The eldest brother in the Jackson-style family band The Sylvers, Leon F. Sylvers III was 19 when he wrote the group’s first top 10 R&B single “Wish That I Could Talk To You” in 1972. By the late ’70s, Leon had really hit his stride as a songwriter and producer after Dick Griffey hired him at S.O.L.A.R. Records—The Sound Of Los Angeles. His brand of classy, soul-drenched disco-funk became known in the industry as “The S.O.L.A.R. Sound,” made famous by Leon’s string of smashes with Shalamar, along with the label’s all-star roster Lakeside, The Whispers, The Spinners, and Dynasty. Hits with everyone from Evelyn “Champagne” King to Gladys Knight & The Pips continued into the mid ’80s.
Things had slowed down for Leon by the time he released his self-titled solo debut on Motown in 1989. While his name had faded as a marquee producer, he continued to find some quality work throughout ’90s—including co-writing a slew of records with Teddy Riley like Blackstreet’s #2 R&B hit “Before I Let You Go.” He even famously hired an unknown keyboard player named Damon Riddick (a.k.a. Dam-Funk of Stones Throw fame) for his first job in 1992. Still active today in his late 50s, Leon Sylvers is a true R&B genius who rarely gets mentioned with the greats, but his catalog is full of gems. I compiled and tagged 30 of my favorite Leon Sylvers creations for your downloading pleasure…
THE LEON SYLVERS COLLECTION:
1. The Spinners “Not Just Another Lover” (1984)
2. Dynasty “Adventures in the Land of Music” (1980)
3. Shalamar “A Night to Remember” (1982)
4. Carrie Lucas “It’s Not What You Got (It’s How You Use It)” (1980)
5. The Sylvers “Wish That I Could Talk To You” (1972)
6. Gladys Knight & The Pips “You’re Number One (In My Book)” (1983)
7. Blackstreet “Before I Let You Go” (1994)
8. Shalamar “Over And Over” (1983)
9. Rockie Robbins “You Finally Found the One” (1985)
10. The Whispers “And the Beat Goes On” (1980)
11. Freda Payne “In Motion” (1982)
12. Leon Sylvers III “World Champion” (1983)
13. Reel To Reel “Love Me Like This” (1983)
14. Krystol “After The Dance Is Through” (1984)
15. Gene Page f/ Charmaine Sylvers “Love Starts After Dark” (1980)
16. Evelyn “Champagne” King “Shake Down” (1983)
17. Foster Sylvers “Misdemeanor” (1973)
18. Stacy Lattisaw “You Ain’t Leavin’” (1986)
19. Shalamar “This Is For The Lover in You” (1980)
20. NKOTB “Never Let You Go” (1994)
21. Brothers Johnson “You Keep Me Coming Back” (1984)
22. Midnight Star “I’ve Been Watching You” (1981)
23. Lakeside “From 9:00 Until” (1979)
24. Joyce Kennedy “Lookin’ For Trouble” (1984)
25. N’Dambi “Ooo Baby” (2009)
26. Leon Sylvers III “Let’s Go Thru It” (1989)
27. The Blow Monkeys “Sweet Talking Rapist At Home” (1989)
28. Evelyn ”Champagne” King “Hold On To What You’ve Got” (1988)
29. Troy Johnson “It’s You” (1986)
30. Shalamar “The Second Time Around” (1979)
DOWNLOAD: [ usershare | mediafire | megaupload ]
ALL SONGS WERE PRODUCED, WRITTEN, ARRANGED AND/OR PERFORMED BY LEON F. SYLVERS III.
