S.O.L.A.R. Records (acronym for Sound of Los Angeles Records) was an American record label founded in 1977 by Dick Griffey, reconstituted out of Soul Train Records only two years after it was founded with Soul Train television show host and creator Don Cornelius.

Company history[link]

In 1975, Soul Train Records was founded by Dick Griffey and Soul Train television show host and creator Don Cornelius. Griffey formed a collective called Shalamar—using a host of session singers to record "Uptown Festival," which was a disco-length medley of early Motown hits. After scoring a hit with the recording, he looked to Cornelius to help him put together an actual group to maintain the impact. In 1977, Soul Train dancers Jody Watley and Jeffrey Daniel and singer Gerald Brown (who was eventually replaced by Howard Hewett) were recruited to form the new Shalamar, which would become the fledgling label's centerpiece. Cornelius decided (amicably) to shut down Soul Train Records as Cornelius wanted to focus his energies on the television show, which was a monster hit and required his full attention to keep it so. With legalities now taken care of, Griffey reorganized Soul Train Records and folded the company into the newly founded SOLAR label in late 1977. Griffey and Cornelius remained good friends, and as a result, SOLAR maintained close ties to the Soul Train show.

Shalamar became one of the label's best selling and most influential acts; scoring nearly 20 hit singles and classics such as: "Right in the Socket", "The Second Time Around", "Make That Move", "A Night to Remember (Get Ready Tonight)" and "This Is For The Lover In You". SOLAR's signature act above all was The Whispers, whose distinct harmonies and carefully detailed musical and vocal arrangements defined and emphasized the "SOLAR sound". The Whispers, who began in 1964, were famous for being Soul Train/SOLAR artists, as all of their biggest hits came from the label, including "And The Beat Goes On", "It's A Love Thing", "Chocolate Girl", "Lady", and "Rock Steady" among others. Not only did Mr. Griffey have the eye to spot creative talent, he was also masterful at hiring executive talent. Starting with him were his General Manager Clyde Wasson; assistant and National Promotion rep Cheryle Appling and his A & R, Publishing and Production Director Dina Ruth Andrews. Later somewhere around 1981 Edna Collison joined the team as the National Pop Promotion Rep.

The SOLAR success story was by no means confined to these two acts, as the label was also known for several others who enjoyed success, including: Dynasty, Lakeside, Midnight Star, Klymaxx, Calloway, Carrie Lucas, Collage and the The Deele — which introduced singer/songwriter/producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and future music executive Antonio "L.A." Reid. Griffey had always believed in giving new talents the opportunity to create and develop their craft, and he was introduced to songwriters/producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis by his A & R rep Dina Ruth Andrews who was the teams first manager, Reggie and Vincent Calloway, and Leon F. Sylvers III. The "SOLAR sound" was a collective effort, with artists working on each other's sessions and artists encouraged to be creative. Sylvers who became SOLAR's house producer in 1978. His signature basslines and productions helped mould the hit sound of SOLAR. sound: funky, progressive dance music infused with soul and disco.

From 1977 to 1981, SOLAR was distributed through RCA Records as it was ever since it was Soul Train Records two years prior. The Constellation imprint (which has no relation to the Chicago-based indie label founded by Ewart Abner), was an attempt to introduce more contemporary acts to Griffey's more traditionally "urban" establishment and was already being distributed through Elektra/Asylum Records, making it only natural for the main SOLAR label to jump ship to Elektra for distribution when it left RCA.

SOLAR's relationship with Elektra/Asylum, like its relationship with RCA, lasted for six years (from 1981 to 1987). During this period, SOLAR changed their logo and classic label design to complement not only its Constellation imprint, but also to reflect a uniform look of sorts for the logos of labels owned by or affiliated with Elektra. Ironically enough, Dick Griffey moved the Constellation label over to MCA Records for distribution in 1984, deciding now to abandon contemporary music and this time continue the SOLAR tradition, which, in turn, was a move that finally brought recognition to the label (which now became a "boutique label" of sorts for MCA).

Veteran Soul Train/SOLAR first lady Carrie Lucas (who eventually married Griffey) and then up-and-coming act Klymaxx were shifted to the Constellation label, and as a result, Klymaxx finally scored hits for themselves and the label, including "The Men All Pause", "I Miss You" and "Meeting In The Ladies Room". Constellation was folded into MCA in 1986, when the artists, including Klymaxx, were transferred to MCA. Universal Music Group owns all of the Constellation recordings from 1984 to 1986 under the MCA deal, as opposed to Solar who had owned all of their masters at the time.

Decline[link]

In 1987, Solar ended their relationship with Elektra and ventured with Capitol Records from 1987 to 1989, returning to their classic label design. At this period of time, however, the label began to see its fortunes decline. Contributing to this were A&R problems with Shalamar—primarily, maintaining the group's identity and momentum as former members Hewett and Watley had departed and were having successful solo careers on other labels (MCA for Watley and Elektra for Hewett), not to mention plus the shifting musical directions of R&B, dance and popular music in general in the late '80s and early 1990s.

SOLAR's twilight years, came in 1989 when it inked a distribution deal with CBS Records, which at this time was now owned by Sony Corporation. By 1992, SOLAR recordings were handled by Sony Music's Epic division. In 1991, the label released its last recording Now by Richie Havens, and SOLAR closed its doors in 1995. The label's back catalog were eventually purchased by EMI, with many of its releases and compilations being re-issued through EMI's the Right Stuff imprint. As of 2009, SOLAR's back catalog was purchased by Unidisc Music.

Artists[link]

• Babyface
• Calloway
• Collage
• The Deele
• Dynasty
• Klymaxx
• Lakeside
• Carrie Lucas
• Midnight Star
• Shalamar
• The Sylvers
• The Whispers

See also[link]

• List of record labels

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official Web Site
• Official MySpace Web Site

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2009)

Carrie Lucas, is an American female R&B musician, born in Carmel, California. In 1976 she was signed to Soul Train Records. Lucas made six albums over seven years with Soul Train and Solar Records.

Career[link]

"I Gotta Keep Dancing" and "Gotta Get Away From Your Love" were the two hit singles from Lucas's first album, Simply Carrie, released in 1977. "I Gotta Keep Dancing" peaked at number #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.^[1]

Lucas' second album Street Corner Symphony was released in 1978. It featured The Whispers as backing vocalists. A single from the LP, of the same name was a homage to the 1960s doo-wop groups. The album was released on the record producer Dick Griffey's Solar Records label.

In 1979 Lucas released Carrie Lucas in Danceland.^[2] Griffey brought in Jody Watley (Shalamar) for background vocals, Lakeside (co-producers and backgrounds) and Walter and Wallace Scott (The Whispers) for backgrounds. Organist Kossi Gardner (1941–2009) wrote (and played on) the hit "Dance With You", which propelled the album to #37 in the U.S Dance Album chart. "Dance With You" gave Lucas her only appearance in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #40.^[3] 1980's Portrait of Carrie was less commercially successful, although it did spawn three modest hit singles. The first 12" was a reworking of her first hit, re-titled as "Keep Smilin'." This was followed by "It's Not What You Got (It's How You Use It)" and "Career Girl." Griffey shared production duties with Leon Sylvers and Gardner.

Lucas' next release was in 1982 and entitled, Still In Love. It was recorded and released under the banner of Solar Records and distributed by Elektra/Asylum. The album produced two 12" singles, "Men" and the more successful "Show Me Where You're Coming From." Sheila E. co-wrote the album's title track.

Her most recent album was released in 1985. "Horsin' Around" spawned four 12" singles; "Charlie," "Horsin' Around," "Summer In The Street" and "Hello Stranger." Her cover version of Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger" reached #20 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Lucas' last known recording was an appearance on the 1990 soundtrack to Lambada: Set The Night On Fire. She performed the song "I Like the Rhythm." Lucas is now married to Griffey and decided to retire from the music industry and concentrate on married life and her horses. Carrie Lucas is also the mother of Carolyn Griffey.

Unidisc Records in Canada has released a Greatest Hits package that contains most of her 12" mixes in 1999.

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

Singles[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Soultracks.com

The Deele (pronounced /deal/) is an American 80s R&B band from Cincinnati, Ohio, originally consisting of Indianapolis native Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds along with Antonio "L.A." Reid, Carlos "Satin" Greene, Darnell "Dee" Bristol, Stanley "Stick" Burke and Kevin "Kayo" Roberson. They have currently reunited in an incarnation featuring Bristol, Greene, Roberson & Burke.

Biography[link]

Dantil Woodruff formed the group in 1981. The Deele recorded three albums during the 1980s, and scored several hit singles. The sextet released their debut album, Street Beat in 1983, and the following year, a single from this album, "Body Talk" became their first hit, reaching #3 on the R&B chart and #77 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Guitarist/keyboardist Stanley "Stick" Burke left the band prior to the recording of a follow-up album. Recorded as a quintet, Material Thangz was released in 1985. It was not as successful as their debut album.

The band reached the apex of their career in 1987 with the release of their third album, Eyes of a Stranger, which produced two top-10 R&B singles, "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" and perhaps their best-known song, "Two Occasions". The latter track reached #4 on the R&B charts and cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Music videos were made for both songs. The video for the "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" track was directed by Martin Pitts and produced by Mickey Shapiro. It was during this time that L.A. Reid and Babyface Edmonds began crafting their talents as songwriters for other artists. They wrote and produced "Girlfriend" (which featured backing vocals from Deele members^[1] and became a top ten hit) for Reid's girlfriend, and eventual wife Pebbles. During this period, they also wrote and produced The Whispers' "Rock Steady".

