Mass Production

Mass Production was an American soul-funk band that released eight albums on Cotillion between 1976 and 1983. Initially a ten-piece, they scored a 1979 Billboard hit with “Firecracker” and set UK dance floors alight with “Cosmic Lust,” “Shante,” and “Strollin.” They served as the backing band on the 1980 release Slipping Out by soulsters The Trammps.

Members: LeCoy Bryant, Kevin Douglas, James Drumgole, Agnes “Tiny” Kelly, Larry Marshall, Gregory McCoy, Rodney Phelps, Ricardo Williams, Samuel Williams, Tyrone Williams

Mass Production was formed in mid-1970s Norfolk, Va., by keyboardist/songwriter Tyrone Williams and drummer/songwriter Ricardo Williams. The original lineup also featured bassist Kevin Douglas, saxophonist Gregory McCoy, trumpeter James Drumgole, percussionist Emanual Redding, guitarists Rodney Phelps (lead) and LeCoy Bryant (rhythm), and singers Larry Marshall and Tiny Kelly. Most of them were classmates at Booker T. Washington High School.

Under the guidance of producer/manager Ed A. Ellerbe, they were quickly signed to Atlantic-subsidiary Cotillion, heralding that label’s wave of soul-funk signings (Slave, Sister Sledge, Brides of Funkenstein).

Discography:

• Welcome to Our World (1976)
• Believe (1977)
• Three Miles High (1978)
• In the Purest Form (1979)
• Massterpiece (1980)
• Turn Up the Music (1981)
• In a City Groove (1982)
• ’83 (1983)

Sources:

• Discogs: Mass Production