MIDNIGHT STAR



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JANICE'S BLUES ALLEY PRESENTS



MIDNIGHT STAR



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MIDNIGHT STAR



WEB PAGES

 Midnight Star Official Web Page Midnight Star Official Web Page
Prism- Midnight Star Prism- Midnight Star


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The synth-funk unit Midnight Star scored several times on the charts during the mid-'80s, led by their double-platinum album No Parking on the Dance Floor in 1983. Just one of the successful acts on Solar Records (also including Shalamar, Lakeside, and the Whispers), the group was formed in 1976 at Kentucky State University by the Calloway brothers, trumpeter Reginald, and trombone player Vincent, with vocalist Belinda Lipscomb. After signing with RCA near the turn of the decade, Midnight Star recorded their first album in 1980, The Beginning, with a conglomeration of studio players and producers. After moving to the Solar label by 1982, the group released Victory and then added a full band: guitarist Melvin Gentry, bassist Kenneth Gant, drummer Bobby Lovelace, and keyboard player Bo Watson.

Though the Calloways' production skills � later used to full effect on tracks by Natalie Cole, Gladys Knight, and Teddy Pendergrass � had pushed Midnight Star into the R&B charts during 1981-1982, with singles like "Hot Spot" and "I've Been Watching You," the group was unprepared for the success of the first single from their third proper album, No Parking on the Dance Floor. "Freak-A-Zoid" hit number two on the R&B charts in mid-1983, and though it failed to make the pop Top 40, it pushed the LP over the platinum mark. "Operator," the first single from their next album, Planetary Invasion, became their highest-charting single, making number 18 on the pop charts. By 1986, Headlines had become Midnight Star's third album to at least sell gold, but it proved their last; both Reginald and Vincent left the group to form Calloway in 1988. (Incidentally, the Calloways had introduced future legend Babyface to Solar executives for his first job, and produced Babyface's group the Deele).

Without Reginald and Vincent Calloway to lead the way, Midnight Star fell fast and far. A 1988 self-titled album flopped miserably, and 1990's Work It Out proved to be their last. Calloway, meanwhile, found success with their first single, 1989's "I Wanna Be Rich," which hit number two on the pop charts. The track was their only major hit, followed by "Sir Lancelot" and the title track from their 1990 debut album All the Way. Calloway returned two years later with Let's Get Smooth, but the album proved their last. The brothers continued working, with Pieces of a Dream and Bootsy Collins, among others. -- John Bush, All Music Guide



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LINKSYEARTITLE
1980The Beginning
1982Victory
1983No Parking on the Dance Floor
1984Planetary Invasion
1986Headlines
1987Midnight Star
1990Work It Out
200215th Avenue


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1980 The Beginning

01. Two in Love
02. Follow the Path
03. You're the Star
04. Searching for Love
05. Set Me on Fire
06. Keep the Spirit High
07. Make It Last



1982 Victory

01. Victory
02. Strike A Match
03. Move Me
04. Make Time (To Fall In Love)
05. Hot Spot
06. You Can't Stop Me
07. Be With You
08. Love Is Alive


1983 No Parking on the Dance Floor

01. Electricity
02. Night Rider
03. Feels So Good
04. Wet My Whistle
05. No Parking (On the Dance Floor)
06. Freak-A-Zoid
07. Slow Jam
08. Playmates


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1984 Planetary Invasion

01. Body Snatchers
02. Scientific Love
03. Let's Celebrate
04. Curious
05. Planetary Invasion
06. Operator
07. Today My Love
08. Can You Stay With Me


1986 Headlines

01. Headlines
02. Midas Touch
03. Stay Here by My Side
04. Close to Midnight
05. Get Dressed
06. Engine No. 9
07. Close Encounter
08. Dead End
09. Searching for Love
10. Headlines [Extra Extra Mix]
11. Engine No. 9 [12" Mix]
12. Headlines


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1987 Midnight Star

01. Don't Rock the Boat
02. 90 Days (Same as Cash)
03. Heartbeat
04. I Don't Wanna Be Lonely
05. Snake in the Grass
06. Request Line
07. Love Song
08. Pamper Me


1990 Work It Out

01. Do It (One More Time)
02. Work It Out
03. All I Want
04. Money Can't Buy You Love
05. The Love Of My Life
06. Luv-U-Up
07. Red Roses
08. One Life To Live
09. If Walls Could Talk
10. Take Your Shoes Off
11. Do It (One More Time)(Extended Club Mix)
12. Do It (One More Time)(Till You Drop House Mix)
13. Luv-U-Up (Extended Mix)
14. Luv-U-Up (Luv-A-Dub Mix)


2002 15th Avenue

01. M.S. in the House (Intro)
02. Luv 2 Get 2 Know You
03. 15th Avenue
04. I Like (When You Dance With Me)
05. Hooked on You
06. Just Flow With Me
07. "Vip"
08. Caught Up in the Moment
09. Should Have Been Me
10. Black Girl
11. Just Because I Love You
12. Out Tonight
13. We Were Meant to Be
14. Movin' On
15. 15th Avenue [Old School Mix]



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