Spunkadelic - Spunk Junk (1991)

Spunkadelic is another act that I thought fared way better on the Billboard charts than they did. The Canadian duo, comprised of Alicia Whittaker and Ray Guiste, first appeared on the soundtrack to the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles with the funky "9.95". The following year they released the boy vs. girl pop-rap song "Take Me Like I Am". It was played constantly on Canadian radio and the video was in rotation on Muchmusic. There was a big push in the US, but the song apparently failed to chart. Then the house-ish song and video "Boomerang" got even more play in Canada, and it dented the Billboard R&B charts. But I always thought both songs hit the Billboard Hot 100, and apparently I was wrong! The album is a slick mix of pop, house, R&B and rap, with production assistance from mixing legend Keith Cohen. After "Boomerang", they pretty much disappeared, with the song "Creatures Of Habit" on the Ninja Turtles sequel being their last known recording. I cannot find anything on the internet about the duo and what happened to them. As always, anyone who has any info, please let us know! Till we know more, enjoy their only album, which I think you cheese-pop lovers will eat up with glee!

UPDATE: Awesome! The man behind Spunkadelic, producer Peter Willis (who also worked with other Isle postees Candi and Love & Sas), just wrote a comment on this post, giving us a bit more info on the group and its career. Thanks so much, Peter! It's a thrill to hear something more about the group after all these years, and from the man responsible at that! I'm honoured! Here's what he wrote:

"Nice to read this post and thanks for taking the time to immortalize the band somewhat. "Take Me Like I Am" was released to radio in California, prior to the albums completion on studio copied, cassette tapes (remember those?). Although the stations were begged not to place it in rotation, the song had wheels of it's own and just took off, much to the dismay of everyone involved. There was no product, no video, no label support in place to respond to what was quickly becoming an overwhelming demand so the song quickly tanked. Once product was in place, it was too late. It was anti-climatic. SBK came with "Boomerang", which was originally intended as the 2nd single reached #47 on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop charts respectively but, fell short of expectations due to "label politics". "Wherever U R" slated to be the bands 3rd single never had it's chance unfortunately. Vanilla Ice, Technotronic and Wilson Phillips were demanding most of the labels marketing power at the time and we ended up getting lost in the shuffle. Most of the bands fame is still derived from "9.95" on the TMNT (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) Soundtrack. The albums was a lot of fun to make and there were some awesome people involved with it's inception. Thanks to all of those involved! From time to time I place some info on iLike.com ( http://www.ilike.com/artist/Spunkadelic ) Feel free to check it out anytime. Thanks again for the memories! Peter "Spunk" Willis.

SECOND UPDATE!: Ali herself just wrote and I'm honoured! Here's what she had to say:

"Spunkadelic was an experience that I would never forget I love music and I still continue to write. Love music and live for expression of the soul. Ali aka Spunkadelic"

Video for Take Me Like I Am

Video for Boomerang

Download Spunk Junk

1		Boomerang
2		Wherever U R
3		A-440
4		I'm Asking U 2 B My #1
5		Get On The Spunk
6		Find A New Love
7		Conversation
8		Shut Up And Dance
9		Take Me Like I Am
10		Maximum Emotion
11		Mad About U
12		Another Ones Love
13		Love One Another
14		Broken Hearted
15		I Know That U Love Me
16		Take Me Like I Am (12" Spunkadelic Version)