TOP SONGS

“Tender Love”

“Tears”

“Here I Go Again”

Biography:

Perhaps no group embodies the spirit of classic eighties Hip-Hop R and B soul more than the iconic and unstoppable Force MD’s. Anyone who has attended a Force MD’s show knows that from the first words of “Tender Love” “Here I lay all alone…” the whole crowd is instantly unified, swaying arm in arm, passionately singing the soundtrack of their lives. The first few bars of timeless classics like “Love is a House”, “Tears,” or countless other hits can transform any arena into a nostalgic soul celebration in seconds.

In addition to a surge of new tour dates, and widespread industry buzz about the forthcoming feature length documentary Force MD’s Relived, the group’s momentum has also been fueled by a slew of recent celebrity endorsements. These range from President Obama’s highly publicized acknowledgement that he keeps the Force MD’s in rotation on Air Force One, to the growing roster of entertainers who cover Force MD’s songs in their show (including Wiz Khalifa, Alicia Keys, Marcia Ambrosius, New Edition, and others). As a result, the group is experiencing a new chapter in a long history of success.

The group is most known for the overwhelming commercial success from the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis-penned classic “Tender Love.” The song proved to be a huge success, peaking at #10 in the Billboard Hot 100 chart, remaining there for 19 weeks, and helping Jam & Lewis garner a Grammy Award for Producer of the Year. Incredibly, the group would follow this success in 1987 with their first #1 R&B hit “Love is a House.” But the Force MD’s deep catalog of classic R and B/ Hip-Hop staples including “Tears,” “Here I go Again,” “Let me Love You,” and their continued release of new anthems for all occasions has allowed them to maintain a consistent presence at radio and in the hearts of their fans.

The Force MD’s live show takes fans beyond the groups original classics and dazzles them with an uplifting soulful tour of the best of the black music experience. With the captivating energy that took the group from the Staten Island Ferry to the top of the charts, the group rolls out spontaneous crowd pleasing renditions of songs from artists such as the Temptations, Four Tops, the Jackson Five, Al green and others.

When the Force MD’s fans listen to their music and attend their shows they frequently state that they feel like they are celebrating a story of resilience, and triumph over obstacles and tragedy. The group is a living testimony that empowers fans to face the challenges in their own lives. And the group knows challenges all too well. Tragedy struck the group three times with the passing of three of its members: Charles “Mercury” Nelson suffered a fatal heart attack in 1995; Antoine “T.C.D.” Lundy died of Lou Gehrig’s disease in 1998; and DJ Dr. Rock died under unknown circumstances. Nevertheless, the groups remaining members have transformed this tragedy into ongoing inspiration that they share generously with their audiences.

As the longest active member of the group, Stevie D is the dynamic thread that connects the group’s history, to its present and rapidly evolving future. As a powerful vocalist, pioneering freestyle artist, and electrifying dancer he exemplifies the blend of Hip-Hop and R and B that the group is known for originating. Khalil Lundy and TCD Lundy forged their vocal styles working closely together during their youth. Today Stevie D, Khalil, an their nephew Zieme (Zy-eem) continue to carry that legacy as the embodiment of the distinctive Force M.D.’s sound.

TOP SONGS

“La, La, Means I Love You”

“Didn’t I Blow Your Mind”

“I Gave To You”

Biography:

Wilbert Hart is an American R&B singer and a pioneering co-founding member of the legendary Delfonics. Wilbert (aka, Wil) was instrumental in the development of the styling and branding of the Delfonics and what is widely known as “The Sound of Sexy Soul”. From the beginning of his career as a musician, Wilbert Hart wrote, produced, and co-produced songs for his group as well as other up-and-coming artists. Most notable was his hit song “Hey Love” with Delfonics and “Say You Love Me” with Norman Connors. Currently, Wilbert Hart owns his recording and production company “In the Game Entertainment” where he continues to produce music and groom up-and-coming artists. Wilbert Hart continues to write and produce music for R&B, Pop, and Hip Hop genres. Artists currently signed to In the Game Entertainment benefit from Wilbert Hart’s knowledge, experience, and wisdom from over 45 years of working in the music industry. Wilbert Hart is currently writing, producing, co-producing, recording, and grooming a Hip Hop Group called “Code Bleu”. He also writes, produces, and performs music for Wilbert Hart of the Original Delfonics. As a founding member of the Legendary Delfonics, Wilbert Hart helped the group remain a fixture on the Pop and R&B top ten as one of the lead singers on the Delfonics song “Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time”, which achieved the group it’s very first and only Grammy Award for best R&B performance in 1970. He was responsible for writing, co-writing, producing, arranging, and singing lead and background on every one of the Delfonics’ successful recordings and albums.

In 2012 Wil signed a publishing deal with Reservoir Media and has been working on new releases and product placements since that time. Recent placements for Wil Hart of the Original Delfonics music can be found in major movie productions, television commercials, and on many new artists recording both through samples and through remakes.

