Today, 30 years ago in 1981, the album Winners by The Brothers Johnson debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #10 and was on the chart for a total of 16 weeks.
Winners was the first self-produced album by the Brothers Johnson after four highly successful albums with producer Quincy Jones. It was also the first album by the duo that failed to achieve at least "gold" status. However, the single "The Real Thing", "Sunlight", the Toto-ish "In the Way", the lovely "Caught Up" and the bouncy "Do It For Love" are the highlights here. Good album overall, but it just didn't have that magic touch from the 'Q' to put it over the top.
'Q' couldn't produce the duo anymore because he left A&M Records and signed a deal with Warner Brothers to form his own label and produce strictly Warner Brothers artists (except for Michael Jackson. The deal to produce his albums was made before the Warner Bros deal). The Brothers should have had a 'key man' clause in their contract with A&M so that they could have benefited from Jones' departure.
Today, 36 years ago in 1975, the album Half A Love by The Chi-lites debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #41 and was on the chart for a total of 12 weeks.
Today, 23 years ago in 1988, the album Wonderful by Rick James debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #12 and was on the chart for a total of 19 weeks.
Today, 30 years ago in 1981, the album Betty Wright by Betty Wright debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #54 and was on the chart for a total of 5 weeks.
Today, 33 years ago in 1978, the album Spark Of Love by Lenny Williams debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #17 and was on the chart for a total of 32 weeks.
Today, 29 years ago in 1982, the album We Are One by Pieces Of A Dream debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #22 and was on the chart for a total of 32 weeks.
Today, 32 years ago in 1979, the album Secret Omen by Cameo debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #4 and was on the chart for a total of 34 weeks.
Other debut entries are: The album Real Men Wear Black by Cameo debuted in 1990. This album reached #18 and was on the chart for a total of 18 weeks.The album Phoenix by Fatback debuted in 1984. This album reached #67 and was on the chart for a total of 3 weeks.
Today, 22 years ago in 1989, the album What You Don't Know by Expose debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #94 and was on the chart for a total of 5 weeks.
Today, 26 years ago in 1985, the album Single Life by Cameo debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #2 and was on the chart for a total of 33 weeks.
Other debut entries are: The album Prime Of My Life by Phyllis Hyman debuted in 1991. This album reached #10 and was on the chart for a total of 49 weeks.
Today, 21 years ago in 1990, the album Pieces Of A Heart by Carl Anderson debuted on the billboard Top R&B Albums Chart. It reached #50 and was on the chart for a total of 9 weeks.
Other debut entries are: The album Love Current by Lenny Williams debuted in 1979. This album reached #24 and was on the chart for a total of 15 weeks.The album Destination: Sun by Sun debuted in 1979. This album reached #17 and was on the chart for a total of 13 weeks.