Loose Ends
Loose Ends is a British R&B and funk-influenced band formed in London in 1980, known for their smooth, sophisticated sound that blended soul, funk, and electronic elements during the 1980s.
The band was founded by keyboardist Steve Nichol after leaving the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama; he met vocalist Jane Eugene at a party and recruited guitarist and vocalist Carl McIntosh. They initially signed with Virgin Records as "Loose End" in 1981, with early material written by The Real Thing's Chris and Eddie Amoo.
Their breakthrough hit "Hangin' on a String (Contemplating)" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart in 1985 and topped the US Billboard R&B Chart, making them the first Black British band to do so. They released albums like Virgin (loose end) (1982), So Where Are You? (1985), and The Real Chuckeeboo (1988), achieving prominence in both the UK and US via MCA Records distribution.
Nichol and Eugene departed in 1990 (or 1989 per some accounts) over musical direction disputes; they were replaced by Linda Carriere and Sunay Suleyman. McIntosh continued producing, helming the final album Look How Long (1990) and its hit "Don't Be a Fool," while working with artists like Caron Wheeler.
Loose Ends pioneered Brit-funk and polished R&B, influencing the genre with high production values and tracks produced by Nick Martinelli. McIntosh has kept the name active, with occasional reunions featuring Eugene.
A Little Spice
A2 Feel So Right Now 5:24
A3 Let's Rock 4:57
A4 So Much Love 4:31
B1 Dial 999 4:52
B2 Music Takes Me Higher 4:56
B3 Choose Me 4:34
B4 A Little Spice 5:08
Written-By – McIntosh, Foster (tracks: A4), Eugene (tracks: A2 to B4), Shell (tracks: A1), Nichol
Label: Virgin – V 2301
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: UK
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk
Look How Long
2 Don't You Ever (Try To Change Me) 4:28
3 Time Is Ticking 4:48
4 Love's Got Me 3:35
5 Don't Be A Fool 4:20
6 Cheap Talk 4:01
7 Love Controversy Pt.1 3:29
8 Try My Love 4:04
9 Hold Tight 4:23
10 I Don't Need To Love 4:04
11 Symptoms Of Love 1:23
Written-By – McIntosh, Nicholas, Carrière (tracks: 1), Suleyman, Jacobs
Label: 10 Records – DIXCD 94
Format: CD, Album
Country: Europe
Released: 1990
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul, Pop
Style: Contemporary R&B
The Best Of Loose Ends
5:51
2 Magic Touch
4:27
3 Don't Be A Fool
4:19
4 Slow Down
5:01
5 Emergency (Dial 999)
4:53
6 Tell Me What You Want
4:47
7 Choose Me (Rescue Me)
4:33
8 Golden Years
3:38
9 Mr. Bachelor
4:18
10 Nights Of Pleasure
4:26
11 Stay A Little While, Child
5:04
12 Love's Got Me
3:36
13 Ooh, You Make Me Feel
4:34
14 Watching You
4:36
15 Cheap Talk
4:01
Written-By – Carl McIntosh (tracks: 1 to 7, 9 to 15), David Bowie (tracks: 8), Jane Eugene (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 9 to 11, 13, 14), Kenny Nicholas (tracks: 3, 12, 15), Nicholas Martinelli (tracks: 10), Phillip Linton (tracks: 3), Ray Shell (tracks: 6), Sam Bergliter (tracks: 15), Steve Nichol (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 9 to 11, 13, 14), Suni Suleyman (tracks: 3, 12, 15), Trevor Jacobs (tracks: 3, 12, 15)
Label: EMI – 584 4452
Format: CD, Compilation
Country: Europe
Released: 2003
Genre: R&B Electronic, Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Contemporary R&B
Zagora
8:11
A2 Slow Down
5:02
A3 I Can't Wait (Another Minute)
4:53
A4 Sweetest Pain
5:43
B1 Ooh, You Make Me Feel
4:44
B2 Who Are You?
4:00
B3 You Can't Stop The Rain
4:20
B4 Be Thankful (Mama's Song)
5:15
B5 Nights Of Pleasure
4:26
B6 Let's Get Back To Love
3:55
Written-By – McIntosh (tracks: A1 to A3, B1 to B6), C. Thompson (tracks: A3), Biggs (tracks: A4), Wansel (tracks: A4), Eugene (tracks: A1 to A3, B1 to B6), S. Bergliter (tracks: A3), Nichol (tracks: A1, A2, B1 to B6)
Label: MCA Records – MCA-5745
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1986
Genre: R&B Funk, Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco
Released in 1986, Loose Ends' Zagora is a critically acclaimed British synth-funk and R&B album, often considered a masterpiece of 80s sophisticated soul. Led by Jane Eugene’s vocals, it features hits like "Slow Down," "Stay a Little While, Child," and "Nights of Pleasure," blending polished, dance-oriented rhythms with lush, emotive production that improved upon their previous work.
The album showcases a mix of edgy, club-oriented R&B and chic, languid soul, with some tracks incorporating sub-Saharan and Spanish folk influences.
Key Tracks:-
"Slow Down": A number-one U.S. R&B hit and a standout, polished 80s funk track.
"Stay a Little While, Child": Often highlighted for its infectious groove and vocal performance.
"You Can't Stop the Rain": Praised for its intimate, heartfelt duet style.
"Nights of Pleasure": Frequently cited as a highlight.
Zagora is regarded as a defining album of late 80s British soul, often preferred by fans for being a more consistent, "killer" album than its predecessors. It is noted for its high-quality production, blending synthetic elements with genuine soul.
The album saw the band honing a tighter, more modern sound compared to their earlier, more organic soul, with some critics viewing it as a "concept-like" journey through relationships.
The album solidified Loose Ends' reputation as a premier UK soul group and remains highly regarded for its timeless, sophisticated R&B sound.