Bloodstone
Bloodstone is an American R&B, soul, and funk band that emerged from Kansas City, Missouri, in the early 1960s. They are best known for their contributions to the music scene during the 1970s and early 1980s, characterized by a "sweet soul" sound that garnered considerable popularity.
The group was formed in 1962, originally as a high school band of a cappella singers called The Sinceres. Over the years, they evolved their style and lineup, solidifying their place in the music industry. Bloodstone's roots are deeply embedded in the Kansas City music scene, which provided a rich environment for their artistic development.
After years of performing, they moved to Los Angeles, learned instruments, and rebranded as Bloodstone, adding members like Melvin Webb, Charles Love, Charles McCormick, Harry Williams, and Willis Draffen. In 1972 they moved to England, signed with Decca Records, and found immediate success with their second album, Natural High (1973). The title track, "Natural High," became a multi-million-selling, gold-certified smash hit, reaching the Pop Top 10 and becoming a soulful anthem.
Bloodstone released a series of successful albums and singles, with a total of thirteen songs making it onto the charts between 1973 and 1984. Their music blends elements of soul, R&B, and funk, showcasing their versatility and appeal across different audiences. The band achieved significant commercial success, becoming one of the most notable groups to emerge from Kansas City during that era.
With their smooth harmonies and distinctive sound, Bloodstone has left a lasting impact on the genres of R&B and soul. Their music continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by fans of classic funk and soul music, and their contributions helped shape the musical landscape of their time
Despite lineup changes and the deaths of key members (Melvin Webb in 1982, Willis Draffen in 2002, Charles Love in 2014), the band continued to tour and record. In 2019, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National R&B Music Society, solidifying their lasting impact.
Bloodstone
Written-By – Eddie Summers
3:04
A2 Take These Chains
Written-By – Eddie Summers
2:56
A3 You Don't Mean Nothin'
Written-By – Charles McCormick
3:37
A4 Little Green Apples
Arranged By – Harry Williams Jr.
9:03
Written-By – Russell
B1 This Thing Is Heavy
Written-By – Charles McCormick
3:06
B2 Friendship
Written-By – Eddie Summers
3:09
B3 Lady Of The Night
Written-By – Eddie Summers
3:05
B4 Dumb Dude
Written-By – Charles D. Love
4:31
Label: Decca – TXS 110
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Do You Wanna Do A Thing?
Written-By – Willis Draffen
5:51
A2 If You Wanna Be My Baby
Written-By – Charles McCormick
4:02
A3 Just Like In The Movies
Written-By – Carhee, Adams
3:24
A4 Do You Wanna Do A Thing
Written-By – Jesse Boyce, Richard Griffith, Sanchez Harley
4:54
B1 Shake The Building
Written-By – Charles Love
6:40
B2 This Is It
Written-By – Charles Love
3:41
B3 When We're Doin' It
Written-By – Charles McCormick, Willis Draffen
4:03
B4 Give Me Your Heart
Written-By – Charles McCormick
3:22
Label: London Records – PS 671
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Don't Stop!
Written-By – Mike Gonzales
3:53
A2 I'm Just Doing My Job
Written-By – Michael L. Smith
5:09
A3 Throw A Little Loving My Way
Written-By – David Foster, Harry Garfield, Jay Graydon
4:24
A4 It's All Been Said Before
Written-By – Brian Potter, Dennis Lambert
6:29
B1 She Wants To Hear The Words
Written-By – Kathy Wakefield, Ken Hirsch
3:34
B2 Just Wanna Get The Feel Of It
Written-By – Michael L. Smith
6:23
B3 You Bring Out The Best In Me
Written-By – Bill Cuomo, Bobby Appleberry*
4:14
B4 It's Been A Long Time
Written-By – Phil Dennys, Will Jennings
3:50
Label: Motown – M7-909R1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
I Need Time
Written-By – Charles McCormick
3:47
A2 Funky Park
Written-By – Charles Love
3:59
A3 That's Not How It Goes
Written-By – Willis Draffen, Jr.
3:04
A4 Out Of My Life
Written-By – Willis Draffen, Jr.
3:11
A5 Loving You Is Just A Pastime
Written-By – Charles Love
4:11
B1 I Need Time
Written-By – Charles McCormick
3:17
B2 Little Linda
Written-By – Harry Williams, Jr.
4:28
B3 I Believe You Now
Written-By – Harry Williams, Jr.
4:36
B4 Get Up
Written-By – Harry Wilkins
3:27
B5 We Did It
Written-By – Charles McCormick
4:24
Label: London Records – APS 647
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
Natural High
Written-By – Willis Draffen, Jr.
