"Freak-A-Ristic" by Atlantic Starr

Song#:  2329
Date:  05/25/1985
Debut:  90
Peak:  90
Weeks:  6
Genre:  R&B, Electro-Funk



Pop Bits:  Atlantic Starr's 1983 album Yours Forever was a bit of a stumble for the band after their previous album went gold and spawned their first sizable Pop chart entry with the #38 "Circles" (#2 R&B). Wanting to regain the ground they lost, the band retreated to the studio to created their next LP As the Band Turns. To get things started, this track was selected as the first single. It would be their fourth Top 10 at R&B getting to #6, but prospects at Pop were not good. The single ended up peaking at the same low position that it debuted. With two follow-up singles not getting on the Pop chart and making minor impressions at R&B, it seemed the album was going to suffer the same fate as their previous one. However, it was revived from the brink thanks to a hail Mary fourth single that would net them their first Pop Top 10.

ReduxReview:  I guess "freaks" were in during the 80s as there were a few charting songs that used the word including Midnight Star's "Freak-A-Zoid." This one seemed like Atlantic Starr was trying to one-freak-up Midnight Star's tune. The results were good, but the song just couldn't approach the funky coolness of "Freak-A-Zoid." However, I think it should have done better at Pop. A month and a half circling the very bottom rungs of the chart was a bit unfortunate.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  Original lead singer, Sharon Bryant, decided to leave the band after Yours Forever fizzled. She set out on a solo career, but it would take until 1989 before she could issue a debut album titled Here I Am. It featured a pair of R&B Top 10s. "Let Go" would be her biggest hit reaching #2 (#34 Pop) while a remake of Steve Perry's "Foolish Heart" would get to #8 (#90 Pop). A third single hit the R&B Top 40. After that, her solo recording career halted. As for Atlantic Starr, they hired in Barbara Weathers to replace Bryant. Weathers would be with the band through their most successful period, which included the album As the Band Turns.

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