"TRUTH IN RHYTHM" - SKYY, Part 1 of 3
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- Опубліковано 6 сер 2024
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Brought to you by FUNKNSTUFF.NET and hosted by Scott Goldfine - musicologist and author of “Everything Is on THE ONE: The First Guide of Funk” ― “TRUTH IN RHYTHM” is the interview show that gets DEEP into the pocket with contemporary music’s foremost masters of the groove.
Featured in TIR Episode 44 (Part 1 of 3; see Part 2 here • "TRUTH IN RHYTHM" - SK... ): The Dunning sisters, Denise, Bonnie and Delores, and Solomon Roberts Jr., all of whom fronted one of the best known funk-R&B-dance music groups of the 1980s -- the fabulous SKYY. Formed in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1973, when the singing Dunnings first met drummer-guitarist-vocalist Solomon, they then filled out the SKYY band roster and spent several years working to perfect their unique sound and craft. Along the way they teamed with record producer/keyboardist Randy Muller, famous for his leadership of Brass Construction and arranging for B.T. Express, were signed to Salsoul Records, and in 1979 released their self-titled debut album.
After releasing several albums packed full of some of the most infectious groove-heavy tracks from the period and finding moderate success in the R&B market, SKYY crossed over to the mainstream in a big way with the release of its fourth album, Skyy Line, in late 1981. That record featured the super-tight funky smash “Call Me,” which topped the R&B singles chart and led the album to the pinnacle of that chart as well. The rest of the 1980s, though, saw SKYY struggling to repeat that success, and when its label Salsoul went out of business midway through the decade, it left the group bouncing around to labels and recording less frequently. However, after signing to Atlantic Records, they launched a major comeback in 1989 with the release of their Start of a Romance album. It spun off two No. 1 R&B singles, the title track and the Quiet Storm classic, “Real Love.” Unfortunately, SKYY’s next album in 1992, Nearer to You, failed to catch fire and proved to be its last. Although the group never released another new studio album, since 1998 the Dunning sisters have continued to perform to backing tracks as the Ladies of SKYY, and they continue to do so today with dates coming up in 2018.
With its Brooklyn funk sound that augmented Brass Construction’s heavy rhythms, driving horns and inventive arrangements, SKYY enhanced that mix with a feminine flair and pop-R&B sensibility to leave behind a 13-year treasure trove of recordings for all to enjoy.
Originally, it was tremendous to land the Ladies of SKYY for this episode of TRUTH IN RHYTHM, but what was most unexpected and additionally fantastic news was getting the opportunity to also interview the man who was so instrumental in the whole SKYY thang in what was to be a rare reunion.
From Mr. Roberts’ neighborhood, his kitchen actually, is a special and wonderful time getting the full SKYY story with Denise, Bonnie, Delores and Solomon. To reference one of their great hits -- Here’s to you!
Recorded February 2018
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Thank you for this interview! I've loved SKYY since the early 80s.
I love your music.... "Real love" is one of my GO TO songs when trying to relay to depth and vibe of REAL LOVE R&B MUSIC. RESPECTS TO YOU ALLLLLLL! Thank you sooooo much for your contributions to the soundtracks of so many lives. THANK YOUUUU. 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
Nice to see the ladies with Solomon Roberts, Jr again. Still listening to Skyy.
Ladies of Skyy are still Fly!
From France Skyy funky is very good .
Since my childhood I listen to funk and kyy the top.
I’m still crushing on Bonnie Dunning after all these years
Denise is still my play play girl friend😁
Delores is my girl. Love Denise too but since she's already taken lol
Me too all three!
Skyy! Start A Romance! This Band Was Next Level. They Had Their Own Sound. Very Unique.
A legendary group
Great memories of the 80s .
The sound was pure 70s funk!!!
The lead singer I was so in love with her. She is so fine and still is
Maaaaaaaaaan, SKYY put.it.doooown back in the day. Their sound was wickedly unique.
Delores’ gray hair is lovely! They all have aged very well. Nice interview.
Their Unsung episode on TVone was great
@@emckinney8816 I can’t find that episode anywhere.😑
Beautiful interview and content much love and respect from South Africa where I still play their music in my sets.
Eye really dug SKYY !!! Funky, melodic, and a left-handed bass. Nice to see Brother Solomon and the lovely Dunning Sisters. Thanks for the music and the dialogue....
S.K.Y.Y. is the ultimate funk band. You never heard them until you accidentally found their album and then your hooked. Equal or better than GAP band, Shalimar, Midnight Starr, etc. Whenever I play their songs for anyone they smile!
