Wikipedia

Roy Carter (producer)

Roy Carter is an English musician, songwriter and music producer. He has written or co-written hits for Instant Funk, Central Line, Animal Nightlife, David Grant, and Jermaine Stewart. He has also been a member of groups, Clem Curtis & The Foundations, Heatwave, Central Line and Danny D. & Collusion. In later years he ran a television music production company.

Roy Carter
Birth nameRoy Anthony Carter
BornSeptember 1955
GenresSoul, pop. r&b, funk
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer
InstrumentGuitar
Years active1970s to present
Formerly ofClem Curtis & The Foundations
Heatwave
Central Line
Danny D. & Collusion

Background

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Carter was a member of Clem Curtis & The Foundations, and along with fellow members David Christopher George, Valentine Pascal, Derek Lewis, and John Lumley-Savile was backing Clem Curtis.[1]

Carter was part of the line up of Heatwave that also included Johnnie Wilder, Keith Wilder, Mario Mantese, Rod Temperton, Bilbo Berger and Billy Jones and played on their second album Central Heating.[2] According to Jazz Rock Soul, Carter was with the band until 1979.[3]

Career

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Clem Curtis & The Foundations

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By the mid-1970s, Carter was part of Clem Curtis & The Foundations. With Curtis and the other members, Carter went to Australia for a tour in 1975. Unfortunately there were some problems with lead singer Clem Curtis being charged with a supposed assault by the New South Wales police which resulted in Curtis being handcuffed and locked in a cell.[4][5]

Along with Valentine Pascal and Georges Delanbanque, Carter co-wrote the song "Amanda" which was the B side of "Make a Wish".[6][7] The single which was released on Riverdale RR 100 was credited to Clem Curtis & The Foundations Ltd., was reviewed in the 29 May 1976 issue of Record Mirror.[8][9] Carter also composed a piece of music called "The Foundations Theme".[10]

Carter, John Savile, Valentine Pascal, Clem Curtis and Georges Delanbanque performed the John Macleod and Dave Meyers composition, "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" for Eurovision '77.[11] It was a favorite to win, but the electricians went on strike and their performance wasn't televised.[12][13] They did secure a third place with "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" behind the second placer "What Do You Say To Love" by Mary Mason and "Rock Bottom" by Lynsey de Paul as the winner.[14][15] "Where Were You When I Needed Your Love" was released as a single on Summit SU 100 in March 1977.[16]

Heatwave

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According to his interview with Anthony Bozzola on 30 July 2013, Carter joined Heatwave in 1977.[17] He replaced Heatwave member Jesse White who was murdered.[18]

He contributed rhythm guitar, bass guitar, Fender Rhodes and acoustic piano to Heatwave's Central Heating album that was released in 1978.[19]

Central line

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Carter produced Central Line's single, "Walking into Sunshine" which was released late July / early August 1981.[20]

Carter produced the self-titled album for Central Line which was released on Mercury SRM-1-4033 in late 1981. One of the Feature Picks, the album was reviewed by Cash Box in the magazine's 26 December issue. With the reviewer praising London r&b bands, Central Line was called "the true cream of the genre" with "Walking into Sunshine" singled out as a testament to that. Other picks were "Goodbye" and "Shake It Up."[21] That same week it made its debut in the Cash Box Black Contemporary Top 75 Albums. [22]

He produced Central line's version of Nature Boy which spent eight weeks in the UK charts, peaking at no. 21 in January 1983.[23][24]

On the week of 6 August 1983 his composition "Lovely Day", recorded by Central Line, made its debut at 89 in the Music Week The Next 25 chart.[25] Spending three weeks in the charts, it peaked at no. 81.[26]

His production, "Time for Some Fun" by Central Line made its debut in the Music Week The Next 25 chart at no. 99 on the week of 26 November 1983.[27]

With Jermaine Stewart, Narada Michael Walden and Jeffrey Cohen, he co-wrote the song "Jody" which made it to no. 9 on the Dance chart in 1986.[28]

Further activities

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With Pete Wingfield, Carter co-produced the debut, self-titled album for Second Image which was released in 1983.[29] Also in the same year, Whodini released their self-titled album. Carter produced the tracks "Underground" and "Yours for a Night".[30][31] According to a Rap Reviews article dated 22 September 2020, the attempts that that Carter and co-producer Willesden Dodgers made to give snappy percussion and slinky funk to "Yours for a Night" made Whodini sound like a parody of New Edition.[32]

He co-wrote "Who Took Away the Funk" with Josephine James for Instant Funk. It charted in the US, making it to no. 70 in the Billboard Black singles chart.[33][34]

Along with Andy Polaris, Billy Chapman, Flid, Leonardo Chignoli and Paul Waller, he co-wrote "Mr. Solitaire" for Animal Nightlife. Making its debut in the Uk charts on 8 August 1984, it spent thirteen weeks in the charts, peaking at no. 25.[35][36] The following year he had a hand in composing their song "Preacher Preacher" which spent two weeks in the charts, peaking at no. 67.[37][38]

