Aalon -

Aalon were an American soul-funk band from Los Angeles that released the album Cream City on Arista in 1977. Namesake frontman/guitarist Aalon Butler hailed from the Eric Burdon Band.

Members: Aalon Butler (guitar, vocals), Alvin Taylor (drums), Ron Hammond (drums), Al Roberts (bass), Luther Rabb (bass), Luis Cabaza (keyboards)

Aalon William Butler (born Sept. 17, 1957) first recorded as a youngster in the R&B/soul combo Aalon Butler and the New Breed Band, which cut the 1967/68 singles “It’s Got to Be Somethin'” (b/w “Please Give Me a Chance”) and “Gettin’ Soul” on the Milwaukee small-press PKC. During the mid-1970s, he played guitar in the Eric Burdon Band, appearing on the 1974 album Sun Secrets.

Butler assembled his own namesake band in Los Angeles with keyboardist Luis Cabaza (Stray Dog), bassist Luther Rabb (Ballin’ Jack, West Coast Revival), and one Ron Hammond on drums. Aalon’s singular album, Cream City, was released in 1977 on Arista. The front and back covers were designed by artist Thomas Warkentin (WAR, Lee Oskar). The album contains eight songs, including “Summer Love,” “Jungle Desire,” and the singles “Rock ‘N’ Roll Gangster” and “Magic Night.” The title-track was also issued as single (#44 R&B). All titles are credited to Butler with co-writes on three tracks by producer Jerry Goldstein.

Concurrently, Butler appeared on the 1977 ABC release Eloise by soul singer Eloise Laws. He dissolved Aalon before a second album could be recorded. He toured into the next decade but retired from music in the late 1980s to raise his son, future rap-rock musician Jason Aalon Butler. Rabb recorded five albums with WAR between 1979 and 1985.

Discography: