Keep It Oldskool Artist Profile

 

 

THE SYLVERS

 

 

The Sylvers are a group that not many are really aware of. Sure you heard the song ‘Hotline” and “Boogie Fever” but when you hear do you say “yeah that’s the jawn but who sings that again?”  did you know that Leon Sylvers III wrote “Second Time Around” for Shalamar or “And The Beat Goes On” for the Whispers? This was a very talented group that was pigeon holded as just a “disco act” but some of the best songs they made were not “disco” songs. Keep It Oldskool  wants eveyone to remember THE SYLVERS

 

 

The Sylvers were from the Watts section of Los Angeles California. The oldest members of the siblings toured and were the opening act for greats like Ray Charles as The Little Angels. The Sylvers included Leon,Olympia,Charmaine,James,Edmund,Ricky, Angie,Pat and Foster. The first album self titled named The Sylvers  was released in 1972 featured great songs like “I wish I could talk to you” and “Fools Paradise”   At this point the group although not considered mainstream did chart as high as #15 on the R&B charts. In 1973 a song that was orginally written for lead singer Edmund but was instead given to Foster called “Misdemeanor” (many hip hop fans know that sample from the D.O.C song “Its Funky enough”) and also featured Angie and Pat.  

 

 

It 1975 the song “Boogie Fever” from the Showcase  achieved more mainstream acclaim going #1 in US R&B and Pop charts . They kept the momentum  going with songs like “Hotline” and “High School Dance” from 1976s Something Special album.  As the disco backlash began they continued to make albums with the last one being 1984s Bizzare album. The Sylvers accomplished a lot more then most acts of their day .They have a 10 album catalog. Primary producer Leon was instrumental as the in house producer for Solar Records which feautured Shalamar, The Whispers and Lakeside. This group was finally given its due with a TV ONE episode of Unsung.  Keep It Oldskool remembers the Sylvers and will state they had the best kept afros ever seen.

 

 

   

     

 

 

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