¡lack Three Acts Power RCA's Current `Peak' Glenn Jones, 9.9, Five Star Pace Sales Upturn

done well with his debut album and bum. In a period when black male BY NELSON GEORGE 'I Am Somebody,' a song that fea- vocalists are prospering, Ford calls NEW YORK Over the last year, tured Rev. Jesse Jackson. But Fields' failure to match the sales RCA Records has experienced what `Show Me' sold over 100,000 singles levels he achieved on the Boardwalk USA /Canada vice president John and energized our black divison." level "a mystery." Ford calls "a re- emergence of black Jones spent the early part of 1985 Five Star, which consists of five music." According to Ford, "The with "Sing, Mahalia, Sing," the mu- members of the Pearson family, has commitment to black music has al- sical about Mahalia Jackson that already had "one big black record ways been there, but we've had our toured the country. He's currently that has spilled over pop," Ford peaks and valleys." securing songs and doing some re- notes. He says the single, "All Fall The curent RCA peak has been cording for his third RCA album. Down," has sold more than 250,000 powered by the success of three Jones will also be involved in the copies and led the group's U.S. de- Glenn 9.9 Soul Train Six. The members of the English family group Five Star visit with acts: Jones, and Five Star. production of the secular debut of but album past 100,000 units. "The to this success "Soul Train" producer and host Don Cornelius backstage on the show's Los keystone was his backup singer Genobia Jeter, re- Five Star's new single, "Let Me the rise of Glenn 'Show Me' Angeles set. Five Star is composed of, from left, Stedman, Deniece, Larraine, Jones" cently signed to the label. Jeter Be The One," is already breaking on to No. 1 on the in Doris and Delroy Pearson. black chart the fall sang a duet with Jones on his last al- the East Coast, and Ford says he is of 1984," says Ford. "Glenn had bum and has recorded gospel al- encouraged that, although most of bums in the past. the group members are in their Both 9.9 and Five Star broke teens, adults have been purchasing through this summer and have gen- the group's material as well. erated pop as well as black sales. The previously unreleased live 9.9's debut single, "All Of Me For Sam Cooke album RCA marketed RHYTH LUES All Of You," has reportedly sold this summer sold some 75,000 nearly 300,000 copies, and on its copies, according to Ford, much of it by Nelson George strength the album is said to have through music club sales. A "Sam passed the 115,000 -unit mark. The Cooke Sings Sam Cooke" album is group, managed by Eddie Sims and slated for January release. Belinda Wilson, has a new single, "I Interestingly, the title track and a Like The Way You Dance," but potential single from Evelyn King's RCA has run into a pleasing prob- new album is Cooke's "(It's Been A THE MEMBERS OF NEW EDITION, the most suc- double -sided 12 -inch "Yellow Panties" b/w "The lem with it. Long Time) A Change Is Gonna cessful black teen group since the Jackson Five, are at Freshest Rhymes In The World" ... The freshest of "Many stations won't get off the Come." Her current single, "Per- an important crossroads in their young careers. the young rappers around, L.L. Cool J, is on Def Jam/ [previous] record," says Ford, "es- sonal Touch," has received good ini- They've gotten older (Ronnie DuVoe is now 18), and CBS with "I Can Give You More," a rap ballad in the pecially at the pop outlets." tial reception from black stations. so have their fans, a combination that has led to the mold of the best of Spoonie Gee, and "I Can't Live The members of 9.9. "have a very King has had five gold albums since demise of many teen -appeal groups. New Edition's Without My Radio," a hardcore beat box boogie heard strong image," says Ford, "and we joining RCA in 1979.

new MCA album, "All For Love," has overall a more briefly in "Krush Groove" . .. Clarence Clemons' plan to capitalize on it to establish Ford says the label is attempting adult sound than the Boston -bred group's preceding "Hero" album on Columbia is a surprise. Using a vari- their identity in the marketplace." a two -level strategy to break Nona efforts. On top of this, there has been some internal ety of contemporary producers (Narada Michael Wal- For example, the female trio's mem- Hendryx. The vocalist, who has a turmoil, which has led Bobby Brown to leave the den, Morrie Brown, Michael Jonzun, Arthur Baker), bers all wear stylish sweatsuits on following in both progressive black group. Clemons has made an album far afield from the roots stage and have a very athletic look. and rock clubs, has a more dance - Of Brown's departure, New Edition member Ricky rock'n'roll of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The So the group is cutting a contempo- oriented single, "If Looks Could Bell says, "It is really just a business move. He had saxophonist /vocalist's duet with new CBS signee rary version of "Sweet Georgia Kill," produced by Arthur Baker. wanted to go solo for a long time, so now he'll have his Darlene Love, "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Any- Brown" and a promotional video RCA is also working an AOR track, chance. We're not mad at him. We'll even write songs more," is quite airplayable ... Reggie Griffin, one of with the Harlem Globetrotters to "Rock This House," which features and work with him." the most promising young producers around, has pro- celebrate