Wildman Steve
A whole other world, and part of the TK family of labels is called Weird World Records and features the works of Wildman Steve, product described as “For Adults Only.”
The Excavations
The Excavations formed themselves in Birmingham, Alabama about five years ago, with Josie Short, Jewel Short and Barbara Tanniehill. Their biggest break came when they met Frederick Knight while doing studio work as background vocalists. Knight, a recording artist, writer and producer, took a liking to the girls, bringing them on tour as backing vocalists for his act. When Clinton Davis and Frederick Knight formed Bessemer Wage Corporation and Juana Records, they signed the Escavations, releasing “Halfway In, Halfway Out” as a first singe. The Excavations have appeared with Eddie Kendricks, the Manhattans and the ChiLites, and toured extensively on the college circuit.
The Controllers
The Controllers, four men in their early twenties hailing from Fairfield. Alabama, began their musical careers singing in church gospel groups. In 1974, after working with the group for several months, Clinton Harris took the vocal quartet under his personal management. When he formed Bessemer Wage with Frederick Knight, the group was signed to Juana Records, distributed by T.K. Productions. The close -harmonizing group’s first single, “Is That Long Enough For You,” was picked in all the trades. They have been appearing with the likes of Nancy Wilson, New Birth, B.T. Express, The Impressions. Tavares. Bloodstone, the Blackbyrds, and Eddie Kendricks, and appeared on numerous college campuses. Leonard Brown. Reginald McCarthur. Larry McArthur and Ricky Lewis are currently working hard toward a bright future.
Family Plann
Tropea
John Tropea’s “Tropea” LP spearheads T.K.’s entry into the jazz field on Marlin Records. His first solo effort. it charted #170 pop album last week in Cash Box. While Tropea may be a new name to consumer’s says. he is hardly a stranger to recording. Bob Crewe discovered Tropea’s guitarmanship in 1972, and since then he has played on virtually every hit record of the Stylistics and the Four Seasons, and he is a regular with Van McCoy. Tropea has worked on albums with David Ruffin and Phoebe Snow, played on Paul Simon’s “Still Crazy After All These Years.” and has contributed to the music of Deodato. In fact. he’s responsible for the guitar solo on the now familiar “2001.”