Finished Touch
Finished Touch was a short-lived disco-soul studio group active in the late 1970s, primarily associated with Motown Records.
According to member Kenny Stover, Finished Touch was not a traditional touring band but rather a project assembled from songwriters and vocalists signed to Jobete Music, Motown's publishing wing. The collective functioned as a studio group to record and promote the label's compositions.
Key members and contributors included: Kenny Stover: A principal member and songwriter. Harold Johnson: Noted songwriter and producer.
The group is best known for their single studio album, "Need to Know You Better," released in 1978 under Motown. Their music was characterized by the "disco-soul" sound prevalent in the late 1970s, blending rhythmic dance tracks with soulful vocal arrangements.
Their output was limited to the 1978 album and a few associated singles, such as the title track "Need to Know You Better" and "New York City". Despite their brief existence, they are remembered for their smooth production and high-quality songwriting, typical of the Motown/Jobete stable during that era.
Need To Know You Better
Featuring, Written-By – Kenny Stover 5:25
A2 I Love To See You Dance
Featuring, Written-By – Kenny Stover
Written-By – Hazel Peterson 4:50
A3 Trying To Kick The Habit
Featuring – Harold Johnson
Written-By – Larry Brown, Terri McFaddin 2:43
A4 Dancin' On
Featuring – Michael Sutton
Written-By – Harold Johnson, Brenda Sutton-Michael Sutton 4:07
A5 Sticks And Stones (But The Funk Won't Never Hurt You)
Written-By – Brenda Sutton-Michael Sutton 3:46
B1 New Frontiers
Written-By – Jermaine Jackson, Maureen Bailey, Michael McGloiry 5:38
B2 Sunshine Love
Featuring – Brenda Sutton
Written-By – Dave Pruitt, Kenny Stover 3:21
B3 You Dance Into My Life
Featuring – Harold Johnson
Featuring, Written-By – Larry Brown
Written-By – Terri McFaddin 3:29
B4 Mighty Good Friends
Written-By – Brenda Sutton-Michael Sutton 2:53
B5 Strokin'
Featuring – Kenny Stover
Written-By – Harold Johnson 2:55
Label: Motown – M7-906R1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco, Funk
The 1978 album Need To Know You Better by the group Finished Touch is a well-regarded record in the soul and disco genres, often praised for its "Philly-styled" production and strong musicianship. It is an underground classic for collectors of funk, soul, and disco.
The album is noted for its high-energy disco sections mixed with soulful elements, including a driving bass and string swirls. One review describes it as a "really kool Philly styled disco production on Motown," which is well-orchestrated and soulful.
The record is often categorized as a blend of soul, disco, and funk, with some listeners also finding elements of jazz-funk, especially on tracks like "New Frontiers" and is considered somewhat "under the radar" by some collectors and is highly valued in the soul/funk community, with copies fetching good prices on the second-hand market.
It's an interesting release that showcases impressive songwriting and hints at great potential from the artist, making it a solid, engaging listen for fans of introspective music.