Starpoint – Starpoint (1980)
Initially performing under the name “Licyndiana,” Starpoint was originally formed in 1969 near Annapolis, Maryland by the children of two local doctors. Kayode Adeyemo, whose parents had been immigrants from Nigeria and Barbados, was born and grew up in Crownsville, Maryland. His father, a doctor, worked with Dr. George Phillips at Crownsville Hospital. As a result, a young Kayode Adeyemo was introduced to Dr. Phillips’ five sons: Ernesto, Orlando, Lloyd, Greg, and George, Jr. Soon thereafter, Adeyemo began jamming with four of the Phillips brothers, each of whom were multi-instrumentalists. Initially, Adeyemo played bass guitar in the group. After this foundation had stabilized, Renée Diggs came on board as the lead singer, Terre Holland as the new bassist, and Marvin Ennis as the keyboardist completing the Licyndiana line-up.
With so much musical/instrumental talent between them, the Phillips brothers each came to specialize in particular instruments within the band, with Ernesto Phillips handling lead guitar and trumpet; Orlando Phillips on bass guitar, keyboards, and saxophone; Greg Phillips on drums; and George Phillips, Jr. on keyboards. Additional musical contributors included Terre Holland on bass, Lonnie Allen and sometimes Clifton Hoyt on congas and percussion, and MARZ- “Make it Right” band leader Marvin Ennis on keyboards as well. Renee Diggs handled most of the lead parts. By the end of the 1970s, the band had scored a recording contract with Cecil Holmes’ Chocolate City Records, at which point, at the suggestion of Marvin Ennis, they changed their name to “Starpoint.”
The group released their self-titled debut album in 1980. One of the singles from this album, “I Just Wanna Dance with You,” became their first top 20 hit on the R&B chart.
A1. Gonna Lift You Up (4:41)
A2. Let Me Love You (4:40)
A3. Never Find A Better Love (5:45)
A4. Don’t Leave Me (5:00)
B1. I Just Wanna Dance With You (4:58)
B2. You’re My Sunny Day (3:47)
B3. Get Ready, Get Down (6:49)
B4. Girl I’m Up For Your Lovin’ (4:08)
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