Starpoint -

Starpoint was an American soul-funk band from Annapolis, Maryland, that made ten albums between 1980 and 1990 on Chocolate City and Elektra. Their sound evolved from lean disco-funk to a mix of boogie, dance-floor R&B, and synthesizer-led crossover soul. They scored a crossover hit with “Object of My Desire” from their 1985 album Restless.

Members: Kayode Adeyemo (vocals, keyboards), Renée Diggs (vocals), Ernesto Phillips (guitar), George Phillips (keyboards), Gregory Phillips (drums, percussion), Orlando Phillips (bass, saxophone)

Background

Starpoint began in 1969 in the Crownsville-Annapolis area of Maryland, where Kayode “Ky” Adeyemo joined four sons of Dr. George Phillips of Crownsville Hospital: Ernesto, Orlando, Gregory, and George Phillips Jr. The Phillips brothers first played as a youth horn section, but practical needs pushed the group toward a fuller band setup, with the members teaching themselves more standard rhythm-section and keyboard roles. That early shift set the pattern for the group’s later identity, since the core musicians all handled multiple instruments. Their father regularly had them perform for patients at Crownsville State Hospital, which gave the brothers steady early stage experience while they were still developing their lineup and repertoire.

During the 1970s the group worked under the name J.R. and the Royals, then later as Licyndiana. Adeyemo, whose father also worked at Crownsville, had known the Phillips family from childhood and became part of the band’s early foundation. As the lineup settled, Ernesto Phillips took lead guitar and vocals, with Orlando Phillips (bass, saxophone, keyboards), Gregory Phillips (drums, percussion), and George Phillips Jr. (keyboards, synthesizers) rounding out the core band. Their circle also included keyboardist Marvin Ennis, while additional percussion support moved in and out of the lineup. The band’s local performing life expanded through the decade as its members sharpened a stage-centered blend of funk, soul, dance rhythms, and vocal harmony.

Renée Diggs entered the lineup after meeting the band during one of its early hospital performances, when George Phillips invited her girl group to join the brothers onstage. She became the lead female voice in the late-1970s edition of Licyndiana. The name reportedly drew on the names of related women. Near the end of the decade, a deal with Cecil Holmes’ Chocolate City label prompted another change, and at Marvin Ennis’ suggestion the group adopted the name Starpoint. The new name also played on the Phillips surname through the image of a star-point screwdriver.

Starpoint

Starpoint released their self-titled debut album in 1980 on Chocolate City.

Starpoint built the album on a taut dance-floor pulse with close vocal layering, bright keyboard sheen, clipped guitar accents, and a steady rhythmic backbeat. Guitarist-vocalist Ernesto Phillips and keyboardist Marvin Ennis shape much of the surface with rhythm guitar, clavinet, piano, and synthesizer, while bassist Kayode Adeyemo and drummer-percussionist Gregory Phillips lock things into a steady, propulsive stride. Renee Diggs carries the lead voice at the center of the group blend, and City Strings add a polished upper edge to selected passages.

A1. “Gonna Lift You Up” (4:41) — Phillips, Adeyemo
A2. “Let Me Love You” (4:40) — Phillips, Adeyemo
A3. “Never Find a Better Love” (5:45) — Ennis
A4. “Don’t Leave Me” (5:00) — Phillips, Adeyemo

B1. “I Just Wanna Dance With You” (4:58) — Phillips, Adeyemo
B2. “You’re My Sunny Day” (3:47) — Phillips, Diggs
B3. “Get Ready, Get Down” (6:49) — Phillips, Adeyemo
B4. “Girl I’m Up for Your Lovin’” (4:08) — Phillips

Starpoint recorded Starpoint at Minot Sound Studio in White Plains, New York, with producer Lionel Job and engineer Ray Bardani. George Marino mastered the album at Sterling Sound, New York.

Gribbitt! and Glenn Parsons handled the design, with logo concept by Mark Tyson and illustration by Gribbitt! and Jeff Wack. Len Kaltman photographed the back cover. The sleeve also carries a dedication from the group to their parents, family, and friends.

“I Just Wanna Dance With You” first appeared as a June 1980 single (b/w “Don’t Leave Me”) and reached No. 19 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. In August, “Get Ready, Get Down” became the second single (b/w “Let Me Love You”) followed in October with “Gonna Lift You Up” (b/w “You’re My Sunny Day”).

Keep On It

Starpoint released their second album, Keep On It, in 1981 on Chocolate City.

Starpoint set the album in a polished mid-tempo dance-soul mode built from close harmony vocals, clipped rhythm guitar, rounded keyboard lines, and a firm, even backbeat. Ernesto Phillips leads much of the writing and instrumental direction with lead and rhythm guitar, while Louie Oxley’s Rhodes, acoustic piano, and Mini Moog widen the texture across the set. Orlando Phillips handles bass guitar, Gregory Phillips drives the pulse with drums, bongos, bells, and timbales, and Bert DeCoteaux’s string arrangements bring added lift to selected cuts.

A1. “I Just Want to Be Your Lover” (5:39) — Phillips, Adeyemo
A2. “For You” (5:25) — Phillips
A3. “Interlude” (0:28) — Phillips
A4. “Keep On It” (6:35) — Phillips, Adeyemo

B1. “I Want You Closer” (5:26) — Phillips, Adeyemo
B2. “Baby Let Me Do It” (5:11) — Phillips, Adeyemo
B3. “We’re Into Love” (4:33) — Phillips
B4. “Starpoint’s Here Tonight” (6:12) — Phillips, Gregory Phillips, George Phillips, Adeyemo, Oxley, Orlando Phillips, Diggs

Starpoint recorded and mixed Keep On It at Blank Tapes Studio in New York City with producer Lionel Job and engineer John Bradley. José Rodriguez mastered the album.

Gribbitt! and Bob Carroll handled the design. Len Kaltman photographed the sleeve.

“Keep On It” appeared as a February 1981 single backed with “Girl I’m Up for Your Lovin’” and reached No. 28 on the Billboard R&B chart. “I Want You Closer” followed in June 1981 backed with “We’re Into Love.”

Wanting You

Starpoint released their third album, Wanting You, in 1981 on Chocolate City.

Starpoint drives the album with a tighter boogie pulse, sharper bass movement, clipped guitar rhythm, and a denser synthesizer layer than before. Ernesto Phillips leads the group from guitar and keyboards, while George Phillips and Orlando Phillips widen the surface with clavinet, Mini Moog, Prophet 5, and added lead vocals. Kayode Adeyemo keeps the bass lines lean and active, Gregory Phillips pushes the rhythm with drums and percussion, and Michael Colina’s string arrangements add a smoother upper layer to selected cuts.

A1. “Wanting You” (4:48) — Phillips, Adeyemo
A2. “Do What You Wanna Do” (5:17) — Phillips, Adeyemo
A3. “Angel” (4:33) — Phillips
A4. “Last Night” (4:52) — Phillips, Adeyemo

B1. “Try Me” (5:17) — Phillips, Diggs
B2. “Shake It Out” (5:06) — Phillips, George Phillips, Gregory Phillips, Adeyemo, Orlando Phillips
B3. “Break Up to Make Up” (4:05) — Gamble, Creed, Bell
B4. “Starnite Your Night” (4:58) — Phillips, Adeyemo

Starpoint recorded and mixed Wanting You at Minot Sound Studio in White Plains, New York, with producer Lionel Job and engineer Ray Bardani. Howie Weinberg mastered the album at Masterdisk.

Bob Heimall handled the art direction, Martha Savitzky designed the sleeve, and Jim Houghton took the photography.

“Wanting You” appeared as an October 1981 single backed with “Baby Let Me Do It.” “Angel” followed in February 1982 backed with “I Just Want to Be Your Lover,” and “Do What You Wanna Do” followed in April 1982 backed with “Try Me.”

All Night Long

Starpoint released their fourth album, All Night Long, in 1982 on Chocolate City.

Starpoint tightens the group’s boogie pull on All Night Long with harder bass movement, clipped guitar figures, bright synthesizer lines, and a steady dance-floor push. Ernesto Phillips directs much of the surface from lead and rhythm guitar, lead vocals, and Prophet 5, while George Phillips and Orlando Phillips widen the texture with Mini Moog, additional lead vocals, and bass. Wayne Linsey adds Rhodes, clavinet, and Prophet 5, Gregory Phillips drives the beat from drums and percussion, and Thor Baldursson’s string arrangements add a smooth upper layer to selected tracks.

A1. “Bring Your Sweet Lovin’ Back” (5:03) — Phillips
A2. “Get Your Body Up” (5:37) — Phillips, George Phillips, Greg Phillips, Adeyemo, Orlando Phillips, Diggs
A3. “All Night Long” (6:07) — Phillips, Diggs
A4. “Show Me” (4:39) — Orlando Phillips

B1. “I Like It” (5:35) — Gregory Phillips, Orlando Phillips
B2. “I Can Give You Love” (5:44) — Phillips
B3. “Miracle Love” (4:37) — Phillips, Adeyemo, Diggs
B4. “It’s You” (5:43) — Phillips, Adeyemo

Starpoint recorded and mixed All Night Long at Minot Sound Studio in White Plains, New York, with producer Lionel Job and engineer Ray Bardani. Ted Jensen mastered the album at Sterling Sound.

