which didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

Her first single "All of My Love" peaked at #30 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

The follow-up single "Together" (featuring Glenn Jones) peaked at #42 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

After that, nothing much was heard from Genobia and it appeared as if she faded into obscurity. According to a comment I received back in 2008, she was planning on releasing a new gospel album, but nothing much has been heard about it since.

These days, it seems as if Genobia has faded into obscurity once again. It's unknown if she is still active in the music business.

To see the music video for "Together," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMfbOwtOUQs

To see a fan-made video for "All My Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux1Qvscf9pM

To see a fan-made video for "Heaven," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqI-vq8yhXo

To see a fan-made video for "Give Me Something That's Really Real" (from her "Heaven" album), go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ9CD_C4nJg

To see a fan-made video for "Things Have Got To Get Better," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUgNbWpUhUc

[Updated on 08\28\2018]

Oran "Juice" Jones

When you hear this guy's name, you'll be like "What kind of name is that?" But when you hear that Oran "Juice" Jones had a #1 R&B hit song, you'll probably won't care what his name is.

Oran "Juice" Jones (born on March 28, 1957 in Houston, Texas; raised in Harlem, New York) was an R&B singer from the 80s. Before becoming a singer, he attended the United States Naval Academy where he graduated in 1981 and later became an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Juice became the first R&B musician signed to hip-hop record label, Def Jam Records (actually, he was signed to OBR Records, which is a subsidiary of Def Jam Records).

In 1986, he released his debut album "Juice" which peaked at #44 on the Billboard 200 and #4 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on October 7, 1991. It was also dedicated to his grandfather, who passed away in 1983.

The Juice's first charting single was "You Can't Hide From Love" which peaked at #75 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 5 weeks.

The Juice scored his biggest hit to date with his second single, "The Rain" which peaked at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for two weeks in September of 1986, staying on the chart for 21 weeks.

The remixed version of the song managed to peak at #5 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #7 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.  It also received two Grammy nominations and managed to peak at #4 on the U.K. Singles chart.

His second single "Curiosity" peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The third single "Here I Go Again" peaked at #45 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks. The last single, "1.2.1." failed to make the charts at all.

In 1987, Juice released his sophomore album "GTO: Gangsters Takin' Over" which managed to peak at #36 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album included a duet with singer Alyson Williams called "How to Love Again" which was also featured on her 1989 album "Raw."

The only single to chart was "Cold Spendin' My Money" which peaked at #41 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

In 1989, Juice released his third album "To Be Immortal" which failed to make the Billboard charts at all.

The only song to chart was "Pipe Dreams" which peaked at #47 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. After that, the Juice left the music business to care for his ailing mother, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness and to raise his family.

In 1997, the Juice released his fourth and final album "Player's Call" on Tommy Boy Records in the U.K.

It was supposed to be his comeback album, but after the lead single, "Poppin' that Fly" failed to generate enough success and the flop of the album, the label shelved it. In March of 2007, Tommy Boy Records finally released the album in the United States.

These days, the Juice produces and scores music for commercials and independent movies along with contributing to various hip-hop music blogs. He also helps out his son, Mookie (also known as Oran II) and his daughter, Perri with their own music careers.

To see the Juice's Facebook page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/oranjuicejones7

To follow the Juice on Twitter, go to:
https://twitter.com/oranjuicejones7

To see the music video for "The Rain," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dZW1C3neao

To see the music video for "Cold Spending My Money," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7LCosFy-mw

To see a fan-made video for "You Can't Hide From My Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcsBF1TNY4k

To see a fan-made video for "Curiosity," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F9FHY_GVOI

To see a fan-made video for "Here I Go Again," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdPk79whjHI

To see a fan-made video for "Pipe Dreams," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFKBdkdhUIA

To see the music video for "Shaniqua" (from his "To Be Immortal" album), go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPF85Fjow7U

To see a fan-made video for "Player's Call," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z43oQpHb1ts

To see a fan-made video for "Poppin' That Fly," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKB7W4P26Vk


[Updated on 08\28\2018]

Taja Sevelle

Taja Sevelle (born Nancy Richardson on March 18, 1962 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is a fascinating female pop\R&B singer from the 80s.

By the time she was 17 years old, Taja had lived in the city, on a farm and in a remote forest near the Canadian border without running water, electricity or a car. She studied in her own science lab, plowed fields, tapped maple trees and even sang in several church choirs.

Taja studied voice at the University of Duluth and Ear Training at the Minneapolis Technical Institute during her high school years. She produced her own radio programs and worked as a DJ. She was in six different bands and even put her own band together.

In 1987, Taja was signed to Prince's Paisley Park Records and during that same year, she was accepted into Boston's Berklee College of Music.

Also in that same year, she released her self-titled debut album which didn't appear to make the charts at all.

Taja's first single "Love is Contagious" became her only hit single to date, peaking at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October of 1987 and #58 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in November of 1987, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. The song also peaked at #7 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The follow-up single "Wouldn't You Love to Love Me" peaked at #61 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in March of 1988, staying on the chart for only 9 weeks. In the U.K., the song peaked at #59 on the U.K. Singles chart.

Two more singles: "Popular" and "Take Me for a Ride" were released, but failed to make the charts at all.

In 1991, Taja released her sophomore album "Fountains Free" on Reprise Records. The album didn't appear to make much impact on the charts nor did the single, "Trouble Having You Near."