In 1988, both Babyface and Reid left the group and founded LaFace Records in 1989. At the beginning of the 1990s, Reid and Edmonds would become successful record producers. Although not as recognized as Reid and Edmonds, another Deele member, Kevin "Kayo" Roberson maintained his association with the two, and was an instrumental part of the production team's success behind the scenes as a songwriter, co-producer, and studio bassist.^[2] Babyface would also embark on a very successful run as a solo artist.

In 1993, Greene and Bristol reunited again as The Deele (without Reid, Edmonds, or Roberson)^[3] to record the album, An Invitation to Love. This album found the group adopting a more new jack swing-based sound and incorporating rap into many of their songs. Failing to make a dent in the charts, the group called it quits later that same year.

Their hit song "Two Occasions" was referenced (along with Babyface) by Mariah Carey in her 2005 megahit song "We Belong Together", by rapper The Game in the song "One Night" in 2006, and by Plies in his 2009 hit song, "Want It, Need It" featuring Ashanti. MF Doom samples the track "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" in his 1999 opus "Red & Gold".

Reunion[link]

As of 2007, Dee, Satin, Kayo & Burke have officially reformed the band with new member fifth member Qui . Their new MySpace page currently includes a new Christmas song released by the band, as well as a recent interview with the three original members (although Kayo was very reserved) at a Dallas radio station, during which Dee discusses, among other things, how The Deele were the first band signed to Solar Records solely based on their music (the representatives hadn't actually seen them perform). Now a part of Dallas Based Eieg/D-Town Records.

Babyface and L.A. Reid are the only two original members not participating in the current project.

Original members[link]

• Darnell "Dee" Bristol: vocals
• Stanley "Stick" Burke: guitar, keyboards (left after the first album)
• Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds: keyboards, guitar, vocals
• Carlos "Satin" Greene: vocals
• Antonio "L.A." Reid: drums
• Kevin "Kayo" Roberson: bass
• Steve "Tuck" Walters: guitar, vocals (left before first album, 1982)

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• Street Beat (Solar Records, 1983^[4])
• Material Thangz (Solar Records, 1985)
• Eyes of a Stranger (Solar Records, 1987)
• An Invitation to Love (Solar Records, 1993)
• The Only 1 (single) (Eieg/D-Town Records, 2007)
• All I Want for Christmas (single) (Eieg/D-Town Records, 2007)

Compilation appearance[link]

• Deep Cover (movie soundtrack) (1992)

Appearances in media[link]

The song "Body Talk" was featured in the pilot episode for the television series Miami Vice.

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site (currently down)
• MySpace page
• Official Site for their new record label
• More Extensive Biography @Soultracks.com

The Classic (Hangul: 클래식; Keulraesik) is a 2003 South Korean melodrama / romance film directed by Kwak Jae-yong.

Plot[link]

The film tells the parallel love stories of a mother and daughter. The story of the mother is told partially in flashbacks.

The movie starts in the present day. The daughter, Ji-hye (Son Ye-jin), is cleaning-up around her house when she comes across a box full of old letters and a diary that detail the story of her mother, Joo-hee (who is also played by Son Ye-jin). Periodically in the movie, Ji-hye reads one of these letters, which starts a flashback scene in which the story of the mother is told. These flashbacks are intertwined with Ji-hye's own story, in which she falls for a fellow student, Sang-min (Zo In Sung), who is involved with the school theater.

The movie tells the story of both relationships. The mother, Joo-hee, visits the countryside as a student one summer and meets Joon-ha (Jo Seung-woo). Together they explore the countryside, playing near a river which they both will always remember as their special place. When a storm starts they take shelter together under a tree, but not before Joo-hee twists her ankle and is rendered helpless. Joon-ha carries her on his back and they struggle home, only to be confronted by her angry parents. Before they separate, Joo-hee gives him a necklace, which he keeps close as a precious reminder of their time together.

Unfortunately, as often happens in affairs of the heart, a third party prevents any deepening of their relationship. Joo-hee has been promised by her parents as a bride to Tae-soo, Joon-ha's friend. But Tae-soo, a noble friend, finds out about Joo-hee and Joon-ha's attraction for each other and helps the two communicate secretly by letting them use his own name in place of Joon-ha's in their letters. When Tae-soo's father finds this out, however, he beats Tae-soo. Tae-soo tries unsuccessfully to commit suicide so that his two friends can be together.

