Jan 27

Sylvia Striplin - 1981 - Give Me Your Love

Posted by nikos1109

Sylvia’s debut gem comes to us via Roy Ayers‘ Uno Melodic label which he set up in the early eighties to showcase new talent that fitted his jazz-funk & boogie sensibilities. This LP showcases a real boogie/rare-groove masterclass from Sylvia Striplin. There are many classic tracks here with “Give Me Your Love” and “You Can’t Turn Me Around” being the best known.Sylvia’s voice is not unlike a young Minnie Ripperton at times although perhaps not quite as polished. As expected from a Roy Ayers funded label there is a high emphasis on tight playing from the band. Rare-groove gold that certainly deserves a wider audience.

Tracks
A1   Look Towards The Sky (4:31)
A2   Toy Box (4:13)
A3   You Can’t Turn Me Away (5:28)
A4   All Alone (5:09)
B1   Give Me Your Love (6:17)
B2   Will We Ever Pass This Way Again (4:34)
B3   Searchin (6:26)
B4   You Said (4:53)

Review by MsMerising

Born one of 5 children, not much is known of Sylvia’s early life. We do know she was first heard singing background on Art Webb’s 1977 album ‘Mr. Flute’. Not long after she was recruited to sing for Aquarian Dream’s second album ‘Fantasy’ (1978). Though Aquarian Dream were associated with Norman Connor’s who was enjoying success in the R&B charts at the time, their highest charting position was with ‘Fantasy’ which peaked on the Jazz Charts (#49).  Sylvia continued to stay with the group through there early 80’s break-up.

Shortly after her debut performance she became associated with Roy Ayers and his Uno Melodic label. Sylvia was recruited to sing on Roy’s solo album ‘Love Fantasy’ (1980) as well as was a member of the short-lived group the Eighties Ladies, a quintet of female vocalists guided by Roy. Though there debut album ‘Ladies Of The 80’s’ was the most widely distributed project from the Uno Melodic catalogue, it did not sell too well. Despite this several songs, notably “Turned On To You” & “I Knew That Love” became moderate club hits.

During this time Sylvia cut one solo single with Uno Melodic (“Give Me Your Love”/”You Can’t Turn Me Away”). Roughly one year later her sole album for the label, ‘Give Me Your Love’ was released. The single “Give Me Your Love” enjoyed renewed interest and went as high as #23 on the Club Play Charts. Fuelled by a boogie beat with Sylvia’s slinky vocals sailing smooth above a bubbling bass, it is a perfect pop dance moment climaxing with her smooth, girlish yowls peppering the extended outro.
The flip side “You Can’t Turn Me Away” has become infamous as the sample for Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s hit “Get Money”. The song’s clavinet propelled groove has deservedly become a certified classic in the Jazzy Soul & Rare Groove music scenes worldwide.

It is a testament to Sylvia’s musical talent of how prominent her skills are utilized for ‘Give Me Your Love’. Sylvia is the sole-writer of the album’s inspirational opener  “Look To The Sky”, as well as co-writer of “You Can’t Turn Me Away” and “You Said”. Vocals, background vocals, hand-claps, arrangements – Sylvia is imbedded in every fiber of the recording and deserves as much credit as Roy Ayers and James Bedford for the album’s perfect pop-boogie flavor. Her unique take on Roy’s own time-honored “Searching” will garner admiration how one man’s classic can be construed to become another’s potential dance classic. “Will We Ever Pass This Way Again” is so beautifully forlorn in its sentiment, and Sylvia’s unique use of her vocal range could easily make the most knowledgeable music historian mistake it for a lost B-side from Prince’s 70’s catalogue. And I still consider it a crime that Sylvia’s management never initiated for her to sing “Toy Box” on Sesame Street, a song my 4-year old son begs to hear and goes bananas for!

In 1982, Sylvia released the single “Keep On Pushing” on Rissa Chrissa Records. Written and produced by Sylvia, it was another moment of boogie bliss. Sadly, this was her last strong release. In 1988 the Vista Sounds label released the single “Could It Be You” which lacked the distinctive writing and production flavor Sylvia Striplin is beloved for. Regardless, Sylvia has been described as a “stepping stone between the sound of disco and the more mainstream early 80’s R&B to come” (1) and her debut album and singles are still a prized commodity amongst collectors, fetching in the hundreds for an original pressing.

Did you know?

* Sylvia Striplin’s work has been sampled numerous times? Assorted Phlavors, Backstreet Boys, Naughty By Nature, the Madd Rapper and Armand Van Heldon have all sampled tracks from her debut album ‘Give Me Your Love’.

* A Tribe Called Quest utilized a sample from the Eighties Ladies “Turned On To You” for Phife-Dawg’s shining moment, “Butter”?

——————————————

- MsMerising is an addict for fierce, funkin’ females who can sang. A relentless digger & researcher of obscure women artists in rare-groove/funk music she is currently in the embryonic stages of writing a book on the subject, while simultaneously working on her Bachelor of Arts. Feel free to join her social network for music addicts at http://dustyfingers.ning.com

Download link

I’d like to thank MsMerising for another excellent contribution. Please show some love and respect.

