Raydio -

Raydio was an American soul-funk band that released four albums between 1978 and 1981 on Arista, charting with “Jack and Jill.” Their last two albums are billed as Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio. Parker proliferated as an L.A.-based studio musician and solo artist.

Members: Ray Parker Jr. (vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass, drums), Jerry Knight (bass, vocals), Charles Fearing (guitars), Larry Tolbert (drums, percussion), Vincent Bohnam (vocals), Arnell Carmichael (vocals), Darren Carmichael (vocals)

Background

Ray Erskine Parker Jr. was born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan. He studied clarinet and saxophone during childhood before switching to guitar around age eleven. Parker played behind the Spinners during adolescence and later worked with drummer Hamilton Bohannon. Sessions for the Invictus and Hot Wax labels included recordings by the Honey Cone, whose 1971 single “Want Ads” carries his guitar.

Parker joined the 1972 touring group led by Stevie Wonder. In 1973, he landed session work with the Love Unlimited Orchestra led by Barry White. Parker also played on recordings by the Temptations and the Carpenters. Rufus and Chaka Khan recorded the Parker co-composition “You Got the Love” for the 1974 album Rags to Rufus.

Parker formed Raydio during 1977 with bassist Jerry Knight and singers Arnell Carmichael and Vincent Bonham. Arista signed the group after Parker presented “Jack and Jill,” and the quartet completed its first album at Raydio Studios.

Raydio

Raydio released their self-titled debut album in January 1978 on Arista.

The album presents the original quartet of guitarist-singer Parker, bassist-singer Knight, and singers Bonham and Carmichael. Parker wrote seven songs and co-wrote “Honey I’m Rich” with Thurlene Johnson. Drummer Ollie E. Brown and percussionist Jack Ashford joined the sessions. Guitarists Charles Fearing and Melvin “Wah Wah Watson” Ragin completed the principal instrumental cast.

“Is This a Love Thing” churns through hard-edged accents as brass punctuates raucous group replies. “You Need This (To Satisfy That)” locks into a taut vamp with dense rhythmic responses. “Jack and Jill” glides at midtempo as layered Moog figures ricochet across echo-laced phrases.

“Betcha Can’t Love Me Just Once” saunters through a rubbery midtempo figure and compact responses. “Honey I’m Rich” struts at brisk speed through buoyant male-group interplay. “Let’s Go All the Way” drifts through tropical-tinged accents. “Get Down” coils around a chunky bass-and-guitar figure.

A1. “Is This a Love Thing” (6:16)
A2. “You Need This (To Satisfy That)” (4:34)
A3. “Betcha Can’t Love Me Just Once” (3:51)
A4. “Honey I’m Rich” (3:10)

B1. “Jack and Jill” (4:33)
B2. “Me” (4:58)
B3. “Let’s Go All the Way” (3:27)
B4. “Get Down” (4:20)

Sessions occurred at Raydio Studios, where Parker produced, engineered, and mixed the album in sequence with tracks by Maxine Nightingale and Deniece Williams.

Raydio sports a chrome band logo by Gerard Huerta against a red field above a circular speaker motif designed by Nick Fasciano, who co-created the iconic Chicago band logo.

Arista issued “Jack and Jill” in December 1977 (b/w “Get Down”) as an advance single, which reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on the R&B chart.

“Is This a Love Thing” followed during May 1978. US stock pressings pair the song with either “Let’s Go All the Way” or “Get Down.” The single reached No. 20 on Billboard’s R&B chart.

Arista lifted “Honey I’m Rich” in September as the third single (b/w “Betcha Can’t Love Me Just Once”), which reached No. 43 on the R&B chart.

Raydio reached No. 27 on the Billboard 200 and No. 8 on the R&B Albums chart. The RIAA certified the album gold.

Funky Town Grooves issued an expanded CD during October 2015 with the single version of “Is This a Love Thing” and the 1982 remake “Jack and Jill (Back Up the Hill).”

Rock On

Raydio released their second album, Rock On, in March 1979 on Arista.

Parker leads a revised lineup with Arnell and his brother Darren Carmichael, backed across eight Parker originals by guitarist Charles Fearing, drummer Larry Tolbert, pianist Sylvester River, and saxophonists Norma Jean Bell and Horatio Gordon.

“Hot Stuff” charges through a brisk dance figure. “You Can’t Change That” glides at midtempo through buoyant male-group interplay. “When You’re in Need of Love” thumps over a quaking synth-bass figure as handclaps cue brittle synth-brass charts and paired guitar lines divide into low thunder and a bluesy descent. “Rock On” stomps through a hard dance vamp and repeated group calls. “Goin’ Thru School and Love” settles into a warm, slow ballad.

A1. “What You Waitin’ For” (4:13)
A2. “Hot Stuff” (5:14)
A3. “You Can’t Change That” (3:23)
A4. “Rock On” (5:05)

B1. “More Than One Way to Love a Woman” (5:44)
B2. “When You’re in Need of Love” (6:13)
B3. “Goin’ Thru School and Love” (4:14)
B4. “Honey I’m a Star” (3:39)

Parker produced, engineered, and mixed Rock On Sessionat Raydio Studios. The front cover shows Parker in white at the foreground, with the other members arranged across a mirrored floor beneath divided red and blue panels.

Arista issued “You Can’t Change That” in February 1979 (b/w “Rock On”). The single reached No. 9 on Billboard’s pop chart, No. 3 on the R&B chart, and No. 25 on the adult-contemporary chart.

“More Than One Way to Love a Woman” followed in August 1979 (b/w “Hot Stuff”), reaching No. 25 on the R&B chart.

Rock On reached No. 45 on Billboard’s album chart and No. 4 on the soul-albums chart. The RIAA certified the album gold.

Funky Town Grooves issued an expanded CD during October 2015 with single versions of “More Than One Way to Love a Woman” and “Rock On.”

Two Places at the Same Time

Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio released their third album, Two Places at the Same Time, in March 1980 on Arista.

The album retains the Carmichaels, Fearing, and Tolbert. Two Places contains six Parker originals and co-writes with Arnell Carmichael (“Until the Morning Comes”) and guest pianist/synthesist Herbie Hancock (“Tonight’s the Night”).

“It’s Time to Party Now” barrels through a brisk dance pattern and repeated exhortations. “Two Places at the Same Time” sways at unhurried speed as Parker and Arnell Carmichael trade verses. “Tonight’s the Night” simmers through a slow-burning sensual vamp. “For Those Who Like to Groove” loops a persistent instrumental vamp through steady dance-floor accents.

A1. “It’s Time to Party Now” (4:53)
A2. “Until the Morning Comes” (4:24)
A3. “Two Places at the Same Time” (3:49)
A4. “Tonight’s the Night” (5:06)

B1. “A Little Bit of You” (4:18)
B2. “Everybody Makes Mistakes” (4:58)
B3. “Can’t Keep from Cryin’” (3:37)
B4. “For Those Who Like to Groove” (4:28)

Parker recorded and mixed the album at Raydio Studios and Ameraycan Studios. He had built the North Hollywood Ameraycan facility during the preceding decade and again served as producer and engineer.

Two Places appeared in a cover designed by former UA/Blue Note art director Ria Lewerke-Shapiro, also credited on 1979/80 sleeves for Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Jefferson Starship, Mandrill, Outlaws, and Pat Benatar. Gary Regester photographed Parker at the foreground against a black field, while a red orbital band links his portrait with the remaining group members.

Arista issued “Two Places at the Same Time” in March 1980 (b/w “For Those Who Like to Groove”). The single reached No. 30 on Billboard’s pop chart and No. 6 on the R&B chart. It also reached No. 34 on the adult-contemporary chart.

“For Those Who Like to Groove” followed in June 1980 (b/w “Can’t Keep from Cryin’”), reaching No. 14 on the R&B chart and No. 23 on the dance chart.

Arista lifted “Can’t Keep from Cryin’” in September as a third single (b/w “It’s Time to Party Now”), which reached No. 57 on the R&B chart. In Japan, Arista issued “It’s Time to Party Now” as an a-side.

Two Places at the Same Time reached No. 33 on Billboard’s album chart and No. 6 on the soul-albums chart. The RIAA certified the album gold.

Funky Town Grooves issued an expanded CD during 2012 with the promotional 12-inch version of “It’s Time to Party Now.”

A Woman Needs Love

Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio released their fourth album, A Woman Needs Love, in April 1981 on Arista.

Parker retains Tolbert and the Carmichaels across eight originals, joined by guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., keyboardist Sylvester Rivers, and string arranger Gene Page.

“A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)” glides through compact, understated phrasing. “It’s Your Night” drives a soft-stepping dance figure. “That Old Song” sighs through wistful lines while Gene Page strings swell beneath Parker and Carmichael. “Still in the Groove” rolls through a buoyant instrumental vamp. “So Into You” lingers through a slow romantic ballad.

A1. “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)” (4:07)
A2. “It’s Your Night” (6:39)
A3. “That Old Song” (4:25)
A4. “All in the Way You Get Down” (3:55)

B1. “You Can’t Fight What You Feel” (5:48)
B2. “Old Pro” (4:45)
B3. “Still in the Groove” (6:21)
B4. “So Into You” (4:29)

Sessions occurred at Ameraycan Studios, where Parker produced and engineered the album amid side credits with Cheryl Lynn and Brick. Ollie E. Brown co-produced “All in the Way You Get Down,” while Reginald Dozier engineered the string sessions arranged by Page.

The album appeared in another sleeve designed by Ria Lewerke-Shapiro with photography by Aaron Rapoport, who captured Parker alone against a muted pink background with the group logo placed above his crossed arms.

Arista issued “A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)” in February 1981 (b/w “So Into You”). The single reached No. 4 on Billboard’s pop chart and No. 1 on the R&B chart. It also reached No. 11 on the adult-contemporary chart.

“That Old Song” followed in June 1981 (b/w “Old Pro”), reaching No. 21 on the pop chart and No. 26 on the R&B chart. The song reached No. 7 on the adult-contemporary chart.

Arista issued “It’s Your Night” in October 1981 (b/w “Old Pro”), which reached No. 73 on the R&B chart.

A Woman Needs Love reached No. 13 on Billboard’s album chart and No. 1 on the R&B-albums chart. The RIAA certified the album gold.

Funky Town Grooves issued an expanded CD during 2012 with the UK remix of “All in the Way You Get Down” and single edits of “It’s Your Night” and “A Woman Needs Love.”

Later Activity

Raydio ended its original run following A Woman Needs Love. Parker launched his solo career with the 1982 Arista album The Other Woman. Carmichael and Bonham revived Raydio during 2014 with a new supporting lineup.

Bonham later withdrew from the revived act and died on March 24, 2024, in Westland, Michigan. Carmichael continues to lead Raydio with singer Giovanni Rogers, bassist Lavon McPherson, and drummer Chris Thomas.

Discography: