Leo's Sunshipp -

Leo’s Sunshipp was an American soul-funk band that released the album We Need Each Other on Lyon’s Record Co. in 1978.

Members: Kenny Stover (producer, songwriter), Johnny Simone (producer, songwriter), Alvin Few (producer)

Background

Leo’s Sunshipp formed in 1977 in Los Angeles around vocalist/songwriter Kenny Stover, vocalist/songwriter Johnny Simone, and vocalist/producer Alvin Few, all born under the Leo zodiac sign.

Stover, who relocated from Georgia to Cleveland as a child and later to Detroit with brother Elgie, wrote for Harvey Fuqua’s Tri-Phi imprint and mentored under Fuqua, a cousin who introduced him to Marvin Gaye. Stover co-wrote “When You Are Available” for Shorty Long in 1969 and provided background vocals on Gaye’s What’s Going On (1971), including “Inner City Blues.”

Simone, from Sims Records soulsters the Wallace Brothers, backed Stevie Wonder on tour before joining The Naturals for singles on Quadran, Calla, and Shout Records in the early 1970s. Stover and Simone met as Gaye’s backing vocalists on tour and for Here, My Dear (1978). They recruited Few through Los Angeles soul circuits; Few, who handled executive production, connected via Stover’s Motown ties.

The trio signed to Lyons Record Co. after the sessions, but Simone’s death from cancer in his early 30s halted production; the label completed the album with instrumental mixes.

We Need Each Other (the album)

Leo’s Sunshipp released their self-titled album We Need Each Other in 1978 on Lyons Record Co.

The album fuses funky soul, jazz-funk, and disco elements with layered vocals and horn arrangements, recorded by vocalists Kenny Stover, Johnny Simone, and Alvin Few with bassist Harvey Brook, two guitarists (Carlos Glover, David Miles), two drummers (H. Kelvin White, Sashi Mukett Rasheld), conguero Harvey “Waii” Whitehead, flutist Fostina Dixon, Fender Rhodes player Bill King, and synthesizer player Clarence Bell, plus backing vocalists Shirley Brewer and Sue Say Green (B1, B2). Simone wrote three songs; Stover wrote two; Simone and Stover co-wrote one (“Madame Butterfly”).

Tracks pair vocal versions with instrumental mixes. “Give Me the Sunshine” layers falsetto leads over mystical synth lines and horn pulses, “I’m Back for More” stamps midtempo bass rhythms with contoured guitar runs, “Get Down People” ventures into disco-tinged horn exchanges, “Madame Butterfly” swings on smooth vocal harmonies and flute accents.

A1. “Give Me the Sunshine (Vocal)” (6:32)
A2. “I’m Back for More (Vocal)” (5:19)
A3. “Get Down People (Vocal)” (4:16)
A4. “Madame Butterfly (Mini-Tro)” (4:58)

B1. “Madame Butterfly (Vocal)” (4:47)
B2. “I’m Back for More (Mini-Tro)” (5:25)
B3. “Give Me the Sunshine (Mini-Tro)” (6:32)
B4. “Get Down People (Mini-Tro)” (4:39)

Sessions occurred at Axis Sound Studio, Total Experience Studios, and Group IX in Hollywood with producers Kenny Stover and Johnny Simone, executive producer Alvin Few, engineer Jimmi Mayweather (Axis), Bob D. Orleans (Total Experience), Paul Aronogg (Group IX), assistant engineers George Pappas, Greg Wedster, Les Horn (Axis), Bob Higgins (Total Experience), and second engineers at Axis. Strings arranged by David Blumberg; mastered by Bob D. Orleans and Don Blake. Edwin Francis designed the cover and provided photography.

Lyons Record Co. promoted We Need Each Other with “Give Me the Sunshine” (b/w “I’m Back for More”) in 1980.

Postlude

Leo’s Sunshipp disbanded after Simone’s death in 1977. Vocalist/songwriter Kenny Stover joined Finished Touch in 1978, writing “Need to Know You Better,” and co-wrote “Good Combination” for Peabo Bryson in 1986 and “Just Cruisin'” for Will Smith in 1997; he passed in December 2010. Vocalist/songwriter Johnny Simone passed in 1977. Vocalist/producer Alvin Few pursued production, earning a notable credit on the 1981 album Miracles by Fifth Avenue.

Discography: