One Way -

One Way was an American soul-funk band Detroit that released two eponymous albums on MCA during 1979 and 1980 with vocalist Al Hudson featured before the nameplate. During the ensuing five-year period, the band released eight further albums on the label, followed by an eleventh album on Capitol in 1988, once again with special credit to Hudson.

Members: Al Hudson (lead vocals), Dave Roberson (guitar, vocals, piano, synthesizer), Jonathan Meadows (keyboards, synthesizer), Kevin McCord (bass, vocals, piano, synthesizer, drums, 1979-87), Cortez Harris (guitar, vocals, 1979-83), Gregory Green (drums, percussion, vocals, 1979-82, 1984-87), Alicia Myers (vocals, 1979-81), Candye Edwards (vocals, 1981-84), John Brooks (drums, percussion, 1983), Erica Perkins (vocals, 1985-89), Evelyn Meyers (vocals, 1985-89), Curtis Dudley (bass, synthesizer, vocals, 1985-87)

Especially for You

Al Hudson & the Soul Partners released their debut album, Especially for You, in 1977 on ABC Records.

The album introduces the group under the Al Hudson & the Soul Partners name and builds its program from a mix of Al Perkins originals and outside songs by Philippe Wynn, Russ Stringer, Morris Albert, and Isaac Hayes and David Porter. Most of the tracks stay in a compact three-minute range, with only “Feelings” stretching the side into longer form. Jimmy Roach arranged the set, keeping the material in a tight soul-disco format suited to brisk pacing and clean transitions.

A1. “I Got a Notion You Got the Motion” (3:38) — Wynn
A2. “Real Love” (3:31) — Stringer
A3. “You’re So Wonderful” (2:40) — Perkins
A4. “Feelings” (5:55) — Albert

B1. “Baby Let Me Love You” (3:22) — Perkins
B2. “Trying to Prove My Love” (2:38) — Perkins
B3. “Disco Lover” (2:47) — Perkins
B4. “Let’s Disco” (2:45) — Perkins
B5. “When Something’s Wrong With My Baby” (2:36) — Hayes, Porter

The group recorded Especially for You at United Sound Systems in Detroit. Al Perkins produced the album, Jim Vitti engineered the sessions, and Jimmy Roach handled the arrangements.

Earl Klasky and Frank Mulvey handled the art direction, Klasky and Melanie Nissen designed the package, and Sam Emerson supplied the photography. ABC issued “I Got a Notion” backed with “Disco Lover” in 1976, followed by “Real Love” backed with “You’re So Wonderful” in 1977 and an edited single of “Feelings” backed with “Let’s Disco” in May 1977.

Cherish

Al Hudson & the Soul Partners released their second album, Cherish, in 1977 on ABC Records.

The album keeps the group in a compact eight-song format and places Al Hudson at the center as lead vocalist across a set split between group-written material and outside songs by Russell Stringer, Vee Allen, Charles R. Cason, and Marcus London. Most of the tracks stay in the three-minute range, while “Cheating Is a No No” and “Cherish” extend the program into longer form. Rhythm arrangements come from the group, with Garry Glenn joining on “Cherish,” and Jimmy Roach handled the string and horn writing.

A1. “If You Feel Like Dancin’” (2:41) — Soul Partners
A2. “I Like Everything About You” (2:40) — Stringer
A3. “Survivors of Love” (3:44) — Stringer
A4. “Cheating Is a No No” (6:19) — Perkins, Allen

B1. “Why Must We Say Goodbye” (3:40) — Soul Partners
B2. “Tripped, Slipped, Stumbled and Fell” (3:45) — Cason
B3. “Cherish” (5:22) — London
B4. “If You Get Caught” (3:32) — Soul Partners

The group recorded Cherish at United Sound Studios in Detroit, Michigan. Al Perkins produced the album for Perk’s Music, Jim Vitti engineered most of the sessions and handled the remix work, and Steve Osterlund engineered “Survivors of Love.” Kevin McCord played bass, Theodore Dudley Jr. handled drums, Cortez Harris and Dave Roberson Jr. played guitar, Jack O. Hall played piano, and Garry Glenn added piano on “Cherish.”