Mo Ström and Bob Heimall handled the design and art direction. Bob Cass photographed the sleeve.

“Get Your Body Up” appeared as a July 1982 single backed with “Never Find a Better Love.” “All Night Long” followed in October 1982 backed with “Show Me.”

It’s So Delicious

Starpoint released their fifth album, It’s So Delicious, in 1983 on Elektra.

Starpoint pushes the group deeper into a sleek modern dance-soul surface on It’s So Delicious with tighter drum attack, brighter keyboard gloss, clipped guitar figures, and a stronger studio-polish finish. Ernesto Phillips leads much of the writing from lead and rhythm guitar, while George Phillips adds clavinet and shared lead vocals, Marvin Ennis fills the middle with Rhodes and acoustic piano, and Louie Oxley anchors the low end with bass and Mini Moog. Gregory Phillips keeps the pulse firm on drums, Bert DeCoteaux supplies string arrangements, and the vocal blend stays centered on Ernesto Phillips, George Phillips, and Renee Diggs.

A1. “Don’t Be So Serious” (5:20) — Phillips
A2. “Put Your Love on Me” (5:28) — Phillips, Orlando Phillips, Diggs
A3. “Somethin’ in Your Eyes” (4:30) — Phillips
A4. “It’s So Delicious” (4:38) — Phillips

B1. “Behind Your Back” (3:54) — Phillips
B2. “Give Real Love a Try” (4:47) — Pettaway, Ennis, Doshiell
B3. “I’m So Crazy ’Bout You” (4:17) — Phillips, George Phillips, Adeyemo, Orlando Phillips, Diggs
B4. “I Got the Love” (4:42) — Phillips
B5. “Let Go” (4:19) — Phillips, Adeyemo, Orlando Phillips

Starpoint recorded It’s So Delicious at Sigma Sound Studios, New York City, and Minot Sound Studio in White Plains, New York, with producer Lionel Job. Ray Bardani and James “Doc” Dougherty handled recording, Dougherty mixed with Ernesto Phillips and Lionel Job, and George Marino mastered the album.

Spencer Drate handled the art direction, with cover design by Judith Salavetz and Spencer Drate. Larry Williams photographed the sleeve.

“Don’t Be So Serious” appeared as a May 1983 single backed with “Let Go” and reached No. 14 on the Billboard R&B chart. “It’s So Delicious” followed in August 1983 backed with “Behind Your Back.”

It’s All Yours

Starpoint released their sixth album, It’s All Yours, in 1984 on Elektra.

Starpoint keeps the pulse tight on It’s All Yours with clipped guitar rhythm, bright keyboard lines, Linn drum programming, and a polished dance-floor push. Ernesto Phillips leads the album from guitar, writing, and drum programming, while George Phillips and Marvin Ennis fill the middle with clavinet, Rhodes, acoustic piano, and Prophet 5. Orlando Phillips anchors the low end with bass and Mini Moog, Gregory Phillips drives the beat from drums, Linn drum, and percussion, and Bert DeCoteaux’s string arrangements add a smooth upper layer to selected cuts.

A1. “It’s All Yours” (4:50) — Phillips
A2. “Am I Still the One” (5:12) — Phillips
A3. “Satisfy Me Lover” (4:58) — Phillips, Job, Miller
A4. “Send Me a Letter” (4:57) — Phillips, George Phillips, Adeyemo, Job, Ennis, Orlando Phillips

B1. “Breakout” (4:49) — Phillips, George Phillips, Adeyemo, Job, Ennis, Orlando Phillips
B2. “This Is So Right” (4:38) — Phillips, Diggs
B3. “Use Me” (4:53) — Withers
B4. “Always on My Mind” (4:24) — Phillips

Starpoint recorded and mixed It’s All Yours at Minot Sound Studio with producer Lionel Job and engineers Ray Bardani, Ron Carran, and Wayne Warnecke. Ernesto Phillips and Lionel Job mixed the album with Bardani, and George Marino mastered it at Sterling Sound.

Bob Defrin handled the art direction, and David Michael Kennedy photographed the sleeve.

“It’s All Yours” appeared as a January 1984 single backed with “Don’t Be So Serious” and reached No. 17 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 23 on the Billboard dance chart. “Breakout” followed in May 1984 backed with “It’s So Delicious,” and “Am I Still the One” followed in June 1984 backed with “Use Me.”

