Colonel Abrams
Encyclopedia
Colonel Abrams is a house
and urban
musician who was born in Detroit, Michigan
and raised in New York City, New York. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School currently known as Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics which is in East Harlem section of Manhattan
, there he met a fellow student and a guitar player named Joe Webb.
in Manhattan on East 13 Street. From an early age, he began playing the guitar and piano. He was in several early bands, among them was Heavy Impact which he played both guitar and keyboards, Joe Webb (guitar), Lemar Washington (guitar), Marston Freeman (bass guitar), Ron Simmons (drums), and Barbara Mills (saxophone). Later he formed Conservative Manor (mid-1970s), 94 East (the band featuring Prince
on lead guitar), and the New Jersey
band Surprise Package.
Hits in the mid-1980s including "Leave the Message Behind the Door" and "Music Is the Answer" established him as a solo artist, initially in Europe and later in the US. In 1985 he signed to Steven Machat"s Label/Production company, AMI. Machat, who was working with the New Zealand producer Richard Burgess and hired him against conventional wisdom to produce Colonel Abrams for his company the album Colonel Abrams. Machat then talked MCA into signing the Colonel recordings to have them released throughout the world. AMI also at this time had Ready for the World and the New Edition/Bobby Brown with MCA. This collaboration with the British producer Richard James Burgess
produced the hits "Trapped
", "I'm Not Gonna Let You" and urban contemporary ballad "Table for Two".
"Trapped" reached the top five and went gold in the UK Singles Chart
and topped the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1985, followed by the Colonel Abrams
album, which spent two weeks at number one the following year. It was estimated by the Phonographic Association that "Trapped" sold over 5 million copies worldwide by spring 1987. An electronic remix
of "Trapped" was later released in 1995 by Boards of Canada
under the pseudonym Hell Interface. A new version of "Trapped" ("Trapped 2006") was released in the UK.
"I'm Not Gonna Let You" also spent a week at number one in the dance chart in 1986. The album peaked at number 75 on the U.S. Billboard 200
albums chart and number 13 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
chart. Abrams had a number of entries on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play
chart in the 1980s and 1990s, including four entries that hit number one. In 1987 he had his fourth number-one U.S. dance hit with "How Soon We Forget
", the same year that he released his second album, You and Me Equals Us
.
On January 9, 2007, Colonel Abrams released the single "Just When You Thought." It became the third single released on his own record label, Colonel Records, the others being "Heartbreaker" and "Let Us All Be Friends". On April 2, 2007, Colonel also released a dance smash called "Never Be". In 2007, Abrams released "Just Like Mathematics" and "True Stories". . June 2008 saw the release of his single, "Only a Few". The Colonel will be performing at the 80s Reunion in August 2011.
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
and urban
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
musician who was born in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and raised in New York City, New York. He graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School currently known as Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics which is in East Harlem section of Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
, there he met a fellow student and a guitar player named Joe Webb.
Career
Colonel Abrams (his real name) moved with his family to New York City when he was ten years old due to his father (a construction worker) getting a job there. The family moved to the East VillageEast Village, Manhattan
The East Village is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, lying east of Greenwich Village, south of Gramercy and Stuyvesant Town, and north of the Lower East Side...
in Manhattan on East 13 Street. From an early age, he began playing the guitar and piano. He was in several early bands, among them was Heavy Impact which he played both guitar and keyboards, Joe Webb (guitar), Lemar Washington (guitar), Marston Freeman (bass guitar), Ron Simmons (drums), and Barbara Mills (saxophone). Later he formed Conservative Manor (mid-1970s), 94 East (the band featuring Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
on lead guitar), and the New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
band Surprise Package.
Hits in the mid-1980s including "Leave the Message Behind the Door" and "Music Is the Answer" established him as a solo artist, initially in Europe and later in the US. In 1985 he signed to Steven Machat"s Label/Production company, AMI. Machat, who was working with the New Zealand producer Richard Burgess and hired him against conventional wisdom to produce Colonel Abrams for his company the album Colonel Abrams. Machat then talked MCA into signing the Colonel recordings to have them released throughout the world. AMI also at this time had Ready for the World and the New Edition/Bobby Brown with MCA. This collaboration with the British producer Richard James Burgess
Richard James Burgess
Richard James Burgess is a studio drummer, music-computer programmer, recording artist, record producer, composer, author, manager, marketer and inventor. He was the producer for Spandau Ballet's first two albums.-Education:...
produced the hits "Trapped
Trapped (Colonel Abrams song)
- Chart positions :...
", "I'm Not Gonna Let You" and urban contemporary ballad "Table for Two".
"Trapped" reached the top five and went gold in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and topped the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1985, followed by the Colonel Abrams
Colonel Abrams (album)
Colonel Abrams is the self-titled debut album of Colonel Abrams, released in 1985. This album consists of garage house-influenced Urban contemporary songs with lyrics and vocal performances provided by Abrams....
album, which spent two weeks at number one the following year. It was estimated by the Phonographic Association that "Trapped" sold over 5 million copies worldwide by spring 1987. An electronic remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of "Trapped" was later released in 1995 by Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada
Boards of Canada are a Scottish electronic music duo consisting of brothers Mike Sandison and Marcus Eoin...
under the pseudonym Hell Interface. A new version of "Trapped" ("Trapped 2006") was released in the UK.
