Early work by Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, working here with the young Chicago group Manchild – a funky soul outfit that was one of the city's last big new acts of the 70s. The band never really broke the charts that strongly – and on their funky cuts, they sound a bit too much like a copycat version of other successful 70s funk groups. However, they really do a nice job on the ballads – like most of the Chi-Sound groups from the late 70s – and they come off with a nice compressed vocal approach that reminds us of the best work of Switch during the same time. Includes a surprisingly good version of "Takin It To The Streets", plus "Especially For You", "We Need We", and "These Are The Things That Are Special To Me". LP, Vinyl record album

The beginning of an empire! This was the first solo album cut by the now-famous Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds – cut after years of work in the music business that included stints in the groups Manchild and The Deele, and lots of production work for other LA soul acts. The record's kind of a rougher version of the modern R&B style that you'll know from Babyface's big hits of the early 90s – more in the style of some of the Solar Records acts of the early 80s, and some of the other big keyboard/bass pedal bands on the market at the time. The real contribution, though, is Kenny's ability to infuse the whole thing with soul – taking these tinny little tracks and making them come out kind of sweet, not only through his famous production, but through his faltering vocal style, which is about the most honest-sounding aspect of the record. Titles include "Lovers", "Marry Mack", "If We Try", "Take Your Time", and a cover of "You Make Me Feel Brand New". LP, Vinyl record album

The rare second album from this obscure midwest group! The groove is more smooth funky soul than anything else, and the record was produced by Carl Davis for his Chi-Sound imprint, and it's got a similar sound to some of the other groups on the label, like Manchild. Tracks include "Jive Du Du", "You Got Me Rushin", "Where You Lead", "Syncopated Madness", and "Watchin You, Watchin Me". LP, Vinyl record album