Ian Foster
Ian Foster is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter born in London, England, to Jamaican parents. He emerged in the late 1980s with a brief career on MCA Records before fading from prominence.
Ian Foster grew up in London with Jamaican heritage, which influenced his soulful R&B style. Limited details exist about his childhood or pre-music career.
Foster debuted in 1986 with the single "Tell Me It's True," which failed to chart. In 1987, he released his self-titled album Ian Foster, featuring the follow-up single "Out for the Count," which peaked at #84 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart and charted for six weeks. No further releases or major activity followed, leading to his obscurity after the late 1980s.
Ian Foster
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Carl McIntosh, Jim Salamone, Nick Martinelli, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:06
A2 Heaven (Sent Your Love To Me)
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Carl McIntosh, Jim Salamone, Nick Martinelli, Randy Cantor
Featuring – Patrice Hawthorne
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:56
A3 This Time
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Doug Grigsby
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:12
A4 We've Lost This Feeling
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Backing Vocals – The Bryant Ensemble Choir
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:05
A5 Without Your Love
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Daryl Burgee, Doug Grigsby, Ian Foster 5:25
B1 Don't Hide Your Love
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:55
B2 Tell Me It's True
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Ian Foster 3:59
B3 You Make All The Right Moves
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Andy Goldmark, Ian Foster 6:15
B4 Ooh Wee Baby
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Jim Salamone, Randy Cantor
Written-By – Ian Foster 5:09
Label: MCA Records – MCA-42002
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Boogie, Disco
The 1987 self-titled album by British soul artist Ian Foster is a highly regarded, though commercially overlooked, "lost gem" of late-1980s R&B and Neo-Soul. Produced by Nick Martinelli, the album is praised for its high-quality production and strong material.
The album is considered classic R&B, soul, and boogie, often compared favorably to acts like Loose Ends and 52nd Street. Foster's vocal style has been noted as being very similar to Carl Macintosh of Loose Ends.
Reviewers consistently highlight the superb quality of Nick Martinelli's production, which is described as hitting "all the right spots" for the era's sound.
Despite its musical quality, the album received poor promotion and did not fare well commercially upon its initial release, leading to its status as a "slept-on" or rare find among soul enthusiasts.
For fans of 1980s R&B and UK soul, Ian Foster's 1987 album is considered a must-have for its authentic, high-quality sound that has stood the test of time. Its lack of mainstream success at the time makes it a valued discovery for collectors and soul music enthusiasts.