He produced the single "Blown Away" for the group Darts that was released in late May 1985.[39]

With David Grant he co-wrote the song "Change" which became a hit for Grant in 1987, and spent five weeks in the UK charts from 25 August to 22 August, peaking at no. 55.[40][41]

Carter was booked to appear at the Norfolk Motorhome Show 2018, billed as Memories of the Four Tops, Tameeka Jackson and Roy Carter. His old group Clem Curtis & The Foundations was on the same bill.[42][43] However, Clem Curtis had died the previous year.[44]

Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  2. ^ Cash Box, November 11, 1978 - Page C-9 BOX AWARDS, Heatwave, Soul Record Of The Year
  3. ^ Jazz Rock Soul - Heatwave
  4. ^ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  5. ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, March 31, 2017 — Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  6. ^ Pop Archives - The Inbetweens - Make A Wish Amanda (1971)
    Caution Googler! Clem Curtis & The Foundations issued a single in 1976 with the A-side/B-side titles Make A Wish/Amanda.
  7. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 30, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2, Music
    Current and Renewal Register, July-December 1976 ISSN 0041-7866 - Page 2326 EU732037 Amanda.
  8. ^ Record Mirror, May 29, 1976 - Page 21 Singles THE FOUNDATIONS: Make A Wish' (Riverdale RR 100)
  9. ^ Roots Vinyl Guide - Clem Curtis & The Foundations.Soul.Mint.7".Make A Wish.45rpm.1976.Vinyl.
  10. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third Series
    Volume 30, Part 5, Number 2, Section 2, Music
    Current and Renewal Register, July-December 1976 ISSN 0041-7866 - Page 2326 EU732040 Foundations theme
  11. ^ Wayback Machine - SONGSFOREUROPE.COM - A Song For Europe 1976/1977, A Song For Europe 1977, Date: Wednesday 9 March 1977 (Scheduled at 19:30), Title Where Were You When I Needed Your Love
  12. ^ Inlay notes to Baby Now That I've Found You by Roger Dopson CD, Sequel Records NEECD 300
  13. ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
  14. ^ Eurovision World - A Song for Europe 1977: The Foundations - "Where were you when I needed your love"
  15. ^ Retro 77 - SECOND CHANCE RETRO 1977 - GUEST JURY HITS 1977, RETRO 77 OPTIONS (ESC National Finals) :
  16. ^ Record Mirror, 26 March 1977 - Page 12 Singles reviewed by ROSALIND RUSSELL, FOUNDATIONS: 'Where Were You When I Needed Your Love' (Summit SU 100)
  17. ^ Just Like a Bozz, July 30, 2013 - Interview with Roy Carter (Heatwave)
  18. ^ Black History Month, Saturday 4 December 2021 - Heatwave
  19. ^ Popsike - Central Heating Heatwave Vinyl Records
  20. ^ Music & Video Week, 1 August 1981 - Page 2 News in Brief ...
  21. ^ Cash Box, December 26, 1981 - Page 27 FEATURE PICKS, CENTRAL LINE - Mercury SRM-1-4033
  22. ^ Cash Box, December 26, 1981 - Page 75 BLACK CONTEMPORARY, TOP 75 ALBUMS
  23. ^ Genius - Nature Boy
  24. ^ Official Charts - CENTRAL LINE, CENTRAL LINE Songs, Official Singles Chart
  25. ^ Music Week, August 6, 1983 - Page 10 THE NEXT 25
  26. ^ Official Charts - CENTRAL LINE, CENTRAL LINE Songs, Official Singles Chart
  27. ^ Music Week, November 26, 1983 - Page 17 THE NEXT 25
  28. ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Roy Carter
  29. ^ Summer Soulstice - SECOND IMAGE
  30. ^ Genius - Roy Carter, POPULAR ROY CARTER SONGS
  31. ^ Time Is Illmatic, 05/25/2021 - Whodini – Whodini (October 13, 1983)
  32. ^ Rap Reviews, September 22, 2020 - WHODINI :: WHODINI by STEVE 'FLASH' JUON
  33. ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Roy Carter
  34. ^ Billboard, June 18, 1983 - Page 43 Billboard Black Singles
  35. ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Roy Carter
  36. ^ Official Charts - MR. SOLITAIRE by ANIMAL NIGHTLIFE
  37. ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Roy Carter
  38. ^ Official Charts - PREACHER PREACHER by ANIMAL NIGHTLIFE
  39. ^ Music Week, May 25, 1985 - Page 8
  40. ^ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Roy Carter
  41. ^ Official Charts - CHANGE by DAVID GRANT
  42. ^ Travelworld Motorhomes and Camper vans - Celebrity Guests and Entertainment at Norfolk Motorhome Show 2018
  43. ^ Getty Images - English Pop Group Foundations arrived in Sydney to start a month long tour of Australia
  44. ^ The Sydney Morning Herald, 31 March 2017 - Clem Curtis, original singer with the Foundations
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