Artist Biography provided by www.reservoir-media.com

TOP SONGS

“Spell”

“Sideshow”

“What’s Come Ove Me”

Biography:

Blue Magic is an American R&B soul vocal quintet formed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1972. Ted Mills, Keith Beaton, Richard Pratt, Vernon Sawyer and his brother Wendell would become best known for their hit songs, “Spell”, “Sideshow”, “Three Ring Circus” and “Start To Stop”. The early releases from their first album in 1973 were mainly confined to the R&B chart. Blue Magic’s first million-selling US Top 10 hit single Sideshow climbed to #8 and topped the R&B chart.

With over thirty years of performing with the group original member Vernon Sawyer is still traveling around the world with his current members electrifying Blue Magic fans in every venue and arena they perform at. Keeping true to the Blue Magic persona that identified the group visually back in the days, you’ll witness their precise choreographed movements, smooth mesmerizing vocals and of course their classic Blue Magic attire.

TOP SONGS

“You & I”

“Don’t Turn Around”

“Mainline”

Biography:

Black Ivory is a Classic Soul / R&B vocal trio founded in Harlem, New York in 1969. Leroy Burgess, Stuart Bascombe and Russell Patterson were just teenagers when they were signed by Perception/Today Records and released their first hit single, “Don’t Turn Around”. This was soon followed by an album by the same name and a string of hit singles produced by the legendary Patrick Adams. These included “You and I” and “I’ll Find A Way (The Loneliest Man in Town). They continued to produce hits throughout the 70’s on Today Records, Kwanza Records and Buddha Records. The most popular of these were “Time Is Love”, “Spinning Around”, “What Goes Around (Comes Around), “Will We Ever Come Together” (written by Robert John and Michael Gately) and “Mainline” (mixed by Michael Gomes) which was destined to become a club cult classic. Most well known for a style of soul which features a male falsetto lead vocal, classic Black Ivory can be compared to artists such as The Delfonics, The Stylistics, Blue Magic, The Moments, The O’Jays, Earth, Wind and Fire and Prince. The group also engaged in a fair amount of musical genre-bending and were no strangers to funk and disco. One of the groups primary creative forces, Leroy Burgess left the group to forge his own legend as the voice and musical genius behind groups such as Convertion, Logg, and The Fantastic Aleems. He wrote the smash hit “Over Like A Fat Rat” for Fonda Rae and has come to be referred to as “the patron saint of Boogie”.Black Ivory’s recordings have been sampled by numerous hip hop artists including Raekwon, Q-Tip, Nas and 9th Wonder. Now, after close to thirty years, the original members have reunited on an album that reflects their growth as individuals and their refinement as songwriters, producers and recording artists. With a rich musical history behind them, Black Ivory steps into the future with Continuum.

TOP SONGS

“Betcha By Golly Wow”

“You Make Me Feel Brand New”

“Stop, Look, Listen”

Biography:

For over 30 years, Russell Thompkins, Jr. was the original lead singer of the Stylistics. His impeccable falsetto voice led the group to international fame and recognition, recording such hits as “You’re A Big Girl Now”, “Stop, Look, Listen”, “You Are Everything”, “Rockin’ Roll Baby”, “Betcha By Golly Wow”, “Break Up To Make Up”, “Stone In Love With You”, “People Make The World Go Round”, “Children Of The Night”, “You Make Me Feel Brand New”, “You’ll Never Get To Heaven”, “Let’s Put It All Together”, “I Can’t Give You Anything”, “ First Impressions”, “Love At First Sight”, “Hurry Up This Way Again”, “Love Talk”, and many, many more. Russell had the opportunity to work with such greats as Thom Bell, Linda Creed, Burt Bachrach, Carol Bayer Sager, Van McCoy, Teddy Randazzo, Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff.

Russell’s distinctive falsetto was the driving force and backbone of the original Stylistics and it earned them (7) gold albums, (5) gold singles, (2) double gold singles, (8) platinum albums, (1) double platinum album, and (4) platinum singles, along with a Grammy nomination in 1974 for “You Make Me Feel Brand New”, and a plaque on the Walk of Fame in 1994, in Center City Philadelphia, including various awards and trophies from around the world. In May 2004 they were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

Russell’s departure from the group, in April 2000, has culminated in two separate, but equally important events. The first event was the release of his first solo CD, “A Matter Of Style”, in September 2002, with the collaboration of Christopher Biehler, President of ForEverMore Music and Records, based in Rochester, NY. The second event was the formation of “The New Stylistics”, who are dedicated to preserving the sound of the original recordings. As Russell Thompkins, Jr. & The New Stylistics they are committed to delivering high quality vocal performances on stage and in the studio in a professional and masterful style. Russell brings to the table an unparalleled level of talent, dedication, and professionalism. His major goal and mission is to provide his fans, friends, and supporters, who have remained loyal for over 30 years, with the same quality of music and showmanship that they have come to know and love.