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Friday, August 15, 2008

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)

15 comments:

  1. this is a great album. i still listen to it after it all these years. :) good post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know the guy I see him almost every Friday and every sunday

      Delete
  2. Peter "Spunk" WillisMarch 17, 2010 at 11:48 PM

    Hey,

    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

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks a ton for writing, Peter! I'm so glad that you found this post and approve! I have not been able to find a thing on the group, and what better place than from the source himself?! I wonder, do you keep in touch with Ali & Ray, and if so, do you know what they're up to now? Also, I know that you worked with two other postees on here, Candi and Love & Sas. Any memories there? Again, thanks so much for writing!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ray Guiste is married with family and is a born again Christian living in Toronto. He went to my mother-in-law's church years; wasnt too keen on talking about that time in his life. Nice guy, he sang at my wedding.

    I met Alison at The Guvernment Night Club late 90's when I was bouncing there. Recognized her and she was very easy-going and nice. Told her that I saw Ray from time to time; she says she lost touch with him years ago and asked that I give him her best.

    ReplyDelete
  5. 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

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks so much for writing, Ali! This is one album that everyone only has positive vibes for! I'm so happy that you saw this and wrote, and please keep us updated with your new music! xo

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  7. I started a Wikipedia page for them. It's bare, but maybe others will be drawn to it and help me fill things in.

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  8. One I still like to listen to once in awhile

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  9. Truly an awesome duo they were. Maybe they can reunite and do it one more time.

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  10. Love, Love, Love Spunkadelic

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  11. I came across this blog...I was good friends with both Ray and Alicia. I actually went to school with both of them when their music careers took off. Talent never dies, regardless what direction the commercial path takes. Haven't heard from Alicia in a long while...would love to know how she is doing. TM

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's great to hear that the record still resonates with some people. Even if it's just a few here and there, it's made it all very worthwhile. Ray and I have been hanging out recently, writing, reminiscing and just having fun in the studio. Here's a new toon that we just finished up. Hope y'all enjoy it! And many thanks for the love!

    Peter

    https://soundcloud.com/pwp-2/phenomenal-4th-of-july-remastered

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ninja turtles! That song was awesome. Too bad you guys didnt get more effort from the suits. ):

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  14. They only had one album then faded away and still its an enduring classic.Ray & Ali please come back and show today's lost generation what real music is.

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