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A FUNKLOPEDIK ARTIST REVIEW


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ARTIST : Randy MULLER				Years Of Activity : From 1970 to Nowadays

Biography :
The OFFICIAL Randy MULLER biography certified by ....Randy MULLER for BMC THE FUNKLOPEDIK PROJECT : Producer/songwriter/arranger/keyboardist Randy Muller was the leader of '70s disco/funk/pop band Brass Construction, whose "Movin'," which was produced by Jeff Lane, became a number one R&B single in 1976. Muller also produced hits on Salsoul Records acts Skyy and Cameron and Funk Deluxe. He arranged B.T. Express' million-selling 1975 number one R&B/number four pop hit "Express", their club anthem, Peacepipe,” and Shirley Caesar's gospel classic "No Charge." Though Brass Construction is most known for the driving "Movin'," the band could get melodic and mellow (ex. "The Message (Inspiration)"). Brass Construction, Earth, Wind & Fire, and other '70s-era funk/soul/pop bands were the inspiration for the acid jazz genre of the '90s. __ Guyana-born Muller began writing songs at age seven. In 1963, his family sent him to live with his grandmother in Brooklyn, NY. While a student at George Gershwin Junior High School, he recruited bassist Wade Williamson and drummer Larry Payton to play with him for a school talent show. They remained together after the show and became the Dynamic Souls. In High School, Muller later added sax player Jesse Ward, guitarist Joseph Arthur Wong, trumpet players Morris Price and Wayne Price, saxman Mickey Grudge, and percussionist Sandy Billups, all in search of a bigger brassier soulful sound, and changed the name to Brass Construction. The band met producer Jeff Lane after winning a battle of the bands contest. Lane's Docc Records released a single on the band now called Brass Construction, "Two Timin' Lady." They then got a deal with United Artists Records. Their first LP, Brass Construction, was produced by Lane and issued in February 1976. One driving track called "Movin'," which was initially created from an impromptu jam session, began to become popular in disco clubs and started gaining airplay on R&B and disco-oriented radio stations. Released as a single, "Movin'" b/w "Talkin'" hit number one R&B in spring 1976. Brass Construction went platinum, peaking at number ten pop in spring 1976. The LP introduced the Irving Spice string section, a hand-picked group of session musicians chosen by Muller to play his pioneering string arrangements, that was a key ingredient in the band's sound. __ The band's next album, Brass Construction II, issued December 1976, was their best album. The first single, "Ha Cha Cha (Funktion)," went number(??) to number (??)R&B in early 1977. The singles were huge disco hits. Just about every track on ...II got radio and club play. Brass Construction II went gold, making it to number 26 Pop in late 1976. "What's on Your Mind (Expression)" has been sampled by numerous hip-hop and rap acts. __ When United Artists Records was absorbed into EMI, the band's next three singles carried the Liberty Records logo: "How Do You Do (What You Do to Me)," "Can You See The Light," "Attitude," "Walkin' the Line" b/w "Forever Love," "Never Had a Girl" b/w "Breakdown," and "Partyline" b/w "I Do Love You." Though "Give and Take" was Brass Construction's last charting single (at number 76 R&B in summer 1985), the non-charting "Zig Zag" b/w Instrumental or "Conquest" became a post-release collectible. The band's other albums were Brass Construction III (November 1977), ...IV (November 1978), 5 (December 1979), Six (September 1980), Attitudes (April 1982), Conversations (May 1983), Renegades (July 1984), and Conquest (September 1995). Muller knew Skyy leader Solomon Roberts Jr. because they were from the same Brooklyn neighborhood. Together they formed Alligator Bit Him Productions and co-produced the band's hits: "Call Me" (number one R&B for two weeks), "Let's Celebrate" (number 16 R&B), and "Movin' Violation" (number 26 R&B), among others. __ Muller met singer Raphael Cameron when both were participants in the vibrant Big Apple music scene of the '70s. A few years later, he shopped the young singer to Salsoul. Cameron was the name of his gold Salsoul 1980 debut LP that yielded several hits: the squishy, funky "Magic of You (Like the Way)," "Funkdown," and "Feelin'." Cameron continued having hits, including "Funtown U.S.A." and "Boogie's Gonna Get Ya'" from the album Cameron's in Love and "Desires" and "Shake It Down" from Cameron All the Way. "Let's Get It Off" was a disco hit from Cameron; it sports the most Brass Construction influence and can be found on the flip side of "Magic of You (Like the Way)" and its own 12" single with a short version on one side and an extended, slightly faster Larry Levan remix on the other. __ In 1983, Salsoul became dormant when the Cayre Brothers decided to concentrate on their newly created First Choice Home Video division. Skyy moved to the Capitol/EMI label where in 1986 Muller produced the LP From The Left Side featuring the band with a more contemporary sound. The single, “Givin’ It To You,” achieved top 10 chart success. He then produced the 1987 EMI LP Boy's Night Out from the band First Circle, whose "Workin' Up a Sweat" charted at number 49 R&B in the US in spring 1987 and number 11 on the UK charts.. Skyy made a major comeback in 1989 on the Atlantic Records label with two number one R&B singles, “ Real Love,” which peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1990 in 1990 ( their second cross-over pop hit) and “Start of A Romance,” from their album of the same name.” Skyy’s final album, Nearer to You, released in 1992, also on Atlantic, was less successful. Their final singles , “Nearer to you,” and “Up and Over,” from the same album, peaked at #47 and#16 on the R&B charts, respectively. The group soon disbanded. For Virgin dance imprint Cardiac, Muller produced a 1992 album on singer Robin Springer, Makin' Moves, which yielded the dance hits "Forever & Ever" and "Makin' Moves." With the distinction of three decades of number one hits, Muller then turned his attention to administering his publishing companies, One To One Music Publishing and Alligator Music, and to writing and producing for his Plaza Records label, which specializes in “Classic-flavored Soul.” ™ Among Plaza’s releases are “ I Surrender” by Funk Deluxe, “ Oh My God” by Shelia and “ Afrotasia” and “Afrojump” (2010) by Solodinjgo. In 2007 Wavehill/ Plaza Records released “Groovin’U,” a highly acclaimed smooth jazz but soulful album by Randy Muller Boom Chang Bang featuring Muller on flute and keyboards. His brand new band, Brooklyn Soul Biscuits portends a funk and soul comeback for this Guyanese/Brooklynite soul man who never really left the scene. >> Related links : http://amplifiedsoulnyc.wordpress.com/2010/01/22/randy-muller-and-the-story-of-brass-construction/

