The Producers were the power pop quartet from Atlanta GA that bounced around during the early 80’s, releasing two major label albums for Portrait Records during 1981-1982.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: The Producers
ALBUM: The Producers
LABEL: Portrait
SERIAL: NJR 37097
YEAR: 1981
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Wayne Famous – keyboards, backing vocals * Van Temple – vocals, guitar * Kyle Henderson – vocals, bass * Bryan Holmes – drums, backing vocals
Additional Musicians: Paulinho DaCosta – percussion
TRACK LISTING: 01 What’s He Got? * 02 I Love Lucy * 03 Who Do You Think You Are? * 04 Life Of Crime * 05 Certain Kinda Girl * 06 You Go Your Way * 07 What She Does To Me * 08 Body Language * 09 Sensations * 10 Here’s To You * 11 Boys Say When/Girls Say Why * 12 The End
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
The Producers were the power pop quartet from Atlanta GA that bounced around during the early 80’s, releasing two major label albums for Portrait Records during 1981-1982. Musically, you compare this lot with other outfits from the same era such as Florida’s Max Demian Band, and Washington DC’s 4 Out Of Five Doctors. All exponents of American power pop, along with numerous other bands from the dusty pages of time that were around during the same era.
The Producers acquired their Portrait deal through heightened interest as part of the Atlanta club circuit, plus the regional Southeast scene, playing up and down the eastern seaboard. There are a load of tracks on this debut. Thirteen all up, but never fret dear listeners, all are in the 2 to 3 minute range. Tom Werman – The noted producer from Florida is in the seat for these sessions. There is not a track that’s over 4 minutes, which makes this a digestible platter.
The Songs
I won’t dissect every track, so we’ll cherry pick a few instead. Of the better known tracks, the following are the ones which stand out. ‘What She Does To Me’ had some minor success on the Billboard singles charts, and deservedly so as it’s a very catchy tune. ‘What’s He Got’, ‘Certain Kind Of Girl’ and ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ made it to video and appeal with the short and sharp delivery method. ‘What’s He Got’ in particular has a lot in common with new wave bands out of the UK.
Elsrwhere, ‘I Love Lucy’ isn’t just a song title throwaway from an old 60’s tv show, this Lucy is very real and is a target for affection. ‘You Go Your Way’ is a high energy workout, while The Producers are able to inject the odd change-up moment with ‘Body Language’ and ‘Sensations’ incorporating a hint of radio friendly melody, which could conceivably be tagged as AOR but not quite, certainly not as apparent as their third album: 1985’s ‘Run For Your Life’.
In Summary
It’s easy to pigeon-hole The Producers debut into the American new wave/power pop genres with ease. The band would return the following year with their sophomore effort ‘You Make The Heat’ for more of the same but with a bigger sound.
Video
What’s He Got
Certain Kinda Girl
What She Does To Me
