The Artistics
The Artistics were a Chicago-based soul vocal group formed in 1958 at Marshall High School. The group started as a doo-wop quartet singing a cappella on street corners, with an initial lineup of lead vocalist Curt Thomas, first tenor Larry Johnson, second tenor Jesse Bolian (born June 8, 1941; died August 24, 1994), and baritone-bass Aaron Floyd. They were discovered by soul singer Major Lance, who brought them in as his backing vocalists. Some accounts note Robert Dobyne as an early lead before Thomas.
Active from the late 1950s through the 1990s, they recorded for labels like Vee-Jay and Brunswick, scoring minor chart hits with soul tracks like "I'm Gonna Miss You" and "Hope We Never Grow Old." Their smooth harmonies placed them among Chicago's top soul acts, often compared to peers in the genre's golden era.
The Artistics influenced the Windy City's R&B scene but remained under the radar nationally. Members like Bolian passed away, and the group is remembered through reissues and fan archives today.
Get My Hands On Some Lovin’
7:55
A2 Living My Life Just For You
4:03
A3 All I Want
4:23
A4 Something Inside You Feel
4:28
B1 Climbin' Higher
4:57
B2 Daisy Lady
4:37
B3 Something Beautiful
5:26
B4 Young Girl
4:44
Label: Parachute Records – RRLP 9014 DJ
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1979
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Released in 1979 on Casablanca's Parachute subsidiary, Climbing Higher is the second studio album by the Tuskegee-based funk octet 7th Wonder. The record is widely regarded as a solid example of late-70s modern soul and funk, blending uptempo dance floor tracks with smoother R&B grooves.
Key Tracks and Highlights:-
Daisy Lady: The album's standout track, renowned for its "monster" breakbeat and infectious funky rhythm. It has been heavily sampled in hip-hop and remains a staple for DJs of classic soul and funk.
Do It With Your Body: Another uptempo highlight that showcases the band's club-oriented sound and tight instrumentation.
Climbin' Higher: The title track features the soaring vocal arrangements and melodic lines characteristic of the band's polished production style.
Ballads: The album includes slower moments like "Young Girl" and "Living My Life Just For You," which provide a soulful contrast to the high-energy funk tracks.
Critical consensus generally places the album as a high-quality, albeit somewhat "slept on," funk record. Reviewers describe the sound as a mix of soul, funk, and early disco, noting the "clubby groove" that defines the uptempo tracks.
While some tracks beyond "Daisy Lady" are occasionally labeled as average by purists, the ensemble playing and production are frequently cited as "superb" and "impressive".
The album captures the transition of Chicago soul from standard doo-wop roots into more polished, uptempo dance arrangements. Its production is typical of the OKeh era, featuring tight brass sections and the lead tenor vocals of Robert Hill or Marvin Smith, which helped the group briefly rival bigger acts like The Impressions.
On enthusiast platforms, the album maintains strong ratings, typically ranging from 4.0 to 4.4 out of 5 among listeners on sites like Discogs.