If you’re a fan of classic soul from the ’70s and ’80s, then you are no doubt familiar with the Funkytowngrooves label. Over the past few years, they’ve reissued a slew of great titles from the era, most of which started off under the CBS Records, RCA, or Arista labels (all now under the umbrella of Sony Music.) Among the albums they’ve expanded and reissued are winners from Ray Parker Jr., Andre Cymone, Jermaine Jackson, Kashif, Boogie Down Productions and a slew of others.
Their most recent reissue campaign focuses on the Supreme Diva, Diana Ross. At the height of her success, in 1981, Diana bolted from her recording home of 20 years, Motown Records, to sign a multi-million dollar pact with RCA. The union with RCA lasted six years and produced six albums. All of them- 1981’s Why Do Fools Fall In Love, 1982’s Silk Electric, 1983’s Ross, 1984’s Swept Away, 1985’s Eaten Alive and 1987’s Red Hot Rhythm & Blues, are available for preorder via Funkytowngrooves. All contain bonus tracks and remixes, most of which have never been available on CD.
These albums contain some of Diana’s most challenging material, much of it self-produced. They also contain collaborations with the likes of Daryl Hall, The Bee Gees, Luther Vandross, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, to name a few. While Diana’s RCA period isn’t as highly regarded as her roster of Motown classics, these albums still contain top 10 joints like “Mirror Mirror,” “Work That Body,” “Missing You” (which was a #1 R&B hit) and the Grammy-nominated camp classic “Muscles” (included below for your entertainment.”
Preorder the Diana titles here, and take a peek around the Funkytowngrooves website. Lots of good stuff there!