American funk group
Brass Construction was an American funk group formed in Brooklyn, New York, United States, in 1968. They were originally known as Dynamic Soul,[1] and went on to record a string of hit singles and albums through 1985.
Career
Signed in 1975 by Sid Maurer, and former United Artists Records promotion man Fred Frank, they scored two US Billboard Hot 100 entries in 1976, the most successful being "Movin'," which hit #14. They had much more success on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, with nine chart entries, including "Movin'", which reached #1. Singer, pianist, flautist and arranger Randy Muller went on to score a number of R&B hits with Skyy and B. T. Express.[2]
Over the years, Brass Construction members have included Wade Williamston (bass), Sandy Billups (percussion), Morris Price (trumpet), Larry Payton (drums), Jesse Ward Jr. (saxophone), Michael "Micky" Grudge (saxophone), Wayne Parris (trumpet), Alvin Haskin (original trombone player on "Movin'"), Duane Cahill (trombone), Joseph Arthur-Wong (guitar), and Randy Muller (lead vocals),[3] later joined by Lee Evans on keyboards.
Brass Construction reunited for a concert on November 28, 2005, at the Bataclan Arena in Paris, France.[3]
Joseph Arthur-Wong died in 1998. Jesse Ward Jr. died in 2016.[4] Drummer Larry Payton died on March 21, 2016.[5][6]
Discography
Studio albums
Compilation albums
- Golden Classics (1991, Collectables)
- The Best of Brass Construction: Movin' & Changin' (1993, EMI)
- Get Up to Get Down: Brass Construction's Funky Feeling (1997, Capitol)
- Classic Masters (2002, EMI/Capitol)
- Something for the Weekend: 10 Extended Soul Weekender Classics (2006, Stateside)
Singles
Band members
- Randy Muller – Keyboards/ Lead vocals
- Wade Williamston – Bass
- Joseph Arthur-Wong (d.1998) – Guitar
- Larry Payton (1955 – March 21, 2016) – Drums
- Jesse Ward Jr. (d.2016) – Saxophone
- Michael "Micky" Grudge – Saxophone
- Wayne Parris – Trumpet
- Morris Price – Trumpet
- Sandy Billups – Percussion
See also
References
- ^ "Brass Construction Page". Soulwalking.co.uk. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Popular Music (Concise ed.). Virgin Books. p. 174. ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b "Brass Construction - Platinum Recording - Grammy Nominated Band". Brassconstruction.com. Archived from the original on November 25, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ A. Scott Galloway, "2016: An Unprecedented Year For Farewells To Musical Greatness", Soultracks.com. Retrieved 19 April 2020
- ^ "R.I.P. Brass Construction's amazing drummer, Larry Payton". Soultracks.com. March 30, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "LARRY PAYTON DIES..." Soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e "US Charts > Brass Construction". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 22, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ a b "CAN Charts > Brass Construction". RPM. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ a b "UK Charts > Brass Construction". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c "US Certifications > Brass Construction". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "Brass Construction: Brass Construction". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 25, 2020.
- ^ "BEL Charts > Brass Construction". Top 30. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ "NLD Charts > Brass Construction". MegaCharts. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
- ^ "NZ Charts > Brass Construction". Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- Brass Construction at AllMusic
- Randy Muller's official website
- BBC.co.uk review