In the mid-'80s, a lot of downsizing was taking place in R&B. Many of the large soul/funk bands that had emerged in the '70s were going high-tech, which meant cutting way back on horns (or even eliminating them altogether) and emphasizing keyboards and drum machines. Atlantic Starr, like Cameo, felt that they had to do some serious downsizing in order to remain competitive. In 1983, they still had nine members; when As the Band Turns came out two years later, it was down to five. This 1985 release found Starr unveiling a new quintet lineup that consisted of Wayne Lewis on lead vocals and keyboards, David Lewis on lead vocals and guitar, Jonathan Lewis on keyboards and trombone (mostly keyboards), Joseph Phillips on percussion, and newcomer Barbara Weathers (who had replaced Sharon Bryant) on lead vocals. As the Band Turns was not only Starr's first post-Bryant album -- it was also the first album they had recorded since parting company with producer James Carmichael (who had produced their last three LPs). This time, the producers included Wayne and David Lewis or Joey Gallo and Wardell Potts Jr. But despite all those changes, Starr was still quite recognizable. Most of the material is excellent, and that is true of everything from the dreamy "Silver Shadow" to the electro-funk gem "Freak-A-Ristic." Without question, Bryant's departure was a major loss for the band. But it wasn't a fatal blow, and Weathers shows herself to be a talented replacement on "Silver Shadow," as well as the ballads "If Your Heart Isn't in It" and "Secret Lovers" (a major hit). Arguably the last great album that Atlantic Starr provided in the '80s, As the Band Turns demonstrated that there could be life after Sharon Bryant for the East Coast outfit. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Derek Organ (Drums), Rex Salas (Keyboards), David N. Lewis (Vocals), Derek Nakamoto (Keyboard Programming), Damon Rentie (Saxophone), Darryl Phinnessee (Vocals (Background)), Bill Bottrell (Keyboards), Calvin Harris (Mixing), David Lewis (Vocals (Background)), Iris Cohen (Assistant Engineer), Calvin Harris (Engineer), Bill Bottrell (Mixing Producer), Larry Vignon (Paintings), Mark Hanauer (Photography), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion), Jonathan Lewis (Keyboards), Fred Law (Engineer), Philip Walters (Engineer), Hamish Stuart (Arranger), Rory Young (Engineer), David Lewis (Producer), Fonzi Thornton (Vocals (Background)), Tyrone Williams (Engineer), Atlantic Starr (Arranger), Barbara Weathers (Vocals), Ray Bardani (Engineer), Rhys Moody (Assistant Engineer), Clare Fischer (Synthesizer Strings), Wayne Lewis (Producer), David Lewis (Drum Machine), Barry Sonjohn Johnson (Bass), Dana Meyers (Vocals (Background)), Wayne Lewis (Keyboards), David Cochrane (Saxophone), Marcus Williams (Assistant Engineer), Cecille Parker (Stylist), David N. Lewis (Producer), Gene Page (String Arrangements), David Cochrane (Guitar), Bernie Grundman (Mastering), Fred Law (Mixing), John Barnes (Keyboards), Calvin Harris (Keyboard Programming), Wayne Lewis (Vocals), Chuck Beeson (Art Direction), Bill Bottrell (Keyboard Programming), Wardell Potts, Jr. (Percussion), Joey Gallo (Arranger), Wardell Potts, Jr. (Producer), David Lewis (Arranger), Karen Siegel (Assistant Engineer), Joseph Phillips (Percussion), Krystal Davis (Vocals (Background)), Joey Gallo (Keyboards), Wayne Lewis (Arranger), Larry Vignon (Design), David Lewis (Vocals), Jim Shifflet (Mixing), Joey Gallo (Producer), William "Dr. Z." Zimmerman (Keyboards), David Lewis (Guitar), Wayne Lewis (Vocals (Background)), Michael Dotson (Assistant Engineer), Wardell Potts, Jr. (Drums), Elmer Flores (Assistant Engineer), Calvin Harris (Producer), Jonathan Lewis (Associate Producer), Bino Espinoza (Assistant Engineer), Wardell Potts, Jr. (Arranger), David N. Lewis (Guitar), John McClain (Mixing), Tara Posey (Make-Up), Gene Page (Horn Arrangements), Jonathan Lewis (Trombone), Bill Bottrell (Mixing)
Secret Lovers... The Best Of Atlantic Starr
(1986)
As The Band Turns is the sixth album by R&B band Atlantic Starr, released in 1985. Following the departure of initial lead singer Sharon Bryant, As The Band sees the introduction of new vocalist Barbara Weathers. This proved to be one of the bands more successful releases, yielding the R&B hits "Freak-A-Ristic," "If Your Heart Isn't In It," and the smash quiet storm anthem "Secret Lovers." This would be the band's last release for A&M Records after a memorable, although inconsistent, run of hits throughout the early 80's.
