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Hi-Tension

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Hi-Tension were a British band based in North London, seen as pioneers of Brit funk. The band started out as Hott Waxx in the early 1970s.[1] They included Phil Fearon (Galaxy and Kandidate) and Lloyd Phillips (Kandidate), brother of guitarist Paul, before becoming Hi-Tension and riding high on the Brit funk wave with the tracks, "Hi Tension" and "British Hustle".

The group was composed of brothers Paul McLean (lead guitar) and Patrick McLean (saxophone); brothers David Joseph (keyboards/lead vocals) and Ken Joseph (bass guitar); uncle and nephew Jeffrey Guishard (percussion/lead vocals) and Leroy Williams (congas); Paul Phillips (rhythm guitar/vocals), David Reid (drums) and Courtney Pine (saxophone on tour).[1]

The band split in the early 1980s with David Joseph pursuing a solo career. In 1984, Ken Joseph, Leroy Williams and Jeffrey Guishard reformed the band (with old members David Joseph and Paul Phillips playing on the recording sessions) and released "Rat Race" in 1984, and "You Make Me Happy" in 1985.[1] Neither cover version made the UK Singles Chart. In 2013-2014 Paul McLean reformed the Band with six original members, and performed at the Soulstice festival as headliners in Barnet London, to over 5,000 fans. Paul McLean and Patrick McLean continue performing as The Brit Funk Association, a band composed of original members of various bands including Beggar & Co, Light of the Word, Central Line and Incognito who perform the hits of all the bands on stage as well as new releases. The first Brit Funk Association album was called Full Circle and reached number one in RnB and Funk, as well as number 6 in Popular Amazon chart.

Hi-Tension appeared on Cheggers Plays Pop on 22 May 1978, playing their eponymous single.

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • "Autumn Love" / "Unspoken" - Island Records (Germany) 1978
  • "Hi Tension" / "Girl I Betcha" - Island Records (UK, WIP 6422) 5/1978 - UK #13[2]
  • "British Hustle" / "Peace on Earth" - Island Records (UK, WIP 6446) 8/1978 - UK #8[2]
  • "Autumn Love" / "Unspoken" - Island Records (UK, WIP 6462) 1978
  • "Funktified" / "Latin Inspiration" - Island Records (UK, WIP 6489) 1979
  • "There's a Reason" / "If It Moves You" - Island Records (UK, WIP 6493) 1979
  • "Hi Tension" / "British Hustle" - Island Records (UK - reissue, WIP 6705) 1981
  • "We've Got the Funk" - EMI (UK) 1981
  • "Rat Race" - Serdisco 1984
  • "You Make Me Happy" - Streetwave 1984

References

  1. ^ a b c "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 252. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
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