4:12
A2 Who Has The Last Laugh Now
Written-By – Charles E. McCormick
5:38
A3 Peter's Jones
Written-By – Larry Durham, Roger Durham
4:10
A4 That's The Way We Make Our Music
Written-By – Eddie Summers
3:28
A5 Damn That Rock 'n' Roll Bo Diddley/Diddley Daddy
Written-By – Ellas McDaniel, Harvey Fuqua
3:37
B1 Natural High
Written-By – Charles E. McCormick
4:50
B2 I Need Your Love
Written-By – Charles E. McCormick
1:10
B3 Tell It To My Face
Written-By – Charles Love
3:20
B4 Ran It In The Ground
Written-By – Charles Love
4:52
B5 Never Let You Go
Written-By – Harry Williams (3)
5:40
Label: London Records – XPS 620
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
Now!... That's What I'm Talkin' About
2 Now!... That's What I'm Talkin' About
3 I've Never Found A Girl
4 I Feel Good 5:11
5 Just For You 4:55
6 Good Old Days 4:53
7 Just The Thought of You 4:52
8 Baby 4:43
9 God Knows 5:27
10 Big City 5:15
11 B With U-2 Nite 5:34
12 Come And Get It 5:06
13 You're My Baby 4:31
14 Bloodstone Party Train 5:11
Label: Check It Records – 14125 20035
Format: CD, Album, Repress
Country: US
Released: 2008
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Soul, Funk
Party
Written-By – Ronald Wilson
7:17
A2 Feel The Heat
Written-By – Harry Williams, Willis Draffen
5:17
A3 Contagious
Written-By – Greg Moore, Shirley Jones
5:10
A4 Men Need Tenderness Too
Written-By – Dorian Holley
3:43
B1 Instant Love
Written-By – Ronald Bell
5:23
B2 It Feels So Good (With You)
Written-By – Charles Love
4:41
B3 I Adore You
Written-By – Harry Williams, Willis Draffen
4:40
B4 Why Be The First One Home
Written-By – Charles Love
4:40
Label: T-Neck – FZ 39146
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk
Riddle Of The Sphinx
A2 I Just Learned To Walk 3:08
A3 Sign For Me Dad 3:24
A4 My Little Lady 3:19
A5 Something's Missing 4:51
A6 A Time For Reflection 1:06
B1 This World Is Funky 2:59
B2 Young Times Old Times 4:29
B3 Wasted Time 3:44
B4 Nobody But You 2:34
B5 Save Me 7:34
Label: London Records – PS 654
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1974
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Unreal
Written-By – Harry Williams
4:53
A2 What Did You Do To Me? Part 1
Written-By – Willis Draffen, Jr.
4:04
A3 What Did You Do To Me? Part 2
Written-By – Willis Draffen, Jr.
4:24
A4 Unreal
Written-By – Charles Love
5:20
A5 Everybody Needs Love
Written-By – Charles McCormick
4:02
B1 Something
Written-By – George Harrison
4:02
B2 Keep Your Own Thing Together
Written-By – Charles McCormick
5:30
B3 Let Me Ride
Written-By – Roger Durham
3:56
B4 The Traffic Cop (Dance)
Written-By – Charles Love
3:56
Moulded Oldies
B5a Hound Dog
Written-By – Mike Stoller
1:35
B5b Searchin'
Written-By – Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
2:05
B5c So Fine
Written-By – Johnny Otis
1:42
Label: London Records – XPS 634
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Seventies Soul
We Go A Long Way Back
Written-By – Charles Love, Kitty Sears 8:07
A2 How Does It Feel
Bass – Eddie Watkins
Soloist, Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax Solo] – Don Myrick
Vocals [Female Vocalist] – Kitty Sears
Written-By – Charles Love, Curtis Love, Kitty Sears, Oscar Love 11:04
A3 We Go A Long Way Back
Soloist, Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax Solo] – Fernando Harkless
Written-By – Charles Love 4:54
B1 Funkin' Around
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax Solo] – Don Myrick
Written-By – McKinley Jackson, Ronald Wilson 6:41
B2 My Kind Of Woman
Bass – James Jamerson Jr.
Written-By – Ronald Wilson 4:42
B3 My Love Grows Stronger
Synthesizer – Paul Fox
Written-By – McKinley Jackson, Shirley Jones, Valorie Jones 6:16
B4 Nite Time Fun
Written-By – Charles Love 4:31
Label: T-Neck – FZ 38115
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk
Bloodstone's 1982 album We Go A Long Way Back is a well-regarded R&B/soul record noted for its blend of the group's classic 70s vocal harmonies with a more modern, early 80s funk sound. The album is often described as a tale of two sides, balancing soulful ballads with upbeat, danceable funk tracks.
Reviewers consistently praise the group's excellent harmonies and the emotional power of the lead vocals, especially on the slow jams. The vocal interplay is described as "peerless" and central to the album's success.
The album is considered eclectic, incorporating elements of doo-wop, soul, funk, jazz, and R&B. Side one of the original vinyl features the "old Bloodstone" sound with lush, understated arrangements, while side two introduces a "new Bloodstone" with a harder-driving, party-oriented funk sound.
It was produced by The Isley Brothers and utilized top session musicians, resulting in a polished and professional sound.
While it didn't replicate the massive success of their 1973 hit album Natural High, We Go A Long Way Back performed reasonably well, reaching number 11 on the US R&B album chart. The title track single was a top five R&B hit.
Standout Tracks:-
"We Go A Long Way Back": The title track and most successful single (reaching number 5 on the US R&B charts), praised for its slow, sultry, and impassioned fusion of doo-wop, soul, and jazz.
"Go On and Cry": An emotive and dramatic ballad featuring a "heartbroken, powerful" vocal performance.
"How Does It Feel": An eleven-minute epic known for its tender harmonies, jazzy guitar, and building drama.
"My Kind Of Woman": An uptempo, hook-laden dance track that is considered a "timeless" piece of the album's funk-oriented second half.
Overall, We Go A Long Way Back is viewed as a significant and versatile album in Bloodstone's discography, showcasing their ability to evolve with the times while staying true to their soulful roots. It is well-regarded by fans and critics for its strong songwriting and high-quality production.