Kleeer
Kleeer was a New York City-based funk, disco, and post-disco band active from 1972 to 1985. They evolved from backup work to releasing seven albums on Atlantic Records with minor R&B hits.
The band started in 1972 as The Jam Band, initially backing groups like The Choice Four. By 1975, they became Pipeline and tried hard rock with a Columbia single "Gypsie Rider," which flopped commercially. In 1976, they rebranded as The Universal Robot Band, scoring moderate success with "Barely Breaking Even" alongside producer Patrick Adams.
Key Members... Woody Cunningham (drums, lead vocals; 1948–2010); Paul Crutchfield (vocals, percussion, keyboards); Richard Lee (guitar); Norman Durham (bass; 1952–2011). Later additions included vocalists like Isabelle Coles and session players such as David Frank from The System.
Kleeer signed with Atlantic in 1979, debuting with I Love to Dance featuring "Keep Your Body Workin'" (#60 R&B). Winners (1979) brought "Open Your Mind" and the title track (#23 R&B). Albums like License to Dream (1981) included "Get Tough" (#15 R&B), protesting U.S. hostages in Iran. Their sound shifted to 1980s funk with synthesizers and vocoders.
After Seeekret (1985), the band disbanded, though members pursued other projects and occasional 1990s reunions occurred. Mic Murphy of The System served as their road manager early on.
Get Ready
Written-By – Norman Durham
5:55
A2 Pritty Things
Written-By – Richard Lee
4:02
A3 Slidin' & Glidin'
Written-By – Woody Cunningham
5:25
A4 Stonseee
Written-By – Norman Durham, Paul Crutchfield, Richard Lee, Woody Cunningham
3:15
B1 She Said She Loves Me
Written-By – Woody Cunningham
6:02
B2 Say You'll Stay
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
4:50
B3 Your Love Is What I Need
Written-By – Norman Durham
5:46
Label: Atlantic – 80038-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Boogie, Funk
Intimate Connection
Backing Vocals – Debbie Cole, Diane Garisto
Vocals – Woody Cunningham
Written-By – W. Cunningham
5:40
A2 You Did It Again
Vocals – Woody Cunningham
Written-By – N. Durham, P. Crutchfield
4:30
A3 Go For It
Vocals – Woody Cunningham
Written-By – W. Cunningham
5:03
A4 Intimate Connection
Vocals – Woody Cunningham
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham
4:45
B1 Next Time It's For Real
Vocals – Norman Durham
Written-By – N. Durham, R. Lee, W. Cunningham
5:20
B2 Break
Soloist, Vocoder – Eumir Deodato
Written-By – N. Durham, P. Crutchfield, W. Cunningham
5:00
B3 Tonight
Vocoder, Vocals – Norman Durham
Written-By – N. Durham
5:07
B4 Do You Want To?
Vocals – Paul Crutchfield
Written-By – Deodato, Durham, Crutchfield, Cunningham
4:18
Label: Atlantic – 80145-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Funk, Soul, Boogie
License To Dream
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
A2 Running Back To You
Written-By – Woody Cunningham
7:22
A3 Sippin' & Kissin'
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
4:15
A4 Hypnotized
Written-By – Richard Lee, Woody Cunningham
3:40
B1 License To Dream
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
4:45
B2 Get Tough
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
8:17
B3 Say You Love Me
Written-By – Paul Crutchfield, Woody Cunningham
4:41
B4 Where Would I Be (Without Your Love)
Written-By – Paul Crutchfield
4:22
Label: Atlantic – SD 19288
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Seeekret
Guitar – Richard Lee
Synthesizer [Mini Moog Bass, D X - 7, O B X Expander] – Norman Durham
Written-By – W. Cunningham 6:14
A2 You Got Me Rockin'
Lead Vocals, Synthesizer [O B 8, O B 8 Bass, D X 7] – Norman Durham
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
Written-By – N. Durham, P. Crutchfield 5:13
A3 Lay Ya Down Ez
Backing Vocals – Woody Cunningham
Soloist, Flute – E. Deodato
Synthesizer [D X 7, D S H] – E. Deodato
Synthesizer [Emulator 11] – Bob "Wall" Ross
Synthesizer [O B 8, O B 8 Bass, D X 7] – Norman Durham
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham 5:07
B1 Seeekret
Guitar – Richard Lee
Synthesizer [O B 8, Emulator 11] – E. Deodato
Synthesizer [O B 8, O B 8 Bass, D X 7, Emulator 11] – Norman Durham
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham 6:07
B2 Do Not Lie To Me
Lead Vocals, Synthesizer [O B 8, Mini Moog Bass, D X 7] – Norman Durham
Soloist, Guitar – Richard Lee
Written-By – W. Cunningham 4:57
B3 Never Cry Again
Bass, Synthesizer [O B 8, O B 8 Expander, D X 7] – Norman Durham
Synthesizer [Emulator 11] – E. Deodato
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham 4:49
B4 Call My Name
Guitar – Richard Lee
Synthesizer [O B 8, O B 8 Bass, D X 7] – Norman Durham
Written-By – R. Lee, W. Cunningham 4:23
Label: Atlantic – 81254-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Boogie, Funk, Soul
Seeekret is the seventh and final studio album by the New York City-based R&B/funk band Kleeer, released in 1985 on Atlantic Records a smooth, synth-heavy funk/soul record produced with Eumir Deodato, showcasing tight grooves, rich harmonies, and killer basslines on tracks like the title track and "Take Your Heart Away," balancing their signature sound with 80s electronic textures, making it a standout in their catalog despite mixed reception at the time.
