onyx1

In 2003, Ubquity Records in association with Luv N’Haight Records released a compilation entitled Bay Area Funk, covering the fertile music period 1967-1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Artist such as Sugar Pie Desanto, Eugene Blacknell & The New Breed, Marvin Holmes & The Uptights, Johnny Talbot & De Thangs and Onyx were represented.

The liner notes describe the vocal group, Onyx, as “a tight harmony group, similar in sound and message to the Temptations”. Indeed, two of the original members of Onyx (Wendell and A.J. Basey) founded the Natural Four with John January and Alfred ‘Pumpkin’ Bowden. A Third original member of Onyx, Malvin Scott sang with the pre-Zodiac Maurice Williams group, The Kids, with a national hit “Are You My Girlfriend”.

The maiden voyage of Onyx was launched with the creation of their own record label Nia showcasing the release of the single “Break it Loose”. Despite the success of their initial effort, Onyx decided not to pursue “the business” full time and the group disbanded.

When the founding members learned “Break it Loose” was having success in Europe thirty years later and was slated for inclusion in the Bay Area Funk compilation, the Basey brothers and Malvin realized that their dream was still very much alive.

They recruited Terry Forsythe, a versatile performer whose resume reveals not only a solid work ethic, but also is indicative of the major players he has worked with; Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, and Richard Street formerly of the Temptations. Mr. Forsythe’s four octave vocal range ignites the product you are about to listen to; ONYX1featuring TERRENCE FORSYTHE, RIGHT NOW.

Pre release test marketing of this product indicates that it fits well into the Urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz formats. Folks dig it regardless of where it has been previewed. You will too. Not now, but RIGHT NOW!