Lakeside — The Definitive Solar Collection

The Definitive Solar Collection is a three-CD set bringing together the cream of the crop from Lakeside’s late 70’s/ 80’s output. They are a nine-piece funk, soul, R&B project from Dayton, Ohio - who have been active( in one form or another) since 1969, and apparently do still pop up for reunions from time to time.  As you’d hope/ expect this is a very groovy, buoyant, and at points decidedly cheesy collection- which is guaranteed to get your feet tapping, and your hips swinging.
 

The release appears on Robin Records- the funk, soul, etc sublabel of Cherry Red. The CDs are presented in an eight-panel digipak- which features inside reproductions of album artwork/ band photos. Also included is a fourteen-page inlay booklet- taking in a new nine-page write-up about the band/ tracks featured by Mojo & Record Collectors Charles Waring. As well of course track credits.
 
The band formed in 1969 in Dayton, Ohio under the name of Ohio Lakeside Express( which of course was later shortened to Lakeside). It was the brainchild of guitarist Stephen Shockley with a fairly shifting lineup over the year.  The lineup for the tracks on this compilation is the nine-piece of Shockley. Fred Alexander Jr- drums. Percussion, backing vocals. Norman Beavers- keyboards, vibes. Marvin Craig-bass. Fred “Timbles” Lewis-precession & synths.  Thomas Shelby- lead vocals, Otis Stokes- lead guitar, bass & Lead vocals. Mark Adam Wood Jr- piano & lead vocals. With all the members doing backing vocals. The band's debut album was 1977’s Self Titled on ABC Records. The band signed to Solar(Sound of Los Angeles Records) in 1979, and this is the focus of this compilation.
 
The compilation follows a chronological manner- so disc one's tracks are from between 1978 & 1980. Disc two from between 1981 & 1983, and disc three from 1983 & 1987. With each disc taking in fourteen tracks- so we get a bumper crop of thirty-eight tracks for the collection.
 

Disc one kicks off with “Shot Of Love” which is all big bounding bass lines, layered soulful vocals, & synth swoon- with the odd bursts of neat soloing guitar work. Moving on we have the “Rough Rider” which opens with a sample of horses before dropping into a suitable thick and galloping blend of bass strut, guitar, piano keys, and disco tom hits. We have the rubbery and bouncing groove of “Pull My String” which is all meaty bass lines, guitar struts & tight beats. With the disc playing out with the cascading keys, steady beat, closely layered backing vocals & soulful leads of “I Need You”.
 
Disc two moves from the bounding  & galloping piano, guitar swoon ‘n wail, lightly sawing strings & synth tone wooshes of “I Want To Hold Your Hand”.  Onto the funk guitar strut, squidgy synth bass, layered percussion & harmonies of “The Urban Man”. There’s the bass stomp, hissing beats, crowd chants & whistles of “ Raid”. Or tight funk meets keyboard jiving of “Turn The Music Up”.

The third disc opens with the classical guitar lined, bounding piano keys, low-key tapping beats, and synth string rises of “Real Love”. There’s the snapping electro beats, swooning synth lines, jiving bass & guitar work, and layered back vocals of “Make My Day”. We have the skittering carnival-like keys, darting electro bass line, and late 80’s synth effect production tropes of “Money”. With the collection playing out with sliding beats & synth lines of “U Got It Goin’ On”.

The Definitive Solar Collection is a largely enjoyable & relatively varied compilation. With Shockley’s clearly accomplished guitar touches adding some interesting edges to the tracks, though of course some of it does play a little too close to the tried ‘n’ tested funk, soul, and disco tropes- but that’s expected. If you enjoy 80’s funk soul- then this is certainly worth a look.