D Train (music group)

Last updated

D Train
OriginNew York City
Genres Post-disco, R&B, dance
Years active1980–1985
Labels Prelude, Columbia/CBS
Past members

D Train was an American duo that had hits on the Billboard magazine Dance and R&B charts during the first half of the 1980s. [1] Three of their singles also reached the top 30 in the UK Singles Chart. [2]

Contents

Career

The project was a collaborative effort between the band's namesake, James D-Train Williams, who was featured as the lead vocalist and songwriter, and Hubert Eaves III, a keyboardist, who performed the instrumentation on the recordings. [1] Hailing from Brooklyn, New York City, Williams himself was a R&B-dance producer as well. He and Eaves met during high school and began performing together. Eaves would spend most of the 1970s as a member of the R&B band Mtume. However, by the 1980s, he and Williams had teamed up again. The group named itself D-Train after a nickname Williams had acquired in high school. [3]

D Train released its first single "You're the One for Me" in late 1981. [1] The track became an instant success, hitting number 1 on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart that year; it was remixed and re-released successfully several times since and was contemporaneously covered by Paul Hardcastle with vocalist Kevin Henry in the United Kingdom. The duo's self-titled debut album (which prominently featured the "You're the One for Me" title on the front cover, and the album became known by this name) followed in early 1982, and several additional singles from this effort were successful on both the R&B and Dance charts, although they were not as popular as the debut hit. Among these tracks were "Keep On", which reached number 2 on the Dance chart, and a cover version of the Burt Bacharach and Hal David-penned "Walk On By", which owed more to the Isaac Hayes version than to Dionne Warwick's original recording.

In 1983, the band released its follow-up album, Music . [1] The title track became another dance-floor anthem and nearly equaled the success of the group's debut single. Several other singles from the album were moderately successful.

In 1984, D Train had its only Billboard Hot 100 entry with "Something's on Your Mind," which climbed to number 79 and was later covered by Miles Davis on his album You're Under Arrest. The single also cracked the top five on the R&B chart, becoming the group's biggest hit in that market as well. The accompanying album, also titled Something's on Your Mind, found the band branching out into new musical territory, incorporating elements of reggae and more adult-oriented R&B into their music. [4] Williams himself played acoustic guitar on a cover of Carole King's "So Far Away".

A greatest hits album titled You're the One for Me - The Very Best Of was released in the U.K. in 1985. [5] An equivalent compilation was not released in the U.S. until the following year. [6] [7] Featured on this compilation was a remixed version of "You're the One for Me" that charted in the U.K. that same year. This version was remixed by Paul Hardcastle, who had previously issued a cover version of the song and, by 1985, had become well known for his own hit "19". Despite this success, the group disbanded that same year. [3]

D Train as a solo artist

Following the dissolution of the group, D Train continued on as a successful solo career. Although billed as a solo artist, however, he did continue to work with Eaves acting as a producer and key instrumentalist. In 1986, D Train released his debut album, Miracles of the Heart , which featured a top ten R&B single, "Misunderstanding". The follow-up single, "Oh, How I Love You, Girl" also performed well in the R&B market. [1]

His second album, In Your Eyes followed in 1988. The title track narrowly missed the R&B top ten, and one other single was also released. [8]

Legacy

D Train's albums were eventually re-released on CDs by Unidisc Music, [9] which acquired Prelude Records and several other New York dance-music labels during the 1990s. [10]

The song "You're the One for Me" exists in remixes by Larry Levan and Shep Pettibone, and most recently was sampled by DJ Kue in his 2006 hit "I Got Love". "You're the One for Me" is also sampled in the song "Girls" by the Prodigy from its album Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned . [11]

D Train contributed to the Pokémon anime's "Pokérap" on the official television soundtrack, 2BA Master . [12]

In 1999, D-Train did the backup vocal for "Eyes of a Child", a song written by Trey Parker and Performed by Michael McDonald for the film, South Park Bigger Longer & Uncut .

Williams was hired as a DJ for Heart & Soul Channel 51 on the Sirius Satellite Radio service based in New York City from 2001 to 2008. [13] In 2007, his performances of "My Funny Valentine" and Hot Chocolate's "You Sexy Thing" appeared on the soundtrack of the film Perfect Stranger .

The Notorious B.I.G.'s "Sky's the Limit" interpolates part of D Train's 1982 song "Keep On". [14]

Rapper Yo-Yo's "Iz It Still All Good" sampled D-Train's "Something's on Your Mind," which featured Gerald LeVert, in 1998. [15]

Discography

Studio albums

YearAlbumLabelFormatPeak chart positions
US
[16] 		US R&B
[17] [18] 		UK
[2]
1982 You're the One for Me Prelude, Unidisc Records LP, CD 1281672
1983 Music —31—
1984 Something's on Your Mind ———
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US Dance
[19] 		US R&B
[20] 		US Pop
[21] 		UK
[2] [22]
1981"You're the One for Me"113―30You're the One for Me
1982"Keep On"215――
"Walk on By"4542―44
"D" Train's Theme"―――
1983"Music"1220―23Music
"Keep Giving Me Love"2455―65
"The Shadow of Your Smile"——―88
"Something's on Your Mind"―579―Something's on Your Mind
1984"You're the Reason"―43—―
"Thank You"――—―
1985"Just Another Night (Without Your Love)"―59――Non-album singles
"You're the One for Me" (remix)―――15
"Music" (remix)―――62
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jodeci</span> American R&B Band

Jodeci is an American R&B quartet consisting of members DeVanté Swing, Mr. Dalvin, K-Ci, and JoJo. Formed in 1988 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jodeci began as a duo of DeVanté Swing and JoJo but later each added their brother. After signing with Uptown Records in 1990, the group finished work on their debut album, Forever My Lady (1991), which brought them mainstream success with three straight Billboard R&B No. 1 hit singles: the album's titular track, "Stay" and "Come and Talk to Me".

New jack swing, new jack, or swingbeat is a fusion genre of the rhythms and production techniques of hip hop and dance-pop, and the urban contemporary sound of R&B. Spearheaded by producers Teddy Riley, Bernard Belle, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, new jack swing was most popular from the late 1980s to early 1990s.

Blaque is an American girl group that charted from 1999 to 2004. Outside of the United States, they are known as Blaque Ivory. Their self-titled debut album Blaque sold more than 1 million copies and was certified Platinum. The group's debut included the platinum-selling lead single "808", a second single, "I Do", and the international pop hit "Bring It All to Me". In 1999, Billboard named Blaque the 4th Best New Artist of the year, with "Bring It All to Me" landing at number 30 on the 2000 Year End Chart. In 2002 and 2003, the group released three less successful singles, "Can't Get It Back", "Ugly", and "I'm Good", the latter appearing in the film Honey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Get Lonely</span> 1998 single by Janet Jackson

"I Get Lonely" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her sixth studio album, The Velvet Rope (1997). It was written by Jackson, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis and Jackson's then-husband, René Elizondo Jr. It was released on February 24, 1998, by Virgin Records as the album's third single. The track is a departure from Jackson's signature brand of crossover dance-pop and R&B into a pure R&B and soul vibe. Lyrically, it expresses loneliness and the desire for an estranged lover. A remixed version of the song featured American R&B group Blackstreet.

"Sweetheart" is a song originally recorded by American singer Rainy Davis. It was written by Davis and Pete Warner, and produced with Dorothy Kessler. The track was released in 1986 by independent record label SuperTronics as a single from Davis's 1987 studio album Sweetheart. A freestyle, hip hop pop, and synth-funk song, "Sweetheart" appeared on R&B and dance music-based record charts in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nice & Slow</span> 1998 single by Usher

"Nice & Slow" is a song from American singer-songwriter Usher's second album, My Way (1997). Released on January 6, 1998 by LaFace and Arista, the song became Usher's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1998. The song was written by Usher, Brian Casey of the R&B group Jagged Edge, Manuel Seal Jr. and Jermaine Dupri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save the Last Dance for Me</span> Original song written and composed by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; first recorded by the Drifters

"Save the Last Dance for Me" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by American musical group the Drifters with Ben E. King on lead vocals. It has since been covered by several artists, including Dalida, the DeFranco Family, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Michael Bublé.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irreplaceable</span> 2006 single by Beyoncé

"Irreplaceable" is a song by American singer Beyoncé for her second studio album, B'Day (2006). The song was written by Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, Beyoncé and produced by Stargate and Beyoncé. "Irreplaceable" was originally a country record; it was re-arranged as a mid-tempo ballad with pop and R&B influences by modifying the vocal arrangements and instrumentation. During the production and recording sessions, Beyoncé and Ne-Yo wanted to create a record which people of either gender could relate to. The song's lyrics are about the breakdown of a relationship with an unfaithful man and the song contains a message about female empowerment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Can't Deny It</span> 1990 single by Lisa Stansfield

"You Can't Deny It" is a song by English singer-songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her debut solo studio album, Affection (1989). It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney, and Andy Morris, produced by Devaney and Morris, and remixed by Gail "Sky" King and Yvonne Turner. The song was released as the album's second North American single on 2 May 1990, by Arista Records and received generally positive reviews from music critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Legend discography</span> R&B recording artist discography

The discography of American singer John Legend consists of nine full-length studio albums, five live albums, two video albums, three extended plays, 39 singles and two promotional singles.

Carrie Lucas is an American R&B singer, born in Carmel, California. In 1976, she was signed to Soul Train Records. Lucas released six studio albums over seven years, with Soul Train and Solar Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Best of Me (Mya song)</span> 2000 single by Mýa and Jadakiss

"The Best of Me" is a song by American singer Mýa. It served as Harrison's first single from her second studio album Fear of Flying (2000) and featured Yonkers rapper Jadakiss. The song was written and composed by the latter and Harrison along with Teron Beal, Jimmy Cozier, Swizz Beatz and Mashonda Tifrere. Lyrically, "The Best of Me," a street savvy anthem addresses a woman holding off being intimate or physical with a guy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Love Me (No, No, No)</span> 1994 single by Dawn Penn

"You Don't Love Me " is a song by Jamaican recording artist Dawn Penn, released in February 1994 by Big Beat as the first single from her first studio album, No, No, No (1994). The song's lyrics are credited to Penn, Bo Diddley and Willie Cobbs, and production was handled by Steely & Clevie.

