Brick is an American band that created a successful merger of funk and jazz in the 1970s. Their most popular single was "Dazz", (#3 U.S. Pop, #1 U.S. R&B, #36 UK Singles Chart[1]) which was released in 1976.

Brick
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, U.S.
GenresFunk, R&B, disco
Years active1972–present
LabelsBang, Magic City

History

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Brick was formed in Atlanta in 1972 by Regi Hargis from members of two bands - one disco and the other jazz. They coined their own term for disco-jazz, "dazz".[2] They released their first single "Music Matic" on Main Street Records in 1976, before signing to the independently distributed Bang Records. Their next single, "Dazz", (#3 Pop, #1 R&B)[3] was released in 1976. The band continued to record for Bang records until 1982. Other hits followed: "That's What It's All About" (R&B #48) and "Dusic" (#18 Pop, #2 R&B)[3] in 1977, and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" (#92 Pop, #7 R&B)[3] in 1978. Their last Top Ten R&B hit was "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)" in 1981.[3]

Donald Nevins died on August 7, 2011, at the age of 62.[4] Founder and guitarist Regi Hargis died on October 15, 2021, at the age of 70. Ambric Bridgeforth died on November 25, 2023 at age 69.[5][2]

Members

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  • Jimmy Brown (lead vocals, saxophone, flute, trombone)
  • Billy Barlow (keyboards)
  • Tres Gilbert (bass guitar)
  • Melvin Baldwin (drums and percussion)
  • Tomi Martin (lead guitar)
  • Sherita Murphy (lead and background vocals)

Former members include:

  • Regi Hargis (guitar/bass guitar/vocals); died 2021
  • Ray Ransom (lead vocals/bass/keyboards/percussion)
  • Donald Nevins (vocals/acoustic piano/clavinet/Moog); died 2011
  • Edward D. Irons Jr. (lead vocals/drums/keyboards)
  • Ambric Bridgeforth (vocals/keyboards)died 2023

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album Peak chart positions
US
[3]
US R&B
[3]
1976 Good High 19 1
1977 Brick 15 1
1979 Stoneheart 100 25
1980 Waiting on You 179 31
1981 Summer Heat 89 13
1982 After 5
1988 Too Tuff
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation albums

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  • The Best of Brick (1995)
  • Super Hits (2000)

Singles

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Year Single Peak chart positions
US Pop
[3]
US R&B
[3]
US Dance
[3]
CAN
[6][7]
UK
[8]
1976 "Music Matic" 82
"Dazz" 3 1 7 26 36
1977 "Dusic" 18 2 18
"That's What It's All About" 48
1978 "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody" 92 7
1979 "Dancin' Man" 47
"Raise Your Hands" 34
1980 "All the Way" 106 38
"Push Push" 21
1981 "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)" 10 64
"Wide Open" 58
1982 "Free Dancer" 62
"Stick by You"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

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  1. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 78. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ a b Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Brick - Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  4. ^ "Donald Nevins Obituary". Legacy.com. 2011.
  5. ^ Rizik, Chris (October 15, 2021). "R.I.P. Brick co-founder and guitarist Regi Hargis". Soul Tracks.
  6. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - January 29, 1977" (PDF).
  7. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - December 3, 1977" (PDF).
  8. ^ "BRICK - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
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