Yarbrough and Peoples
Yarbrough and Peoples were an influential American urban contemporary duo known for their contributions to the music scene during the 1980s. The duo, consisting of Calvin Yarbrough and Alisa Peoples, originated from Dallas, Texas. Their musical journey began when they formed a local group called Grand Theft before gaining wider recognition.
Calvin Yarbrough was an accomplished musician with a background in classical piano. He met Alisa Peoples during childhood piano lessons, which laid the foundation for their eventual partnership in music. The duo released their debut album, "The Two of Us," in 1981, marking the beginning of their professional career in the music industry.
Yarbrough and Peoples are credited with inventing what they termed "smooth wave music," a style that blended elements of soul and R&B. Their unique sound resonated with audiences, and they experienced significant commercial success with their biggest hit, "Don't Stop the Music," which became a staple on U.S. charts.
Throughout their career, Yarbrough and Peoples released several albums. After their debut, they produced one album for Mercury Records and later signed with Total Experience Records, under which they released three more albums from 1980 through 1985. Their music during this period solidified their presence in the urban contemporary genre.
Yarbrough and Peoples have left a lasting legacy in the music industry, particularly within the urban contemporary genre. Their creativity and musical innovations continue to influence artists today, and they remain a notable part of music history from the 1980s.<div hidden>Yarbrough & Peoples</div>
Be A Winner
Producer – Jonah Ellis
7:30
A2 I'm Ready To Jam
Producer – Jonah Ellis
5:50
A3 I'll Be There
Producer – Cavin Yarbrough
4:17
A4 I Only Love You
Producer – Jonah Ellis
3:43
B1 Be A Winner
Producer – Cavin Yarbrough
5:07
B2 The Power
Producer – Oliver Scott
4:12
B3 Who Said That?
Producer – Cavin Yarbrough
3:27
B4 Let Me Have It (From The Start)
Producer – Cavin Yarbrough
4:00
B5 I Gave My All (To You)
Producer – Cavin Yarbrough
3:58
Label: Total Experience Records – FL89384
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Yarbrough & Peoples' 1984 album, Be A Winner, is a classic R&B/funk record known for its synth-heavy, danceable grooves, sultry duets, and strong melodies, featuring the massive #1 R&B hit "Don't Waste Your Time" and showcasing the duo's versatile vocal talents and 80s production.
The album blends smooth soul with electro-funk, maintaining quality songwriting with tracks like "I'll Be There" and "The Power," and has seen successful deluxe re-releases with bonus tracks.
It features prominent synthesizers, slick 80s production, and a strong, funky underbelly, offering a mix of smooth and gritty sounds. Alisa Peoples delivers powerful leads and sultry coos, while Cavin Yarbrough provides charismatic harmonies, creating compelling duets.
Produced by Cavin Yarbrough, Jonah Ellis, and Oliver Scott, with support from Total Experience Records, the album solidified their place as major R&B artists beyond their debut, demonstrating quality songwriting and performance that has aged well.
The album yielded the duo's second #1 R&B hit, "Don’t Waste Your Time," which topped the charts in the spring of 1984 and reached #11 on the Dance charts. The song "Be a Winner" also achieved significant success, reaching #20 on the R&B charts later that summer.
Critics often describe the album as a versatile mix of "synthy duet soul" and "heavy electro-funk," though some noted a shift toward a more commercial pop style compared to their earlier soul-focused work.
Deluxe CD editions by BBR include bonus tracks, remastered audio, and liner notes, making it a must-have for soul and R&B fans.
Yarbrough & Peoples