Janice McClain

Janice McClain (born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a female R&B singer\songwriter that has traveled around the world for the past 20 years.

In 1979, 15-year-old Janice signed to Warner Bros. Records and released her first single, "Smack Dab in the Middle" which peaked at #91 on Billboard's Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 2 weeks.

In the early 80's, she released two more singles: "Giving My Love" (1983) and "Burnin' Up" (1984) on Mon-Tab Records.

Later on, Janice went to Atlantic City, New Jersey to audition for a spot at the Trump Plaza which blew everyone away. Janice and her band Tapestry were immediately hired.

During one of their shows, Patti LaBelle was so impressed with Janice performing, she became her mentor. Patti took her to MCA Records where she was single-handedly given a record deal.

In 1986, Janice released her self-titled debut album. It's unknown how or if the album ever charted at all.

The first single "Passion and Pain" peaked at #75 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks, becoming her highest chart appearance to date.

The follow-up single from the album "Let's Spend the Night" failed to make the charts at all.

Since then, Janice has opened for the Commodores and James Brown along with providing backing vocals for singers such as Deniece Williams, Hall & Oates, George Clinton and Linda Ronstadt.

These days, she is a member of a wedding band called the Philly Party Band.

To see the website for the Philly Party Band, go to:
http://phillyparty.com/

To see a fan-made video for "Smack Dab in the Middle," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBYqYA04GxE

To see the music video for "Passion and Pain," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdoArgWnYlA

To see a fan-made video for "Let's Spend the Night," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qfq_CwAABU


[updated on 05\11\12]

The System

The System are a synth-pop duo that consists of singer/guitarist Mic Murphy (born Michael Murphy in Raleigh, North Carolina) and keyboardist David Frank (from Boston, Massachusetts).

David and Mic met in the early '80s while working for soul/funk music band Kleeer. David got a break when Atlantic Records recruited him as Kleeer's tour keyboardist and their road manager was Mic Murphy. Even though Mic was aware of David's skills, David was unaware that Mic could sing.

Later in New York, David was working on a session that evolved into a track entitled "It's Passion" which was supposed to feature Madonna on vocals, but she left due to creative differences.

David remembered Mic and invited him to work on the track. Atlantic Records was so impressed with the results, they offered David and Mic a record deal. Mic came up with the band's name.

Within weeks, "It's Passion" received massive radio airplay in New York and became a radio & club hit in New York.

The song peaked at #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1982. The interest gained enough interest for Mirage Records to give David and Mic an advance for an album.

In 1983, the System released their debut album, "Sweat" which peaked at #94 on the Billboard 200 and #14 on Billboard's R&B Albums Chart.

The second single from the album, "You Are in My System" peaked at #64 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #10 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The song also peaked at #89 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The title song peaked at #59 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #55 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The last single, "I Won't Let Go" didn't chart. During that same year, David and Mic wrote & produced a one-off album entitled "Pump the Nation" for a project called Attitude. Attitude featured musician Khris Kellow, who worked on many of the System's later albums.

In 1984, the duo released their follow-up album, "X-periment" which peaked at #182 on the Billboard 200.

The first single, "Promises Can Break" was released, but didn't appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

The follow-up single, "I Wanna Make You Feel Good" peaked at #73 on the U.K. Singles chart. It also managed to peak at #48 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

The System appeared in the breakdancing film, "Beat Street" and soundtrack with the track "Baptize the Beat."

In 1985, the System released their third album, "The Pleasure Seekers" which peaked at #40 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "This is For You" peaked at #43 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #8 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The song also peaked at #78 on the U.K. Singles chart.

The title song peaked at #108 on Billboard's Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, #22 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, and #21 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The song was featured in the season 2 premiere of the hit NBC television series, "Miami Vice."

The last single, "I Don't Run From Danger" didn't appear to make the charts. In 1985, David and Mic teamed up with musician Jeff Lorber to collaborate on his album, "Step By Step."

The System's cover version of Marc Benno's song, "Rock N' Roll Me Again" became famous in the 1984 action comedy film, "Beverly Hills Cop."

The soundtrack for the film would go on to win a Grammy. They worked with artists such as Scritti Politti, Chaka Khan, Phil Collins and Mtume.

In 1987, the System released their fourth album, "Don't Disturb This Groove" which peaked at #62 on the Billboard 200 and #13 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart. The album is the most commercially successful album of their career.

David and Mic hired Steven Machat and Rick Smith to be their managers & they took control of the promotion and marketing of the System on behalf of Atlantic Records.

The title song became a hit, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, #13 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard's Hot Black Singles for a week in May of 1987, staying on the chart for 21 weeks.

The follow-up single, "Nighttime Lover" peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

The last two singles: "House of Rhythm/Groove" and "Come As You Are (Superstar)" didn't appear to make much impact on the charts.

In 1988, the System sang the title song for the Eddie Murphy film, "Coming to America" which peaked at #91 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #23 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

In 1989, the System released their fifth album, "Rhythm & Romance" which peaked at #85 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The only single to chart was "Midnight Special" which peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks. After the release of their fifth album, Mic and David professionally split up.

