Ca$hflow
Ca$hflow was an Atlanta-based funk band active in the 1980s, known for blending funk grooves with rap and urban contemporary elements.
The band formed in 1980 when lead vocalist Kary Hubbert, originally from Macon, Georgia, moved to Atlanta to attend Morris Brown College. Drummer Gaylord Parsons recruited him after hearing him sing on campus, leading to the initial group South Side Coalition with members including James Duffie (keyboards), Edsel Robinson (keyboards), Jack Campbell (guitar), Stanley Hackett (sax), and Kenneth Brown (co-lead vocals). They started with covers but shifted to originals, renamed to CA$HFLOW for brevity, and recorded a demo after two years of gigs.
Neighbor James Duffie passed their demo to Cameo leader Larry Blackmon, who signed them to his Atlanta Artists/Polygram label in 1982. Delays occurred due to Cameo's hits like "She's Strange," but in 1986, Blackmon rushed their self-titled debut album, recorded in four days in New York with pre-done tracks by Blackmon, guitarist Charlie Singleton, and bassist Michael Burnett.
Core quartet: Kary Hubbert (fiery gospel-tinged lead vocals), Gaylord Parsons (drums, vocals, raps), James Duffie (keyboards, backing vocals), and Regis Ferguson (keyboards). They provided solid funk beats amid electronic pop trends, with over 3 million records sold worldwide per their site. A modern lineup includes Max Spaulding alongside Duffie and Parsons, emphasizing hard-driving grooves and romantic ballads.
Ca$hflow
Rap, Vocals – Larry Blackmon
Written-By – T. Greene
4:17
A2 Mine All Mine
Written-By – K. Beck
4:34
A3 Can't Let Love Pass Us By
Written-By – L. Blackmon
5:27
B1 Spending Money
Written-By – D. Ogrin
4:58
B2 Reach Out
Soloist, Saxophone – Don Myrick
Written-By – J. Campbell
5:22
B3 I Need Your Love
Written-By – M. Wells
5:20
B4 It's Just A Dream
Written-By – E. Robinson, G. Hackett, K. Brown
4:36
Label: Atlanta Artists – 422-826 028-1 M-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Electro
The 1986 self-titled debut album by the Atlanta-based funk quartet Ca$hflow is widely regarded by critics and fans as a quintessential example of mid-80s electro-funk, heavily influenced by its producer, Larry Blackmon of Cameo.
The album maintains a high reputation among soul and funk enthusiasts, holding average ratings between 4.3 and 4.6 out of 5 across major music databases like Discogs.
Reviewers highlight the "solid grooves and beats" created by members Gaylord Parsons, James Duffie, Regis Ferguson, and Kary Hubbert. The sound is characterized by a "new-wave synthesis" of electronic keyboards and drum machines typical of the era.
Kary Hubbert’s "fiery gospel-tinged lead vocals" are frequently cited as a standout element that elevated the band's work above standard dance-pop.
Key Tracks:- "Mine All Mine": The album's most significant commercial success, becoming a Top 20 hit in the UK and a staple of 80s R&B. "Party Freak": Another hit single praised for its danceability and classic funk energy; "Big Money": Often noted for its aggressive, Blackmon-style production.
The album was released on the Atlanta Artists label, founded by Larry Blackmon. Critics often describe the record as having a "Cameo-lite" feel, featuring the signature staccato horn arrangements and heavy synth basslines associated with the legendary funk group.
While the band had the potential for long-term success, music business politics reportedly hindered their momentum after this release. Today, it is mostly enjoyed through expanded digital editions or remastered CDs that include extended club mixes and bonus tracks.