All-Sports Band - All-Sports Band (1981)

Anyone who was alive in the 80's will either remember this band firsthand or if anything, heard of the ludicrous concept behind the All-Sports Band. This often maligned gimmick, based in Cleveland, were the creation of Tracy Coats. Mr. Coats, watching the Village People peak during the tail end of the 70's, took it upon himself to create a similarly themed "band" who would inherit the throne of the then faltering Village People. In fact, it was he who drafted two former Village People backing musicians into the lineup, also adding three other players to complete his vision. His vision came to life in 1981, in the form of a sports themed band complete with appropriately costumed members who could utilize various props to bring the concept to fruition.

Well, honestly put, it just never happened. Though the band managed to chart twice in the Top 100 and landed a lauded appearance on American Bandstand, audiences just weren't buying into the whole idea. While the Village People were at least using their concept to push sexual innuendo and double entendre further into the mainstream, the All-Sports Band were merely a cheesy idea that never truly came off as campy or self-deprecating. Had it been, well, who knows where they'd be now? In truth, the band were so widely reviled at the time, that no tour was ever booked and no followup was ever planned. The story basically ended by early 1982 and that was the end of the band.

So what about the music? Well, contrary to popular opinion, there are some excellent tracks here and several of them would've been great candidates for the Billboard Top 40 at least. Sure, some of the songs here are drippy and lightweight synth heavy pop numbers, but there's no denying the potency of tracks like the strutting "Jet Set", the jerky "I'm Hurt" or the arena rock of "Run Away" and "Hit 'n Run". "Jet Set" easily wins top honors with a hooky melody and bouncy rhythm. It surprises me that this one didn't have a better showing as a single. Instead, "Opposites Do Attract" gets honors for being the closest thing to a breakout hit for the band...and that's putting it modestly.

In any case, love them or hate them, here it is in full digital glory. I can almost assure you that this one will never see re-release, so enjoy the next best thing like this clean vinyl rip. You have been warned!

192kbps @ http://www.megaupload.com/?d=65O7CD8S