Tavares

This US group was formed in 1964 in New Bedford, Massachusetts, USA. The line-up consisted of five brothers, Ralph, Antone ‘Chubby’, Feliciano ‘Butch’, Arthur ‘Pooch’ and Perry Lee ‘Tiny’ Tavares. Originally known as Chubby And The Turnpikes, the group assumed its family’s surname in 1969. Although they lacked a distinctive lead voice or a characteristic sound, Tavares’ undemanding blend of light soul and pop resulted in several commercial successes. The brothers’ early run of R&B hits culminated in 1975 with ‘It Only Takes A Minute’, a soul chart-topper and a US pop Top 10 entry. The following year the group scored their sole million—seller in ‘Heaven Must Be Missing An Angel’ before enjoying further success with one of their strongest songs, ‘Don’t Take Away The Music’. Both of these singles reached number 4 in the UK where Tavares enjoyed an enduring popularity. ‘Whodunit’ (1977) was another major release, while ‘More Than A Woman’ (1978), a song from that year’s box-office smash, Saturday Night Fever, gave the group their last significant hit. Tavares continued to reach the R&B lists until 1984, but their safe, almost old-fashioned style gradually fell from favour.

Albums:  Check It Out (1974), Hard Core Poetry (1974), In The City (1975), Sky High! (1976), Love Storm (1977), Future Bound (1978), Madam Butterfly (1979), Supercharged (1980), New Directions (1982). Compilation: The Best Of The Tavares (1977).                                                                                        

Tavares

Soul brothers from Massachusetts who began to record disco in 1975, starting with "It only takes a minute girl". Next release, "Heaven must be missing an angel" was most successful, going gold in the US (also one of the first promotional 12" singles on the Capitol label). Other strong songs from this disco period were "Don't take away the music", "Whodunnit" and "More than a woman", the latter being included in the film "Saturday Night Fever".

"Don't take away the music" was the first commercial 12" on Capitol. "Whodunit" is not available on US 12" although it can be found on a UK 3-track EP. The disco activity on the Capitol label changed to a more soulful sound, although the brothers were back on the floor after a brief signing to the JDC label in 1979.

Check it out (Capitol LP, 1973) Sky High (Capitol LP, 1976) Love storm (Capitol LP, 1977) Future bound (Capitol LP, 1978) Madame Butterfly (Capitol LP, 1979)

  1. Check it out (Capitol, 1973)
  2. Remember what I told you to forget (Capitol, 1975)
  3. It only takes a minute (Capitol, 1975)
  4. Heaven must be missing an angel (part 1) (Capitol, 1975)
  5. Don't take away the music (Capitol, 1976)
  6. Mighty power of love (Capitol, 1977)
  7. Whodunnit (Capitol, 1977)
  8. One step away (Capitol, 1977)
  9. The ghost of love (Capitol, 1978)
  10. More than a woman (Capitol, 1978)
  11. Slow train to paradise (Capitol, 1978)
  12. She freaks out on the floor (JDC, 1979)                                             

 back