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Today's Artists was among the top urban contemporary acts of the '80s and fared well in the adult contemporary market as well, but their roots were '70s soul and funk. Several members first recorded together as Newban, a funk group that took shape that same year, formed in White Plains, New York by three brothers: lead singer/guitarist David Lewis, lead singer/keyboardist Wayne Lewis, and trombonist/percussionist Jonathan Lewis. The lineup was filled out by singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth, saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels in 1981), bassist Clifford Archer, drummer Porter Carroll, Jr., and percussionist/flutist Joseph Phillips. Influenced by the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Commodores, New Birth, and L.T.D., they started playing around the northeastern U.S., N Joy
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Atlantic Starr was among the top urban contemporary acts of the '80s and fared well in the adult contemporary market as well, but their roots were '70s soul and funk. Several members first recorded together as Newban, a funk group that released two 1977 albums, Newban and Newban 2, on the Guinness label. Atlantic Starr took shape that same year, formed in White Plains, New York by three brothers: lead singer/guitarist David Lewis, lead singer/keyboardist Wayne Lewis, and trombonist/percussionist Jonathan Lewis. The lineup was filled out by singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth, saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was replaced by Koran Daniels in 1981), bassist Clifford Archer, drummer Porter Carroll, Jr., and percussionist/flutist Joseph Phillips. Influenced by the likes of Earth, Wind & Fire, Commodores, New Birth, and L.T.D., Atlantic Starr started playing around the northeastern U.S. Atlantic Starr began in Greenburgh, New York with trumpeter Duke Jones (who left the band prior to their first recordings), drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, percussionist and flautist Joseph Phillips, Sheldon Tucker (Guitar; parted ways with the band before the first recordings), and three brothers: David Lewis (vocals/guitar), Wayne Lewis (keyboards and vocals), and Jonathan Lewis (percussion and trombone). The band's membership eventually stabilized around Carroll, Archer, Phillips, the three Lewis brothers, lead singer Sharon Bryant (who was later replaced by Barbara Weathers), trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Damon Rentie (who was later replaced by Koran Daniels). In 1977, the band came to Westwood, California and performed on the nightclub scene under the name "Newban," which they agreed to change at the request of A&M Records executive Herb Alpert when they were signed. Having already agreed to keep the Starr part of an early idea for a new band name, the members decided to add the word Atlantic, because of their East Coast roots. The nine-member band were now A&M employees.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Atlantic Starr scored several hits on the R&B charts. However, significant crossover success (onto the pop charts) did not come until halfway into the 1980s, with the release of their album As the Band Turns (their last on A&M Records), and the single "Secret Lovers". By this time, the band had pared itself down to a quintet, consisting of the three Lewis brothers, Phillips, and Weathers. In 1987 (after signing to Warner Bros. Records), the band solidified their pop success by scoring a #1 pop (and R&B) hit with "Always", a love ballad off their album All in the Name of Love. Following this success, Weathers left for a solo career, and she was replaced by Porscha Martin for the band's next album, 1988's We're Movin' Up. Although this album was not quite as successful as its predecessors, it did produce another #1 R&B hit with "My First Love."
The band continued to score hits on both the R&B and Pop charts into the early 1990s. 1991 saw the introduction of yet another new female lead singer, when Martin was replaced by Miss Black America 1986 Rachel Oliver, for the album, Love Crazy.[2] This album featured the band's biggest hit of the 1990s, with "Masterpiece" reaching #3 on both the pop and R&B charts in early 1992. The group toured to Japan in 1992 with yet another female vocalist at the helm, Crystal Blake, a studio vocalist for Stevie Wonder who had also sung the female lead parts on the minor hit title track for Eddie Murphy's How Could It Be album and Young MC's "Bust a Move."