In 1997, Taja released her third album "Toys of Vanity" which also didn't make a lot of impact on the charts along with the singles "A Lot Like You" and "I&I." In the late 90's, she started the Matrix Music record label.

In 2000 and 2003, Taja released two singles on Basement Boys Records: "Never Givin' Up" and "Sympathy for the Devil."

In 2001, Taja released the EP "Good Times." It's unknown how or if the EP had ever made the charts. She has songwriting and singing credits on over 2.5 million records sold (including her own) with artists such as Johnny Mathis, Arrested Development, Marilyn Scott and Badly Drawn Boy.

In 2011, she released a remixed version of her song, "Good Times" which is available for purchase on iTunes.

These days, Taja is devoted to an international charity called Urban Farming that provides produce for food banks. She invented a kitchen appliance whom she partnered up with Larry King and his wife, Shawn King on it.

She has also written a novel called "Rain on a River" and is working on her next two books called "The Garden Life" which is about her life and work with Urban Farming & "The Joke."

To see Taja's official website, go to:
http://www.tajasevelle.com/

To see the official website for Urban Farming, go to:
http://www.urbanfarming.org/

To see the music video for "Love is Contagious," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJ_3mWYu3eY

To see the music video for "Wouldn't You Love to Love Me," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jnEhB-60yA

To see the music video for "Popular," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVkuxr35myE

To see the music video for "Trouble Having You Near," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hpw_eIC6FcE

To see the music video for "I & I," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14EZeqw2K9M


[Updated on 04\21\2016]

Ana

Ana (born Ana Maria Rodriguez on February 22, 1974 in Havana, Cuba) was a teen pop singer from the 80s. She moved from Cuba to Miami, Florida with her family when she was 5 years old in 1979.

In 1984, 10-year-old Ana signed to Parc Records and in 1987, she released her self-titled debut album when she was only 13 years old. It's unknown how or if the album ever charted.

The first single "Shy Boys" peaked at #94 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart.

Another single "The Boy Next Door" was released in Japan, but it's unknown how or if the single ever charted.

In between her debut album, Ana released the single "Before I Jump" in 1988. It's unknown how or if the single ever made the charts.

In 1990, Ana released her sophomore album "Body Language" which peaked at #191 on the Billboard 200 chart.

Maurice Starr (known for his work with New Edition & New Kids on the Block) produced the album. I don't know why this album wasn't a hit. She worked with Debbie Gibson for crying out loud and sang a duet with New Kids on the Block member, Jordan Knight.

The first single from the album "Got To Tell Me Something" peaked at #66 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Ana's only highest chart appearance on the Hot 100 chart.

Two more singles "Angel of Love" (featuring Jordan Knight) and "Everytime We Say Goodbye" were released in Japan, but it's unknown how much of an impact the singles made there.

After "Body Language" flopped, Ana faded into obscurity, but in 2003, she reappeared under the name "Mía" and released the album "Tentación" before fading into obscurity once again.

Ana was a great singer with the most incredible voice ever, but she didn't get enough credit for it. (PS, if you're trying to find Ana's albums, check on Amazon or Ebay.)

To see the music video for "Shy Boys," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qcX2x1kzy4

To see the music video for "Got To Tell Me Something," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oSk11oSI2Y

To see a video of Ana performing "Everytime We Say Goodbye" in Tokyo, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEWp6RfwFv8

To see a fan-made video for "Before I Jump," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnYfYhq_TVw

To see a fan-made video for "Angel of Love," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ic2nDcOEKIQ

To see the music video for Ana (under the name Mia)'s song "Convencete" (from the album "Tentación"), go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TC67acehFxA



[Updated on 04\18\2016]

The Sugar Babes

The Sugar Babes were an R&B girl group from Los Angeles, California consisted of members Stacie Irvin, Patrice Lydia and Kimiko Whittaker.

In 1987, the trio released their debut single "We Rock the Beat" which peaked at #58 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

During that same year, the Sugar Babes released their self-titled debut album on MCA Records, which didn't appear to make the charts at all.

The follow-up singles "I'll Educate You (On My Love)" and "The Perfect Kind of Love" failed to make any impact on the charts. Unfortunately, the group's debut album turned out to be their last one and they soon faded into obscurity.

In the early '90s, Stacye and Kimiko became a duo and scored moderate success on the R&B charts. Kimiko was planning on releasing a solo album in 1992, but it was never released.

This cute, precocious girl group had somewhat faded into obscurity, but according to a comment from the Isle of Deserted Pop Stars blog, Kimiko is married with two children and owns her own business.

As for Stacye & Patrice, they have seemed to faded into obscurity. Stacye and Kimiko's album is available on Amazon and possibly on Ebay. The Sugar Babes' album is hard to find and you can try your luck to find it on Ebay.

To see the music video for "We Rock the Beat", go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47el9BBzEhU

To see a fan-made video for "I'll Educate You (On My Love)," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nnoFb9Fne0

To see a fan-made video for "The Perfect Kind of Love," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SilslnA_xVc


[Updated on 04\18\2016]

Welcome To My Blog!

Hello, welcome to my blog!

This is a blog of rare, hardly heard of or barely remembered pop, dance, and R&B music from the 80's and 90's.

I hope you enjoy my page!

Yours Truly,
The Music Know-It-All