Friday, August 10, 2012

Slave Burned Up the Charts And Filled Dance Floors With Hit "Slide"

"Slide" is a killer track that Ohio funk band Slave dropped in 1977. The sinister groove is anchored by one of the sickest bass lines I've ever heard. The groove has a smooth funky flow with some nice quirky touches, such as a bicycle horn and a cool ghoulish intro.  Additionally, the track has a blistering guitar solo, tight horn work, and a dope slap-bass breakdown. It's just an all-round badass cut.

"Slide" is from Slave's eponymously titled debut album that was released in 1977. The track was an instant smash. It was played constantly on R&B radio stations and had folks rushing the dance floor at parties and clubs. The track reached #1 on the Billboard Soul chart and #32 on Billboard Hot 100. The album also did quite well. It was certified Gold, climbing to #6 on Billboard's Soul albums chart and #22 on Billboard's Pop albums chart.

Slave was formed in Dayton, Ohio in 1975 by trumpeter Steve Washington and guitarist/vocalist Mark "Drac" Hicks.  In addition to Washington and Hicks, the band included Mark Adams (bass); Orion Wilhoite (alto and tenor sax); Floyd Miller (trombone); Tom Lockett Jr. (sax, keyboards); Tom Dozier (drums); Danny Webster (rhythm guitar, lead and background vocals); and Carter Bradley (keyboards).  Drummer, percussionist and vocalist Steve Arrington and singer Starleana Young joined Slave in 1978, with Arrington eventually becoming the band's lead vocalist.

In addition to "Slide," some of the band's other hits included "Just a Touch of Love" (1979), "Watching You" (1980) and "Snap Shot" (1981).



Download Slide at Amazon

Related blog entry: "Just a Touch of Love" by Slave

Relate blog entry: "Stellar Fungk" by Slave

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