GQ - JazzRockSoul.com

GQ was an American soul-funk band from the Bronx that released three albums on Arista between 1979 and 1981. The band evolved out of The Rhythm Makers, which issued a small-press album in 1976.

Members: Emanuel “Rahiem” LeBlanc (guitar, vocals), Herb Lane (keyboards, vocals), Keith “Sabu” Crier (bass, vocals), Paul Service (drums, vocals, 1978-79), Kenny Banks (drums, 1979-80)

Background

GQ formed in the Bronx in 1968 as Sabu & the Survivors, a vocal-instrumental quartet built around bassist Keith “Sabu” Crier. During the 1970s the group recast itself as the Rhythm Makers, with singer–guitarist Emanuel “Rahiem” LeBlanc, keyboardist–singer Herb Lane, and drummer Kenny Banks. The Rhythm Makers recorded the 1976 album Soul on Your Side on Vigor Records and placed “Zone” on dance floors before the group moved toward a leaner, self-contained soul-funk approach. After Banks exited, Paul Service took over on drums in 1978. Around the same time, the group adopted the name GQ, short for “Good Quality,” and signed with Arista. That lineup of LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, and Service carried the band into its first Arista sessions.

Disco Nights

GQ released their debut album, Disco Nights, in 1979 on Arista.

The album features guitarist and lead vocalist Emanuel “Rahiem” LeBlanc, keyboardist Herb Lane, bassist Keith “Sabu” Crier, and drummer Paul Service. GQ builds the set from clipped guitar rhythms, springy bass movement, firm drumming, and bright keyboard lines. LeBlanc places a clear lead at the center of each track while Lane, Crier, and Service reinforce the choruses with tight vocal support. Ray Chew’s horn charts enter on selected cuts and sharpen the rhythmic attack.

“Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)” drives forward on a brisk beat, clipped accents, and a chant-built refrain. “Make My Dreams a Reality” keeps the pulse high and sets LeBlanc’s lead against a steady floor pattern. “It’s Your Love” opens the texture and eases the pace. “Spirit” and “Wonderful” bring in brass figures that thicken the arrangement. “This Happy Feeling” stays light on its feet, and “I Do Love You” settles into a slower tempo and fuller vocal line.

A1. “Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)” (5:51) — Emanuel LeBlanc, Herb Lane, Keith Crier, Paul Service
A2. “Make My Dreams a Reality” (6:12) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
A3. “It’s Your Love” (4:14) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
A4. “Spirit” (3:46) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B1. “This Happy Feeling” (5:22) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B2. “Wonderful” (5:08) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B3. “Boogie Oogie Oogie” (4:14) — Janice Johnson, Perry Kibble
B4. “I Do Love You” (4:45) — Billy Stewart

GQ recorded the album at Sigma Sound in Philadelphia and at Sound Palace with producers Beau Ray Fleming and Jimmy Simpson and assistant producer Vernon Gibbs. Andy Abrams recorded and mixed the Sigma Sound sessions. Randy Bean and Robin Martinez handled recording at Sound Palace. GQ arranged the album, Ray Chew wrote the horn arrangements, and Sammy Figueroa added percussion to “This Happy Feeling.”

Arista issued “Disco Nights (Rock-Freak)” in early 1979 with “Boogie Oogie Oogie” on the B-side. The single reached No. 1 on the US R&B chart, No. 3 on the US dance chart, No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, and No. 42 in the UK.

Arista followed with “Make My Dreams a Reality” backed with “This Happy Feeling”; it reached No. 8 on the US R&B chart. “I Do Love You,” backed by “Make My Dreams a Reality,” reached No. 5 on the US R&B chart and No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album reached No. 2 on the US R&B chart and No. 13 on the US pop chart.

Two

GQ released their second album, Two, in 1980 on Arista.

The album features guitarist and lead vocalist Emanuel “Rahiem” LeBlanc, bassist Keith “Sabu” Crier, drummer Paul Service, and keyboardist Herb Lane. LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, and Service write most of the material and keep the rhythm section at the front of the mix. Jimmy Simpson gives the album a smooth, even surface. Lane threads soft keyboard parts through the beat while LeBlanc keeps the lead vocal direct and centered.

“Standing Ovation” opens with a firm beat and a bright chorus line. “Someday (In Your Life)” and “Lies” settle into a smoother pace. “GQ Down” and “It’s Like That” tighten the rhythm and bring the drums and bass forward. “Don’t Stop This Feeling” runs on a measured pulse and leaves space for LeBlanc’s guitar phrases. “Sitting in the Park” strips the backing down and lets LeBlanc carry the song over a patient rhythm.