Earl R. Klasky handled the art direction and design, and Claude Mougin supplied the photography. ABC issued “Why Must We Say Goodbye” backed with “I Like Everything About You” in August 1977, then followed it with “If You Feel Like Dancin’” backed with “If You Get Caught” in November 1977.

Spreading Love

Al Hudson and the Soul Partners released their third album, Spreading Love, in 1978 on ABC Records.

The album shifts to a seven-song program built around longer cuts, with five tracks running past five minutes and “Spread Love” stretching beyond eight. Gary Glenn wrote and produced five of the seven songs, giving the set a strong outside writing center, while the group handled the two Richard Becker-produced tracks. David Van De Pitte supplied most of the horn and string arrangements, Gordon Camp joined the brass writing on selected cuts, and the rhythm section stayed in the hands of the Soul Partners.

A1. “Spread Love” (8:39) — Glenn
A2. “Small Talk” (6:03) — Glenn
A3. “You and Me” (6:16) — Sigler, Bishop

B1. “How Do You Do” (5:49) — Soul Partners
B2. “Lost Inside of You” (7:30) — Glenn
B3. “Love Me Forever” (4:24) — Glenn
B4. “Dance, Get Down (Feel the Groove)” (3:31) — Soul Partners

The group recorded Spreading Love at PAC-3 Recording Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Gary Glenn produced five tracks for Mighty Three Music, Richard Becker produced “How Do You Do” and “Dance, Get Down (Feel the Groove),” and Becker also engineered the album. Kevin D. McCord played bass, Teddy Dudley handled drums, John Brooks added congas, Barbara Huby played percussion, Gary Glenn, Jack Hall, and Lester Williams covered the keyboards, and Cortez Harris and Dave Roberson played lead guitar.

Richard Germinaro and Stuart Kusher handled the art direction, design, and concept, and Dick Zimmerman supplied the photography. ABC issued “Spread Love” backed with “Love Me Forever” in 1978, then followed it with “How Do You Do” (b/w “Dance, Get Down (Feel the Groove)”) emerged in November 1978 and peaked just outside the R&B Top 50.

Happy Feet

Al Hudson & the Partners released their fourth album, Happy Feet, in 1979 on ABC Records.

The album keeps the group in a compact nine-song format and divides its writing between outside contributors and the band’s own core. Cecil Womack opens the set with the title track and also handled its arrangement and string writing, while Rudy Robinson shaped most of the remaining arrangements and string parts. Al Hudson, Cuba Gregory, Kevin McCord, Alicia Myers, Leroy and P. Hyter, Russell Stringer, St. Hosley, M. Morrow, R. Graham, and P. Bryson fill out the songwriting spread across the album. Gordon Camp and the Horns of Detroit reinforce the brass writing, and the production stays centered on short, tightly structured funk-soul songs.

A1. “Happy Feet” (5:13) — Womack
A2. “Wait and Let Tomorrow Decide” (4:35) — Morrow, Graham
A3. “Rock” (3:52) — Hudson, Gregory
A4. “Call Me” (3:32) — McCord

B1. “You Can Do It” (3:31) — Myers, McCord
B2. “Another Love Song” (3:30) — Bryson
B3. “Keep Dancing” (5:17) — McCord
B4. “I Don’t Want You to Leave Me” (3:46) — Hyter, Hyter
B5. “In the Basement” (3:40) — Stringer, Hosley

The group recorded Happy Feet at United Sound Systems in Detroit. Al Hudson & the Partners produced eight of the nine tracks for Perk’s Music, Inc., while Cecil Womack produced the title song. Gerry Estes handled engineering and sound effects, Mike Iacopelli engineered and programmed synthesizer, and “Lanky” Linstrot mastered the album at ABC Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

Stuart Kusher handled the art direction and Terry Larson Studio supplied the design and illustration. ABC lifted “You Can Do It” (b/w “I Don’t Want You to Leave Me”) as a March 1979 single, which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Dance chart and No. 15 on the UK Singles chart.

One Way Featuring Al Hudson (1979)

One Way Featuring Al Hudson released their first self-titled album in September 1979 on MCA Records.

The album works in six long-form cuts, with every track running past five minutes and four stretching beyond seven. Their dense dance-soul texture comes through layered keyboards and Oberheim synthesizer, guitar, bass, drums, tambourine, and saxophone. The vocal arrangement spreads lead and backing lines across Al Hudson, Alicia Myers, Brenda Wiley, Dave Roberson, Kevin McCord, and Leroy Hyter. Bassist Kevin McCord and drummer Gregg Gregg hold the backbeat at the center, guitarist Dave Roberson cuts through the texture with sharper rhythm detail, and keyboardists Gary Schunk and Leroy Hyter thicken the upper register.

A1. “Music” (8:00) — McCord
A2. “You Can Do It” (7:05) — Myers, McCord
A3. “Guess You Didn’t Know” (6:22) — Hudson, Gregory

B1. “Now That I Found You” (7:55) — Bozzi, Unger
B2. “Come Dance With Me” (5:30) — Hudson, Gregory
B3. “I Am Under Your Spell” (8:00) — Roberson, O’Neal

One Way recorded One Way Featuring Al Hudson at PAC 3 Recording Company with co-producers Rich Becker and One Way on five tracks. Al Hudson & the Partners produced “You Can Do It,” and Richard Becker engineered the album.

George Osaki and Kathe Schreyer handled the art direction, Earl Klasky designed the album, and Slick Lawson shot the photography. The German pressing carried MCA Records cat. no. 0062.149, with lacquer cut and pressing work completed at PRS Hannover.

“Now That I Found You” appeared as an autumn single, backed with the earlier Partners track “Rock.” The a-side reappeared as the b-side of “Music,” a December 1979 single that reached No. 30 on the Billboard Dance chart and No. 36 on the R&B chart.

One Way Featuring Al Hudson (1980)

One Way Featuring Al Hudson released their second self-titled album in 1980 on MCA Records.

The album trims the track lengths from the prior LP and packs eight cuts into a tighter disco set. Keyboards and synthesizer stay central to the arrangement, while horns, Syndrums, guitar, and a steadier vocal emphasis sharpen the group’s dance-floor attack. Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, and Kevin McCord share the writing and production center again, with outside contributions from Alicia Myers, Ben Atkins, and Valeria O’Neal. Angela Ward appears on vocals, Gary Schunk and Leroy Hyter handle keyboards and synthesizer, John Brooks adds Syndrums, and Gordon Camp works with the Detroit Horns on the brass parts.

A1. “I’m In Love With Lovin’ You” (4:07) — Perkins, Roberson, O’Neal
A2. “Copy This” (3:29) — Hudson, Perkins, McCord
A3. “Something in the Past” (6:15) — Hudson, Perkins, Gregory
A4. “Do Your Thang” (6:25) — Myers, McCord

B1. “I Wanna Be With You” (4:37) — Atkins
B2. “Let’s Go Out Tonite” (3:55) — Perkins, McCord
B3. “You’re the One” (3:16) — McCord
B4. “Pop It” (7:55) — Hudson, McCord

One Way recorded the album at Pac Three Studios in Dearborn, Michigan. Richard Becker produced and engineered the sessions with Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, and Kevin McCord, who also handled the arrangements. Eddy Schreyer mastered the album at MCA Whitney Recording Studio in Glendale, California, and MCA’s Pinckneyville plant pressed the US edition.

Vartan handled the artwork and Michael Bryan supplied the illustration. MCA issued “Do Your Thang” backed with “Copy This” in April 1980, then followed it with “Pop It” backed with “I’m In Love With Lovin’ You” in August 1980.

