The Deele
Encyclopedia
The Deele is an American
80s R&B
band
from Cincinnati, Ohio
, originally consisting of Indianapolis
native Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds along with Antonio "L.A." Reid, Carlos "Satin" Greene, Darnell "Dee" Bristol
, Stanley Burke, and Kevin "Kayo" Roberson. They have currently reunited in an incarnation featuring Bristol, Greene, Roberson, & Burke.
s during the 1980s, and scored several hit singles
. The sextet released their debut album, Street Beat
in 1983, and the following year, a single from this album, "Body Talk
" became their first hit, reaching #3 on the R&B chart and #77 on the Billboard Hot 100
pop chart. Guitarist/keyboardist Stanley "Stick" Burke left the band prior to the recording of a follow-up album. Recorded as a quintet, Material Thangz was released in 1985. It was not as successful as the debut album.
The band reached the apex of their success in 1987 with the release of their third album, Eyes of a Stranger
, which produced two top-10 R&B singles, "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" and perhaps their best-known song, "Two Occasions
." The latter track reached #4 on the R&B charts and cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Music videos were made for both songs. The video for the "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" track was directed by Martin Pitts and produced by Mickey Shapiro. It was during this time that L.A. Reid and Babyface Edmonds began crafting their talents as songwriter
s for other artists
. They wrote and produced "Girlfriend
" (which featured backing vocals from Deele members and became a top ten hit) for Reid's girlfriend, and eventual wife Pebbles. During this period, they also wrote and produced The Whispers
' "Rock Steady."
In 1988, both Babyface and Reid left the group and founded LaFace Records
in 1989. At the beginning of the 1990s, Reid and Edmonds would become successful record producer
s. Although not as recognized as Reid and Edmonds, another Deele member, Kevin "Kayo" Roberson maintained his association with the two, and was an instrumental part of the production team's success behind the scenes as a songwriter, co-producer, and studio bassist. Babyface would also embark on a very successful run as a solo
artist.
Greene and Bristol reunited again as The Deele (without Reid, Edmonds, or Roberson) in 1993 to record the album, An Invitation to Love. This album found the group adopting a more new jack swing
-based sound and incorporating rap into many of their songs. Failing to make a dent in the charts, the group called it quits later that same year.
Their hit song "Two Occasions" was later referenced (along with Babyface) by Mariah Carey
in her 2005 megahit song "We Belong Together," rapper The Game
on the song "One Night" in 2006, and Plies
2009 hit song, "Want It, Need It
" featuring Ashanti. MF Doom
samples the track "Shootem Up Movies" in his 1999 opus "Red & Gold."
, Carlos, and Kayo have officially reformed the band with new members. Their new MySpace page currently includes a new Christmas song released by the band, as well as a recent interview with the three original members (although Kayo was very reserved) at a Dallas radio station, during which Dee discusses, among other things, how The Deele were the first band signed to Solar Records
solely based on their music (the representatives hadn't actually seen them perform). Now a part of Dallas Based Eieg/D-Town Records
.
A fourth original member, Stanley "Stick" Burke has apparently also joined the current line-up, leaving Babyface and L.A. Reid the only two original members not participating in the current project.
" was featured in the pilot episode for the television series Miami Vice
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
80s R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
from Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
, originally consisting of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
native Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds along with Antonio "L.A." Reid, Carlos "Satin" Greene, Darnell "Dee" Bristol
Darnell Bristol
Darnell "Dee" Bristol is a member of The Deele and a songwriter who co-wrote The Deele's "Two Occasions." Years later, he would be credited as a co-writer of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", when Carey would reusing portions of "Two Occasions." He has also been credited on certain releases with...
, Stanley Burke, and Kevin "Kayo" Roberson. They have currently reunited in an incarnation featuring Bristol, Greene, Roberson, & Burke.