Following the release of Love Crazy, Atlantic Starr's relationship with Warner Bros. Records dissolved, and in 1994, the band recorded one album for Arista: Time. That album was a commercial disappointment and the single "I'll Remember You" only made it to the fifties on Billboard's R&B and pop singles charts. Time (which was David Lewis' last album with the band) found a fifth female singer, Aisha Tanner, replacing Oliver. And when 1999's Legacy was distributed by the small, independent Street Solid label, Atlantic Starr unveiled yet another lineup—one that consisted of two Lewis Brothers (Wayne and Jonathan) as well as Oliver (who had returned and replaced Tanner) and a new male singer named DeWayne Woods. Although Legacy received little attention, Atlantic Starr still continues to perform today and released their 14th album, Metamorphosis in 2017, featuring L'john Epps and Melessa Pierce.
Newban/Atlantic Starr's original Personal Manager was Earl Cole of Cole Classic Management. Earl Cole moved with the group from White Plains, New York. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, California, the group was introduced to their Business Manager, Earl Harris of Harris Management in 1977 by Mr. Harris' nephew, Al Scaife of Enter-Prizin' Management. Earl Harris eventually acquired the role of Personal and Business management for the group and remains their manager to this day.
Original members
After leaving Atlantic Starr, original drummer and founding bandmember Porter Carroll, Jr. released a self-titled solo album (Porter Carroll II) in 1986. This album featured contributions from several prominent musicians, including Marcus Miller, David Sanborn, and former Starr bandmate Sharon Bryant. He has continued to do session work since that time, and is currently playing percussion in Daryl Hall's live band.Following her exit from Atlantic Starr, singer Bryant embarked on a solo career and released an album in 1989, scoring several big hits on the R&B charts, as well as a minor Pop hit from the project. Original saxophonist Damon Rentie went on to a solo career of his own, releasing his first solo album, Designated Hitter in 1985. His second and third solo albums followed in each successive year (1986 and 1987, respectively). He had also previously done session work with DeBarge. Original trumpeter William Sudderth continues to follow an active schedule in the music business, performing in many diverse settings and having become one of the most sought-after horn players in the industry.Bassist Clifford Archer currently resides in Tokyo, Japan where he performs regularly as a musician and session player. Original member Albert "Duke" Jones remains involved in the music industry. Joseph Phillips, original percussionist and flautist is currently working with the Reverend Bryan Oakley, producing gospel music.
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Yours Forever is the third and final album produced by James Carmichael. Here the sound is a little more electronic and slightly less distinguished than its immediate predecessors.
However it does not lack tight, infectious grooves with the rhythm section still with a foot firmly planted in the funk zone. "I Want Your Love" is a smooth bit of 80s electric soul, "Who Could Love You Better" is some deep 80s soul disco, the title track is quite a treat with a sort of Debarge/Shalamar smooth soul feel to it, while "Island Dream" recalls The Police with its synth reggae notes. Sharon Bryant once again shows her vocal talents with the slow funk ballad, "Touch A Four Leaf Clover" and the sophisticated " Second to None" Once again Sam Dees is back penning "More, More, More", which is a bit too synth lite, despite the nice harmonies of Sharon Bryant and Wayne Lewis. A definite step off Radiant and Brilliance, however one not too miss for 80s soul/boogie fans.
<a href="https://mir.cr/0KZFECBY"> Atlantic Starr - Yours Forever</a> (flac 250mb)
01 Yours Forever 5:04
02 Touch a Four Leaf Clover 4:38
03 More, More, More 4:42
04 I Want Your Love 4:52
05 Second to None 4:38
06 Island Dream 4:49
07 Who Could Love You Better? 4:30
08 More Time for Me 3:42
09 Tryin' 3:28
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In the mid-'80s, a lot of downsizing was taking place in R&B. Many of the large soul/funk bands that had emerged in the '70s were going high-tech, which meant cutting way back on horns (or even eliminating them altogether) and emphasizing keyboards and drum machines. Atlantic Starr, like Cameo, felt that they had to do some serious downsizing in order to remain competitive. In 1983, they still had nine members; when As the Band Turns came out two years later, it was down to five. This 1985 release found Starr unveiling a new quintet lineup that consisted of Wayne Lewis on lead vocals and keyboards, David Lewis on lead vocals and guitar, Jonathan Lewis on keyboards and trombone (mostly keyboards), Joseph Phillips on percussion, and newcomer Barbara Weathers (who had replaced Sharon Bryant) on lead vocals. As the Band Turns was not only Starr's first post-Bryant album -- it was also the first album they had recorded since parting company with producer James Carmichael (who had produced their last three LPs). This time, the producers included Wayne and David Lewis or Joey Gallo and Wardell Potts Jr. But despite all those changes, Starr was still quite recognizable. Most of the material is excellent, and that is true of everything from the dreamy "Silver Shadow" to the electro-funk gem "Freak-A-Ristic." Without question, Bryant's departure was a major loss for the band. But it wasn't a fatal blow, and Weathers shows herself to be a talented replacement on "Silver Shadow," as well as the ballads "If Your Heart Isn't in It" and "Secret Lovers" (a major hit). Arguably the last great album that Atlantic Starr provided in the '80s, As the Band Turns demonstrated that there could be life after Sharon Bryant for the East Coast outfit. 