the addition of a woman to Rolling Stones lead guitarist Keith For now, New Edition will remain a quartet, consist- duced Radiance's "Pick -N- Choose" for Qwest. the team's roster. Richards. ing of Bell, DuVoe, Ralph Tresvant and Michael Black Entertainment Television has moved to a The only negative related to the RCA has also just signed a five- Bivens. According to Bell, the four are committed to new address: 4217 Wheeler Ave., Alexandria, Va. 9.9 story is the failure of the piece band from Memphis. Produc- New Edition and to developing as songwriters and 22304. BET's new number is (703) 461 -0344 ... "Reg- group's producer, Richard "Dim- tion will be handled by Bar -Kays producers. gae: The Beat Of The Heart," a four -part series, will ples" Fields, to enjoy similar sales producer Allen Jones. Bell notes with pride that he and Tresvant wrote be heard on the National Public Radio network next with his recent "Dark Gable" al- "Good Boys," the B side of the single "Count Me February. Jonathan Blunk is producing and Malika Out," and that the entire group wrote and produced Lee Whitney writing. More than 100 artists have been the album track "School." New Edition also has a six - interviewed for the series. For more information, con- FOR WEEK ENDING NOVEMBER 16, 1985 song Christmas EP that includes another group corn- tact Whitney at (212) 696 -1696 ... The second single from Bobby Womack's solid "So Many Rivers" al- bum, "Let Me Kiss It Where It Hurts," has just been illboard' Is age catching up released by MCA. A video for the song was shot dur- ing a Womack date in England. The soulful singer/ HOT BLACK SINGLES with New Edition? songwriter is currently touring the South, with dates ACTION in California and New England to follow ... Aside RADIO MOST ADDED position, "Singing Merry Christmas." According to from invading movie theatres in "Krush Groove," the NEW TOTAL DuVoe, the group members have been spending more Fat Boys will also be in your town via a five -week 93 REPORTERS ADDS ON time in the studio in recent months and now feel confi- tour, and a Swatch "Limelight" watch commercial air- DIONNE & FRIENDS THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR ARISTA 23 30 dent they'll be able to produce "at least half, if not ing from Thanksgiving to Christmas will bring them READY FOR THE WORLD DIGITAL DISPLAY MCA 23 48 more of our next album." into your home ... The Los Angeles -based indie label STARPOINT WHAT YOU BEEN MISSIN' ELEKTRA 22 54 In the meantime, a cameo in "Krush Groove" has Adventure One has released a new single by Eula LIONEL RICHIE SAY YOU, SAY ME MOTOWN 20 67 New Edition looking forward to doing their own film. Cooper, "Feels So Right." Adventure One can be ATLANTIC STARR SECRET LOVER A &M 20 28 reached at 5215 1/2 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, Radio Most Added is a weekly national compilation of the five records most added to the playlists of the radio stations reporting to Billboard. Retail Breakouts is a weekly national indicator of SHORT STUFF: Kashif's new Arista album "Condi- Calif. 90016 ... Funk /jazz trumpeter Jeff Tyzik has those records with significant future sales potential based on initial market reaction at the retail- tion Of The Heart" contains an anti -apartheid song, several guest vocalists on his new Polydor album ers and one -stops reporting to Billboard. The full panel of reporters is published periodically as "Botha Botha," written with Bashiri Johnson. Most "Smile." Top session singer Philip Ballou appears on changes are made, or is available by sending a self- addressed stamped envelope to: Billboard Chart Dept., 1515 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10036. of the album was recorded at the New Music Group two songs, "Prized Possession" and "I'm In Love Studio, located in Kashif's home in "; "; Stamford, Conn. Again Gavin Christopher sings "Love Won't Wait RETAIL BREAKOUTS ... George Johnson, ex- guitarist and lead vocalist of and Maurice Starr handled production and vocals on NUMBER the Brothers Johnson, has started a solo career with "Sweet Surender" ... Paul Laurence, who wrote and 138 REPORTERS REPORTING "Back Against The Wall" on Qwest. The tune was pro- produced Freddie Jackson's "Rock Me Tonight" and NEW EDITION COUNT ME OUT MCA 17 duced by Johnson and co- written with Valerie Jack- has a solo album on Capitol, has done a intriguing in- THE ISLEY BROTHERS COLDER ARE MY NIGHTS WARNER BROS. 13 son ... "Krush Groovin'," the closing song of the film terpretation of Prince's "Do Me Baby" with ex- Kashif ANGELA BOFILL TELL ME TOMORROW ARISTA 13 "Krush Groove," is available on Warner Bros. as a 12- background singer Meli'sa Morgan. Laurence has TEDDY PENDERGRASS NEVER FELT LIKE DANCIN' ASYLUM 12 inch featuring the Krush Groove All -Stars: the Fat stayed close to the original melody and tempo, but BERNARD WRIGHT WHO DO YOU LOVE MANHATTAN 10 a Boys, Run -D.M.C., Sheila E. and Kurtis Blow ... Dr. added deeper, funkier groove that makes for senual © Copyright 1985 by Billboard Publications, Inc. No part of this publication may be repro- Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde's self-produced new album on listening. Morgan is signed to Capitol through duced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, Profile, "Champagne Of Rap," will be preceded by the Orpheus Records. mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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