Before they achieved stardom the world over with “It’s Raining Men,” Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead made waves in the thriving San Francisco music scene as Two Tons o’ Fun (and, later, The Two Tons). The powerhouse duo began working with gender- and genre-defying artist Sylvester at Fantasy Records, singing background and lead vocals on many of his most memorable recordings. In 1980, they struck out on their own and teamed with legendary Motown veteran Harvey Fuqua (who had also helmed Sylvester’s beloved Fantasy albums) for two remarkable LPs…
Do You Wanna Boogie, Hunh? Real Gone, Second Disc Collect Two Tons o’ Fun on “Get the Feeling: The Complete Fantasy/Honey Recordings”
Before they achieved stardom the world over with “It’s Raining Men,” Weather Girls Martha Wash and Izora Rhodes Armstead made waves in the thriving San Francisco music scene as Two Tons o’ Fun (and, later, The Two Tons). The powerhouse duo began working with gender- and genre-defying artist Sylvester at Fantasy Records, singing background and lead vocals on many of his most memorable recordings. In 1980, they struck out on their own and teamed with legendary Motown veteran Harvey Fuqua (who had also helmed Sylvester’s beloved Fantasy albums) for two remarkable LPs…
The Year In Review: The 2023 Gold Bonus Disc Awards, From A to Z – Part Two
Happy 2024! Welcome, friends, to Part Two of The Second Disc’s 14th Annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards! As we yet again look to a new year with optimism and a hopeful spirit, we recognize the many roles music has played in our lives. With that spirit in mind, The Second Disc wishes to recognize 2023’s cream of the catalogue music crop – those exemplary reissues and box sets, big and small, that proved to be truly outstanding for music lovers worldwide. After much deliberation, we’re excited to unveil our favorites. This isn’t…
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Release Round-Up: Week of June 16
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the titles available today. The Weather Girls and Martha Wash, Carry On: The Deluxe Collection 1982-1992 (SoulMusic/Cherry Red) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Hallelujah! Carry On: The Deluxe Collection 1982-1992 is a long-overdue assessment of Martha Wash and Izora Armstead’s unlikely journey toward the top of the pop charts, some fascinating music that came before it – and a triumphant second act by Wash following some truly bizarre situations that only could have happened in the music industry. This 4CD box set, compiled and produced…
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It’s Raining Discs: SoulMusic Promises Tons O’ Fun with Weather Girls/Martha Wash Collection
According to our forecast, SoulMusic Records has got an incredible opportunity to soak up two of the most unique singers of the ’80s: the dance duo The Weather Girls! Carry On: The Deluxe Collection 1982-1992 is a long-overdue assessment of Martha Wash and Izora Armstead’s unlikely journey toward the top of the pop charts, some fascinating music that came before it – and a triumphant second act by Wash following some truly bizarre situations that only could have happened in the music industry. This 4CD box set, compiled and produced by Adam…
Mighty Real: Second Disc Records, Real Gone Music Celebrate Sylvester on “Disco Heat: The Fantasy Years”
When the self-described “disco queen” known as Sylvester stepped on a New York stage opening for Chaka Khan, the local press was entranced. One newspaper approvingly noted that he made “David Bowie look like Lawrence Welk.” Nothing was too outrageous for Sylvester. But at his core, he was serious about music and about breaking down the walls of identity. In appearance and demeanor, the unapologetically gay San Francisco star challenged the gender binary long before such discussions were in the mainstream, going far beyond androgyny to create a striking persona all his…
The Weekend Stream: October 15, 2022
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there’s plenty of great new/old music to usher you into the weekend – including a few surprise digital expansions from some ’80s U.K. legends, holiday remixes, a lost fitness favorite and more! Sting, …Nothing Like the Sun (Expanded Edition) (A&M/UMe) (iTunes / Amazon) This week marked the 35th anniversary of Sting’s second solo album, and UMe commemorated the occasion (much like they did the 30th anniversary of follow-up The Soul…
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Cherry Pop Revives Hazell Dean’s Rare Burt Bacharach LP, Weather Girls’ Second Album
The sound of Hazell Dean has long been associated with the sound of Hi-NRG, the dance-pop genre in which she scored hits like “Searchin’ (I Gotta Find a Man),” “Whatever I Do (Wherever I Go)” and “Who’s Leaving Who.” But thanks to Cherry Pop, fans can discover another side of Hazell Dean on The Sound of Bacharach and David. This ultra-rare promotional LP, originally issued in 1981, was commercially released for the first time on CD this week in the U.K.; it hits U.S. stores next Tuesday. The future Hi-NRG queen came…
Hallejulah! It’s (Still) Raining Men with The Weather Girls’ Deluxe Reissue
Everything about The Weather Girls’ debut album, Success, was big. The 1983 LP was the brainchild of producer/songwriter Paul Jabara, who modestly noted on the LP’s back cover, “After working with Barbra, Donna and Diana – I began to get spoiled – I felt I could only work with ‘giants in the industry!’ I think I found them!” And so the “Last Dance” and “No More Tears (Enough is Enough)” auteur turned his attention to Two Tons o’ Fun. Izora Rhodes Armstead and Martha Wash had toured with the one and only…
