Fat Larry's Band -

Fat Larry’s Band was an American soul-funk band from Philadelphia that released six albums between 1976 and 1982: including three on WMOT Records and two on its eventual parent Fantasy Records. The band’s second album, Off the Wall, appeared on Stax in 1977. A late-period U.K. breakthrough yielded a seventh album on Virgin in 1983, followed by an eighth and final album on Omni in 1986.

Members: Larry James (vocals, drums), Art Capehart (trumpet, flute), Doug Jones (saxophone), Jimmy Lee (trombone, alto saxophone), Ted Cohen (guitar), Darryl Grant (vocals, percussion), Larry La Bes (bass), Erskine Williams (keyboards), Cuca, Anthony Middleton, Arthur Austin, Butch Harper, Melvin El

Inception

Fat Larry’s Band formed in Philadelphia in 1976 under drummer and vocalist Larry James (August 2, 1949 – December 5, 1987), who built the group around a large horn-and-rhythm lineup that drew on local soul, funk, and dance-band practice, with trumpeter and flautist Art Capehart, saxophonist Doug Jones, trombonist and alto saxophonist Jimmy Lee, guitarist Ted Cohen, percussionist and vocalist Darryl Grant, bassist Larry La Bes, and keyboardist Erskine Williams among the early core players.

Feel It

Fat Larry’s Band released their debut album, Feel It, in 1976 on WMOT.

The album features drummer and vocalist Larry James, bassist and vocalist Larry La Bes, keyboardist and vocalist Erskine Williams, guitarist and vocalist Ted Cohen, percussionist and vocalist Darryl Grant, saxophonist and vocalist Doug Jones, trombonist and alto saxophonist Jimmy Lee, and trumpeter, flautist, and vocalist Art Capehart, with additional players and backing singers expanding the sessions. Vincent Montana Jr. places the band in a broad Philadelphia dance-soul setting built from drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, layered percussion, and a full horn section. James keeps the beat direct and grounded while the horns answer the rhythm parts with short punches and sustained lines.

“Feel It” opens with a dance-floor pulse and a busy ensemble arrangement. “Nighttime Boogie” and “Down on the Avenue” keep the rhythm section at the front, with the latter later gaining an afterlife through its opening drum break. “Music Maker” tightens the format, while “Center City” turns the group toward a city-themed dance cut. “Fascination” stretches past six minutes, and “Life of an Entertainer” and “We Just Want to Play for You” keep the band in an extroverted performance mode.

A1. “Feel It” (5:14) — Larry James, Ronnie Walker, Vincent Montana Jr.
A2. “Nighttime Boogie” (5:17) — Erskine Williams, Larry James, Larry M. La Bes, Ted Cohen
A3. “Down on the Avenue” (5:18) — Charles Kelly, Larry James, Larry M. La Bes
A4. “Music Maker” (3:43) — Larry James, Larry M. La Bes, Ted Cohen, William Kimes

B1. “Center City” (3:38) — Doris Hall, Larry James, Ronnie Walker, Vincent Montana Jr.
B2. “Fascination” (6:55) — David Bowie, Luther Vandross
B3. “Life of an Entertainer” (4:41) — Charles Kelly, Erskine Williams, Larry James
B4. “We Just Want to Play for You” (5:15) — C. Gunner, Larry James, Larry M. La Bes

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Sigma Sound in Philadelphia with Vincent Montana Jr. producing. The sessions also brought in Dennis Locantore on bass, Ronnie James and Ronnie Walker on guitar, Dennis Henderson on timbales, James Walker and Greg Moore on congas, John Bonnie on alto saxophone, and backing vocalists Chestine Murph, Joan Hanson, and Mharlyn Merrit in arrangements by Doris Hall.

WMOT issued “Center City” as a single in 1976 with “Music Maker” on the B-side.

Off the Wall

Fat Larry’s Band released their second album, Off the Wall, in 1977 on Stax.

