Midnight Star Official Web Page | Prism- Midnight Star |
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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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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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) |
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] |