In 1991, Mic released a solo album, "Touch." David found success as a songwriter & producer, most notably for Christina Aguilera's hit song, "Genie in a Bottle" and teen girl group Dream's hit single, "He Loves U Not."

In 2000, the System reunited for the album, "ESP." It's unknown how it charted, but the album featured a new version of "You Are in My System."

In late 2009, the System released the album, "Unreleased Unleashed" which is a collection of prototype and unreleased songs that were recorded at various points over the span of the System's recording career.

During that same year, Mic teamed up with rapper Melle Mel (of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five) on the track "Electro Soul Satisfaction."

Today, the System is still active in the music business and in 2013, they released their latest album, "System Overload."

To see the System's official website, go to:
http://thesystemmusic.com/

To see the System's Facebook fan page, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-System-Fan-Page/165063106875907

To see the music video for "You Are In My System," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqeQ_PfKMAo

To see the music video for "The Pleasure Seekers," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnqFk_VWZN4

To see the music video for "This Is For You," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMLt6G65Kds

To see the music video for "Don't Disturb This Groove," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Qis6VhHWuA

To see a fan-made video for "Coming to America," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DJOaIXpquY

To see a fan-made video for "Midnight Special," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJW7AzyfiRg

[updated on 05\21\13]

Indeep

Indeep was a R&B\dance group from New York consisting of songwriter\musician Michael Cleveland and vocalists Rose Marie Ramsey and Réjane Magloire. From 1975 to 1977, Réjane starred on the TV series, "The Electric Company".

In 1982, the group released their debut single, "Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life" which peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #10 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. The song also peaked at #13 on the U.K. Singles chart. It was also successful in Belgium and the Netherlands.

In 1983, Indeep released their debut album, "Last Night a D.J. Saved My Life" on Sound of New York Records, which peaked at #43 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Their follow-up single, "When Boys Talk" peaked at #16 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #32 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Buffalo Bill" peaked at #81 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 4 weeks.

In 1984, the group released their sophomore album, "Pajama Party Time" on Becket Records. It's unknown how or if the album ever charted.

The first single, "The Record Keeps Spinning" peaked at #32 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart and #45 on Billboard's Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The follow-up singles "The Rapper" and "The Night the Boy Learned How to Dance" failed to make the charts and after that, it seemed as if Indeep faded into obscurity.

Réjane Magloire went on to join Belgian techno-music group Technotronic and was featured on their 1991 album, "Body to Body." I 2005, she released her solo album, "Forbidden Opera."

In 1997, Michael Cleveland met producer Peter A. Mercury. Michael didn't do any shows as Indeep since the 80s, but appeared on a New Year show in 1997 on TF1 French T.V.

In 2011, producer Peter convinced Michael to re-form the band. Réjane and Rose Marie were replaced with Beckie Bell and WiX.

To see Indeep's official website, go to:
http://www.indeepofficial.com/

To see the music video for "Last Night A DJ Saved My Life," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtfZbj4J71A

To see a fan-made video for "When Boys Talk," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPF9zhlt8Ek

To see a fan-made video for "Buffalo Bill," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYqBDy4hhoU

To see a fan-made video for "The Record Keeps Spinning," go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMItyQIFp58

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

To see a fan-made video for "The Night The Boy Learned How to Dance," go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUxJAiX3DeI


[updated on 05/21/13]

Freddie Jackson

Freddie Jackson (born Frederick Anthony Jackson on October 2, 1956 in Harlem, New York) is an R&B\soul singer that scored a few hits during the 80s and early 90s.

As a child, Freddie was trained as a gospel singer at church where he met his producer\songwriting partner Paul Laurence.

After finishing up school, he joined Paul's group LJE (Laurence Jones Ensemble) and played in the New York nightclub scene.

In the early 80s, Freddie moved to the West Coast and was the lead singer for the band Mystic Merlin.

Then he came back to New York to work with Paul at the Hush Production company. He sang on demo recordings of Paul's work and was a backup singer for Melba Moore after seeing him perform at a nightclub.

In 1985, Freddie signed to Capitol Records and released his debut album, "Rock Me Tonight" which peaked at #11 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.
His first (and well-known) hit single, "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times Sake)" peaked at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100, #14 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and topped Billboard's Black Singles chart for 6 weeks in June of 1985, staying on the chart for 26 weeks.

The second single, "You Are My Lady" peaked at #12 on the Billboard Hot 100, #47 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #3 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, and became Freddie's 2nd #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for 2 weeks in October of 1985, staying on the chart for 24 weeks.

The third single, "He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)" peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, #28 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart, #19 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, and #8 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Love is Just a Touch Away" peaked at #9 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. Freddie was featured on Melba Moore's single, "A Little Bit More" which topped the R&B charts in November of 1986.

In 1986, Freddie released his second album, "Just Like the First Time" which peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Tasty Love" peaked at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Freddie's 4th #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart in November of 1986, a week after his duet with Melba Moore topped the charts.

The second single from the album, "Have You Ever Loved Somebody" peaked at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Freddie's 5th #1 R&B hit in February of 1987, topping the chart for 2 weeks and staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The third single, "I Don't Want to Lose Your Love" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

The fourth single, "Jam Tonight" peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Freddie's 6th #1 R&B hit, topping Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart for a week in August of 1987.

The last single from the album, "Look Around" peaked at #69 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

In 1988, Freddie released his third album, "Don't Let Love Slip Away" which peaked at #48 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Nice n' Slow" peaked at #61 on the Billboard Hot 100, #23 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart, and became Freddie's 7th #1 R&B hit, topping the charts for 3 weeks and staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The second single, "Hey Lover" became Freddie's 8th #1 R&B hit, topping the charts for a week in December of 1988, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The third single from the album, "You and I Got a Thang" peaked at #5 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Crazy (For Me)" peaked at #38 on Billboard's Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #17 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 12 weeks.

Freddie was featured on Natalie Cole's song "I Do" which peaked at #7 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

He was featured on the "Def By Temptation" movie soundtrack with the track "All Over You" which peaked at #4 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

In 1990, Freddie released his fourth album, "Do Me Again" which peaked at #59 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Love Me Down" became Freddie's 9th #1 R&B hit, topping the chart for 2 weeks in January of 1991, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The second single, "Do Me Again" became Freddie's 10th and last #1 R&B hit to date, topping the chart for a week in April of 1991, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

The third single, "Main Course" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

The last single from the album, "Second Time For Love" peaked at #81 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 3 weeks.

In 1992, Freddie released his fifth album, "Time For Love" which peaked at #83 on the Billboard 200 chart and #7 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "I Could Use a Little Love Right Now" peaked at #2 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

The second single from the album, "Can I Touch You" peaked at #39 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks.

The last single from the album, a cover version of Billy Paul's "Me and Mrs. Jones" peaked at #32 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

In 1994, Freddie released his sixth album, "Freddie Jackson at Christmas" which peaked at #65 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The album was unsuccessful and soon after, Freddie left Capitol Records to sign with RCA.

In the same year, Freddie released his seventh album, "Here It Is" which peaked at #66 on the Billboard 200 chart and #11 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single from the album, "Make Love Easy" peaked at #22 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks.

The second single, "Was it Something" peaked at #60 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 8 weeks.

The last single, "Come Home II U" peaked at #94 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 2 weeks.

After that, Freddie left RCA Records and signed to a small record label called Street Life.

In 1995, Freddie released his eighth album, "Private Party" which peaked at #188 on the Billboard 200 chart and #28 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Rub Up Against You" peaked at #25 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks.

The follow-up single, "(I Want To) Thank You" peaked at #63 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
After a long break, Freddie released his ninth album, "Life After 30" in 1999 on Orpheus Records. The album peaked at #81 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

Once again, the album wasn't successful and the only single to chart was "Do You Wanna" which peaked at #77 on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 4 weeks.
In 2000, Freddie released his tenth album, "Live in Concert" which featured some of Freddie's classic hit songs. The album didn't chart at all and wasn't very successful.
In 2004, Freddie released his eleventh album, "It's Your Move" on Martland Entertainment Group Records.

The album peaked at #45 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart and no singles from the album charted.

In 2005, Freddie released his twelfth album, "Personal Reflections" on Artemis Records. The album was a flop and no singles or the album charted at all
In 2006, Freddie released his thirteenth album, "Transitions" on Orpheus Records. The album peaked at #17 on Billboard's Top Independent Albums chart and #26 on Billboard's R&B Albums chart.

The first single, "Until the End of Time" peaked at #44 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs  chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks.

The last single from the album, "More than Friends" peaked at #65 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 18 weeks.

In 2010, Freddie released his latest album, "For You" on eOne Records. The only single to chart from the album was "I Don't Wanna Go" which peaked at #69 on Billboard's Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart.

To see the music video for "Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times' Sake)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD4_BD2enEA

To see the music video for "You Are My Lady," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyjAOelCPtQ

To see the music video for "He'll Never Love You (Like I Do)," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2HETwxAh8A

To see the music video for "Tasty Love," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6eQZ1BQ4fU

To see the music video for "Have You Ever Loved Somebody," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WzhdjWCYa4

To see a fan-made video for "Jam Tonight," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-5NFdt1yhE

To see the music video for "Nice 'n Slow," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3vFPkuovsU

To see a fan-made video for "Hey Lover," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmHm86JWTiQ

To see Freddie performing "Love Me Down" on "Soul Train," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3W0ss33bS8

To see the music video for "Make Love Easy," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjC98uyeQpg

To see the music video for "Rub Up Against You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vhp-INT3aFs

To see the music video for "(I Want To) Thank You," go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYx7TKtH8yA




[updated on 05\21\13]