Love Is… One Way

One Way released their third album, Love Is… One Way, in January 1981 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in a compact eight-song format and shifts the emphasis toward shorter, tighter soul-boogie writing. Keyboards, horns, guitar, bass, and drums drive the arrangements, with Dave Roberson, Kevin McCord, and Al Hudson supplying most of the writing across the set. Roberson and McCord also shape the horn charts with Maurice Davis, while one outside production slot appears on “All Over Again,” written and produced by James Dean and John Glover.

A1. “Love Is…” (5:36) — Roberson
A2. “My Lady” (4:38) — McCord
A3. “All Over Again” (4:00) — Dean, Glover
A4. “Get It Over” (4:44) — Hudson, Gregory

B1. “Push” (5:26) — McCord
B2. “I Didn’t Mean to Break Your Heart” (3:44) — Roberson
B3. “Be Serious” (5:54) — Hudson, Gregory
B4. “Wait Until Tomorrow” (4:53) — McCord

One Way recorded the album at PAC-3 in Dearborn, Michigan. Richard Becker engineered the sessions and co-produced seven tracks with the group, while James Dean and John Glover produced “All Over Again.” Steve Hall mastered the album at MCA/Whitney Recording Studios in Glendale, California.

Vartan handled the art direction, Judy Hoston developed the album concept, and Benno Friedman supplied the photography. MCA issued “My Lady” backed with “I Didn’t Mean to Break Your Heart” in February 1981, then followed it with “Push” backed with “All Over Again” in April 1981.

Love Is… was their final album with Alicia Meyer, who made her solo debut with the 1981 MCA release Alicia, a Kevin McCord co-production that spawned the R&B hit “I Want to Thank You.”

Fancy Dancer

One Way released their fourth album, Fancy Dancer, in August 1981 on MCA Records. This was their first of five albums with Meyer’s replacement, singer Candy Edwards.

Fancy Dancer keeps the group in an eight-track format and pushes the material toward a sleeker funk-disco attack. Kevin McCord, Dave Roberson, and Al Hudson remain at the center of the writing, with one outside contribution from C. Howard, J. Glover, and Velma Allen on “Show Me.” The track lengths still favor extended dance cuts, especially on the title opener and the two longest songs on side two.

A1. “Pull Fancy Dancer / Pull” (6:07) — McCord
A2. “Get Up” (4:46) — Roberson
A3. “Show Me” (4:42) — Howard, Glover, Allen
A4. “Hold It” (5:15) — Roberson

B1. “He Is My Friend” (6:34) — Hudson, Perkins
B2. “Come Give Me Your Love” (4:05) — McCord
B3. “Burn It” (6:30) — Hudson, Gregory
B4. “Your Love Is All I Need” (3:42) — McCord

One Way recorded the album at United Sound Systems where Mike Iacopelli engineered the sessions. This was their first of four albums produced Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, and Kevin McCord under their collective moniker ADK.

Vartan designed the cover, which features an illustration by Holly Hollington, whose distinct, striking style also graces the 1982 MCA release The Boss by Oliver Cheatham, another ADK client. Hollington’s earlier credits include the gatefold to Greasy Truckers Live at Dingwalls Dance Hall, a 1973 collection of live numbers by Camel, Gong, and Henry Cow.

MCA issued “Pull Fancy Dancer/Pull” in August 1981, split across Part 1 and Part 2 on the two sides of the single.

Who’s Foolin’ Who

One Way released their fifth album, Who’s Foolin’ Who, in February 1982 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in an eight-song format and centers the set on concise funk-soul cuts with a steady disco pulse. Kevin McCord, Dave Roberson, and Al Hudson remain central to the writing, while Cortez Harris, Leroy Hyter, Vee Allen, Glenda Hudson, and several co-writers expand the credits across the album. Dave Roberson and Rudy Robinson arranged four tracks, ADK handled the remaining four, and ADK produced the album with Irene Perkins.

A1. “Cutie Pie” (5:25) — Hudson, Meadows, Roberson, Hudson, Green, Morgan, Dudley
A2. “Sweet Lady” (3:40) — Roberson
A3. “You” (4:41) — McCord
A4. “You’re So Very Special” (4:57) — Harris, Hyter

B1. “Who’s Foolin’ Who” (5:13) — Hudson, Hudson
B2. “Age Ain’t Nothing But a Number” (3:43) — McCord, Allen
B3. “Give Me One More Chance” (4:47) — McCord
B4. “Runnin’ Away” (5:10) — Hudson, Hudson

ADK and Irene Perkins produced the album for Perk’s Music, Inc. MCA’s Pinckneyville plant handled the pressing, and all selections were published by Duchess Music Corp. (MCA)/Perk’s Music. Between One Way albums, ADK produced Candye, the 1982 solo debut by Candy Edwards.

Vartan handled the art direction, Art Hotel and Tommy Steele designed the package, Raul Vega shot the front-cover photograph, and Tom Gibson supplied the back-cover photography.

MCA lifted “Who’s Foolin’ Who” (b/w “Sweet Lady”) as a January 1982 single, which reached No. 30 on the R&B chart. “Cutie Pie” followed in May (b/w “Give Me One More Chance”) and reached No. 4 on the R&B chart and No. 29 on the Dance chart. In September, “Runnin’ Away” became the third single (b/w “You”) just as One Way dropped their next album.

Wild Night

One Way released their sixth album, Wild Night, in September 1982 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in a compact song-based format and spreads the writing across Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, Kevin McCord, Vee Allen, Jack Hall, and several additional collaborators. Horn and string arrangements by Rudy Robinson add another layer to the production, while Maurice Davis and the Detroit Horns reinforce the brass writing. The set runs nine tracks, with only the title cut pushing past five minutes.

A1. “Wild Night” (5:36) — Hudson, Hall, White, Hall
A2. “Back to Yesterday” (4:09) — Hudson, Hudson, Hall
A3. “Making You an Offer” (4:23) — Hudson, Hall, Allen
A4. “Middle of Our Lives” (4:34) — Hudson, Meadows, Allen

B1. “Don’t Fight the Feeling” (4:23) — McCord
B2. “Toast to the Other Man” (4:31) — Hudson, Roberson, Allen
B3. “Can I” (3:36) — McCord
B4. “Put Your Trust in Me” (3:57) — Roberson, Perkins, O’Neal
B5. “One of Us” (2:53) — Hudson, Roberson, Allen

ADK and Irene Perkins produced the album, Mike Iacopelli engineered the sessions, and Steve Hall mastered it at MCA/Whitney Recording Studios in Glendale, California. All songs were published by Perks Music/Duchess Music Corp. (MCA).

Andy Engel and Vartan handled the art direction, Broun supplied the photography, and Natasha and Richard Bradshaw handled makeup and hair. MCA issued “Wild Night” backed with “One of Us” in November 1982, then followed it with “Can I” backed with “Middle of Our Lives” in February 1983.

Shine On Me

One Way released their seventh album, Shine On Me, in June 1983 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in an eight-song format and places keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, bass, percussion, and drums at the center of a polished boogie-funk set. Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, and Kevin McCord wrote six of the eight tracks and remained the group’s main creative core, while Craig Lane, Cuba Gregory, Curtis Dudley, Glenda Hudson, and Jack Hall supplied the two outside writing slots. Kevin McCord, Dave Roberson, Al Hudson, Cortez Harris, and John Brooks all contribute lead and backing vocals across the album, with Gregory Greene on drums, Jack Hall and Corky Meadows on keyboards and synthesizers, and Candyce Edwards adding backing vocals.

A1. “Shine on Me” (6:23) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
A2. “So Afraid It’s Over” (5:11) — Lane, Gregory, Dudley, Hudson
A3. “Didn’t You Know It” (4:28) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
A4. “Bring It Down” (4:24) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord

B1. “Sugar Rock” (5:57) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
B2. “Let’s Get Together” (5:36) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
B3. “Together Forever” (4:26) — Hudson, Hall
B4. “Shake It Till It’s Tight” (4:08) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord

ADK and Irene Perkins produced the album for Perk’s Music, Inc. Mike Iacopelli engineered the sessions, and MCA’s Pinckneyville plant handled the pressing. All songs were published by Perks Music/Duchess Music Corp.

Vartan handled the art direction, Ron Larson supplied the illustration and design, and Benno Friedman shot the photography. The sleeve also carries a dedication to executive producer Al Perkins. MCA issued “Shine on Me” backed with “Together Forever” in June 1983, then followed it with “Let’s Get Together” backed with “Didn’t You Know It” in September 1983.

Lady

One Way released their eighth album, Lady, in April 1984 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in an eight-song format and places Kevin McCord at the center of the sessions as producer, arranger, writer, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist. McCord wrote or co-wrote six of the eight tracks, while Al Hudson remained active in the writing and backing vocals. Piano, synthesizer, bass, drums, percussion, guitar, saxophone, and vocoder shape the arrangements, with Corky Meadows, Leroy Hyter, Dave Roberson, Randall Jacobs, Curtis Dudley, Gregg Green, Larry Fantanbelo, Luis Kesto, Snooky, Tony Lippitt, and the Ridgeway Sisters filling out the lineup.

A1. “Lady You Are” (5:22) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
A2. “I’ll Make It Up to You” (4:30) — Edwards, McCord
A3. “If Only You Knew” (5:48) — Hudson, McCord
A4. “Don’t Stop” (3:51) — Hudson

B1. “Mr. Groove” (4:42) — McCord
B2. “Smile” (4:57) — Hudson, Roberson, McCord
B3. “Dynomite” (4:49) — McCord
B4. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” (3:41) — Morton, Perkins

One Way recorded the album at The Disc Ltd. in Detroit. Kevin McCord produced and arranged the sessions for Perk’s Music, Inc., Gregg Rieley engineered the album, and Steve Hall mastered it at Future Disc Systems in Hollywood. MCA’s Gloversville plant handled the US pressing.

Vartan handled the art direction and photography, Holly Hollington supplied the cover illustration, Ron Larson added the hand tinting, Michelle Andonian coordinated the photo layout, and Deborah Larsen handled makeup. MCA issued “Lady You Are” backed with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” in March 1984, followed by “Mr. Groove” backed with “Dynomite” in June and “Smile” backed with “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” in August 1984.

Wrap Your Body

One Way released their ninth album, Wrap Your Body, in July 1985 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in an eight-song format and places Irene Perkins at the center as producer and executive producer. Al Hudson and Dave Roberson remain central to the writing and vocals, while Curtis Dudley expands his role on bass, synth bass, and lead vocals. Corky Meadows handles keyboards and Prophet-5, Gregory Greene plays drums, Larry Fratangelo adds percussion, Luis Kesto contributes vocoder, and Ewana Wilson and Tony Lippit fill out the backing-vocal line. Several tracks also reflect a more segmented production process, with Taavi Mote engineering and Louil Silas Jr. mixing the singles-oriented material.

A1. “Let’s Talk” (5:23) — Hudson, Roberson, Perkins
A2. “Wrap Your Body” (5:08) — Perkins, Morton, Perkins
A3. “Believe in Me” (3:39) — Meadows, Greene, Meadows
A4. “Serving It” (5:13) — Hudson, Dudley, Mitchell, Gregory

B1. “Don’t Give Up on Love” (5:48) — Hudson, Gregory, Dudley
B2. “More Than Friends, Less Than Lovers” (5:11) — Roberson
B3. “If I Knew” (4:53) — Hudson, Dudley, Roberson, Hall
B4. “Condemned” (3:58) — Hudson, Dudley, Kountz, Perkins

One Way recorded the album at The Disc Ltd. Gregg Reilly engineered the album, while Taavi Mote handled engineering on “Let’s Talk,” “Wrap Your Body,” and “Don’t Give Up on Love,” with Rhys Moody and Fred Howard assisting on those sessions. Louil Silas Jr. mixed the same three tracks. Irene Perkins produced and executive-produced the album, with Al Hudson and Dave Roberson also credited as producers.

Jeff Adamoff and Vartan handled the art direction, Larry Vigon supplied the design and painting, and Jim Shea shot the photography. MCA issued “Let’s Talk” in April 1985 as a two-part single, followed by “Serving It” backed with “Believe in Me” in July and “More Than Friends, Less Than Lovers” backed with “Condemned” in October 1985.

One Way IX

One Way released their tenth album, One Way IX, in October 1986 on MCA Records.

The album keeps the group in a compact nine-song format and spreads most of the writing across Al Hudson, Cuba Gregory, Irene Perkins, and Valdez Brantley, with Dave Roberson and Curtis Dudley contributing to selected tracks. Remix work by Louil Silas Jr. appears on three cuts, and the production draws on sessions from both Detroit and New York. Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, and Irene Perkins handled the album’s main mix work, while Eumir Deodato joined Hudson, Roberson, and Irene Perkins as producer on “I Can’t Help Myself.”

A1. “Don’t Think About It” (5:41) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Brantley
A2. “Who Does She Think She Is” (4:53) — Hudson, Gregory, Roberson
A3. “You Better Quit” (4:10) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley
A4. “Starry Eyes” (4:57) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Brantley

B1. “Whammy” (5:15) — Hudson, Gregory, Dudley
B2. “Set It Out” (4:54) — Hudson, Roberson
B3. “Stole My Heart” (4:16) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Brantley
B4. “I Can’t Help Myself” (5:38) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Brantley
B5. “Oh Girl” (4:07) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Brantley

One Way recorded the album at The Disc in Detroit and Duplex Studios in New York. Taavi Mote handled the remix engineering, Gregg Reilly handled mix engineering, and Elmer Flores assisted. Larrabee Sound Studios in Hollywood hosted the remix sessions.

Vartan handled the art direction, Mike Fink designed the package, Larry DuPont supplied the main photography, and Jim Shea shot the group photograph. MCA issued “Don’t Think About It” in September 1986 with a “Bass Appella” version on the B-side, then followed it with “Whammy” in January 1987 backed with an instrumental version.

A New Beginning

Al Hudson and One Way released A New Beginning in 1988 on Capitol Records.

The album keeps the group in a ten-song format and places Al Hudson, Irene Perkins, Dave Roberson, and Valdez Brantley at the center of the production. Hudson shares most of the writing with Cuba Gregory, Irene Perkins, Maurice Gregory, and Valdez Brantley, while outside songs from E.T. Wright, Elron, Hugh Morton, Theodore Thomas Jr., Lanar Brantley, and Dave Roberson broaden the credits. Keyboards, guitar, percussion, saxophone, vocoder, and human beatbox shape the arrangements, with Jonathan Meadows, Dave Roberson, and Valdez Brantley handling much of the keyboard and programmed surface. Jeanette Mack and Lorrie Tice join Hudson on duet vocals, and Lil’ Al adds beatbox.

A1. “Driving Me Crazy” (4:06) — Wright, Elron
A2. “Weekend Lover” (4:00) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley
A3. “Let’s Talk” (3:34) — Morton, Gregory
A4. “Get Up Off It” (4:49) — Morton, Gregory
A5. “Say You Will” (4:51) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley

B1. “Love at the Count of 3” (4:31) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley
B2. “Pleasure Seeker” (4:12) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley
B3. “U, Me & the Other Guy” (5:20) — Roberson
B4. “You’re Not My Problem” (3:25) — Hudson, Gregory, Perkins, Gregory, Brantley
B5. “Must’a Been Crazy” (4:37) — Hudson, L. Brantley, Thomas, V. Brantley

The group recorded and mixed the album at The Disc Limited in Detroit, Michigan. Al Hudson, Dave Roberson, Irene Perkins, and Valdez Brantley produced the sessions, Greg Reilly engineered the album, and Jennifer Potocki and Jim Michewiez assisted.

Tommy Steele handled the art direction, Timothy Eames designed the package, and Janette Beckman supplied the photography. Capitol issued “Driving Me Crazy” in June 1988 in a radio edit backed with a TV track.

Discography: