Brandi Wells
Brandi Wells was an American soul and funk singer from Philadelphia, known for her work in the late 1970s and 1980s. Born Marguerite J. Pinder on May 13, 1955, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, she began her career young and passed away in 2003.
Wells grew up as one of five daughters of Thomas and Dorothy Pinder in Chester, Pennsylvania, attending Chester Upland School District. She started performing professionally at age nine with the group the Twilights on Harathon Records, recording tracks like "Shipwreck" and "It's Been So Long," alongside Ellis Hall.
In 1972, she joined Major Harris's backing group Brown Sugar. By 1973, she formed Breeze, which supported artists like Billy Paul and Fat Larry's Band, releasing music on WMOT. Breeze evolved into Slick, scoring UK hits with "Space Bass" (1979 Top 20) and "Sexy Cream," plus her vocal on "Sunrise" (1980).
Wells launched her solo career in 1981 on WMOT/Fantasy with the album Watch Out, backed by producers like Thom Bell and Dexter Wansel. The "Watch Out" single peaked at #27 on US R&B and #74 UK charts, while "When It's Love" hit the R&B charts; the album reached #37 on Billboard R&B. Her 1985 follow-up, 21st Century Fox on Omni Records, followed but lacked similar chart impact.
Married to Terry Price, Wells died on March 25, 2003, at age 47 from breast cancer at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Chester, Pennsylvania; she was buried at Haven Memorial Cemetery.
Watch Out
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Nick Martinelli
Written-By – B. Wells, N. Martinelli
3:29
A2 When You Get Right Down To It
Producer, Arranged By – Bill Neale
Written-By – B. Mann
3:52
A3 Fantasy
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Nick Martinelli
Written-By – B. Wells, N. Martinelli, T. Price
5:39
A4 I Hate To See You Go
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Nick Martinelli
Written-By – C. Biggs, D. Wansel
3:50
B1 I Love You
Producer, Arranged By – Butch Ingram
Written-By – B. Ingram
3:57
B2 What Goes Around Comes Around
Arranged By – Dexter Wansel
Producer – Nick Martinelli
Written-By – B. Wells, C. Davis, N. Martinelli, T. Price
6:19
B3 You Are My Life
Producer, Arranged By – Bill Neale
Written-By – B. Neale, D. Bernstein
4:14
B4 Falling In Love
Producer, Arranged By – Bill Neale
Written-By – B. Neale, D. Bernstein, J.B. Jefferson
3:52
Label: WMOT Records – FW 37668
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1981
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco, Funk
Brandi Wells' debut solo album, Watch Out (1981), is widely considered a high-water mark for the WMOT/Fantasy label and a "hidden gem" of early '80s R&B.
Reviewers describe the album as a finely crafted blend of mid-tempo funk and soul ballads. Critics highlight Wells' unique vocal style, which balances the soprano tenderness of Deniece Williams with the alto tenacity of Phyllis Hyman, achieving power without the need for dramatic belting.
Key Tracks & Highlights:-
"Watch Out": The title track and biggest hit (reaching the Top 30 R&B charts) is often compared to the groovy, synth-heavy sound of BB&Q Band's "On The Beat".
"What Goes Around Comes Around": Frequently cited as a standout, this second single features contributions from legendary producers Nick Martinelli and Dexter Wansel.
"I Hate to See You Go": A "moody swayer" that critics often prefer over the more upbeat singles for its emotional depth.
"Falling in Love": Noted for its bright, Motown-influenced production.
The album maintains high ratings among soul enthusiasts and collectors:- Discogs: Averages between 4.1 and 4.6 / 5 across various pressings. Amazon: Users have rated it as high as 4.8 / 5, often calling it a "rare find" with excellent production quality.