Brick is an American band that created a successful merger of funk and jazz in the 1970s. Their most popular single was "Dazz", (#3 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B, #36 UK Singles Chart[1]) which was released in 1976.
Brick | |
---|---|
Origin | Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
Genres | Funk, R&B, disco |
Years active | 1972–present |
Labels | Bang, Magic City |
History
editBrick was formed in Atlanta in 1972 by Regi Hargis from members of two bands - one disco and the other jazz. They coined their own term for disco-jazz, "dazz".[2] They released their first single "Music Matic" on Main Street Records in 1976, before signing to the independently distributed Bang Records. Their next single, "Dazz", (#3 Pop, #1 R&B)[3] was released in 1976. The band continued to record for Bang records until 1982. Other hits followed: "That's What It's All About" (R&B #48) and "Dusic" (#18 Pop, #2 R&B)[3] in 1977, and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" (#92 Pop, #7 R&B)[3] in 1978. Their last Top Ten R&B hit was "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)" in 1981.[3]
Donald Nevins died on August 7, 2011, at the age of 62.[4] Founder and guitarist Regi Hargis died on October 15, 2021, at the age of 70. Ambric Bridgeforth died on November 25, 2023 at age 69.[5][2]
Members
edit- Jimmy Brown (lead vocals, saxophone, flute, trombone)
- Billy Barlow (keyboards)
- Tres Gilbert (bass guitar)
- Melvin Baldwin (drums and percussion)
- Tomi Martin (lead guitar)
- Sherita Murphy (lead and background vocals)
Former members include:
- Regi Hargis (guitar/bass guitar/vocals); died 2021
- Ray Ransom (lead vocals/bass/keyboards/percussion)
- Donald Nevins (vocals/acoustic piano/clavinet/Moog); died 2011
- Edward D. Irons Jr. (lead vocals/drums/keyboards)
- Ambric Bridgeforth (vocals/keyboards)died 2023
Discography
editStudio albums
editYear | Album | Peak chart positions | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
US [3] |
US R&B [3] | ||||
1976 | Good High | 19 | 1 | ||
1977 | Brick | 15 | 1 | ||
1979 | Stoneheart | 100 | 25 | ||
1980 | Waiting on You | 179 | 31 | ||
1981 | Summer Heat | 89 | 13 | ||
1982 | After 5 | — | — | ||
1988 | Too Tuff | — | — | ||
"—" denotes releases that did not chart. |
Compilation albums
edit- The Best of Brick (1995)
- Super Hits (2000)
Singles
editYear | Single | Peak chart positions | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US Pop [3] |
US R&B [3] |
US Dance [3] |
CAN [6][7] |
UK [8] | ||
1976 | "Music Matic" | ― | 82 | ― | ― | ― |
"Dazz" | 3 | 1 | 7 | 26 | 36 | |
1977 | "Dusic" | 18 | 2 | ― | 18 | ― |
"That's What It's All About" | ― | 48 | ― | ― | ― | |
1978 | "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" | 92 | 7 | ― | ― | ― |
1979 | "Dancin' Man" | ― | 47 | ― | ― | ― |
"Raise Your Hands" | ― | 34 | ― | ― | ― | |
1980 | "All the Way" | 106 | 38 | ― | ― | ― |
"Push Push" | ― | 21 | ― | ― | ― | |
1981 | "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)" | ― | 10 | 64 | ― | ― |
"Wide Open" | ― | 58 | ― | ― | ― | |
1982 | "Free Dancer" | ― | 62 | ― | ― | ― |
"Stick by You" | ― | ― | ― | ― | ― | |
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. |
References
edit- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 78. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ a b Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Brick - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
- ^ "Donald Nevins Obituary". Legacy.com. 2011.
- ^ Rizik, Chris (October 15, 2021). "R.I.P. Brick co-founder and guitarist Regi Hargis". Soul Tracks.
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - January 29, 1977" (PDF).
- ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 3, 1977" (PDF).
- ^ "BRICK - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
External links
edit- Official website
- Facebook page
- Brick discography at Discogs
- Brick at IMDb