"I'm Not Gonna Let You" also spent a week at number one in the dance chart in 1986. The album peaked at number 75 on the U.S. Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart and number 13 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
chart. Abrams had a number of entries on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play
Hot Dance Club Play
The Hot Dance Club Songs chart is a weekly national survey of the songs that are most popular in U.S. dance clubs...
chart in the 1980s and 1990s, including four entries that hit number one. In 1987 he had his fourth number-one U.S. dance hit with "How Soon We Forget
How Soon We Forget
"How Soon We Forget" is a 1987 single by Colonel Abrams, from his album You and Me Equals Us. The single was Abrams' last of four number one hits on the dance play charts and was also his most successful soul single, reaching number six.-References:...
", the same year that he released his second album, You and Me Equals Us
You and Me Equals Us
You and Me Equals Us is Colonel Abrams' second and final album for MCA Records released in 1987. The album includes the singles "How Soon We Forget" and "Nameless."-Track listing:# "How Soon We Forget"# "Relive a Memory"# "Nameless"...
.
On January 9, 2007, Colonel Abrams released the single "Just When You Thought." It became the third single released on his own record label, Colonel Records, the others being "Heartbreaker" and "Let Us All Be Friends". On April 2, 2007, Colonel also released a dance smash called "Never Be". In 2007, Abrams released "Just Like Mathematics" and "True Stories". . June 2008 saw the release of his single, "Only a Few". The Colonel will be performing at the 80s Reunion in August 2011.
Albums
- Colonel AbramsColonel Abrams (album)Colonel Abrams is the self-titled debut album of Colonel Abrams, released in 1985. This album consists of garage house-influenced Urban contemporary songs with lyrics and vocal performances provided by Abrams....
, 1985 MCA RecordsMCA RecordsMCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
(#75 U.S., #1 U.S. Dance) - You and Me Equals UsYou and Me Equals UsYou and Me Equals Us is Colonel Abrams' second and final album for MCA Records released in 1987. The album includes the singles "How Soon We Forget" and "Nameless."-Track listing:# "How Soon We Forget"# "Relive a Memory"# "Nameless"...
, 1987 MCA RecordsMCA RecordsMCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003... - About RomanceAbout RomanceAbout Romance is Colonel Abrams third album released in 1992. This album consists of 1990s House music with lyrics and vocal performances. Abrams co-wrote every song on the album...
, 1992 RCA RecordsRCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label... - Victim of Loving YouVictim of Loving YouVictim of Loving You is Colonel Abrams fourth studio album released in 1995. While is album scored an underground club hit with the title track, it just missed making the Club Play chart. This was Abrams first and only album for Strictly Rhythm which inexplicably went out of print short after its...
, 1995 Strictly RhythmStrictly RhythmStrictly Rhythm is an American record label, best known for its highly regarded house-music catalogue. It is considered by many to be one of the genre's most important and influential labels.-History:Strictly Rhythm Records is house music... - Make a Difference, 1996 Dancefloor
- Best of Colonel Abrams, 2000 UniversalUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
Special Products - Should Be Dancin' (The Album), 2008 Colonel Records,Traxsource.com exclusive
- Tribute To My Brother, 2009 Colonel Records
- Strapped,The Remixes, 2010 Famous Records
Singles
- 1984: "Music Is The Answer" (#84 UK, #11 U.S. Dance)
- 1985: "The Truth" (#53 UK, #78 R&B)
- 1985: "TrappedTrapped (Colonel Abrams song)- Chart positions :...
" (#3 UK, #6 NL #1 U.S. Dance, #20 U.S. R&B) - 1985: "Over and Over" (#45 U.S. Dance, #68 U.S. R&B)
- 1986: "LP Cuts" (Mix of several different songs) (#1 U.S. Dance)
- 1986: "I'm Not Gonna Let YouI'm Not Gonna Let You"I'm Not Gonna Let You" is a 1986 single by Colonel Abrams. The single, from Colonel Abrams self-titled album, was his third number one on the dance chart and reached the top spot a short three weeks after all cuts from the album, Colonel Abrams had dropped out of the number-one position. "I'm...
" (#24 UK, #1 U.S. Dance, #7 U.S. R&B) - 1986: "Speculation" (#15 U.S. Dance)
- 1987: "How Soon We ForgetHow Soon We Forget"How Soon We Forget" is a 1987 single by Colonel Abrams, from his album You and Me Equals Us. The single was Abrams' last of four number one hits on the dance play charts and was also his most successful soul single, reaching number six.-References:...
" (#75 UK, #1 U.S. Dance, #6 U.S. R&B) - 1987: "Nameless" (#54 U.S. R&B)
- 1987: "Soon You'll Be Gone"
- 1990: "Bad Timing"
- 1991: "I'm Not Gonna Let You (1991)"
- 1991: "You Don't Know (Somebody Tell Me)" (#58 U.S. R&B)
- 1992: "When Somebody Loves Somebody" (#70 U.S. R&B)
- 1992: "Never Be Another One" (#22 U.S. Dance)
- 1993: "I'm Caught Up"
- 1993: "As Quiet as It's Kept"
- 1994: "So Confused" (#15 U.S. Dance)
- 1994: "So Proud"
- 1995: "Victim of Loving You"
- 1996: "Heartbreaker"
- 1996: "99½"
- 1996: "As I Take You Back"
- 1996/7: "Get With You"
- 1997: "Make a Difference"
- 1997: "Trapped '97"
- 2000: "Music Is My Life"
- 2001: "Don't Give Me a Love That I Can't Use"
- 2002: "Hurt My Feelings"
- 2002: "Could It Be"
See also
- List of Number 1 Dance Hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart
External links
- Colonel Abrams – fansite