A1. “Standing Ovation” (5:32) — Emanuel LeBlanc, Herb Lane, Keith Crier, Paul Service
A2. “Is It Cool” (4:05) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
A3. “Someday (In Your Life)” (4:56) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
A4. “Lies” (5:19) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service

B1. “GQ Down” (3:56) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B2. “Don’t Stop This Feeling” (4:59) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B3. “Reason for the Season” (3:41) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service
B4. “Sitting in the Park” (3:18) — Billy Stewart
B5. “It’s Like That” (4:17) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier, Service

GQ recorded the album at Sigma Sound in New York City with Jimmy Simpson producing and mixing. Steve Toos and Michael Hutchinson engineered the sessions, while John Potoker, Matthew Weiner, Craig Michaels, Karla Bandini, and Doug Grinbergs assisted. Stuart Romaine mastered the album, and Larkin Arnold served as executive producer.

Arista issued “Standing Ovation” in January 1980 with “Reason for the Season” on the B-side; it reached No. 12 on the US R&B chart and No. 35 on the US dance chart. “Sitting in the Park,” backed with “It’s Like That,” reached No. 9 on the US R&B chart and No. 101 on the pop chart. Arista later paired “Someday (In Your Life)” with “Don’t Stop This Feeling.” The album reached No. 9 on the US R&B chart and No. 46 on the US pop chart.

Face to Face

GQ released their third album, Face to Face, in October 1981 on Arista.

The album features Emanuel “Rahiem” LeBlanc on lead guitar and lead vocals, Keith Crier on bass and backing vocals, and Herb Lane on electric piano and backing vocals. Drummers Howard King and Chris Parker alternate across the sessions. Jimmy Simpson and GQ shape the album with synthesizer, arranged strings, percussion layers, and a broader studio palette. LeBlanc, Lane, and Crier anchor the set through harmonies and rhythmic parts.

“Shake” rides a firm dance pulse with strings and percussion pressed into the beat. “You Put Some Love in My Life” slows the tempo and relaxes the attack. “Shy Baby” keeps the rhythm light and quick. “Sad Girl” tightens the group’s ballad approach into a short form. “Boogie Shoogie Feelin’” and “Dark Side of the Sun” smooth out the middle of the album with fuller studio dressing, while “Face to Face” and “You’ve Got the Floor” stretch back into longer rhythm-led tracks.

A1. “Shake” (5:02) — Barbara Norris, Richard Sorce
A2. “You Put Some Love in My Life” (3:47) — Gino Cunico, Harvey Scales, William Harralson
A3. “Shy Baby” (4:04) — Emanuel LeBlanc, Herb Lane, Keith Crier
A4. “Sad Girl” (3:05) — Jay Wiggins, Lloyd Smith
A5. “I Love (The Skin You’re In)” (4:47) — Kenny Nolan

B1. “Boogie Shoogie Feelin’” (5:28) — Nolan
B2. “Dark Side of the Sun” (5:04) — Nolan
B3. “Face to Face” (4:43) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier
B4. “You’ve Got the Floor” (5:10) — LeBlanc, Lane, Crier

GQ recorded the album with Jimmy Simpson and the group as producers. Josef Joubert arranged strings on “Shake” and wrote the horn and string charts for tracks six and seven. Ray Chew arranged strings on tracks two and three. Chris Parker played drums on tracks two through seven, Howard King played tracks one, eight, and nine, Ed Walsh added synthesizer to tracks four through seven and nine, Jimmy Maelen supplied percussion on tracks three through five, and Ralph MacDonald played percussion on tracks one, two, five, seven, and nine.

Arista issued “Shake” in 1981 with “Face to Face” on the B-side; it reached No. 23 on the US R&B chart. “Sad Girl,” backed with “Shy Baby,” followed in early 1982 and reached No. 39 on the US R&B chart and No. 93 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album reached No. 18 on the US R&B chart and No. 140 on the US pop chart.

Postlude

Service fractured his wrist in a 1980 car accident and did not return to the band; Steve “Beatz” Adorno took over on drums and performed with GQ from 1980 to 2010. Keith “Sabu” Crier died in the Bronx on September 29, 2013, at age 58. LeBlanc signed with Capitol Records and released the solo album Always Be Around in 1991, and continues to tour under the GQ name as “Mr. Q.”

Discography: