Soulfunkjazz’s Blog

Journey To The Light [1978]
Brainstorm was well known in Southeast Michigan as a very hot club act formed in the early 70s by Chuck Overton(leader, tenor and alto sax, vocals, writing), Treaty Womack Treaty  (congas, flute, vocals, and writing) and Belita Woods (vocals extraordinaire, and writing). Other members were Bob Ross (keyboards and writing), Larry Sims (trumpet and writing), Eugene Lamont Johnson (bass guitar, vocals and writing), Renell Gonsalves (drums and writing), and David Myles (guitar) Gerald Kent (lead & rhythm guitar). The band was discovered by industry icon Clarence Avant, and recorded a demo locally. This led to a contract with Clarence’s TABU label and recording sessions at Total Experience studios in Los Angeles, and later United Sound in Detroit, with Jerry Peters producing. Bob Ross left the band in 1976 and William Lloyd Wooten, of the Dramatics, joined the group.
Second LP Journey to the light was completed in 1977 and published in 1978. There was reason to believe that Brainstorm might go on to become huge, but regrettably, this sophomore effort, was a commercial disappointment. The LP didn’t provide any major hits, and the only people who bought it were Brainstorm’s hardcore followers. Regardless, Journey to the Light is generally excellent. Brainstorm had a gem of a lead singer in Belita Woods, who really soars on tunes that range from Stevie Wonder’s funky “Every Time I See You, I Go Wild!” to the quite storm pearl “If You Ever Need to Cry” and the jazzy, Roy Ayers-ish “Brand New Day.” Nor are the lead vocals of Trenita Womack (who is featured on the slow jam “Loving Just You”) and Deon Estus anything to complain about. One can speculate on the reasons why Journey to the Light wasn’t as commercially successful as Stormin’ — some would argue that none of the songs had as much disco and dancefloor appeal as “Lovin’ Is Really My Game.” At any rate, this is an album that should have done a lot better. Brainstorm went on tour with Marvin Gaye, the Isley’s , Johnny Guitar Watson , Rose Royce and many other artists. In early 1978, they shared stage in Washington DC with an up-and-comer named Peabo Bryson . Singers Delbert Nelson and Misty Love joined the tour, adding wonderful vocals.(www.discomusic.com)
Tracks:
1. We’re on Our Way Home, Pt. 1
2. Loving Just You
3. Every Time I See You, I Go Wild!
4. Brand New Day
5. Journey to the Light
6. If You Ever Need to Cry
7. We’re on Our Way Home, Pt. 2
8. Positive Thinking
Bonus
9. Journey To The Light (Disco Version)
**Listen**

Gracias a kunio por este album