A blend of classic Kleeer funk with prominent 80s synthesizers, drum machines (LinnDrum), and sparkling keyboard sounds, all layered over deep bass and tight vocals.
Co-produced by legendary Eumir Deodato (known for Kool & the Gang), adding a polished, jazzy finish and balancing the electronic elements with soulful depth.
Standout Tracks: "Take Your Heart Away" (with its irresistible hook), the bass-heavy "Seeekret," the funky "You Got Me Rockin'," and the slow groove "Lay Ya Down EZ".
While not a huge chart success in the US, it's considered a fan favorite, representing a high point in their sound and a fitting, funky legacy after the band's conclusion.
Think warm, soulful grooves with a distinct early-to-mid-80s electronic funk feel, featuring complex arrangements, sweet harmonies, and dancefloor-ready tracks that highlight the band's musicianship.
Taste The Music
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
7:23
A2 I've Had Enough (Can't Take It Anymore)
Written-By – Terry Dolphin, Woody Cunningham
4:56
A3 De Ting Continues
Written-By – Eric Rohrbaugh, Norman Durham, Paul Crutchfield, Richard Lee, Jr., Terry Dolphin, Woody Cunningham
4:35
A4 Wall To Wall
Written-By – Norman Durham, Woody Cunningham
3:26
B1 I Shall Get Over
Written-By – Woody Cunningham
6:29
B2 Fella
Written-By – Woody Cunningham
4:49
B3 Swann
Written-By – Paul Crutchfield
4:40
B4 Affirmative Mood
Written-By – Eric Rohrbaugh, Norman Durham, Paul Crutchfield, Richard Lee, Jr., Woody Cunningham
3:54
Label: Atlantic – SD 19334
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1982
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Disco, Funk
Winners
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham
7:09
A2 I Still Love You
Lead Vocals – Isabelle Coles
Written-By – W. Cunningham
4:12
A3 Your Way
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham
4:44
A4 Close To You
Written-By – R. Lee Jr.
5:24
B1 Rollin' On
Lead Guitar – Eddie Martinez
Written-By – P. Crutchfield, W. Cunningham
3:49
B2 Nothin' Said
Written-By – W. Cunningham
4:54
B3 Hunger For Your Love
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Written-By – P. Crutchfield, R. Lee Jr.
5:34
B4 Open Your Mind
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Written-By – N. Durham, W. Cunningham
6:44
Label: Atlantic – SD 19262
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk, Disco
Kleeer’s 1979 album Winners is widely regarded by critics and fans as a high-point in late-70s funk and disco, often cited as the band's most consistent and versatile work.
While their debut I Love to Dance was seen as a pure disco record, Winners is noted for its musical versatility, blending funk, soul, and jazz-funk.
Reviewers consistently praise the "lush strings," "nagging bass lines," and "wriggly guitar riffs" that define the album's sound. Unlike many disco-era albums that relied on one major hit, Winners is frequently described as a "complete set" where nearly every track is strong.
Key Tracks:-
"Winners": The title track and lead single peaked at #23 on the US R&B charts; it is praised for its "upbeat, positive" lyrics and driving dance floor energy.
"Open Your Mind": A standout jazzy, socially conscious closer that has grown into an underground classic despite minimal commercial success upon release.
"I Still Love You" & "Your Way": These tracks are noted for shifting the tempo into "quiet storm" and mid-tempo soul territories.
"Hunger For Your Love": A romantic ballad highlighted by a prominent saxophone solo.
Critics often compare the album's polished production and melodic funk to the works of Chic, Change, and Heatwave. While it lacked a massive crossover pop hit like "Keep Your Body Workin'," it is frequently rated higher (averaging 4.2 to 4.5 stars on platforms like Discogs) for its depth and musicianship.