Biography
Dantil Woodruff formed the group in 1981. The Deele recorded three albumAlbum
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s during the 1980s, and scored several hit singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
. The sextet released their debut album, Street Beat
Street Beat (album)
-Reception:Released in 1983 on the SOLAR Records label, it was produced by Reggie Calloway. This album included The Deele's first big hit, "Body Talk," which reached #3 on the R&B chart.-Trivia:...
in 1983, and the following year, a single from this album, "Body Talk
Body Talk (The Deele song)
"Body Talk" is a song by American band, The Deele. It was released as a single in January 1984 and peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten on the R&B chart. It is featured in the pilot episode, "Brother's Keeper", of the television series Miami Vice....
" became their first hit, reaching #3 on the R&B chart and #77 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
pop chart. Guitarist/keyboardist Stanley "Stick" Burke left the band prior to the recording of a follow-up album. Recorded as a quintet, Material Thangz was released in 1985. It was not as successful as the debut album.
The band reached the apex of their success in 1987 with the release of their third album, Eyes of a Stranger
Eyes of a Stranger (album)
Eyes of a Stranger is the title of an album released by the R&B band, The Deele in 1987.-Reception:The third album released by the Deele, it became the band's most commercially successful album, on the strength of what is perhaps the group's best-known hit, the R&B top 5 and pop top ten single,...
, which produced two top-10 R&B singles, "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" and perhaps their best-known song, "Two Occasions
Two Occasions
"Two Occasions" is a R&B song written by Babyface, Darnell Bristol and Sid Johnson . It was produced by Babyface and L.A. Reid for The Deele's third studio album Eyes of a Stranger . The ballad was released as the album's second single in 1988...
." The latter track reached #4 on the R&B charts and cracked the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. Music videos were made for both songs. The video for the "Shoot 'Em Up Movies" track was directed by Martin Pitts and produced by Mickey Shapiro. It was during this time that L.A. Reid and Babyface Edmonds began crafting their talents as songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
s for other artists
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. They wrote and produced "Girlfriend
Girlfriend (Pebbles song)
"Girlfriend" is a 1987 single from R&B singer Pebbles' self-titled debut album. Reaching number five on the Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart, it was one of her biggest hits...
" (which featured backing vocals from Deele members and became a top ten hit) for Reid's girlfriend, and eventual wife Pebbles. During this period, they also wrote and produced The Whispers
The Whispers
The Whispers are a long-established R&B-dance vocal group from Los Angeles, California, with a consistent track record of hit records dating back to the late 1960s.-Career:...
' "Rock Steady."
In 1988, both Babyface and Reid left the group and founded LaFace Records
LaFace Records
LaFace Records is an American record label, owned and operated by Sony Music Entertainment.-Company history:LaFace was formed in 1989 as a joint venture between the producing duo Antonio "L.A." Reid & Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, and Arista Records. The combined nicknames of the duo's successful...
in 1989. At the beginning of the 1990s, Reid and Edmonds would become successful record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
s. Although not as recognized as Reid and Edmonds, another Deele member, Kevin "Kayo" Roberson maintained his association with the two, and was an instrumental part of the production team's success behind the scenes as a songwriter, co-producer, and studio bassist. Babyface would also embark on a very successful run as a solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
artist.
Greene and Bristol reunited again as The Deele (without Reid, Edmonds, or Roberson) in 1993 to record the album, An Invitation to Love. This album found the group adopting a more new jack swing
New jack swing
New jack swing or swingbeat is a fusion genre spearheaded by Teddy Riley and Bernard Belle which became extremely popular from the late-1980s into the mid-1990s. Its influence, along with hip-hop, seeped into pop culture and was the definitive sound of the inventive Black New York club scene...
-based sound and incorporating rap into many of their songs. Failing to make a dent in the charts, the group called it quits later that same year.
Their hit song "Two Occasions" was later referenced (along with Babyface) by Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
in her 2005 megahit song "We Belong Together," rapper The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
on the song "One Night" in 2006, and Plies
Plies (rapper)
Algernod Lanier Washington , better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of...
2009 hit song, "Want It, Need It
Want It, Need It
"Want It, Need It" is a song by American rapper Plies and features R&B singer Ashanti. It is the second single from his third studio album Da REAList. So far the single has received positive reviews. It samples "Two Occasions" by The Deele...
