GQ

G.Q.

    First formed in 1968 as Sabu & The Survivors lead vocalist Emanuel Rahiem LeBlanc, Keith "Sabu" Crier, Herb Lane, and Paul Service were original members. The Bronx natives played soul and R&B covers while developing their own unique style. They became locally popular in and around the Bronx and in nearby New Jersey. As their style and sound developed, music in the early to mid 1970's was rapidly changing. Soul and R&B were merging into funk and the new disco craze.
     With the temporary replacement of Paul Service with Kenny Banks the quartet landed a deal with Vigor Records in 1976. Vigor Records would score a hit the next year with Jeanne Napoli. As The Rhythm Makers their album "Soul On Your Side" contained as much soul as it did disco. The standout cuts were the pulsating instrumental "Zone," the harmonic "Street Dreams," and the ballad "You're My Last Girl." The title track was three years ahead of it's self. It resurfaced as their first major hit in 1979 with a heavier bass and new lyrics. Despite the nine gems on this rare release it failed to make an impact on the charts.
     In 1977 exit Kenny Banks and re-enter Paul Service, a name change in 1978 to G.Q. was done to help the groups fortunes. G.Q. was not a reference to the men's magazine but actually stood for Good Quality. The change worked when the group was signed to Clive Davis' Arista Records.
     While searching for material for their new album, the group wrote most of their own material, they decided to resurrect "Soul On Your Side." With a pumped up bass line and lyrical changes it became their 1979 smash, and album title, "Disco Nights (Rock Freak)." The hit went to number 12 pop and number one R&B, it also earned the fellows an American Music Award. The album also featured the Billy Stewart classic "I Do Love You," which nearly went to number one also. The other giant club favorite was their version of A Taste Of Honey's "Boogie Oogie Oogie." A throwback to the days when the were a cover band. A second 12" single was released of "Make My Dream A Reality." With its lively beats and urgent, pleading vocals it scored better in the clubs than on the sales charts. The album, an impressive overall charting for a relatively unknown group, especially considering the massive amount of product released in 1979. If the disco on the album cover looks familiar check out the movie "T.G.I.F." The Los Angeles nightspot was also used as "The Zoo" in the film.
     For their 1980 sophmore release they chose the simple title of "Two." The first release from the album was their third 12" single "Standing Ovation." Not as groovin' as its predecessor, nonetheless it manages to stand in at number 12 after 15 weeks on the Billboard R&B charts. The quartet followed with another re-make of a Billy Stewart classic, "Sitting In The Park." The patient rhythms of the track provide a humble foundation for LeBlanc to dislpay his appealing vocals. After 16 weeks, the single maxed out at number nine.
     Their third and final album for Arista Records was 1981's "Face To Face." The group was now a trio with the final departure of Paul Service. The group scored an out-of-the-box hit with the first 12" single "Shake." It was interesting to note that G.Q. was one of the few acts that had a club hit in 1979 to survive the 1980-81 disco backlash and produce another successful hit. But even they became a casulty as Arista signed acts like Aretha Fanklin, Melissa Manchester, Thompson Twins and Heaven 17. Their final 12" single for the label was the 1982 joke "Try Smurfin' " which wasn't funny at all, a rather sad way for them to end their career.
     A 1999 release saw a glimmer of success for them with the ITP compact disc "Tribute To Marvin Gaye & Billy Stewart." Thankfully the group sounds spectacular and they do not try to capture the current sound of dance music. Two compact disc compilations have been issued to commemorate their bright but short lived success. While the "Best Of" focuses on their club hits (all 12" versions included) the "Greatest Hits" package hones in on their radio appeal. A great but short lived addition to The DiscoMuseum.