Scott, your analysis of Skyy's initial success in the early 80s, falling by the wayside in the mid 80s and then finding success again in '89 w/ "Start of a Romance" and "Real Love" is spot on! I remember hearing those songs during that time and thinking that we really hadn't heard much from them since the "Call Me'' days and a good 7 or 8 years later they had two smash hits...amazing that you picked up on this!
U were one my daughter's favorite group! She loved your music ❤️😀
Skyy are one of my favorite groups in the 80....
I can think of another band which had funky musicians along with melodic female vocals...Chic!
Btw, Tony Joe White had the massive hit, "Polk Salad Annie" , a funky blues-up country gem!
I was a teenager when I first heard your music. Still listen to it today and sing my all time favorite by your group is When You Touch Me. Most people say Here's To You is top number one song, but I say it will always be When You Touch Me. This is song that still it all every day. I hope you are still singing. After the COVID-19 pandemic is over think about coming to San Diego, CA I will buy a ticket. Much love keep singing ladies. Where are the guys of the group?
Delores is still fly. I would love to have her as my cougar friend.
I DONE PLAYED THEE HELL OUT THE LIVE VERSION OF REAL LOVE @ THE APOLLO SHOW❤ EVERYONE STILL LOOKS 👍🏽
This is a wonderful interview!!! I hope the record company re-released Skyy's albums on vinyl.
THANKS FOR DIS SO MUCH.
I'M 60 NOW SO I WOULD GUESS THE BUNNINING SISTAS AND SOLOMAN ARE IN BETWEEN 4 TO 10 YEARS OLDER THAN ME OR THERE ABOUTS.BUT EITHER WAY ALL 5 OF US ARE STILL GOLD,THO WE ALL GETTIN OLD.
New subscriber 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼💯💯👏👏
❤
Do you have a number where I can get in touch with the ladies of sky will at the bringing down to Tampa Florida to the musical fetch we have in January
I loved Skyy back in the early 80s but I feel like they're not being totally honest. I was in high school then and my feeling was that Skyy, Change, Young & Company and Unlimited Touch were all taking Chic's sound and putting their own spins on it
I guess the interviewer wasn't feeling being corrected by Mr. Solomon in the introduction about him producing the band along with Mr. Muller.
Little awkward at the outset but it was mostly fun and congenial after that.
Fun to see them , but its hard to follow , wgen everybody is talking at the same time .
Yes it is, especially in a kitchen
Hi, Mr. Roberts (HSCRL/TJHSC)!
My friends!!
Do you have any relatives in Atlanta
@@dupree68 yep!
@@a.janaycrittenden6508 Really...such as Erica, Brianna,...
Wow, never knew Brass Construction had female singers, I’m sitting here trying to recall any tracks they had with female voices
I'm thinking the ladies were before Brass began recording.
Wish sister Led on Reallove because she blew it out of the waters?
do you ladies feel badly sad area in oakland
Alot Assign Me In important Support
Happy stronger will mother's day forever and father's stronger will mother's day forever and happy and blessing day today keeping up with the respect yourself.
Remember this East New York, Brooklyn sounds skyy band and group most high creator soulful history performance brilliantly voice and blessing favorite hits after hits Nubian wooly African King Warrior and queen wooly hair warrior blood pay the way American holiday thanksgiving day today and native Indians blood pay the way American holiday thanksgiving day today.
Remember this kind words and have a blessing a brilliantly Nubian nation and voice and Dance move
Successful supervision starter
Movie's countless outfits on the one.there performance on television American band stand and don Cornelius soul train wpix 1960-1970style and 1980-1990style 2000-2019styles definitely designed dazzling blessing orchestra rocks and roll and club is brilliantly Nubian nation and kings and queens wooly African warrior blood pay the way American holiday thanksgiving day
Soul hardware and software musicians band thinking about historical society music forces roots the mother's land band and group. Love you always skyy.😀😉😙😐😑😚😊😁😂😃😄😅😆😇😎😥😣
Great group, but TOO many members! The focus of the group was always on the women. I'm glad that the sisters are keeping Skyy's music going. But I have a question: who was the White guy in the band and the Asian guy with the fancy mustache?
Anibal "Butch" Sierra
Since many years now, there are 30 funk groups that I like, and Skyy is part of them ... Being more fond of electro-funk, my two favorite albums are "Skyylight" (1983) and "Inner City" (1984) ... never really understood how their 1989 album came to be so successful ... We were then reaching the end of the 1980s, and I never really liked that "new jack swing" feel that was so trendy then (just listen to the awful Kool & the Gang's album "Sweat", and you'll see what I'm talkin' about ...); I guess it was just the last days of funk, as the arrival of the 1990s was close by, then ... (and its load of crap : dance, techno, rap, grunge rock ... you name it !)
R.I.P. Tommy McConnell (former drummer of Skyy, died in May 2022)