" featuring Ashanti. MF Doom
MF Doom
Daniel Dumile is a hip hop artist who has taken on several stage names in his career, most notably MF DOOM, where the "MF" stands for metal face, and for tracks he has produced, metal fingers...
samples the track "Shootem Up Movies" in his 1999 opus "Red & Gold."
Reunion
As of 2007, DeeDarnell Bristol
Darnell "Dee" Bristol is a member of The Deele and a songwriter who co-wrote The Deele's "Two Occasions." Years later, he would be credited as a co-writer of Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together", when Carey would reusing portions of "Two Occasions." He has also been credited on certain releases with...
, Carlos, and Kayo have officially reformed the band with new members. Their new MySpace page currently includes a new Christmas song released by the band, as well as a recent interview with the three original members (although Kayo was very reserved) at a Dallas radio station, during which Dee discusses, among other things, how The Deele were the first band signed to Solar Records
SOLAR Records
S.O.L.A.R. Records was an American record label founded in 1977 by Dick Griffey, reconstituted out of Soul Train Records only two years after it was founded with Soul Train television show host and creator Don Cornelius.-Company history:In 1975, Soul Train Records was founded by Dick Griffey and...
solely based on their music (the representatives hadn't actually seen them perform). Now a part of Dallas Based Eieg/D-Town Records
D-town records
Eieg/D-Town Music Group also called DMG is an American independent record label established in 2004 and distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution and based out of Dallas, TX...
.
A fourth original member, Stanley "Stick" Burke has apparently also joined the current line-up, leaving Babyface and L.A. Reid the only two original members not participating in the current project.
Original Members
- Darnell "Dee" Bristol: Vocals
- Stanley "Stick" Burke: Guitar, keyboards (left after the first album)
- Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds: Keyboards, guitar, vocals
- Carlos "Satin" Greene: Vocals
- Antonio "L.A." Reid: Drums
- Kevin "Kayo" Roberson: Bass
Studio albums
- Street BeatStreet Beat (album)-Reception:Released in 1983 on the SOLAR Records label, it was produced by Reggie Calloway. This album included The Deele's first big hit, "Body Talk," which reached #3 on the R&B chart.-Trivia:...
(Solar RecordsSOLAR RecordsS.O.L.A.R. Records was an American record label founded in 1977 by Dick Griffey, reconstituted out of Soul Train Records only two years after it was founded with Soul Train television show host and creator Don Cornelius.-Company history:In 1975, Soul Train Records was founded by Dick Griffey and...
, 1983) - Material ThangzMaterial ThangzMaterial Thangz is the second album by The Deele. Released in 1985 on the SOLAR Records label, it was produced by L.A. Reid.-Track listing:#"Let's Work Tonight" #"Stimulate"...
(Solar Records, 1985) - Eyes of a StrangerEyes of a Stranger (album)Eyes of a Stranger is the title of an album released by the R&B band, The Deele in 1987.-Reception:The third album released by the Deele, it became the band's most commercially successful album, on the strength of what is perhaps the group's best-known hit, the R&B top 5 and pop top ten single,...
(Solar Records, 1987) - An Invitation to Love (Solar Records, 1993)
- The Only 1 (single) (Eieg/D-Town Records, 2007D-town recordsEieg/D-Town Music Group also called DMG is an American independent record label established in 2004 and distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution and based out of Dallas, TX...
) - All I Want for Christmas (single) (Eieg/D-Town Records, 2007D-town recordsEieg/D-Town Music Group also called DMG is an American independent record label established in 2004 and distributed through Universal Music Group Distribution and based out of Dallas, TX...
)
Appearances in media
The song "Body TalkBody Talk (The Deele song)
"Body Talk" is a song by American band, The Deele. It was released as a single in January 1984 and peaked at number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten on the R&B chart. It is featured in the pilot episode, "Brother's Keeper", of the television series Miami Vice....
" was featured in the pilot episode for the television series Miami Vice
Miami Vice
Miami Vice is an American television series produced by Michael Mann for NBC. The series starred Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas as two Metro-Dade Police Department detectives working undercover in Miami. It ran for five seasons on NBC from 1984–1989...
.