"You're the One For Me" is a song written by James "D. Train" Williams and Hubert Eaves III of D. Train, a New York based post-disco duo, released in 1981 by Prelude Records. "You're the One for Me" first charted on December 19, 1981, at number 53 on the Billboard dance singles chart. It was a number one dance hit for three weeks early in 1982. The single also made it to number thirteen on the soul singles chart. Later in 1982, "You're the One for Me" along with the track, "Keep On", would peak at number 2 on dance charts. "Keep On" peaked at number fifteen on the soul chart.

<i>Personal</i> (Men of Vizion album) 1996 studio album by Men of Vizion

Personal is the debut studio album by the American vocal group Men of Vizion. It was released on June 18, 1996, via Michael Jackson's record label, MJJ Music, after a demo tape was played to him by producer Teddy Riley. The album has been described as a "sumptuous blend" of vocal R&B and "90s production techniques", that alternates between smooth ballads and new jack swing.

<i>D. Train</i> (album) 1982 studio album by "D" Train

"D" Train is the debut album by the American urban/post-disco group D-Train, released in United States on 1982 by Prelude Records, and in United Kingdom by Epic Records. The album was remastered by Canadian label Unidisc Music in 1992 including five bonus tracks.

<i>If I Were Your Woman</i> (Stephanie Mills album) 1987 studio album by Stephanie Mills

If I Were Your Woman is the eleventh studio album by American recording artist Stephanie Mills, released on June 1, 1987 on MCA Records. The album peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and No. 30 on the Billboard 200 chart. If I Were Your Woman was also certified Gold and Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

"Keep On" is a post-disco song written by Hubert Eaves III, James Williams of D. Train. It was remixed by François Kevorkian and Eaves. The song reached #2 on Billboard 's Hot Dance Club Play chart and number #15 on R&B chart in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You're Mine (Eternal)</span> 2014 single by Mariah Carey

"You're Mine (Eternal)" is a song by American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey included on her fourteenth studio album, Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse (2014). It premiered on February 12, 2014, as the third single from the album. It was written and produced by Carey with Rodney Jerkins. An R&B song, the lyrics revolve around the singer reminiscing about a past lover. Critical response to the song was positive: Carey's breathy vocal style and use of the whistle register at the climax earned praise from critics. It also drew several comparisons to one of Carey's previous singles, "We Belong Together" (2005).

James Nelson Williams, known by the stage name D Train, is an American singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer and actor. He rose to fame in the early 1980s with the release of his first album "You're the One for Me", which spawned his first US Billboard Dance chart number-one hit, "You're the One for Me". His debut album would also chart with the hits "Keep On" and the much covered Burt Bacharach hit "Walk on By". He would go on to work with Eaves producing hits on the follow-up albums Music and Something's on Your Mind before being signed to Columbia Records, producing the albums Miracles of the Heart and In Your Eyes. The two parted ways in 1988 and D Train went on to perform on his own label, releasing the album 701 Franklin Ave.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Colin Larkin, ed. (2003). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (Third ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 141/2. ISBN   1-85227-969-9.
  2. 1 2 3 "D TRAIN - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  3. 1 2 Wynn, Ron. "James Williams: Artist Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved September 9, 2020.
  4. ↑ Henderson, Alex. "Something's on Your Mind (1984): Review". AllMusic . Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  5. 1 2 "D-Train - You're the One for Me - The Very Best Of". eil.com. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  6. 1 2 "D Train - The Best of D Train (release year: 1986)". hi-fits.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2022. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
  7. 1 2 Kellman, Andy. "The Best of D Train [Unidisc] (expanded version; re-released 1990) - Review". AllMusic . Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  8. ↑ "James 'D-Train' Williams - Chart History: HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  9. ↑ Kellman, Andy. "Music (1983): Review". AllMusic . Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Prelude Records: One of THE DISCO labels..." Disco-Disco.com. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned - samples". The Prodigy Info. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  12. ↑ Thurm, Eric (May 29, 2014). "The untold story behind Pokémon's 'Pokérap'". The Week. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ "JAMES D-TRAIN WILLIAMS Interview (2011)". UK Vibe. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ Shipley, Al (July 14, 2017). "Before He Met JAY-Z, No I.D. Made His Own 'Black Album'". Vice . Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ "Vibe, Vol. 6, No. 8". Vibe . Vibe Media Group. October 1998. p. 174. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ "D Train - Billboard 200 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  17. ↑ "'D-Train' - Chart History: TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  18. ↑ "James 'D-Train' Williams - Chart History: TOP R&B/HIP-HOP ALBUMS". Billboard. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  19. ↑ "D Train - DANCE CLUB SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  20. ↑ "D Train - HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  21. ↑ "D Train - Billboard Hot 100 Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved September 5, 2020.
  22. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 133. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.