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OWN RELEASES :

The 12" Singles :

- ENSIGN 12ENY 514 - Phil FEARON & GALAXY Feat. Randy MULLER "Everybody's Laughthing" (1984 - Commercial)

The LP's:

- PLAZA PLG-5033 - Randy MULLER Presents "Unreleasd VOL.1 (1978-85') (2010- Comercial)

- WAVE HILL Records / PLAZA WHR-6001 - Randy MULLER BOOM CHANG BANG "Groovin' U" (2007 - Commercial)

- PLAZA PLG5000 - Kenny DOPE Presents Randy MULLER's Best (2005 - Commercial)

This artist Gallery : coming soon

COLLABORATIONS AS :

Producer :

The 7" Singles:

- ROULETTE R 7168 - FUNKY PEOPLE " Everybody Hustle" (1975 - Commercial)

The 12" Singles:

- SALSOUL SG 215DJ - SKYY "First Time Around (SPECIAL REMIX)" (1979 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 215 - SKYY "First Time Around (SPECIAL REMIX)" (1979 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL (RCA CANADA) SG 213 - SKYY "First Time Around (Larry LEVAN REMIX)" (1979 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 308DJ - SKYY "Let's Turn It Out / Let's Get Up (S-K-Y-Y)" (1979 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 308 - SKYY "Let's Turn It Out / Let's Get Up (S-K-Y-Y)" (1979 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 319DJ - SKYY "High" (1980 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 323DJ - SKYY "High / First Time Around (Larry LEVAN REMIX) (1980 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 329DJ - SKYY "Skyyzoo (Larry LEVAN REMIX)" (1980 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 329 - SKYY "Skyyzoo / High" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 331DJ - CAMERON "Magic Of You (Like The Way)" (1980 - Promotional - Double A Side)

- SALSOUL SG 334DJ - CAMERON "Magic Of You (Like The Way) / Get It Off" (1980 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 334 - CAMERON "Magic Of You (Like The Way) / Get It Off" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 337 - CAMERON "Funkdown / Get It Off (Tee SCOTT Mix)" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 339DJ - SKYY "Here's To You" (1980 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 349DJ - Rafael CAMERON "Funtown U.S.A (Long Version)" (1981 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 349 - Rafael CAMERON "Funtown U.S.A" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 355DJ - Rafael CAMERON "Boogie's Gonna Get Ya' (François KREVORKIAN Mix" (1981 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 355 - Rafael CAMERON "Boogie's Gonna Get Ya' / Daisy" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 356DJ - SKYY "Call Me" (1981 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 356 - SKYY "Call Me When You Touch Me" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 362DJ - Rafael CAMERON "All That's Good To Me / Boogie's Gonna Get Ya' (Instrumental)" (1981 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 362 - Rafael CAMERON "All That's Good To Me / Boogie's Gonna Get Ya' (Instrumental)" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 364DJ - SKYY "Let's Celebrate / Gonna Get It On" (1981 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 364 - SKYY "Let's Celebrate / Gonna Get It On" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 373DJ - Rafael CAMERON "Desires" (1982 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 373 - Rafael CAMERON "Desires / Angel Eyes" (1982 - Commercial)

- LIBERTY/CAPITOL SP-213 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Can You See The Light" (1982 - Promotional)

- LIBERTY/CAPITOL 7201-2/1 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Can You See The Light" (1982 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 378DJ - Rafael CAMERON "Shake It Down / Desires (Shep PETTIBONE Mix)" (1982 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 378 - Rafael CAMERON "Shake It Down / Desires (Shep PETTIBONE Mix)" (1982 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 380DJ - SKYY "Movin' Violation / Get Into The Beat" (1982 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 380 - SKYY "Movin' Violation / Get Into The Beat" (1982 - Commercial)

- LIBERTY/CAPITOL SP-223 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Attitudes" (1982 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 389DJ - SKYY "Let Love Shine (Shep PETTIBONE MIX)" (1982 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 389 - SKYY "Let Love Shine (Shep PETTIBONE MIX)" (1982 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL SPRO-9914/9915 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Walkin' The Line" (1983 - Promotional)

- CAPITOL V-8549 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Walkin' The Line" (1983 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 402DJ - SKYY "Bad Boy" (1983 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 402 - SKYY "Bad Boy" (1983 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-8553 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Walkin' The Line (Brassy Version)" (1983 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 408DJ - SKYY "Show Me The Way" (1983 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 408 - SKYY "Show Me The Way" (1983 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-8564 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "We Can Work It Out" (1983 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 420DJ - SKYY "Married Man (Long Version)" (1984 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 420 - SKYY "Married Man (Long Version)" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-8598 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Naver Had A Girl" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-8608 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Partyline (Party Mix)" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL SPRO-9277-9278 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "International (Special Mix)" (1984 - Promotional)

- CAPITOL V-8618 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "International (Special Mix)" (1984 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SG 430DJ - SKYY "Dancin' To Be Dancin'" (1984 - Promotional)

- SALSOUL SG 430 - SKYY "Dancin' To Be Dancin'" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-8652 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Give And Take" (1985 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-15208 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Zig Zag (Extended Version)" (1985 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-15226 - SKYY "Givin' It (To You) (SPECIAL MIX)" (1986 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-15251 - SKYY "Non-Stop (REMIX)" (1986 - Commercial)

- EMI AMERICA V-19211 - FIRST CIRCLE "Workin' Up A Sweat" (1986 - Commercial)

- EMI AMERICA V-19219 - RAPPER'S CONVENTION "The Wiggle" (1986 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL V-15262 - SKYY "Love Illogical (DANCE EDIT) (1986 - Commercial)

- EMI AMERICA V-19253 - FIRST CIRCLE "Miracle Worker" (1987 - Commercial)

- EMI AMERICA V-19264 - FIRST CIRCLE "Can't Find A Love" (1987 - Commercial)

- PLAZA RECORDS PL-00011-SG - FUNK DELUXE - "I Surrender" (1988 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC DMD 1303 - SKYY "Start Of A Romance (Versions) " (1989 - Promotional)

- ATLANTIC 0-86444 - SKYY "Start Of A Romance (Versions) " (1989 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC DMD 1354 - SKYY "Love All The Way (Versions)" (1989 - Promotional)

- ATLANTIC 0-86399 - SKYY "Love All The Way (Versions)" (1989 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC PR-2924 - SKYY "Real Love" (1989 - Promotional)

- ATLANTIC PR-3268 - SKYY "Let's Touch" (1989 - Promotional)

- PLAZA RECORDS PL-00016-SG - B.C. UNDERGROUND "Let The World Dance" (03/1991 - Commercial)

- PLAZA RECORDS PL-00017-SG - B.C. UNDERGROUND "Let The World Dance" (1991 - Commercial)

- CARDIAC 3-4007-0 - Robyn SPRINGER "Forever & Ever" (1992 - Commercial)

- CARDIAC 3-4029-0 - Robyn SPRINGER "Makin' Moves" (1992 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC DMD 1793 - SKYY "Up And Over (Stronger And Better)" (1992 - Promotional)

- PLAZA RECORDS PL-00018-SG - FUNKDELUXE "Show Me Da Way" (1992 - Commercial)

- PLAZA RECORDS PLG-2005 - SHEILA "Oh My God" (2000 - Commercial)

- PLAZA RECORDS PLG-2006 - FUNKDELUXE - "I Surrender [Mixes]" (03/2002 - Commercial)

Albums :

- MERCURY SRM-1-3720 - Charles EARLAND "Perceptions" (1978 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8517 - SKYY "Selftitled" (1979 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8535 - CAMERON "Selftitled" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8532 - SKYY "Skyway" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8537 - SKYY "Skyyport" (1980 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8542 - Rafael CAMERON "Cameron's In Love" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8548 - SKYY "Skyy Line" (1981 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL CA-1003 - VARIOUS "Salsoul's Greatest 12" Hits Vol.2" (1982 - Commercial)

- LIBERTY/CAPITOL LT-51121 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Attitudes" (1982 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8553 - Rafael CAMERON "Cameron All The Way" (1982 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8555 - SKYY "Skyyjammer" (1982 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL ST-12268 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Conversations" (1983 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8562 - SKYY "Skyylight" (1983 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL ST-12327 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Renegades" (1984 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8568 - SKYY "Inner City" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL ST-12423 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Conquest" (1985 - Commercial)

- SALSOUL SA-8565 - FUNK DELUXE "Selftitled" (1984 - Commercial)

- CAPITOL ST-12448 - SKYY "From The Left Side" (1986 - Commercial)

- EMI AMERICA ST-17268 - FIRST CIRCLE "Boy's Night Out" (1986 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC 81853-1 - SKYY "Start Of A Romance" (1989 - Commercial)

- CARDIAC 3-8004-1 - Robyn SPRINGER "Makin' Moves" (1992 - Commercial)

- ATLANTIC 82328-2 - SKYY "Nearer To You" (1992 - Commercial)

Executive Producer :

The 12" Singles :

- EMI AMERICA SPRO-9933/4 - RAPPER'S CONVENTION "Stupid Fresh" (1986 - Promotional)

- EMI AMERICA V-19232 - RAPPER'S CONVENTION "Stupid Fresh" (1986 - Promotional)

- PLAZA RECORDS PLG-2007 - B.T. EXPRESS - "Peace Pipe [Kenny DOPE REMIXES]" (04/2004 - Commercial)

- PLAZA RECORDS PLG-2007 - B.T. EXPRESS - "Express [Kenny DOPE REMIXES]" (06/2004 - Commercial)

Albums :

- EMI AMERICA ST-17225 - RAPPER'S CONVENTION "Selftitled" (1986 - Commercial)

Arranger :

The 7" Singles :

- HOB/SCEPTER SCH-12402 - Shirley CAESAR "No Charge" (1975 - Commercial)

- CALLA Records / CBS ZS8 3007 - THE PERSUADERS "The Quicket Way Out" (1976 - Commercial)

The 12" Singles :

- UNITED ARTISTS SP-131 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Love / Changin'" (1975 - Promotional)

- COLUMBIA AS 226 - VENUS "Madison '76 (Pt.II)" (1976 - Promotional)

- UNITED ARTISTS SP-142 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Ha Cha Cha (Funktion) EP" (1976 - Commercial)

- UNITED ARTISTS SP-190 - BRASS CONSTRUCTION "Get Up" (1978 - Commercial)

- POLYDOR PD D 513 - Tamiko JONES "Can't Live Without Your Love" (1979 - Commercial)