The J.A.L.N. Band was an English soul-funk septet from Birmingham that released the 1976–78 Magnet albums Life Is a Fight, Just Another Lonely Night, and Movin’ City High. They scored a UK/Australian hit with “Disco Music – I Like It” and further UK dance hits with the 1977 singles “I Got to Sing” and “Goin’ Places.”
Members: Roy Gee Hemmings (vocals), Tex Flint (saxophone), Willis Sylvester (saxophone), Steve Sylvester (bass, percussion), Charlie Sylvester (guitar), Sam Fortune (vocals, keyboards, percussion), Ronnie John (drums)
Background
J.A.L.N. Band formed in Birmingham in 1975 from seven-piece soul group Superbad, which drew musicians from the Bordesley Green and Erdington districts and appeared on the March 29, 1975 edition of ATV talent series New Faces.
Singer Roy Gee Hemmings was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and spent part of his youth in the United States and Europe. He formed Stax Explosion in Britain in the 1960s. J.A.L.N. Band included Hemmings alongside guitarist Charlie Sylvester, singer-keyboardist Sam Fortune, and drummer Ronnie John.
Magnet A&R man Pete Waterman adopted the name J.A.L.N. Band from “Just Another Lonely Night,” a song in the group repertoire. Waterman produced their first Magnet single, a version of the Fatback Band instrumental “Street Dance,” issued in September 1975 (b/w “Ev’ry Bodys Getin’ Some”).
Magnet issued the Hemmings composition “Disco Music (I Like It)” in August 1976, co-produced by Mike Finesilver and Whitehouse. The single entered the UK chart in September and reached No. 21 in October, which led to an appearance on Top of the Pops. J.A.L.N. Band also supported Kool & the Gang on September British dates.
The group added saxophonist Alan Holmes, trumpeter Laurie Brown, and trombonist Rob Goodale for the first album sessions. Holmes brought prior recording and touring experience from Sounds Incorporated. Mike Finesilver and Whitehouse produced sessions at Pathway Studios, with additional work completed at London studios. Magnet issued the resulting debut album, Life Is a Fight, in November 1976.
Discography:
- Life Is a Fight (1976)
- Just Another Lonely Night (1977)
- Movin’ City High (1978)
Artist/Album Pages:
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