René and Angela<div hidden>Rene & Angela René & Angela Rene and Angela</div>
René and Angela were an influential R&B duo active from 1977 to 1986, known for their smooth blend of soul, funk, and electro influences. The pair consisted of René Moore, a Los Angeles native and producer connected to Rufus through his brother Bobby Watson, and Angela Winbush, born January 18, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri, who started singing in church before studying architecture at Howard University.
They met in 1977 (or 1980 per some accounts) while Angela backed Stevie Wonder in Wonderlove, leading to collaborations on melodies. Signed to Capitol Records, they debuted with a self-titled album in 1980, followed by Wall to Wall (1981) featuring tracks like "Imaginary Playmate," and Rise (1983) with "My First Love." The attached webpage highlights their Wall to Wall album, showcasing its cover and play functionality on rnbalbums.com.
Switching to Mercury Records, their 1985 album A Street Called Desire became their breakthrough, with "I'll Be Good" peaking at #1 on the US R&B chart and hits like "Save Your Love (For #1)" and "Your Smile." They also wrote and produced for artists such as Janet Jackson (on her 1982 debut) and Stephanie Mills ("I Have Learned to Respect the Power of Love").
Disbanding in 1986, Angela launched a solo career with albums like Sharp (1987, featuring "Angel") and Rise (1991), managed initially by her then-husband Ronald Winans until their 2002 separation. René continued producing. Their work defined 1980s R&B, blending emotional vocals with innovative production.
Street Called Desire
Rap [Featuring] – Kurtis Blow
4:20
A2 I'll Be Good
5:14
A3 No How - No Way
5:00
A4 You Don't Have To Cry
5:53
B1 Street Called Desire
4:40
B2 Your Smile
4:26
B3 Who's Foolin' Who
5:06
B4 Drive My Love
4:09
Written by René Moore And Angela Winbush
Label: Club – JABH 12
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1985
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Released in 1985, René & Angela’s Street Called Desire is a classic 80s R&B album and the duo's final, most successful project, peaking with hits like "Save Your Love (For #1)" and "Your Smile". It is praised for its blend of heavy electro-funk, melodic pop-soul, and top-tier songwriting, often cited as a definitive, must-have album for the era.
The album features two #1 R&B hits: the Kurtis Blow-assisted "Save Your Love (For #1)" and the ballad "Your Smile". It also produced top-5 R&B hits with "I'll Be Good" and "You Don't Have to Cry".
The album bridges melodic 80s pop-soul with heavy, sometimes industrial electro-funk. Angela Winbush’s vocals are described as strong and reminiscent of Chaka Khan, providing a soulful foundation.
As their only album for Mercury, it is considered their artistic peak. It was one of the early R&B records to successfully feature rap, with Kurtis Blow contributing to a #1 hit.
Critics and fans generally consider it a "killer" album with a high-quality, danceable sound that remains a classic for R&B, despite a few potential filler tracks.
The album sits at the crossroads of late 70s R&B, balancing upbeat disco-flecked numbers with the heavy "sweet soul" ballads that the group became known for with their debut In Control. While not as commercially massive as their later 80s hits like "Stay," Next In Line is prized by collectors for its authentic, non-commercialized Southern soul sound.
Wall To Wall
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
5:23
A2 Just Friends
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
3:23
A3 Secret Rendezvous
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
4:10
A4 Wanna Be Close To You
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
6:02
B1 I Love You More
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
5:30
B2 Love's Alright
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
3:40
B3 Imaginary Playmates
Written-By – Winbush, Chainey, Moore
4:30
B4 Come My Way
Written-By – R. Moore-A. Winbush
4:46
Label: Capitol Records – ST-12161
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco, Boogie
René & Angela's Wall to Wall (1981) is hailed as a classic, showcasing a significant step up from their debut, blending soulful vocals with cutting-edge '80s electronic funk, featuring iconic tracks like "Secret Rendezvous," "Imaginary Playmates," and "I Love You More," with critics praising its lush synths, deep grooves, and timeless sound that remains fresh and dancefloor-ready decades later.
A defining early 80s R&B/Funk record, it's known for its sophisticated synth work (René Moore's signature), heavy basslines, smooth harmonies, and danceable grooves, incorporating elements of Quiet Storm and contemporary R&B.
The album leans heavily into electronic production, creating a "larger than life," sleek, and futuristic sound for its time, with some comparing its synth-bass to "Terminator club music".
Standout Tracks:- "Secret Rendezvous": A major groove-heavy classic and rare groove favorite; "Imaginary Playmates": Another beloved track, later sampled by Jay-Z; "I Love You More": Praised for its killer synth riff, a standout for many listeners; "Come My Way": A soulful gem.
The cover, shot by photographer Bobby Holland, features the duo against a blue brick wall, a styling choice some believe was a nod to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall. While some fans find the cover too "wholesome" to match the "badass monster funk" inside, it remains an iconic image of the duo's early career.
The album is considered an underappreciated masterpiece, it's celebrated by fans and "digger" culture for its musical quality, influencing later artists and remaining a staple for 80s soul enthusiasts. While some early reviews might have missed its depth, later commentary consistently calls it a fantastic, groovy, and perfectly produced classic that hasn't aged, with excellent musicianship and vocals.
In essence, Wall to Wall is a highly recommended listen for fans of classic soul, funk, and sophisticated 80s R&B, lauded for its fresh, innovative sound and enduring appeal.