Total Contrast

Total Contrast
OriginLondon, England
GenresFunk, electro, soul
Instrument(s)Vocals (Robin Achampong)
Keyboards, bass, drums (Delroy Murray)
Years active1983–1989
LabelsLondon Records, Virgin Records, Criminal Records
Past membersRobin Achampong
Delroy Murray

Total Contrast were a male musical duo from England, specialising in soul and electro music. They are well known for their 1985 hit "Takes a Little Time", which made No. 1 on the US dance chart and No. 17 in the UK. The group formed in 1983 consisting of members Robin Achampong and Delroy Murray.[1]

Biography

In the mid-1980s, they scored several hits on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including "Takes a Little Time", which hit No. 1 in 1985. In their homeland, the same song reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] Further releases in the UK included "Hit and Run", a minor hit which reached No. 41 in 1985, "The River" which peaked at No. 44 in early 1986, and "What You Gonna Do About It" peaking at No. 63 in the summer of 1986.[1] The latter track was also featured on the band's self-titled album.

They appeared on the Dance Aid single, released in April 1987. Another album, Beat to Beat, was released in 1987. Two singles, "Kiss" and "Jody", despite being popular on the dance floors, were only minor chart hits.[2] The same happened to their 1988 cover version of Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain".

Achampong and Murray formed the group Tongue 'n' Cheek in 1987.

Total Contrast found popularity with 1980s revivalists, in particular the Canadian duo Chromeo, who included "Takes a Little Time" on their 2005 album, Chromeo Presents Un Joli Mix Pour Toi.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Label UK
[2]
1985 Total Contrast London Records 67
1987 Beat to Beat —

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions
US Dance
[3] 		US R&B
[3][4] 		UK
[1][2]
1983 "Be with You Tonight" — — ―
1984 "Next Time I'll Know Better" / "Sunshine" — — —
"The Apple of My Eye" (with Carroll Thompson) — ― —
1985 "Hit and Run" — — 41
"Takes a Little Time" 1 80 17
"The River" 7 88 44
1986 "What You Gonna Do About It" 42 64 63
1987 "Jody" — — 90
"Kiss" 26 55 80
1988 "Waiting in Vain" — — 90
1989 "Love Fever" (with Tongue 'n' Cheek) — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 562. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ a b c "TOTAL CONTRAST - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Total Contrast Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography". Music VF. Retrieved 16 May 2020.
  4. ^ "Total Contrast - Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
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