Attitude | Pump The Nation
Album Review: Attitude | Pump The Nation
By Randy Holmes
1983 saw the album release of a group produced by Mic Murphy and David Frank, internationally known as The System, for Atlantic Records, their label home as well at the time. That group consisted of keyboardist/songwriter/lead vocalist Mr. Khris Kellow, whom has performed behind a 'who's who' in music, and that 'who's who' consists of The System, Randy Jackson's {Michael brother} Randy & The Gypsys, Laura Branigan, Kleeer, Madonna, Bobby Brown, Christina Aguilera, and countless others. Next up, you have the high in demand session singer, the lovely and talented Ms. Cindy Mizelle, whom is a solo recording artist in her own right {Please refer to her 1994 critically acclaimed East/West/Atlantic self titled album}. She's performed background vocals for many of music's top recording artists,past and present. They consists of the late Luther Vandross, Kashif, Melba Moore, Chaka Khan, Mick Jagger solo, Jonathan Butler, and her list goes on and on and on. Last but not least, third member, is vocalist Stephen Miller. ....... and the group that made up these wonderfully talented musicians was called,"ATTITUDE".
Their one and only album titled,"Pump The Nation", pumped the airwaves fueled by the infectious R&B Dance hit, "We Got The Juice". Having been produced by The System, the music throughout the album fell more in line with their sound, but Attitude managed to forge an identity of their own. Most songs on "Pump The Nation" were mainly written by David Frank and Mic Murphy.Khris co-wrote two songs. Khris and Cindy shared in all of the lead vocal parts. Other session greats provided background vocals,and those sessions greats are Mr. Bernard Fowler (Bernard's sung behind Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell's Material, The Rolling Stones, Bootsy Collins, Duran Duran, Gil Scott-Heron, etc.), in addition, there was LaForest Cope p.k.a. "LaLa" (Songwriter extraordinaire of Whitney Houston's "You Give Good Love", Glenn Jones, Melba Moore,Stephanie Mills, Robin S. and countless others), and last but certainly not least, Ms. Lisa Fischer (Lisa's recorded and /or toured with Luther Vandross most notably, Bob James, Patti LaBelle, Al Jarreau, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, and her session credit list is never ending as well.)
Opening album title track,"Pump The Nation", is a bass synth ladened, OBX-a drum programmed, group 'party-like' vocalized track. It's funk infected dance groove with Paul's chicken scratch guitar licks are what party anthems are made of. Lyrics are that of "hip party people" hanging out on a Friday or Saturday night, everyone looking good all decked out to the nines. Cool song !
The Khris Kellow lead and background vocal performed track, "I Wanna Get To Know You Better", is a nice melodic feel good jam. Layered synthesizers, which I assume are the Prophet 5, and Oberheim Synths, along with Paul's nick picky guitar parts, were recorded very well by engineer Mario Salvati at the now closed Sorcerer Studios here in NYC. This is definitely a' summertime jam' song. This track had hit single written all over it. Why the record company at the time didn't hear the hit potential of this, would be, chart topper, is beyond me. Go figure.
On the Cindy Mizelle lead vocal performed track, the mid tempo'd, yet groovy and flowing track, "Love Me Tonight", was another song that will have you running straight to the dance floor. Cindy's performance was nothing short of spectacular. Paul's in the pocket guitar parts, with Khris' funky keyboard work, had smash written all over as well.
The single and radio friendly party jam, "We Got The Juice", is one of those sing along cuts that'll have you chanting the chorus along with those same group of 'party-like' pundits, like those featured on the album title track "Pump The Nation" ..... and if you listen closely, you'll hear Mic Murphy joining in on the party on background vocals. The track itself will conjure up thoughts of break dancers doing their thing on those cut out cardboards boxes on the street corners,which was a common occurrence here in NYC at the time. You'll hear the Hip Hop fused drum programming, tight bass synth performed parts, and those ever present OBX handclaps. Ahhh ! Those were the days !!
The single and radio friendly party jam, "We Got The Juice", is one of those sing along cuts that'll have you chanting the chorus along with those same group of 'party-like' pundits, like those featured on the album title track "Pump The Nation" ..... and if you listen closely, you'll hear Mic Murphy joining in on the party on background vocals. The track itself will conjure up thoughts of break dancers doing their thing on those cut out cardboards boxes on the street corners,which was a common occurrence here in NYC at the time. You'll hear the Hip Hop fused drum programming, tight bass synth performed parts, and those ever present OBX handclaps. Ahhh ! Those were the days !!
Next up is the tender ballad "If You Could Read My Mind". Once again, Cindy Mizelle handles the lead vocal, and she does so effortlessly. Her upper vocal range is star of this track. She can hit those hit notes with the best of them ! It's no wonder and surprise she's called on for vocal dates. Why ? ...because she delivers ! Khris' keyboard parts are mellow and smooth,particularly his lead and overdubbed synthesizer lines. I could've easily heard this song on the Quiet Storm radio shows at R&B radio at the time. It's just a cool song, well arranged.
On "It's Good For Me",the Funk is back in full effect !! As usual, and consistently, Khris throws down on the bass synths and additional keyboard parts. This keyboard driven track, with it's multi synthesizer overdubbed parts, is a keyboard players dream.You'll hear the runs, fills,stabs, hard hit chords, this track has it all. Of course it wouldn't be complete without the funky fretwork of Paul Pesco, and in that regard,he shined through and through.
On the closing number "We're Going Off", well that's EXACTLY what Attitude did,went off ! You can't help but notice the "very 80's, slight New Waveish" groove pattern. As they say in the verse, "The Beat Goes On And On". The almost euro Techno Pop ala Kraftwerk vibe exemplified here was what was going on musically in the early '80's. Who's to say that's not good ? It certainly worked just right here. It's just a fun song to listen to, as a matter of fact, the whole album is. It's definitely worth checking.
A CD reissue company in the UK, FTG Records wisely released it for us "80's kids" to take us back to a time when good music prevailed. Fortunately ALL the players involved on this project are still to this day are creating new music, and that certainly is a good thing ! They're necessary !!
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 6/4/2010 9:21 AM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Perspectives
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Old School Soul, Videos, Perspectives
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
That David Frank OB8 & lindrum sound was very strong in it's Day--- David where are you now ??? Kleeer
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Hey Rich,
Man ! I miss the sound of the old analog synthesizers. I forward David your email address and have him contact you.
RH
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I am glad that the blog is constantly evolving. This post just adds popularity
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