The album features drummer Larry James, bassist Larry La Bes, keyboardist Erskine Williams, guitarist Ted Cohen, saxophonists Doug Jones and John Bonnie, trombonist Jimmy Lee, trumpeters Art Capehart and John Lee, vocalist Darryl Grant, and conga players Frank Williams and Terrance Floyd. The band trims the lineup into a tighter funk-soul unit and keeps the horns close to the rhythm section. James and Williams shape the set with direct grooves, short melodic figures, and a more compact studio attack than the debut’s wider ensemble spread.

“Sparkle” opens the album with a long rhythmic glide. “Peaceful Journey” settles into a smoky, steady pulse, and “Castle of Joy” snaps the pace into a shorter format. “Passing Time” and “Easy” continue the band’s measured movement. “Don’t You Worry About Tomorrow” and “Time” keep the set concise, “I Love You So” turns inward for a brief ballad, and “In the Pocket” closes the record with the band locked tightly around the beat.

A1. “Sparkle” (6:12) — Doris James, Larry James
A2. “Peaceful Journey” (5:17) — Doris James, Larry James
A3. “Castle of Joy” (3:00) — McDaniels, McLean
A4. “Passing Time” (4:18) — Doris James, Larry James

B1. “Easy” (4:08) — Doris James
B2. “Don’t You Worry About Tomorrow” (3:50) — Williams, McLean
B3. “Time” (3:25) — Larry James
B4. “I Love You So” (2:50) — Erskine Williams
B5. “In the Pocket” (4:30) — Jones, Larry James

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Delight Sound Studios in Philadelphia with Alan Rubens, Erskine Williams, Larry James, and Steve Bernstein producing. Nils Salminen, Ralph Moss, and Terry Rosiello engineered the sessions, and Sterling Sound mastered the album in New York. Arnie Roberts handled design and Paul Wilson shot the photography.

Stax issued “Castle of Joy” in December 1977 with “F.L.B.” on the B-side. “Peaceful Journey” followed in April 1978, again backed with “F.L.B.”

Spacin’ Out

Fat Larry’s Band released their third album, Spacin’ Out, in 1978 on Fantasy/WMOT.

The album features drummer Larry James, bassist Larry La Bes, guitarists Ted Cohen and Anthony Middleton, saxophonist–flautist Doug Jones, trombonists Jimmy Lee and Melvin El, trumpeters Art Capehart, Butch Harper, and John Lee, percussionist–singer Arthur Austin, lead vocalist Darryl Grant, and keyboardists Erskine Williams, Booker T. Newberry, Dan Weiss, and John Barry. James drives the record through a space-themed dance concept built from synthesizer effects, clipped horn writing, backing-vocal layers, and a bright studio surface. The rhythm tracks stay firm and uncomplicated while the arrangements add electronic decoration around them.

“Close Encounters of a Funky Kind” opens with effects and a pronounced rhythm pattern. “Countryside” slows the pulse and spreads the instrumentation more widely. “Space Lady” presses the concept into a more electronic setting, and “Boogie Town” turns the set back toward a club-oriented beat. “Good Time (G-O-O-D T-I-M-E)” and “Starstruck” keep the album light and quick on its feet, while “We Just Can’t Get It Together” lengthens the pace for a slower vocal feature. The Gary Wright cover “Love Alive” adds a familiar song shape to the second side.

A1. “Close Encounters of a Funky Kind” (4:22) — Doris James, Larry James, Larry M. La Bes, Ted Cohen
A2. “Countryside” (4:18) — Doris James, Larry James
A3. “Space Lady” (4:41) — Doris James, Larry James
A4. “Boogie Town” (5:52) — Doris James, Larry James

B1. “Good Time (G-O-O-D T-I-M-E)” (3:25) — Doris James, Larry James, Larry M. La Bes, Ted Cohen
B2. “We Just Can’t Get It Together” (6:00) — Doris James, Larry James
B3. “Love Alive” (4:50) — Gary Wright
B4. “Starstruck” (3:26) — Darryl Grant, Doris James, Larry James, Len Barry

Fat Larry’s Band recorded and mixed the album at Ridge Sound Studio in Philadelphia. WMOT Productions produced the sessions, with Larry James also credited as producer, conductor, and arranger. Chuck O’Brien, Jimmy Jordan, Nils Salminen, Ralph Moss, and Terry Rosillo engineered the album, and Sterling Sound mastered it. Phil Carroll handled the art direction and illustration, while Dennis Gassner and Lucinda Cowell designed the sleeve.

Fantasy/WMOT issued “We Just Can’t Get It Together” in 1978 with “Sparkle” on the B-side. “Boogie Town” followed in February 1979 with “Passing Time” on the flip.

Lookin’ for Love

Fat Larry’s Band released their fourth album, Lookin’ for Love, in 1979 on Fantasy/WMOT.

The album draws on a broad studio lineup led by drummer Larry James, with bassist Larry La Bes, guitarists Anthony Middleton and Ted Cohen, tenor saxophonist Doug Jones, percussionist Arthur Austin, multiple keyboardists, and expanded horn and backing-vocal sections. James and WMOT Productions keep the band in a polished disco-boogie format with arranged horn parts, dense rhythm guitar, stacked backing vocals, and a strong emphasis on dance tempos. The larger roster gives the album a more produced surface than the earlier records.

“Lookin’ for Love” opens with a stretched club tempo and a chant-ready chorus. “Here Comes the Sun” and “Last Chance to Dance” keep the first side in motion with long arrangements built for the floor. “Like to Get to Know You Better” eases into a smoother pace, “Everything Is Disco” states the album’s intent directly, and “How Good Is Love” narrows the focus into a shorter vocal feature. “Hey Pancho It’s Disco” closes with another extended dance cut.

A1. “Lookin’ for Love” (5:29) — Doris James, Larry James
A2. “Here Comes the Sun” (5:30) — Anthony Middleton, Larry James, L. Taylor
A3. “Last Chance to Dance” (5:47) — Doris James, Larry James

B1. “Like to Get to Know You Better” (5:03) — Doris James, Larry James
B2. “Everything Is Disco” (4:38) — Arthur Austin, Larry James, Ted Cohen
B3. “How Good Is Love” (4:13) — C. Adams, D. Mathis, O. Young, R. Middlebrook
B4. “Hey Pancho It’s Disco” (5:46) — Alan Rubens, Doris James, Larry James, Len Barry

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Alpha International Recording Studios in Philadelphia and mixed it there and at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Larry James and WMOT Productions produced the sessions, and Fat Larry’s Band and Pete De Angelis handled the arrangements. Al Albertini, Clark Milioti, Frank Bernardini, Gary Scartello, Gene Leone, Jerry Williamson, and Michael Bonghi recorded the album, while Gene Leone and Richard Corsello mixed it. Jack Skinner mastered the album at Sterling Sound. Phil Carroll directed the art, Kris Johnson designed the sleeve, and Phil Bray shot the cover photo.

Fantasy/WMOT issued “Lookin’ for Love” in November 1979 with “Countryside” on the B-side. “Here Comes the Sun” followed in December 1979 with “Everything Is Disco” on the flip. Fantasy/WMOT also issued “How Good Is Love” in 1980 with “Like to Get to Know You Better.”

Stand Up

Fat Larry’s Band released their fifth album, Stand Up, in 1980 on Fantasy.

The album features drummer and producer Larry James, bassist Larry La Bes, saxophonist Doug Jones, guitarists Anthony Middleton and Ted Cohen, percussionists Art Austin and George Wilson Fairbanks, and an expanded horn-and-string cast that includes saxophonist Reggie Sutton, trumpeters Michael Ray and Steve Garand, trombonists Douglas Slick and Billy Ingram, and The Ultimate Strings. James pushes the band toward a cleaner early-1980s dance-soul sound with tighter arrangements, brighter horns, and more explicit string support. The rhythm section stays dry and direct while the horns and strings add weight around it.

“Party After Midnight” opens with a brisk dance pulse. “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself” and “Play With Me” stretch the first side with longer vocal-led tracks. “Stand Up” tightens the format again, “You’ve Waited Too Long” and “You Gotta Help Yourself” keep the album in a midtempo soul-dance lane, and “Dirty Words” adds another sharp rhythmic turn before the close.

A1. “Party After Midnight” (4:56) — Anthony Middleton, Arthur Austin, Doris James, Larry James, L. Taylor
A2. “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself” (5:15) — Doris James, S. Linzer
A3. “Play With Me” (6:06) — Doris James, Larry James

B1. “Stand Up” (4:17) — Doris James, Larry James
B2. “You’ve Waited Too Long” (5:12) — C. Burke, Gregory Fowler
B3. “Dirty Words” (4:40) — Anthony Middleton, Arthur Austin, Doris James, Larry James, Len Barry
B4. “You Gotta Help Yourself” (4:45) — Doris James, Larry James

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Alpha International Studios in Philadelphia and mixed it at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Larry James produced the sessions for WMOT Productions. Al Albertini, Gene Leone, and Jerry Williamson recorded the album, Eddie Bill Harris mixed it, and Jack Skinner mastered it at Sterling Sound. Phil Carroll handled art direction, Kris Johnson designed the sleeve, and Phil Bray took the photography.

Fantasy issued “Can’t Keep My Hands to Myself” in 1980 with “I Love You So” on the B-side.

Breakin’ Out

Fat Larry’s Band released their sixth album, Breakin’ Out, in 1982 on WMOT.

The album features drummer and vocalist Larry James, bassist Larry La Bes, guitarist Ted Cohen, keyboardist Terry Price, saxophonist and vocalist Doug Jones, percussionist and vocalist Alfonzo Smith, and lead vocalists Fredrick Campbell and Terry Price, with Richie Rome and Don Renaldo’s Strings and Horns broadening the arrangements. James and Nick Martinelli produce a sharper studio record shaped by synthesizer, polished rhythm guitar, orchestrated horn-and-string charts, and a heavier crossover pop-funk surface. Terry Price’s keyboards play a larger role in the band’s attack, and the ensemble sits closer to the front of the mix than on the earlier albums.

“Act Like You Know” opens the album with a bright dance beat and a broad studio sheen. “Traffic Stopper” pushes a harder rhythmic line, while “Zoom” slows the pace and gives the album its most durable ballad. “House Party” snaps the tempo back upward before side two shifts into longer cuts. “Breakin’ Out” and “Golden Moment” keep the arrangements glossy and full, “Be My Lady” centers the vocal blend, and “Video” closes the set in the same polished mode.

A1. “Act Like You Know” (6:28) — M. Birts, N. Martinelli, T. Price
A2. “Traffic Stopper” (6:18) — Larry James, Ted Cohen, Terry Price
A3. “Zoom” (4:18) — Bobby Eli, Len Barry
A4. “House Party” (3:40) — Larry James, Len Barry, Terry Price

B1. “Breakin’ Out” (6:22) — Larry La Bes, Terry Price
B2. “Be My Lady” (5:02) — Doris James, Larry James
B3. “Golden Moment” (5:33) — Doris James, Larry James, M. Singleton, Q. Epps
B4. “Video” (4:23) — C. Davis, Larry James

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Alpha International in Philadelphia with Larry James and Nick Martinelli producing for James Gang and Watchout Productions. Al Alberts Jr., Bruce Weeden, Gene Leone, and Jerry Williamson engineered the sessions, with Jason Lyle, John Stuckey, and Robert Boreland assisting. Richie Rome arranged the strings and horns, Don Renaldo’s Strings and Horns performed the charts, and Bryan “The Wiz” Hudson added synthesizer. Roland Young designed the cover and Ben Robinson shot the photography.

WMOT issued “Act Like You Know” in March 1982 with “Get Down, Get Funky” on the B-side. “Zoom” followed in July 1982 with “Be My Lady” on the flip.

Straight From the Heart

Fat Larry’s Band released their seventh album, Straight From the Heart, in 1983 on Virgin.

The album features drummer and vocalist Larry James, bassist Larry La Bes, saxophonist and vocalist Doug Jones, keyboardist and vocalist Terry Price, lead vocalist Freddie Campbell, percussionist Alfonzo Smith, guitarist Bobby Eli, keyboardists Brian Hudson and Eugene Curry, and conga and timbales player Frank Williams. James trims the group into a more compact modern boogie unit with synthesizer, arranged horns and strings, and cleaner vocal layering. Freddie Campbell carries much of the lead work while Jones, James, Price, and Smith thicken the choruses.

“Straight From the Heart” and “Imagination” place the band in a glossy dance-soul setting with keyboards and arranged support at the front. “Stubborn Kind of Fellow,” “Always,” and “Kilowatt” continue the set in short, efficient forms. “Tune Me Up” stands out for its hybrid rhythm pattern and sharper electronic surface. “In My Song” and the Jean Carn cover “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” turn the second side toward smoother vocals, and “Hitman” closes the album with another arranged dance track.

A1. “Straight From the Heart” (4:24)
A2. “Imagination” (4:51)
A3. “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” (4:03)
A4. “Always” (3:42)
A5. “Kilowatt” (4:17)

B1. “Tune Me Up” (5:00)
B2. “In My Song” (4:36)
B3. “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head” (4:41)
B4. “Hitman” (4:58)

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album at Alpha International Studios and Studio 4 in Philadelphia with Larry James producing for WMOT Productions. Al Alberts, Bruce Weedin, Jerry Williamson, and Obie O’Brien engineered the sessions. Richie Rome arranged the horns and strings, Mike Forte contracted the larger ensemble, and Tony Stone Associates supplied the photography. The sleeve was produced for James Gang Productions and designed by Ansell Sadgrove.

The UK response to “Zoom” carried the band into this Virgin release. The period also yielded UK hits with “Boogie Town,” “Center City,” and “Lookin’ for Love.”

Nice

Fat Larry’s Band released their eighth album, Nice, in 1986 on Omni.

The album features drummer and vocalist Larry James at the center of a late-period studio lineup with keyboardist Terry Price and a rotating group of producers that includes Eumir Deodato, Dave White, John Madara, Len Barry, Alan Rubens, and James himself. The record moves fully into modern studio soul, with programmed sheen, layered keyboards, polished rhythm tracks, and a tighter separation between dance material and slower vocal cuts. James keeps the band identity in place, but the production team broadens the album far beyond the earlier live-band setup.

“Love Ship,” “Nice,” and “Let’s Get Serious” press the album toward a bright club-ready sound. “Sunrise Sunset” and “Chill Out” settle into longer keyboard-led tracks. “Teach Me (There Is Something About Love)” draws on Keith Barrow’s songbook, while “Drop Dead,” “Asking for Trouble,” and “You Bring Out the Dog in Me” keep the album in a polished late-1980s funk-soul lane.

A1. “Love Ship” (4:50) — Dave White, John Madara, Larry James, Len Barry
A2. “Sunrise Sunset” (6:33) — John Madara, Len Barry, Terry Price
A3. “Nice” (5:09) — Dave White, John Madara, Len Barry
A4. “Chill Out” (5:13) — Ron Margolis, Terry Price

B1. “Let’s Get Serious” (5:50) — Tony Middleton, Larry James, Len Barry
B2. “Teach Me (There Is Something About Love)” (5:23) — Keith Barrow
B3. “Drop Dead” (4:56) — Alton Clark, Larry James, Lindsay Dawson
B4. “Asking for Trouble” (5:38) — Charles Kennedy, Larry James, Len Barry
B5. “You Bring Out the Dog in Me” (4:40) — Tony Middleton, Ed Martin, Larry James

Fat Larry’s Band recorded the album with a split production setup. Eumir Deodato produced “Love Ship.” Larry James and Terry Price produced “Sunrise Sunset” and “Chill Out.” Dave White, John Madara, Larry James, and Len Barry produced “Nice.” Alan Rubens and Larry James produced “Let’s Get Serious” and “Teach Me (There Is Something About Love),” while James handled “Drop Dead,” “Asking for Trouble,” and “You Bring Out the Dog in Me.” Alan Rubens, Michael Goldberg, and Steve Bernstein served as executive producers.

Omni issued “Teach Me (There Is Something About Love)” in 1986 with “You Bring Out the Dog in Me” on the B-side. “Sunrise Sunset” followed with “Chill Out,” and Omni later reissued “Zoom” with “Which One Should I Choose” on the flip.

Discography: