Planet Detroit

Planet Detroit was an dance\electronic music project that consisted of Derrick Ray, Hal Oppenheim and James McCauley. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Pandisc Records.

In 1984, they released their only single “Invasion from the Planet Detroit.” It’s unknown how or if the single made the charts.

After that, it seems as if Planet Detroit faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Invasion from the Planet Detroit,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKOh9wwWd0I

Opus 10

Opus 10 were a hip-hop\dance band from Miami, Florida that was led by John St. John. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Pandisc Records.

In 1985, they released their only single “Love’s Calling” which peaked at #48 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.

After that, it seems as if Opus 10 faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Love’s Calling,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UaOe3r2htsk

Jeffrey Osborne

Jeffrey Osborne (born Jeffrey Linton Osborne on March 9, 1948 in Providence, Rhode Island) is an R&B singer-songwriter who first started his career in the ’70s and started a solo music career in the ’80s.

He is the youngest of 12 children (five brothers and six sisters), born in a musical family. His father Clarence “Legs” Osborne was a popular trumpeter who played with artists such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton. Clarence passed away when Jeffrey was 13 years old.

In 1970, Jeffrey started his music career with a band called L.T.D. (short for Love Men Ltd.) who scored hit singles such as “(Every Time I Turn Around) Back in Love Again,” Love Ballad” and “Holding On (When Love is Gone).”

At first, Jeffrey was a drummer and shared lead vocals with his brother Billy, but he became the primary lead vocalist in 1978. In 1980, Jeffrey & Billy left the band to start their own solo music careers. In 1982, Jeffrey released his self-titled debut album which peaked at #49 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The first single from the album “I Really Don’t Need No Light” peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100, #42 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart and #3 on Billboard’s Hot Soul Singles chart, staying on the chart for 23 weeks. The follow-up single “On the Wings of Love” peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #13 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 15 weeks.  Another single “Eenie Meenie” peaked at #76 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #8 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart, but missed the R&B charts. In 1983, Jeffrey released his sophomore album “Stay With Me Tonight” which peaked at #25 on the Billboard 200 and #3 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The first single from the album “Don’t You Get So Mad” peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100, #29 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #3 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks. The title song peaked at #30 on the Billboard Hot 100, #31 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart and #4 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 20 weeks. The third single “Plane Love” peaked at #10 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks and #6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart. The last single from the album “We’re Going All the Way” peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #16 on Billboard’s Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks.

In 1984, Jeffrey appeared on R&B singer Joyce Kennedy’s duet “The Last Time I Made Love” which was a R&B hit and minor pop hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

During that same year, Jeffrey released his third album “Don’t Stop” which peaked at #39 on the Billboard 200 and #7 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The title song peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 17 weeks. The follow-up single “The Borderlines” peaked at #38 on the Billboard Hot 100, #7 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play Singles chart and #7 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The last single from the album “Let Me Know” peaked at #44 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

In 1985, Jeffrey wrote the lyrics to Whitney Houston’s song “All At Once” and appeared on USA for Africa’s fundraising single “We Are the World.” In 1986, Jeffrey released his fourth album “Emotional” which peaked at #27 on the Billboard 200 and #5 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The first single from the album “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song)” peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #2 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 19 weeks.

“The Woo Woo Song” is in parentheses because Jeffrey’s young daughter didn’t know the title of the song and she identified the song by saying, “Daddy, sing the ‘Woo Woo Song’” and Jeffrey affectionately nicknamed the song. The second single “Soweto” peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #36 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and #18 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks. The third single from the album “Room With a View” peaked at #36 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart and #29 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks.

The last single “In Your Eyes” peaked at #15 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart and #82 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 6 weeks.

In 1987, Jeffrey was featured on Dionne Warwick’s album “Reservations for Two” on the track “Love Power” which topped Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart & did well on the pop and R&B charts. In 1988, Jeffrey released his fifth album “One Love-One Dream” peaked at #86 on the Billboard 200 and #12 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The first single “She’s On the Left” peaked at #48 on the Billboard Hot 100, #6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Club Play chart, #9 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music\Maxi-Singles Sales chart and topped Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart for a week in September of 1988, staying on the chart for 16 weeks. The second single “Can’t Go Back On a Promise” which peaked at #28 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. The last single from the album “All Because of You” peaked at #48 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. In 1990, Jeffrey released his sixth album “Only Human” which peaked at #95 on the Billboard 200 and #9 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The title song peaked at #3 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 21 weeks. The second single from the album “If My Brother’s In Trouble” peaked at #11 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 13 weeks.

The last single from the album “The Morning After I Made Love to You” peaked at #24 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.

From 1992 to 1995, Jeffrey provided vocals to the theme song for the television soap opera “Loving.” He also sang the theme song for the first season of  the television show “Veronica’s Closet.” In 1997, Jeffrey released his seventh album “Something Warm For Christmas” which peaked at #86 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. Nothing much was heard from Jeffrey until 2000 when he released his eighth album “That’s For Sure” which managed to peak at #191 on the Billboard 200 and #50 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. It’s unknown if any singles were released from the album. In 2003, Jeffrey released his ninth album “Music is Life” which peaked at #42 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart and #50 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The only single from the album to chart was “Rest of Our Lives” which peaked at #75 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, staying on the chart for 9 weeks. In 2005, Jeffrey released his tenth album “From the Soul” which peaked at #72 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart and #42 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums chart.

The only charting single was “Yes I’m Ready” which peaked at #64 on Billboard’s Hot R&B\Hip-Hop Songs chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. In 2013, Jeffrey released his eleventh and current album to date “A Time to Love” which peaked at #4 on Billboard’s Jazz Albums chart and #34 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.

The first single “Baby It’s Cold Outside” peaked at #21 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Songs chart. The follow-up single “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight” which peaked at #28 on Billboard’s Smooth Jazz Songs.

To see a fan-made video for “I Really Don’t Need No Light,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Olf7YLsiZs

To see a fan-made video for “On the Wings of Love,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFhR2FHKmss

To see a fan-made video for “Eeenie Meenie,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EL0t4uxS62I

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t You Get So Mad,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYxpcvXX994

To see the music video for “Stay With Me Tonight,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCWYZHYIPyE

To see a fan-made video for “Plane Love,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKts93p43ms

To see a fan-made video for “We’re Going All the Way,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NieMko3qlL4

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t Stop,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44d-TuE-ksU

To see the music video for “The Borderlines,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCPfpWNc8ik

To see a fan-made video for “Let Me Know,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkRixy39Pao

To see the music video for “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song),” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgg1Yczq4vI

To see a fan-made video for “Soweto,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGZPaY_KFFI

To see a fan-made video for “Room With a View,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TV7aWBDlrFU

To see a fan-made video for “In Your Eyes,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z3URPFL4JA

To see the music video for “She’s On the Left,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYWIKi1QgFo

To see a fan-made video for “Can’t Go Back on a Promise,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__SnFEU7fKQ

To see a fan-made video for “All Because Of You,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTVI7ss4MO8

To see a fan-made video for “Only Human,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbPBoOxrYzQ

To see a fan-made video for “If My Brother’s in Trouble,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7KyWjMZEtY

To see a fan-made video for “The Morning After I Made Love to You,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3pLnQgta3k

To see a fan-made video for “Rest of Our Lives,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pn_5D_B_GU

To see a fan-made video for “Yes I’m Ready,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTWfZxuIzaQ

Zhigge

Zhigge (pronounced “shiggy”) was a ’90s rap group from New York that consisted of members such as Kazo, Face, Prancer, Sound and Tonga. In 1992, the group released their only self-titled album on Polydor Records which peaked at #55 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart. The first single from the album “Toss It Up” peaked at #7 on Billboard’s Rap Singles chart and #76 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks. The follow-up single “Rakin’ in the Dough” peaked at #23 on Billboard’s Rap Singles chart. After that, it seems as if Zhigge has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for “Toss It Up,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8MQ2OvHCGg

To see the music video for “Rakin’ in the Dough,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uTr5uTGuSY

Big Mack

Big Mack was a hip-hop rapper from the early ’90s. Not much information is given about him, but he was signed to Columbia Records.

In 1990, he released his only single “Tick Tock (Ring My Phone)” which managed to peak at #74 on Billboard’s Hot  Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 5 weeks.

After that, it seemed as if Big Mack faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from him since the ’90s.

To see the music video for “Tick Tock (Ring My Phone),” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqxKsFI22wI

The Black Flames

The Black Flames were an R&B music trio from Newark, New Jersey that consisted of members John Sykes, Nate Burgess and Donald Richardson.

Their music style combined hip hop fashion with a sweet sound that took its cue from music groups of the 1970s such as the Stylistics and the Chi-Lites.
In 1987, they were featured on the soundtrack to the film, “Less Than Zero” with a cover version of The Chi-Lites’ 1970 song, “Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So)”. The song peaked at #71 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 10 weeks.
In 1990, the Black Flames released their self-titled and only studio album on Columbia Records. The album peaked at #70 on Billboard’s R&B Albums chart.
The lead single, “Watching You” peaked at #15 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart (staying on the chart for 14 weeks), making it the trio’s highest chart appearance to date.
The follow-up singles: “Dance With Me” (which peaked at #37) and “Let Me Show You” (which also peaked at #37) were moderately successful on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart.

Afterwards, it seems as if the Black Flames have faded into obscurity. It’s unknown what the members are currently up to these days.

To see a video for “Are You My Woman?”, go to:

To see a video for “Watching You”, go to:

To see a video for “Dance With Me”, go to:

To see a video for “Let Me Show You”, go to:

Surf MC’s

The Surf MC’s were a rap trio from California that consisted of Paul Rodriguez, Ivan Mumm and Tony Gilmour. Not much information is given about them, but they were signed to Profile Records.

In 1987, the trio released their only album “Surf or Die.” It’s unknown how or if the album made the charts. The title song was released as the only single and it managed to peak at #90 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for only 3 weeks.

After that, it seems as if the Surf MC’s have faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see the music video for “Surf or Die,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-ev88ij5mo

Planet Soul

Planet Soul was a house dance music duo from Miami, Florida that consisted of producer George Acosta and singer Nadine Renee (born Renee Shamir on February 9, 1972 in New York City). Nadine had a solo career in the early ’90s and even released an album.

In 1995, the duo released their debut single “Set U Free” which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100, #10 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Top 40 chart, #3 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart, #35 on Billboard’s Top 40 Mainstream chart and #57 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 14 weeks. A year later in 1996, Planet Soul released their debut album “Energy + Harmony” which peaked at #165 on the Billboard 200 and #6 on Billboard’s Heatseekers Albums chart. The second single from the album “Feel the Music” peaked at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #10 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. The last single from the album “Look Into My Eyes” peaked at #47 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales chart. In 1999, Planet Soul released the single “Music is My Life” which didn’t appear to make the Billboard charts at all.

In the late ’90s, Nadine toured Europe and recorded a CD for MCA Records (where she also worked as a receptionist), but the album was shelved and then later reworked & released in 2000 under the name “Oasis of Love.”

Nadine continued to make music along with painting and writing screenplays, but she began to focus on her personal life. In the 2000’s, she released her music on MP3.com and scored several number one hits.

In 2002, Nadine worked with DJ Bad Boy on the song “Costa Del Sol.” In January of 2003, she married Jon Shamir and on December 1, 2004, Nadine gave birth a daughter Liat Nadine Shamir. Sadly, Nadine passed away of complications from childbirth the next day at the age of 32.

To see a fan-made video for “Set U Free,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxacRNgWUh0

To see the music video for “Feel the Music,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgUxFgZksgQ

To see a fan-made video for “Look Into My Eyes,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEHc4sbUQrQ

To see a fan-made video for “Music is My Life,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq9NWWLaXcQ

Tina

Tina (born Tina Ashton in New York) was a female hip-hop rapper from the late ’90s. Not much information is given about her, but she was signed to Offda Hook Records. In 1997, Tina released her only album “Are U.Bout’ It?” It’s unknown how or if the album made the charts.

The title song peaked at #73 on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart, staying on the chart for 7 weeks. After that, it seems as if Tina has faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from her since.

To see a fan-made video for “Are U.Bout’ It,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSbG8mS85p0

The Skwares

The Skwares were an R&B/funk band from Memphis, Tennessee that consisted of singer Johnny Adkinson, guitarist Michael Anderson, keyboardists Willie Bonds & Tony Smith, bassist Bryan Jones and drummer William Polk. In 1984, the band released their debut album “Skwares” on Cotillion Records. It’s unknown how or if the album made the charts at all. The only single released from the album was “Tricky.” Like the album, it’s unknown how or if it made the charts at all. In 1986, the Skwares released their second single “Too the Limit” which failed to make the Billboard charts. In 1988, the Skwares released their sophomore album “Start It Up” on Mercury Records. Like their debut album, it didn’t make the charts. The first single from the album “Don’t Mess With My Heart” peaked at #33 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles chart, staying on the chart for 11 weeks.  The follow-up single from the album “Be My Delight” didn’t make the charts at all. After that, it seems as if the Skwares have faded into obscurity. Nothing much has been heard from them since.

To see a fan-made video for “Tricky,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SagVF64Z8gc

To see a fan-made video for “Too the Limit,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9_NX9iLoK4

To see a fan-made video for “Don’t Mess With My Heart,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8sJuzMDZwc

To see a fan-made video for “Be My Delight,” go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6ivJqNvFNM