Singer Cleveland Jones formed Black Ice with his friends, brothers Ronald and Donald Haynes, in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles in the 1960s. The group was originally called the Soul Sonics. (Murrell had the group change their name to Black Ice after they signed to HDM Records in 1976.) They modeled themselves after legendary vocal groups like the Temptations, who were known for their rich, soulful harmonies and smooth, synchronized choreography. When Ronald and Donald went off to college, Cleveland held numerous auditions to recruit new group members. This resulted in Antone Curtis, Frank Willis, Gerald Bell, and Ralph Lars joining the group. This was the group lineup for their first and second album.
Black Ice’s second album, I Judge The Funk, is an impressive collection of funk, disco, and R&B tracks. Murrell brought in some of the best session musicians available to play on the album, and Ray Jackson handled all the song arrangements. An album highlight is the infectious title track. The funky feel-good groove features a bumpin’ bass line, wicked synths, soulful vocals, and a smooth piano riff. Another standout track is “Play More Latin Music,” a fantastic high-energy fusion of soul, Latin, and funk designed to heat up any dance floor. And it boasts a marvelous vocal arrangement that’s flawlessly performed by the group. The collection also features great mellow jams, such as the soothing and sumptuous “Postcard Love Affair.” The track is exquisitely arranged, and the vocals are silky smooth. Another powerful track from the collection is the majestic “You’re Always On My Mind,” which features a sensational falsetto-laced lead vocal performance. “My Fantasy” is a captivating disco cut, boasting an elegant string arrangement, tight horns, and superb bass work. The track also features a dynamic beat that’s accentuated by hot congas, and the vocals are of top-level quality. “Push” is a lively, irresistible groove that has a kickin’ bass line, dope guitar licks, and a cool horn arrangement. The mood shifts, and things mellow out again for the mesmerizing ballad "Fantasize," which boasts incredible vocals from the group.
Dwight Emile, Eddie Horan, and Hadley Murrell jointly wrote seven of the album's eight tracks. All five Black Ice members, along with the album’s assistant engineer Ronald Bell, wrote “Fantasize.”
I Judge The Funk failed to crack Billboard’s album charts, and none of its singles charted either. However, it’s considered an influential work in funk and soul music circles. The collection showcases the group's inspired blend of funk, Philly soul, Latin, disco, and R&B, and it has been an influential source for many music acts that followed. And it’s also highly regarded among fans of the golden era of soul and R&B music of the 1960s and '70s.
Acclaimed R&B artist Ari Lennox sampled “Postcard Love Affair” for her 2018 single “Pedigree,” and modern funk band Calumet recorded a great cover of “I Judge The Funk” in 2021.
To learn more about this super-talented but sorely underappreciated group, check out the 2022 documentary Behind The Groove: The Black Ice Documentary, currently streaming on Tubi. It provides a comprehensive and absorbing exploration of Black Ice and its history.