Skyy
Skyy was a Brooklyn-based R&B, funk, and disco band that formed in 1977 and became known for its danceable grooves and soulful ballads. Skyy emerged from New York City's vibrant funk scene, as the last group from the Brooklyn funk camp alongside acts like Brass Construction and BT Express. The original lineup featured the Dunning sisters—Denise, Delores, and Bonny—on vocals, led by Solomon Roberts Jr. (rhythm guitar and band leader), with Anibal "Booche" Sierra (lead guitar), Gerald LeBon (bass), Larry Greenberg (keyboards, later replaced by Wayne Wilentz), and drummer Tommy McConnell.
The band's self-titled debut album in 1979 included the R&B Top 20 single "First Time Around," followed by hits like "Call Me" (1981, their biggest chart success), "Let's Celebrate," and "Start of a Romance" and "Real Love" from their 1989 comeback album. They released 10 albums over three decades on labels like Salsoul, blending disco-funk rhythms with Randy Muller's production influence, earning a Gold record for one release.
Skyy stayed together through the 1980s with consistent chart success, though activity slowed after the early 1990s. Following McConnell's death in 2022, seven of the eight original members reunited in 2023 for shows in New York and Paris, marking a return after a 30-year hiatus.
Skyy Line
Written-By – Tommy McConnell
5:32
A2 Call Me
Written-By – Randy Muller
6:21
A3 Girl In Blue
Written-By – Randy Muller
4:24
B1 Jam The Box
Written-By – Solomon Roberts Jr.
4:54
B2 When You Touch Me
Written-By – Solomon Roberts Jr.
3:38
B3 Gonna Get It On
Written-By – Gerald Lebon, Solomon Roberts Jr.
4:13
B4 Get Into The Beat
Written-By – Randy Muller
4:28
Label: Salsoul Records – SA-8548
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Funk, Disco
Skyy’s 1981 album Skyy Line, produced by Randy Muller, is a quintessential post-disco/funk masterpiece that reachedGold status, driven by hits like the No. 1 R&B smash "Call Me" and "Let's Celebrate". Featuring sophisticated, synth-heavy production and tight instrumentation, it is a dancefloor-focused album highlighted by "Girl in Blue," "Jam the Box," and the ballad "When You Touch Me".
The album represents the full maturity of the band's sound, moving away from space-themed imagery towards a more cosmopolitan, stylish, and funk-driven sound.
Standout Tracks:
"Call Me": The standout hit (No. 1 R&B, No. 26 Pop), featuring a Stevie Wonder-inspired riff and what fans call "killer" dance energy.
"Let’s Celebrate": A sleek, mid-tempo groove defined by Solomon Roberts’ "combatative picking" on guitar and a deep, melodic bassline.
"When You Touch Me": A smoldering, "sultry" ballad that showcases the depth of lead vocals from the Dunning sisters.
"Girl in Blue": Often highlighted as one of the best funk tracks of the early '80s, carrying a "Rick James feel".
Some reviewers find the track "Gonna Get It On" to be a weak point, noting its reggae influence felt out of place.
While the first half is often called "top-shelf disco," some critics find the second half a bit more "unexceptional" or "forgettable," specifically citing the reggae-infused track "Gonna Get It On" as a weaker point.
Skyy Line is considered a top-shelf funk album from the early 80s, offering a mix of danceable hits and soulful, mid-tempo tunes. Remastered versions by Big Break Records often include valuable 12" mixes and improved sound quality.