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Unlimited Touch
A2 Private Party (B. Reid, R. Reid, W. Anderson 4:55)
A3 I Hear Music In The Streets (B. Reid, L. Underwood 6:50)
A4 Love To Share (L. Underwood 4:10)
B1 Happy Ever After (L. Underwood, R. Reid, S. Anderson 6:20)
B2 Searching To Find The One (B. Reid, L. Underwood, R. Reid, S. Anderson 5:03)
B3 Carry On (L. Underwood 4:46)
B4 In The Middle (B. Reid, L. Underwood, S. Anderson 5:40)
Label: Prelude Records – PRL 12184
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre:
R&B Soul
Style: Disco Funk, Boogie
The self-titled 1981 debut album by Unlimited Touch is a highly regarded post-disco boogie-funk classic, celebrated for its strong instrumental grooves and impact on dance music. It is considered by some to be the strongest LP release from the iconic Prelude label.
The album was formed and produced by key members of Crown Heights Affair—Lenny Underwood, William Anderson, and Ray and Bert Reid—and features the vocal talents of Audrey Wheeler and Stephanie James. It is known for a raw, funky production style that incorporated live instruments like Fender Rhodes piano and prominent, "slippery" synth bass lines, setting it apart from pure disco and aligning it with the emerging post-disco sound.
Critics and fans consistently praise the album's enduring quality and its ability to fill dancefloors decades later. It is often described as an excellent example of New York City's early 80s club sound and a favorite among DJs.
The album is primarily known for a few standout tracks that became club favorites:
"I Hear Music in the Streets": The "monster" track of the album, this single was a club hit in both the US and UK and is well-known for its infectious funk bass breakdown. It has been extensively sampled, notably in Paul Johnson's "Hear the Music" and Faith Evans' "All Night Long".
"Searching to Find the One": Another major club hit that reached number 29 on the UK charts, featuring a bumping guitar and bubbly synth bass.
"Love Explosion" and "Yes I'm Ready": Other strong cuts highlighted for the vocal performances of Wheeler and James.
"Feel The Music" and "Carry On": Praised for their funky grooves and jazzy piano elements.
Unlimited Touch is a bona fide dance classic that successfully bridges disco with early 80s boogie and funk. While the group did not achieve massive commercial success on the R&B charts, the album is a firm favorite among soul and funk enthusiasts and a quintessential piece of early 80s dance music history. Reissues of the album are available from labels like Unidisc.
You’re My Lady
A2 Girl I've Been Trying To Tell You (Dennis Williams 2:53)
A3 Loving You Easy (Dennis Williams 4:08)
A4 You're My Lady (Ronald Millender 3:37)
B1 She Went Away (Nathaniel Hayden 3:21)
B2 God And You (Ronald Millender 2:14)
B3 Yeah, Yeah, Yeah (Nathaniel Hayden 3:09)
Label: TSG Records – 809
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
The album You're My Lady by The Ultimates is a rare and highly sought-after sweet soul and R&B classic, originally released in 1976 (or 1978 on some pressings) on the TSG Records label.
The album is celebrated in the rare soul community for its easy, mellow soul sound and includes several notable tracks. It is considered a "super sweet ballad" plate (mezla plate in Japanese soul parlance) and has achieved cult status among collectors, with original pressings commanding high market prices.
Notable Tracks: "I Just Can't Stand It": A group-style ballad, originally a Millie Jackson song, that serves as a strong opener. "Girl I've Been Trying to Tell You": A track described as Philly-style medium soul that gained momentum over the years with rare soul enthusiasts.
Original pressings are extremely rare, but digital and vinyl reissues (like by P-Vine) make it accessible.
Overall Vibe: A great, lesser-known gem that's considered essential for rare soul collectors, delivering classic soul vibes without being overly soppy.