<a href="https://www.imagenetz.de/WkkeK "> Atlantic Starr - As the Band Turns </a> (flac 255mb)
01 Freak-A-Ristic 4:03
02 Cool, Calm, Collected 4:03
03 One Love 3:53
04 In the Heat of Passion 4:36
05 If Your Heart Isn't in It 4:02
06 Silver Shadow 4:54
07 Let's Start It Over 5:32
08 Secret Lovers 5:31
09 Thank You 4:29
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While the timeless radio ballad "Always" is the centerpiece of this album (not to mention a few of the more weepy wedding receptions out there), Atlantic Starr's 1987 effort, All in the Name of Love, does feature some solid additional work from the longstanding urban contemporary group. The uplifting "Let the Sun In" features the smooth lead vocals of David Lewis and Wayne Lewis, and percolates with lightly funky bass and inspired percussion. Meanwhile, "You Belong With Me" takes a darker lyrical turn, but is still a solid slice of sanitized, late-'80s urban radio groove. The album could have used more vocals from the talented Barbara Weathers, but it's still a well-appointed record that offers fans much more than just the Whitney-flavored single.
<a href="https://multiup.org/2c63f74bd2221cbd5cc33d9058610257"> Atlantic Starr - All in the Name of Love </a> (flac 339mb)
01 One Lover at a Time 4:00
02 You Belong With Me 4:53
03 Females 3:42
04 Don't Take Me for Granted 5:04
05 Always 4:39
06 Let the Sun In 4:04
07 Thankful 5:03
08 All in the Name of Love 5:26
09 My Mistake 5:19
10 Interlude 1:13
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Considered one of the top R&B bands since the genre's inception, this effort is primarily one pop number after another aimed at the adult contemporary market. Since the release of their 1985 classic "Secret Lovers" (#3 Billboard pop charts), Atlantic Starr has geared much of their material toward the crossover market. This project follows suit with the exception of a few cuts. The leadoff single "I'll Remember You" struggled on the Billboard R&B and pop charts, peaking at #58 and #55 respectively. Aside from its semi-catchy chorus, the song's ignition stalls. "Let's Just Sneak Around" has a soulful, urban feel enhanced by Wayne Lewis' gritty delivery. "Everybody's Got Summer," which pairs David Lewis and featured female vocalist Aisha Tanner, has an attractive beat, but it is charged by a sample from Young-Holt Unlimited's "Soulful Strut." The one song that comes close to that magic the group created in their heyday is "Lovin' You All Over Again." The two brothers duel this one out with entertaining lyrics and climaxing in a dramatic vamp. 
<a href="https://bayfiles.com/hfb0x9odud/Atlntc_Strr_Tm_zip"> Atlantic Starr - Time </a> (flac 297mb)
01 I'll Remember You 4:21
02 Everybody's Got Summer 4:32
03 My Best Friend 4:50
04 Time 4:49
05 Baby Be There 3:49
06 Let's Just Sneak Around 4:21
07 So Good To Come Home To 4:03
08 Lovin' You All Over Again 4:58
09 Animal Attraction :28
10 Along The Way 3:20
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