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Date January 27th, 2009

41 Responses to “Sylvia Striplin - 1981 - Give Me Your Love”

  1. Simon Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 4:21 pm

    Got this one, GREAT stuff!
    Hey do you have the “80s Ladies” album from Uno Melodic?
    Was looking for it when compiling stuff for the Roy Ayers discography at Blaxploitation Jive …

  2. Traj Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    This album is a treasure trove of hits: “Searchin,” “Give Me Your Love” and “Look Towards The Sky” are my favorites. Maybe someday I’ll actually find the original!!!!!!!!!! Great share.

  3. Soul Bonanza Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

    Thanks Nikos and MsMerising. A good read, and a good listening time can always be found here!

  4. Chris Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

    Great album. The research, effort and time that you all put into this site really shines through. Peace and many thanks.

  5. manny Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 8:44 pm

    thanks for posting

  6. Meredith Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Brilliant! Great review too.

  7. MsMerising Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

    Simon, you can purchase the Eighties Ladies album at Rhapsody.

    Peace,

    MsMerising

  8. invisiblenigma Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 10:20 pm

    Much Appreciaate MsMerising! Great LP and Review!

  9. jean paris Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    cant turn…irresistible…and thanks for the review..now i know !=) jean paris

  10. jahcisco Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    Thanks MsMerising. Much appreciated.

  11. Astral Pro Says:
    January 27th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    Nice, thanks Nikos…i had a pretty shitty copy of this record before.

  12. Donoso Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 12:27 am

    Another fantastic rip Nikos, now I won’t have to rip my relatively bad copy.

    Keep it up man!

  13. Oak Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 9:44 am

    Thanks again for blessing us with this and many other gems.

  14. nikos1109 Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    The last vinyl copy sold on ebay for 285 USD : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=310115792268

  15. Trakbuv Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 12:04 pm

    Dear old Sylvia, somewhat a legend over here in the UK (as is about anything to do with Roy Ayers). There was always something very enigmatic about trading her sound with Roy Ayers avant garde approach. And her vocals and delivery are quite unique, always a mark of something special. Many thanks for a great review MsM, and in maintaining the high calibre of Nikos’s wonderful pages. Best of luck with your BA !!

  16. ahawk Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

    Many thanks :)

  17. rich Says:
    January 28th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

    MsMerising and nikos thank u very much for this wonderful treat.

  18. Mel Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 2:14 am

    Groooooooooovy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  19. Dr. Fever Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 2:45 am

    Awesome!!! Thank You, Thank You!!!

  20. MsMerising Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 6:15 am

    I co-sign TRAKBUV. I appreciate the love and encouragement. And for the record, my first assessment garnered a “Distinction” :)

  21. Amalia Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 10:10 am

    Wow…looking forward to this…Thanks!
    Regards

  22. Adam Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Brilliant stuff! Thank you so much.

  23. fritzthecat Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

    Thanks - keep up the good work.

  24. Scuba Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    This maybe is the best soul, ever produced. R.E.S.P.E.C.T. from Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  25. Jamal Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 9:56 pm

    Big up nikos thanks for this! dope lp right here!

  26. konstantinos Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 10:00 pm

    Great music again Nikos!!! Thanks.

  27. Goran Says:
    January 29th, 2009 at 10:15 pm

    I don’t believe that I’ve finally found a copy of this album. You see i can’t spend more than 200 bucks for a vinyl copy. Even the cd usually goes for 80 - 100. So thank you very much for posting.

  28. Joachim Says:
    January 30th, 2009 at 1:09 am

    Great great stuff. A pleasure to visit your blog, as always.

  29. Kirk Says:
    January 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am

    Amazing! love it. Thanx

  30. SoulStar Says:
    January 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

    I’ve been curious about this album. Sounds great.

  31. Greg aka a mind with no ceiling Says:
    February 1st, 2009 at 3:09 am

    Wow! had been looking for that one for some time! Thank you Nikos & Mesmerizing. Everything Roy Ayers related is always a delight… so I’m right there also for the 80s Ladies request if someone can come up with it..

    thx

  32. serdar Says:
    February 1st, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    damn, i was looking for that one thanks

  33. nikos1109 Says:
    February 1st, 2009 at 1:55 pm

    Greg, 80s Ladies will be posted soon. MsMerising will do the review.

  34. krochez Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 6:27 pm

    thank you, thank you, thank you for this gem of an album and for all the time and effort you put into this site. and more big thanks for the wisdom and knowledge you share. you are greatly appreciated!

  35. Zoran Says:
    February 9th, 2009 at 11:19 pm

    Great Album. Thanks

  36. 92bpms Says:
    February 11th, 2009 at 11:01 am

    As always thanks so much… stellar material

  37. DiskoTone Says:
    February 16th, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Great album, I love You Can’t Turn Me Away, Give Me Your Love, and Searchin! Thanks for the post.

  38. pedro Says:
    February 25th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

    sounds great can,t wait thanks

  39. palooka Says:
    February 28th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    great album!

  40. Simon666 Says:
    May 8th, 2009 at 7:00 pm

    Hi Nikos!
    I’ve linked to your page in my post of Mongo Santamaria – “A La Carte” (1978). Connection is string arranger William Allen, who produced the Mong album.
    All the best,
    Simon

  41. Joseph Says:
    August 7th, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Sylvia’s early years can be found by contacting Adam Falcon adamfalcon.com

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