Restless

Starpoint released their seventh album, Restless, in 1985 on Elektra.

Starpoint shifts further into a modern electronic dance-soul finish on Restless with drum programming, Fairlight textures, sharper keyboard attack, and a leaner guitar role inside the mix. Keith Diamond and Lionel Job produce a brighter, more synthetic surface than before, while Ernesto Phillips, George Phillips, and Orlando Phillips spread the keyboard parts across the set and Gregory Phillips reinforces the programmed pulse with live drums. Barry Eastmond adds string arrangements to selected tracks, Bashiri Johnson and Lionel Job supply percussion, and Renee Diggs remains central to the group’s vocal blend.

A1. “Object of My Desire” (5:00) — Phillips, Diamond, Adeyemo
A2. “One More Night” (4:05) — Phillips, Diamond, Job
A3. “Emotions” (4:27) — Orlando Phillips
A4. “See the Light” (4:20) — Diamond

B1. “Till the End of Time” (5:05) — Diamond
B2. “Don’t Take Your Love Away” (4:14) — Phillips
B3. “Restless” (3:49) — Phillips, Diamond
B4. “What You Been Missin’” (5:10) — Skinner, Diamond

Starpoint recorded Restless at Unique Recording Studios, Sigma Sound Studios, Celestial Sound Studios, and MSP Music Studios in New York, with producers Keith Diamond and Lionel Job. Bob Rosa and Tom Lord-Alge handled the main recording, Jim Dougherty, Pete Robbins, and Steve Peck contributed additional recording, and Bob Rosa, Keith Diamond, and Lionel Job mixed the album. Ted Jensen mastered the album at Sterling Sound.

Carol Friedman handled the art direction and photography, and Sue Keston designed the album package.

“Object of My Desire” appeared as a July 1985 single backed with “Send Me a Letter” and became Starpoint’s biggest crossover hit, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard R&B chart, No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 12 on the dance chart, No. 7 on the dance maxi-singles chart, and No. 96 in the UK. Starpoint mimed “Object of My Desire” on the November 5th Soul Train broadcast, which also featured “Oh Sheila” hitmakers Ready for the World.

“What You Been Missin’” followed in October 1985 with an edit on the A-side and a male version on the flip and reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Restless” followed in March 1986 backed with “It’s All Yours” and reached No. 11 on the Billboard R&B chart, and “Till the End of Time” followed in June 1986 backed with “What You Been Missin’.”

Sensational

Starpoint released their eighth album, Sensational, in 1987 on Elektra.

Starpoint keeps the group in a bright contemporary dance-soul setting on Sensational with drum programming, hard keyboard edges, clipped guitar rhythm, and a smooth vocal blend set forward in the mix. Lionel Job and Preston Glass shape the album with a cleaner electronic finish, while Ernesto Phillips carries much of the guitar and writing, Orlando Phillips holds the bass line, and George Phillips adds keyboards and shared lead vocals. Jeff Smith’s saxophone and Thor Baldursson’s keyboard work add extra color across selected tracks.

A1. “He Wants My Body” (4:40) — Preston Glass
A2. “D.Y.B.O.” (4:53) — Ernesto Phillips
A3. “Prove It Tonight” (4:46) — Phillips, Job, Glass
A4. “Sensational” (4:23) — Glass, Job, Glass

B1. “Another Night” (5:05) — Phillips, Phillips, Job, Glass
B2. “The More We Love” (4:34) — Ernesto Phillips
B3. “Touch of Your Love” (4:36) — Alan Glass, Preston Glass
B4. “Second Chance” (4:27) — Dawson, Williams, Job

Starpoint recorded Sensational at Unique Recording in New York City, The Plant Studios in Sausalito, and Soundtrack Studios in New York City, with producers Lionel Job and Preston Glass. Acar Key, Bob Rosa, Maureen Droney, and Pete Robbins handled recording, Bob Rosa and Lionel Job mixed the album, and Ted Jensen mastered it at Sterling Sound.

Carol Friedman handled the art direction and photography, Sue Keston designed the sleeve, and Hale Milgrim served as creative director.

“He Wants My Body” appeared as a February 1987 single backed with “Satisfy Me Lover” and reached No. 8 on the Billboard R&B chart. “D.Y.B.O.” followed in May 1987 backed with an instrumental version and reached No. 25 R&B. “The More We Love” followed in July 1987 backed with “Another Night” and reached No. 30 R&B, and “Touch of Your Love” followed in October 1987 backed with “Emotions.”

Hot to the Touch

Starpoint released their ninth album, Hot to the Touch, in 1988 on Elektra.

Starpoint sets Hot to the Touch in a late-’80s contemporary R&B frame with programmed drums, bright keyboard surfaces, clipped guitar rhythm, and a smoother vocal front line. Ernesto Phillips directs much of the album from guitar, keyboards, writing, and production, while Orlando Phillips anchors the low end with bass guitar and keyboard bass. Gregory Phillips adds live drums against the programmed tracks, Jeff Bova and Thor Baldursson shape much of the keyboard and programming detail, and Renee Diggs remains central to the group’s lead-and-backing vocal blend.

A1. “Fresh Start” (4:37) — Ernesto Phillips
A2. “One Step Closer to Your Love” (4:28) — Bendich, Chiten
A3. “Tough Act to Follow” (4:37) — Ernesto Phillips, Diggs
A4. “Say You Will” (4:25) — Claytoven, Bendich

B1. “Hot to the Touch” (5:02) — Ernesto Phillips
B2. “Swept Away” (4:36) — Ernesto Phillips, Diggs
B3. “After All Is Said and Done” (4:12) — Bendich, Baldursson
B4. “Heart Attack” (3:56) — Ernesto Phillips, Adeyemo
B5. “Park It” (4:03) — Ernesto Phillips, Diggs

Starpoint recorded Hot to the Touch at Unique Recording Studio in New York City and Central Studio in Silver Spring, Maryland. Bernard Edwards produced tracks A1, A3, B4, and B5, Lionel Job produced A2, A4, and B3, and Ernesto Phillips and Starpoint produced B1 and B2. Acar Key, Bill Plummer, and Bob Rosa handled recording, Acar Key and Bob Rosa handled mixing, Bernard Edwards mixed tracks A1, A3, B4, and B5, Lionel Job mixed A1, A2, A4, and B3, and Ted Jensen mastered the album at Sterling Sound.

Carol Bobolts handled the art direction, and Timothy White photographed the sleeve.

“Say You Will” appeared as a September 1988 single backed with “The More We Love” and reached No. 18 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Tough Act to Follow” followed in February 1989 backed with “Emotion.”

Have You Got What It Takes

Starpoint released their tenth album, Have You Got What It Takes, in March 1990 on Elektra.

Starpoint recast the group in a new jack swing setting on Have You Got What It Takes with programmed drums, hard keyboard stabs, clipped rhythm accents, and a more forceful vocal attack. Teddy Riley and Gene Griffin produce much of the album’s front half, giving those tracks a sharper swing-based pulse and denser electronic surface, while Lionel Job handles a second cluster with a smoother contemporary R&B finish. George Phillips, Ky Adeyemo, and Starpoint close the set with “True Love,” which keeps the album inside the same late-period studio language of programmed rhythm, layered keyboards, and direct vocal phrasing.

A1. “I Want You – You Want Me” (5:37) — Lucas, Riley
A2. “Your Lover” (5:34) — Aaron Hall, Orlando Phillips, Lucas, Riley
A3. “Midnight Love” (4:55) — Claytoven, Bendich, Baldursson
A4. “Have You Got What It Takes” (4:32) — Lucas, Riley

B1. “When They Love You Back” (5:16) — Riley, Lucas
B2. “I Don’t Need Another Lover” (4:53) — Bendich, Diggs, Baldursson
B3. “Step by Step” (5:14) — Damion Hall, Bendich, Job, Riley
B4. “True Love” (4:39) — Pettaway, George Phillips, Adeyemo

Gene Griffin and Teddy Riley produced “I Want You – You Want Me,” “Your Lover,” “Have You Got What It Takes,” and “When They Love You Back.” Lionel Job produced “Midnight Love,” “I Don’t Need Another Lover,” and “Step by Step.” George Phillips, Ky Adeyemo, and Starpoint produced “True Love,” with Bill Pettaway as associate producer. The album appeared in 1990 on Elektra in the US, Europe, and Japan, and the CD added two remixes of “I Want You – You Want Me”: “Teddy’s House Mix” and “Def House Mix.”

Carol Bobolts and Larry Freemantle handled the art direction. Jim Caulfield photographed the sleeve, with styling by Jeffrey Tay and Katherine Turo, hair by Brittanica Andrea Hair Salon, and makeup by Roxanna Floyd.

“I Want You – You Want Me” reached No. 9 on the Billboard dance chart and No. 32 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Midnight Love” reached No. 45 on the Billboard R&B chart. “Have You Got What It Takes?” also appeared as a single.

Discography: