Friday Flashback :: Junior's "Mama Used To Say"

Junior was a part of the early-80's British soul invasion that included Billy Ocean, Loose Ends, Terence Trent D'Arby. Junior Giscombe was born in London, and grew up enjoying American R&B of Sixties-vintage, especially The Dells, Otis Redding, Motown era artists, and Philly soul of the Seventies, along with Reggae influences.

He'd strike it big with the dance-floor track "Mama Used to Say." "Mama Used to Say" didn't take off right away. Like many of the 80's hottest tracks, the song was originally issued in the U.K. by Phonogram. The single languished around until it was released by the label's sister U.S. imprint, Polygram, and given a hot 12" remix house/disco legend Tee Scott. With thumping synth bass and a blasting horn section that would make James Brown proud, "Mama..." was given the treatment it needed by Scott. The aforementioned elements were brought to the fore, some additional percussion breaks were added, and the track was given an overall wider sound.

That was all it needed! The track as written by Junior and executive produced by Bob Carter would reach Number Two on the R&B charts and broke the mainstream pop Top 30 in early 1982. To this day, this infection jam retains its classic status among music fans in the US and abroad.

Today's Flashback for last Friday in May, 2008 is Junior's "Mama Used To Say"

Junior :: "Mama Used To Say"
Album: Ji
Released: 1982
Billboard peak: #2 R&B Singles

Play the Track: Mama Used To Say (to download, Mac users, Control-click, and choose 'Save Link As...' Windows users right-click the link and choose 'Save Target As...').