Carrie Lucas

Carrie Lucas, is a female R&B musician born in Carmel, California. In 1976 she was signed to Soul Train Records.

"I Gotta Keep Dancing" and "Gotta Get Away From Your Love" were the two hit singles from Lucas's first album, "Simply Carrie", released in 1977.

"I Gotta Keep Dancing" peaked at number #64 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.

Lucas' second album "Street Corner Symphony" was released in 1978. It featured The Whispers as backing vocalists. A single from the LP, of the same name was a homage to the 1960s doo-wop groups. The album was released on the record producer Dick Griffey's Solar Records label.

In 1979 Lucas released "In Danceland". Griffey brought in Jody Watley (Shalamar) for background vocals, Lakeside (co-producers and backgrounds) and Walter and Wallace Scott (Whispers) for backgrounds. Famed organist Kossi Gardner wrote (and played on) the hit "Dance With You" which propelled the album to the top of the dance charts. By the beginning of the new decade, with the outstanding success of "Dance With You," Carrie was poised for her most successful release yet.

1980's "Portrait Of Carrie" was her finest album and most popular, producing three smash hits. The first 12" was an updated reworking of her first hit, this time around entitled simply "Keep Smilin'." Followed by the cutesy "It's Not What You Got (It's How You Use It)" and then the pro-feminist anthem "Career Girl." This time around Dick shared production duties with Leon Sylvers and Kossi Gardner. Backgrounds were once again courtesy of The Whispers.

Lucas was slowly moving out of the music business and her next release wasn't until 1982. "Still In Love" recorded and released under the banner of Solar Records was now distributed by Elektra/Asylum. The album produced two 12" singles, "Men" and the more successful "Show Me Where You're Coming From." As usual Carrie surrounded herself with friends and family for the undertaking. Leon Sylvers co-produced and Walter and Wallace Scott were their co-producing and singing. As a sidenote the future Sheila E. co-wrote the title track.

Her last full length album was released in 1985. By now Griffey had started a new label under the distribution of MCA Records. The Constellation Records release "Horsin' Around" was her most ambitious ever. It spawned four 12" singles "Charlie," "Horsin' Around," "Summer In The Street" and "Hello Stranger." Her remake of the Barbara Lewis classic, "Hello Stranger" reached number 20 on the R&B charts and like Lewis, who had used The Dells, Carrie used The Whispers to create that smooth sound.

Lucas' last know recording was an appearance on the 1990 soundtrack to "." She performs the song "I Like The Rhythm." Lucas now married to Dick Griffey has instead decided to retire from the music industry and concentrate on married life and her beloved horses.

Unidisc Records in Canada has released a "Greatest Hits" package that contains most of her 12" mixes in 1999.

Lucas enjoyed a six-album, seven year-run with Soul Train and Solar Records.

Discography

*"Simply Carrie" (Soul Train 1977)
*"Street Corner Symphony" (Soul Train 1978)
*"Carrie Lucas In Danceland" (Solar 1979)
*"Portrait Of Carrie" (Solar 1980)
*"Still In Love" (Solar 1982)
*"Horsin' Around" (Constellation 1984)

References

* [http://www.soultracks.com/carrie_lucas.htm Soultracks.com]