UB Soul Friday: Celebrating The Legendary Inventive Atlantic Starr

This weeks “UB Soul Friday” spotlight’s a band that had hits in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, Atlantic Starr.

Atlantic Starr‘s first gold album, “As the Band Turns” will celebrate it’s 40th Anniversary this coming week. Originally released on April 15th, 1985.

UB Soul Friday, spotlights artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music!

We kicked off this series with Kool and the Gang, followed by Soul for Real and last week Full Force.

Celebrating groups first, that are often overlooked.

Atlantic Starr was formed in upstate New York in 1976 by the Lewis brothers, guitarist and vocalist David, trombonist Jonathan and keyboardist/vocalist Wayne.

With singer Sharon Bryant, a surprisingly rare female lead vocalist for the funk band, they signed with A&M Records.

It was Wayne, who sang lead on the group’s first R&B Top 20, the showtime anthem “Stand Up” from its self-titled 1978 debut album.

That album was followed by “Straight to the Point” released in 1979.

1980’s “Radiant,” includes Sharon Bryant’s dusky-to-gutsy lead on the cautionary “When Love Calls” sent the song to #5 R&B while Wayne sang lead for the Top 20 R&B “Send For Me.”

The album also featured the fan-favorite “Am I Dreaming,” successfully covered by Ol’ Skool and Xscape in 1997.

With Sharon Bryant up front, the sunny “Circles” (#2 R&B, Top 40 pop) and come hither “Love Me Down” (Top 20 R&B) rocketed 1982’s “Brilliance” to #1 on Billboards Soul chart for three weeks.

The newly appointed A&M president at the time Jheryl Busby was excited about the release. “The first music played for me one week before I joined A&M were selected cuts from the soon to be released Radiant album by Atlantic Starr,” he shared to Billboard. “One listen was all it took to convince me that I was about to inherit a “soon to be “superstar force in music.”

In 1983, came the album “Yours Forever,” Sharon led the coy, teasing “Touch A Four Leaf Clover” (#4 R&B) and joined Wayne for the love duet “More, More, More” (#11 R&B).

With Sharon Bryant in the spotlight, the band also made the Top 50 with “(Let’s) Rock ‘N’ Roll.”

Ironically, Atlantic Starr would enjoy its biggest success on its final A&M album and after Sharon’s departure for a solo career.

With replacement Barbara Weathers, the band’s 1986 album “As The Band Turns,” was their first gold album, and featured the cheatin’ song “Secret Lovers.”

The song was a major hit, the video stayed in rotation on BET & VH1, reaching #4 on the R&B chart and #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The follow-up “If Your Heart Isn’t In It,” was another Top 10, reaching #4 on Billboards R&B chart.

The album also featured the striking “Freak-A–Ristic” (#6 R&B) and the Top 20 fan favorite “Silver Shadow.”

During that era, the band appeared on numerous hit musical themed shows, including; Soul Train, Dance Fever, Solid Gold, American Bandstand, and Top Of the Pops.

Despite the groups success, Atlantic Starr had never reached gold or platinum status, until that album. One of the decisions that led them to leave A&M and sign to Warner Bros. Records.

“No one could understand why we (Atlantic Starr) could have these albums on the charts for so long and never have a gold album. They used to think we were actually pulling their leg. (Warner Bros.) couldn’t wait to get the chance to do what always should have been done,” Wayne stated to Billboard.

The group’s first album for Warner Bros., 1987’s “All In The Name Of Love,” didn’t miss a beat as “Always” became Atlantic Starr’s only #1 pop and R&B hit.

A popular wedding song, the David and Barbara duet helped earn Atlantic Starr its second gold album.

“One Lover At A Time” was also a R&B Top 10.

The group’s successful early dance cuts were obscured by the overwhelming popularity of their slow-tempo, love songs of memorable melody and lyrics.

While the group appreciated the support and adulation they received for their ballads, the members felt their versatility was overlooked, and their full range left unexplored.

“In the past, we got caught up in that. We were (appealing) to adults. They listened to us. They loved us. They invited us to dinner. But we weren’t selling any records. Now that David and I are producing, we can show everything we can do.”

The Lewis brothers (Wayne and David) are responsible for crafting the Atlantic Starr sound.

“When we were deciding what to come out with first, we wanted to come out slamming. But Benny said ‘Always’ would be perfect. He said it would be a wedding song, a good record for this time of year. Benny Medina is different from a lot of guys at record companies,” Wayne stated. “A lot of guys are nothing but opinions. But Benny Medina is the kind of cat who has an opinion, but he also listens to the artist.”

“We are planning to do some very special marketing,” Benny Medina stated to Billboard. “We want to deliver the image that we never felt they received. We believe they have been greatly overlooked as one of the premier bands coming out of the ’70s. We intend to bring them into the ’80s. They’ve only been lacking in the record company’s belief in them.”

As the newest member of the group, having replaced Sharon Bryant, Barbara Weathers was an uncertain variable in the Atlantic Starr equation. Barbara stated that, for a number of reasons, working on the “All In The Name Of Love” album was more enjoyable for her than its predecessor had been. “I’m a little more comfortable. The last album was my first. I didn’t know how to just relax and sing. I’ve still got a long way to go. But I’ve come a long way,” Barbara stated to Billboard.

Barbara Weathers was clearly more comfortable recording, as she decided to go solo after the release.

Replaced with Porscha Martin for the next Atlantic Starr album release “We’re Movin’ Up” in 1988.

That album spun off yet another #1 ballad, “My First Love.”

For their next album release, Porscha Martin exited and in 1991, Atlantic Starr released the album “Love Crazy.”

The album hit the Billboard R&B Top 10, with vocals by Rachel Oliver & included their hit “Masterpiece.”

The album was produced by David Lewis and Wayne Lewis.

“Masterpiece” was the last major hit from Atlantic Starr, the gold single reached #3 on Billboards R&B chart and the Hot 100.

After an absence of a few years, Atlantic Starr reemerged in late 1999 with a contemporary gospel album titled “Legacy.”

In 2017, the group reunited and released the album “Metamorphosis.” That album features L’john Epps and Melessa Pierce.

Atlantic Starr continues to tour and currently consist of Wayne Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Shammah Carter and Melessa Pierce.

With Top 20 R&B and Pop hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, Atlantic Starr shines brighter and longer than just about any other!

UB’s Top 5 Atlantic Starr Songs!
Silver Shadow
If Your Heart Isn’t In It
Am I Dreaming
Always
Secret Lovers