Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign -

The Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign was an American funk band that released the album Reach for It on UNI Records in 1973, followed by Watchin’ You, Watchin’ Me on Chi Sound in 1976.

Members: John Jackson (keyboards), Lester Johnson (bass), Matthew Watson (drums), Michael Woods (keyboards, trombone), Pamela Tanner (vocals), Robert Townsend (guitar), Tony Roberts (lead vocals)

Background

Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign emerged in 1969 as the Ebony Rhythm Band in Indianapolis, where they backed local acts on LAMP Records releases and anchored sessions for groups like The Diplomatics, Amnesty, and The Vanguards. The original five-piece lineup featured bassist Lester Lamonte Johnson, drummer Matthew R. Watson, guitarist Robert “Boobie” Townsend, keyboardist John “Ricky” Jackson and tenor saxophonist H. Leon Miles.

In 1971, the band relocated to California, adopted the Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign name and supported tours for Curtis Mayfield, New Birth, The Grass Roots, Dobie Gray, The Whispers, The Commodores and Three Dog Night. Jazz Crusaders trombonist Wayne Henderson produced their debut album in 1973 after spotting their live set, with the group then returning to Indianapolis.

Reach for It

Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign released their debut album, Reach for It, in January 1973 on Uni.

The album blends raw funk, jazz-inspired horn charts, and ensemble vocals, combining R&B sensibilities with rock energy. Trombonist Wayne Henderson played on select tracks, and the five-piece core—Johnson (bass), Townsend (guitar), Watson (drums), Jackson (keyboards), and Miles (tenor saxophone/flugelhorn)—delivered driving rhythms and interlocking arrangements.

Guitarist Townsend co-wrote two songs with the band, bassist Johnson contributed to select compositions, and Henderson provided material on three tracks. The album includes covers such as those by outside songwriters Pam Tanner and Anthony Roberts, credited individually in the tracklist.

Musically, the set moves between funk-driven dance numbers, jazz-inflected horns, and soulful rock-influenced vocals. “Get On Off Me” features a chugging rhythm and horn riff later sampled by 3rd Bass, while “Reach for It” and “Tryin’ to Be Me” showcase ensemble interplay and angular vocal lines.

A1. “Reach for It” (2:50) — written by P. Tanner, R. Townsend
A2. “Get It On” (6:10) — written by M. Watson, Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign
A3. “Get On Off Me” (2:30) — written by Wayne Henderson, Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign
A4. “If I Close My Eyes” (3:20) — written by C. Gorman
A5. “Tryin’ to Be Me” (2:30) — written by H. Miles

B1. “What It Is” (3:11) — written by A. Roberts, R. Townsend, L. Johnson
B2. “What’s Happening Over There” (2:49) — written by A. Roberts, Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign
B3. “Why Do You Stay Here” (3:51) — written by M. Watson, J. Jackson
B4. “All Fed Up” (2:22) — written by Wayne Henderson
B5. “I Love You So Much” (4:27) — written by Wayne Henderson

Sessions occurred at MCA Records studios, with Henderson producing and Rik Pekkonen engineering.

In 1975, they issued a standalone single, “How’s Your Wife (And My Child)” backed with “Oh Baby,” which climbed to No. 69 on the Billboard Hot Soul 100 chart.

Watchin’ You, Watchin’ Me

Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign released their sophomore album, Watchin’ You, Watchin’ Me, on August 19, 1976, via Chi-Sound.

The record balances jazz-flavored R&B, funk-driven percussion, and dense horn arrangements. Bassist Lester Johnson anchors the rhythm, guitarist Robert Townsend contributes angular riffs, drummer/keyboardist Dwayne Garvin provides dual-layered rhythm, and saxophonist Henry Miles leads horn lines. The ensemble is augmented with trumpeter Carl Haefeli, trombonist/keyboardist Michael Woods, and strings and horns orchestrated by James Mack, Sonny Sanders, and Tom Washington.

Johnson wrote the majority of the album’s tracks; other band members and session contributors co-wrote select numbers. The music includes funk-centered tracks like “69 Cents,” vocal-led numbers such as “Giving Me Less Love,” and layered instrumental explorations exemplified on “Syncopated Madness.”

A1. “69 Cents” (5:31) — written by L. Johnson
A2. “Giving Me Less Love” (4:59) — written by D. Garvin
A3. “Understanding” (5:41) — written by L.T. Jones
A4. “Watchin’ You, Watchin’ Me” (3:34) — written by L.T. Jones

B1. “You Got Me Rushin’” (3:23) — written by D. Garvin
B2. “Jive Du Du” (4:37) — written by D. Garvin, G. Dennie, H. Miles, L. Johnson, L.T. Jones, M. Woods, P. Tanner, A. Roberts
B3. “Syncopated Madness” (6:31) — written by J.A. Garrett, M. Woods
B4. “Where You Lead” (4:34) — written by J. Jackson, L. Johnson, P. Tanner

Sessions occurred at Paragon Recording Studios in Chicago, Illinois, with Carl Davis producing and Steve Kusiciel engineering.

Donald Myrick performs alto and soprano sax solos, while strings and horns provide layered textures. The album design was handled by Bill Burks, with photography by Jerry Simmons.

69 Cents (Archival)

The 2021 compilation 69 Cents issued by P-Vine Records features previously unreleased recordings from 1974–1975, alongside tracks released as Super Disco Edits SDE 57.

The set preserves the band’s early funk-R&B energy, with Lester Johnson on bass, Robert Townsend on guitar, Matthew Watson on drums, John Jackson on keyboards, and Henry Miles on saxophones. Session and orchestral contributions include Dwayne Garvin (drums/keyboards), Michael Woods (trombone/keyboards), Pamela Tanner and Anthony Roberts on vocals, and Donald Myrick on saxophone solos.

A1. “I’m in a Hurry” (4:12) — written by L. Johnson, R. Townsend, A. Roberts
A2. “Where You Lead” (4:00) — written by J. Jackson, L. Johnson, P. Tanner
A3. “That Is Why” (3:17) — written by J. Jackson, P. Tanner
A4. “Shell of a Man” (3:57) — written by A. Roberts
B1. “69 Cents” (4:23) — written by L. Johnson
B2. “Love So Strange” (4:22) — written by A. Roberts
B3. “See the Light (Interlude)” (1:10) — written by M. Woods
B4. “See the Light” (3:51) — written by M. Woods

Compiled and produced by Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign, mastered by Hiroshi Shiota at Salt Field Mastering Co., Ltd., the release restored early archival material with full orchestration and vocals intact, emphasizing the band’s rhythmic precision and ensemble energy.

Postlude

The band persisted through 1980, sharing stages with Al Green, Donny Hathaway, Jackie Wilson, The Stylistics, Patti LaBelle, Ohio Players, The Guess Who, The Mystics, Sha Na Na, Earth Wind & Fire, B.B. King and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Original members reconvened in 2007 as the New Ebony Rhythm Funk Campaign, expanding to nine players for a June performance at Radio Radio in Indianapolis’ Fountain Square district.

Discography: