"Try Again" by Champaign

Song#:  1400
Date:  04/02/1983
Debut:  83
Peak:  23
Weeks:  20
Genre:  R&B, Adult Contemporary



Pop Bits:  The Illinois group got their recording career off to a great start with the #1 AC hit "How 'Bout Us" (#5 R&B, #12 pop). It was the title track to their debut album. A follow-up single couldn't muster much support so the group went back to the studio to record their next album, "Modern Heart." This first single from the album came close to replicating the success of their debut single. It peaked just outside the pop Top 20 while reaching #2 R&B and #6 AC. But once again, they could not follow it up. Their third album, 1984's "Woman in Flames," would contain the #10 R&B single "Off and On Love," but it failed to make a dent in the other charts. The group would go on hiatus after that and then reunite in 1990 for a new album. But neither the album or the lead single would garner much attention and Champaign's charting days came to an end.

ReduxReview:  "How 'Bout Us" was a very good song and this one matches it. However, the pair of smooth R&B tunes may have backed them into a corner with folks wanting more of the same. They tried some other funkier singles, but they failed despite being pretty good. It seems they just couldn't find the right song to break them out of the AC ballad mode. If they had, I think their career could have gone on for a lot longer. Regardless, they scored a couple of terrific hits that people will remember.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  Lead singer Pauli Carmen left the group for a solo career in 1985. He would grab a couple of minor R&B chart entries from his debut solo LP the following year. "Dial My Number" would do the best reaching #26. He would reunite with the group in 1990. He still continues to perform and record under the Champaign moniker.

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