8 of the 80s: 5/22/14 (1983)

On this week's 80s throwback, I'll traveling back to 1983, the year the space shuttle Challenger took its first voyage.

Lanier & Co. - "After I Cry Tonight"
from the album Lanier & Co (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #48
Songwriter: Phillip Mitchell

Soul singer Ferris Lanier and his band had a quiet storm hit with this song that put me to sleep many times (I'd be listening to the Philly QS station then)...

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Smokey Robinson & Barbara Mitchell - "Blame It On Love"
from the album Blame It On Love and All The Great Hits (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #48
Songwriters: Dave Deluca, Ted Munda

The silky smooth voice of the Motown giant teamed up with the lead singer from High Energy for this middle-of-the-road song that's more pop than soul.

The Gap Band - "Outstanding"
from the album Gap Band IV (1982)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #51
Songwriter: Ray Calhoun

Yes, this classic R&B jam didn't make the top half of the pop chart. Incredible.

The System - "You Are In My System"
from the album Sweat (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #64
Songwriters: David Frank, Mic Murphy

Another nugget whose chart peak belies its longevity, the funk-pop pair would end of getting their due four years later on "Don't Disturb This Groove".

Herbie Hancock - "Rockit"
from the album Future Shock (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #71
Songwriters: Michael Beinhorn, Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell

Yes, the pop charts weren't cool with straight-up R&B in 1983, even though MTV was all over this song via its groundbreaking video by today's Song of the Day artists Godley & Creme's directing.

Atlantic Starr - "Touch A Four Leaf Clover"
from the album Yours Forever (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #87
Songwriters: David & Wayne Lewis

The soul collective from New York state would go on to bigger success with more sappy ballads, but this remains my favorite slow jam from the group.

Nona Hendryx - "Keep It Confidential"
from the album Nona (1983)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #91
Songwriters: Ellen Foley, Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Kent


I had the great luck of seeing Nona perform on one of the AIDS Dance-a-Thon's back in the day at the Javitts Center, and I was then convinced that she deserved just as much praise as former bandmate Patti LaBelle. Seriously, do yourself a favor and seek out this album. It's amazeballs.

James Ingram - "Party Animal"
from the album It's Your Night (1983)
Billboard peak: #101
Songwriters: James Ingram, Richard Page, Mark Vieha

I don't think anyone knew what to do with this total shakeup from the smooth balladeer that just came off of a trio of big hits from Quincy Jones.