Tony Aiken & Future 2000 -

Tony Aiken & Future 2000 were an American soul-funk band that released the album Unity Sing It Shout It on small-press Kimsha in 1976.

Inception

Future 2000 formed in the mid-1970s under Brooklyn recording artist Tony Aiken, who cut the 1975 solo single “Holy Father” on Tobin Records. Producer William R. Kamarra agreed to an album on Kimsha Records, a sublabel of Nilkam Enterprises.

Unity, Sing It, Shout It

Tony Aiken & Future 2000 released their only album, Unity, Sing It, Shout It, in 1976 on Kimsha.

The five-track LP presents soul, disco, jazz-funk, and Afro-Caribbean rhythm forms, performed by Aiken with keyboardist Michael “Kashif” Jones and drummer Leslie Ming. Kimsha placed the extended title track alone on the first side and four shorter tracks on the second.

“Unity Sing It Shout It” stamps through an extended title chant with off-island accent hints inside a steady dance pattern. “Better Days” charges through bouncing bass lines and tight keyboard turns. “Time Tunnel” saunters with eased vocals, depressurized rhythms, and curled keyboard figures.

A1. “Unity, Sing It, Shout It” (9:32) – Charles, Aiken
B1. “Good Things” (3:52) – Jones
B2. “Better Days” (8:02) – Gibbs, Aiken
B3. “She Loves Me” (5:03) – Jones
B4. “Time Tunnel” (4:43) – Jones

William Kamarra produced Unity, Sing It, Shout It. Jones also recorded “Time Tunnel” with B.T. Express for Energy to Burn in a separate version.

Unity, Sing It, Shout It features artwork by Jimmy Smalls and cover design by Dave. Shyrlden issued “Soul Disco” as a 1976 twelve-inch single backed with “Better Days,” and Kimsha reversed the pairing for a 1980 twelve-inch issue led by “Better Days.”

Discography: