Good 4 We
| Good 4 We | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1992 | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Label | East West Records | |||
| Producer | Blacksmith, D'Influence | |||
| D'Influence chronology | ||||
| ||||
D-influence was made up of band members Steve Marston, Sarah Anne Webb, Ed Baden Powell and Kwame Kwaten.
The band were signed to East West Records by Sylvia Rhone and Merlin Bob in a now-legendary signing. Sylvia pretended to be a tea lady offering the band tea. The band were courteous, whilst Merlin grilled the band on their music. At the end of the listening session, Sylvia got up and swapped seats with Merlin revealing that she was an MD and wanted to sign the band.[1]
Originally, the band included Ned Bigham who co-wrote over half of the first album but he left just before the release of the album.
"I’m the One" was released in 1989 on Acid Jazz Records and then again in 1990. It was a club #1 record. "Good Lover" was a club hit but only made it to 66 on the official top 40. However, it is now #7 on the Blues and Soul all-time top 20 songs. The Good 4 We tour saw the band perform across the world at over 150 shows. They appeared on the first-ever Later with Joolz Holland show and toured with Michael Jackson and Prince. They also toured the USA supporting Digable Planets, Naughty by Nature and Trouble Funk. This culminated in the band winning 'Best Live Band' in The UK Black Music Awards.
The band's most recognised song, "Good Lover", was written when the band were in Milo Studios. The label was asking for a hit and the band hated being asked for just that. They stayed in the studio did an all-nighter then at 3 am, lead singer Sarah Webb sang the lines that launched the song. Good Lover was played across that summer. It only made it to #66 on the national chart but club-wise was one of the dominant songs of that year.
The U.S. tour saw the band perform "For You, I Sing this Song" on BET from their critically acclaimed album.
In 2017, the band performed for a reunion show at The Jazz Cafe. They also opened for Erykah Badu in South Africa at the Delicious Festival.[2]
Critical reception[]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [3] |
AllMusic gave the album a three out of five star rating.[3]
Singles[]
"Good Lover" reached No. 11 on the Blues & Soul Top British Soul Singles chart.[4]
Tracklisting[]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Good Lover" | Ed Baden Powell, G. Worthy, Kwame Kwaten, L. Wedgeworth, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 4:56 |
| 2. | "I'm the One" | B. Fowler, B. Laswell, Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, M. Beinhorn, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 3:50 |
| 3. | "Funny (How Things Change)" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 5:23 |
| 4. | "Good 4 We" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 5:04 |
| 5. | "No Illusions" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 5:27 |
| 6. | "Journey" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 4:57 |
| 7. | "Changes" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Ned Bigham, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 4:50 |
| 8. | "For You I Sing This Song" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 6:28 |
| 9. | "Sweetest Things" | Ed Baden Powell, Kwame Kwaten, Sarah Webb, Steve Marston | 6:26 |
References[]
- ^ Ingham, Tim (June 18, 2019). "An Epic Little Story About Sylvia Rhone". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ The, Journalist (2018). "Erykah Badu To Headline DSTV Delicious Festival". . Retrieved June 13, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "D'Influence: Good 4 We". allmusic.com. Allmusic.
- ^ Top British Soul Singles. Blues & Soul. July 14, 1992. p. 10.
- ^ D'Influence: Good 4 We. East West Records. 1992.
- 1992 debut albums
- East West Records albums