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Industry News
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Con Funk Shun
This enthusiasm is what encored the band back to the stage. With rave concert reviews and cries for more LP's, Mercury/PolyGram re-released the Gold-LP"Secrets" in '95 and in '96 "Best Of Vol. II" Then, Intersound Records released "Live For Ya A**", a live LP, in '96 to coincide with CFS on the Sinbad "Soul Music Festival" HBO Special airing that August/September. '97, brought a "Love's Train" cover on a Multi-Platinum debut by Dru Hill, and samples for Gold-LP Booty Call Soundtrack ("Huckelberry" by D Shot) and Double-Platinum Gang Related Soundtrack ("A Change Is Gonna Come" by J. Flexx). '98, saw the re-release of Gold-LP "Spirit Of Love" and the "Ballads Collection". 2000 brought a new round of funk with Con Funk Shun contributing two new tracks to the Major Hits Records "United We Funk All-stars Compilation" (and Tour) including GAP's Charlie Wilson, Rick James, Dazz Band, Roger Troutman, SOS Band, Barkay's, and The System. In addition to the band's schedule, co-lead's, Michael Cooper and Felton Pilate, remain vital in contemporary music today. When Con Funk Shun closed shop between '86 to '93, Cooper shined on a string of solo hits including "Shoop Shoop", " Prove My Love", and "Dinner For Two" on his Warner Bros. LP's, and still tours as a solo act, with NEW LP in the wings. Pilate emerged as a multi-platinum record producer for his award-winning production on M.C.Hammer, Addams Family Movie, and Hammerman Cartoon Show. Still producing, he recently produced for Evander Hollyfield's new label, Real Deal Records, on their new act, Four Shades. In their formative years, they started in their hometown of Vallejo, CA. The band wound up in Memphis in the mid-70's when they landed a lucky gig backing the Soul Children, a red-hot Stax act. After the Soul Children back-up gig the group adopted a new name inspired from a Nite-Liters song: ConFunkShun. After the newly re-named act attracted the attention of Mercury Records, they soon set funkateers around the world on fire with "Sho' Feels Good To Me," from their debut album. Their second LP, "Secrets", exploded to Gold status. The LP featured the No. 1 Hit Single, "Ffun," penned by the productive, prolific Cooper on a tour-coach ride between concerts. By 1979, with charting albums "Loveshine" and "Candy", Con Funk Shun were solid-Gold sellers, performing for sold-out shows like the prestigious Omni in Atlanta. The group began self-producing a year later, on the "Touch" LP. Alongside blistering dance workouts like "Chase Me" and "Ms. Got-The-Body" were their timeless slow-jams with pop flair - classic fav's such as, "Love's Train", "Straight From The Heart", "(Let Me Put) Love On Your Mind" and "All Up To You". Then CSF teamed with Kool & The Gang's producer, Eumir Deodato, producing "Baby I'm Hooked (Right Into Your Love)." "I'm Leaving Baby" was a collaboration with Maurice Starr, then-future Svengali to New Kids On The Block. These hits and more remain on radio play lists today, year after year... Recent appearances include Mandalay Bay, Bali’s, House Of Blues, Motown Live, Vibe, regular appearances on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, as well as corporate and charity events.
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