Meanwhile, in the present, Ji-hye falls for Sang-min in whom her friend Soo-kyeong is also very interested, but he seems not to notice. Then, in a sweet scene, they take shelter from the rain together under the same tree. He uses his coat to cover both of them and escorts her to where she needs to go. The moment, while magical, does not go anywhere as she feels his help was only due to his generous nature and not from any feelings for her on his part.

Back in the past, Joon-ha is guilt-ridden over his friend's attempted suicide and Joo-hee's own guilt. Determined to prevent any more hurt to her, Joon-ha joins the army and goes to Vietnam. There he loses his eyesight while he tries to retrieve the necklace Joo-hee had given him. When he returns to Korea, he meets again with Joo-hee, and, trying to hide his blindness, convinces her he has married in the hope she will move on with her life. Though heart broken that their relationship cannot continue, she does move on and eventually marries Tae-soo, Joon-ha's kind friend. After they have been married for several years and have a young daughter (Ji-hye) Joo-hee is approached by friends of Joon-ha, who relate Joon-ha's last wish: that his ashes be scattered by Joo-hee in the river, now a reservoir, where they first met. She then finds out that Joon-ha hadn't married, but he later did after Tae-soo and Joo-hee were married. She was told that he had a son also. The heart-break is too much and she cries.

In the present, Ji-hye's own story unfolds. Sang-min reveals his true feelings for Ji-hye - feelings that mirror her own. It is also revealed that their taking shelter together during the storm was no accident: he had purposely left his umbrella behind in a shop so that he could join her under the tree. Then, when Ji-hye pensively reveals her mother's story to him, tears stream down his face. Silently he lifts a necklace from around his neck and places it around hers. It is the necklace that Ji-hye's mother, Joo-hee, had given to Joon-ha when they met. The circle is completed: Joo-hee's daughter and Joon-ha's son have fallen in love.

Cast[link]

• Son Ye-jin in dual role as Ji-hye and Joo-hee (Ji-hye's mother)
• Jo Seung-woo as Joon-ha
• Zo In Sung as Sang-min
• Lee Ki-woo as Tae-soo (friend of Joon-ha)
• Lee Soo-in as Soo-kyeong (friend of Ji-hye)
• Seo Yeong-hee as Na-hee (friend of Joo-hee)
• Lim Ye Jin as Shopkeeper

Development[link]

Several of the school scenes were filmed at various universities in Korea. Notably, the library was in Kyung Hee University. There are many parallels between the flashback and present day stories. In the flashbacks, Joon Ha writes letters in the name of his friend Tae-soo to their mutual love interest. In the present day, Ji-hye writes letters in the name of her friend to their mutual love interest. In the flashbacks, Joo-hee has an annoying female friend that Joon-ha is initially set up with. In the present day, Ji-hye also has an annoying friend that interferes with her relationship. Also, Joo-hee and Ji-hye both receive the same poem from the people they love: "When the sun shines...".

Reception[link]

The Classic was nominated at the Hong Kong Film Awards in the category Best Asian Film in 2004.^[3]

Son Ye-jin received several awards for her performance in the film:^[4]

• 2003 40th Daejong sang Awards: Best New Actress (The Classic)
• 2003 39th PaekSang Arts Awards: Best New Actress (The Classic)
• 2003 24th Blue Dragon Film Awards - Most Favourite Star (The Classic, Crazy First Love)
• 2004 9th Moscow International Love Movie Awards: Best Couple (The Classic)

Music[link]

The film relies heavily on music to help convey emotion.

Korean Songs in the film:

• 그랬나봐 ("Geuraetna pwa" - World without love) - performer: Kim Hyung Joong
• 고백 ("Gobaek" - Confession) - performer: Delispice - played during the art gallery scene
• 너에게 난 나에게 넌 ("Neoehgeh nan naehgeh neon" - Me to you, you to me) - performer: Jatanpung - played during both special umbrella scenes
• 너무 아픈 사랑은 사랑이아니었음을 ("Neomu apeun sarangeun sarangee anieosseumeul" - It wasn't love if it hurt so much) - performer: Kim Kwang Suk - played during train and last meeting scenes
• 사랑하면 할수록 ("Saranghamyon halsoorok" - If we are in love, then...) - Played in different instrumental versions throughout the film - always at emotional moments. It is sung in the final scenes by performer Han Song Min. There is also a Mandarin version of this song titled "Hui Se Kong Jian" (灰色空間 in Mandarin) which is sung by Taiwanese singer Show Luo in Taiwanese drama called "The Outsider II".

The piano piece performed by Joo-Hee on stage is Beethoven's Piano Sonata 8, movement 2 Pathetique Sonata.

Pachelbel's Canon in D was also used as the background music. This same music was featured in the director's earlier film, My Sassy Girl.

Some American songs were used as well.

References[link]

External links[link]

• The Classic at the Korean Movie Database
• The Classic at the Internet Movie Database
• The Classic at HanCinema