Hi-Tension
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Hi-Tension were a British band based in North West London, seen as pioneers of Brit funk. The band started out as Hott Waxx in the early 1970s.[1] They included Phil Fearon (Galaxy and Kandidate) and Lloyd Phillips (Kandidate), brother of guitarist Paul, before becoming Hi-Tension and riding high on the Brit funk wave with the tracks, "Hi Tension" and "British Hustle".
Biography[]
The group was composed of brothers Paul McLean (lead guitar) and Patrick McLean (saxophone); brothers David Joseph (keyboards/lead vocals) and Ken Joseph (bass guitar); uncle and nephew Jeffrey Guishard (percussion/lead vocals) and Leroy Williams (congas); Paul Phillips (rhythm guitar/vocals), David Reid (drums) and Courtney Pine (saxophone on tour).[1]
The band split in the early 1980s with David Joseph pursuing a solo career. In 1984, Ken Joseph, Leroy Williams and Jeffrey Guishard reformed the band (with old members David Joseph and Paul Phillips playing on the recording sessions) and released "Rat Race" in 1984, and "You Make Me Happy" in 1985.[1] Neither cover version made the UK Singles Chart. In 2013-2014 Paul McLean reformed the Band with six original members, and performed at the Soulstice festival as headliners in Barnet London, to over 5,000 fans. Hi-Tension appeared on Cheggers Plays Pop on 22 May 1978, playing their eponymous single.
Discography[]
Albums[]
| Year | Album | Label | UK [2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Hi-Tension | Island Records | 54 |
Singles[]
| Year | Song | Label | UK [2][3] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | "Autumn Love" / "Unspoken" | Island Records | — |
| "Hi Tension" / "Girl I Betcha" | 13 | ||
| "British Hustle" / "Peace on Earth" | 8 | ||
| 1979 | "Funktified" / "Latin Inspiration" | — | |
| "There's a Reason" / "If It Moves You" | — | ||
| 1981 | "We've Got the Funk" | EMI | — |
| 1984 | "Rat Race" | Serdisco | 83 |
| "You Make Me Happy" | Streetwave | — |
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "Biography by Ron Wynn". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 252. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "HI TENSION - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
External links[]
- English funk musical groups
- English pop music groups