Manchild -

Manchild was an American soul-funk band from Indianapolis that released two albums on Chi Sound Records in 1977 and 1978. They morphed into Redd Hott for a further album on Venture Records in 1982. Guitarist/singer Kenneth Edmonds later achieved fame as Babyface.

Members: Reggie Griffin (soprano/tenor saxophone, Clavinet, electric/acoustic guitar, harmonica, backing vocals, handclaps), Anthony Johnson (bass guitar, effects), Chuckie Bush (lead vocals, Fender Rhodes electric piano, piano, organ, polymoog synthesizer, ARP Solina string synthesizer, backing vocals, bass synthesizer), Kevin Ferrell (vocalist), Robert Parson (drums), Kenneth Edmonds [Babyface] (acoustic/electric/rhythm guitar, handclaps, vocals, 1976-80), Daryl Simmons (percussion, vocals, 1976-80)

Manchild released their first of two albums, Power and Love, on Chi Sound Records in 1977. It features eight songs written by different band members, including “Red Hot Daddy” (Johnson–Ferrell–Griffin), “We Need We” (Griffin), and the two singles: “(I Want To Feel Your) Power and Love” (Bush–Johnson) and “Especially for You” (Bush), the latter a minor hit. The album was produced by Chicago studio-vet Sonny Sanders (Gino Washington, Jackie Wilson, Gene Chandler, Lionel Hampton).

The second Manchild album, Feel the Phuff, appeared on Chi Sound in 1978. It features 10 originals by assorted members, including “One Tender Moment” (Simmons–Edmonds), “Joy” (Bush), “Walk With Me (Ande Conmigo)” (Griffin), and “The Phuff” (Edmonds). Production was handled once again by Sanders.

Percussionist Daryl Simmons handled a large array of instruments in addition to vocals. On Feel the Phuff, he’s credited with congas, bongos, timbales, timpani, cuica, talking drum, osi drum, tambourine, maracas, cowbell, whistle, claves, agogô, shaker, guiro, flexatone, bells, washboard, Jew’s harp, and handclaps.

Johnson, Parson, Griffin, Ferrekk, and Simmons carried on as Red Hott, releasing the single “Big Fat Bottom” (1981) and the album Redd Hott #1 on Venture Records in 1982.

Bush played clarinet on Walter Jackson’s 1978 Chi Sound release Good to See You, which features covers of the John Miles rubies “Manhattan Skyline” and “Time.”

Griffin released two 1982–84 solo albums and became half of the Sugar Hill R&B duo New Guys On the Block with Joey Robinson Jr., son of label-founder Sylvia Robinson. Griffin later became A&R at Warner Bros.

Edmonds guested on recordings by Midnight Star and The Whispers and cut two albums as part of The Deele during the mid-1980s. Under the moniker Babyface, he launched a successful solo career and became an industry renowned producer.

Simmons became an arranger/producer, working with many Babyface-associated acts as well as Positive Express, George Howard, Sheena Easton, and Karyn White.

Discography: