Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr

Atlantic Starr is an American contemporary R&B group from Greenburgh, New York, active from 1976 to the present. The group starts in White Plains, New York, and forms around three Lewis brothers: David Lewis on lead vocals and guitar, Wayne Lewis on lead vocals and keyboards, and Jonathan Lewis on trombone and percussion. Its early line-up also includes Sharon Bryant on lead vocals, William Sudderth on trumpet, Damon Rentie on saxophone, Clifford Archer on bass, Porter Carroll, Jr. on drums, and Joseph Phillips on percussion and flute.

Early records and A&M years

Atlantic Starr begins by playing across the north-eastern United States, drawing on 1970s soul and funk and on groups such as Earth, Wind & Fire, the Commodores, New Birth and L.T.D. After about two years together, the band signs to A&M Records and works with Philadelphia producer and songwriter Bobby Eli. Its self-titled debut appears in 1978 and includes the funk single “Stand Up”, which reaches number 16 on the Billboard R&B singles chart. The follow-up, Straight to the Point, arrives in 1979 and performs respectably.

In 1981 the band changes producers and works with James Carmichael on Radiance, which establishes Atlantic Starr more firmly in the R&B market through the single “When Love Calls”. Carmichael also produces Brilliance in 1982, which includes the number two R&B single “Circles”, and Yours Forever in 1983, which features “Touch a Four Leaf Clover”. Bryant becomes a major lead vocalist during this period, although David and Wayne Lewis also sing lead.

Line-up changes and crossover success

Bryant leaves in 1984 to pursue a solo career, and Barbara Weathers joins as her replacement. The 1985 album As the Band Turns, the band’s sixth album overall and first after Bryant’s departure, features a smaller line-up with Weathers, the Lewis brothers and Phillips. It includes “Secret Lovers” and is the group’s last release for A&M.

Atlantic Starr then moves to Warner Bros. and releases All in the Name of Love in 1987, which includes “Always”. The song reaches number one on both the pop and R&B charts and gives the band major crossover success in the adult contemporary market. After that album, Weathers leaves and is replaced by Porscha Martin, who appears on 1988’s We’re Movin’ Up. Martin is later replaced by Rachel Oliver, Atlantic Starr’s fourth female vocalist.

Later years

The band’s Warner Bros. relationship ends after Love Crazy in 1991. In 1994 it records Time for Arista; the album underperforms, and the single “I’ll Remember You” reaches the fifties on the R&B and pop charts. Time is David Lewis’s last album with the group and features Aisha Tanner in place of Oliver.

In 1999 Atlantic Starr releases Legacy through the independent Street Solid label. That line-up includes Wayne Lewis and Jonathan Lewis, with Oliver returning and DeWayne Woods as a new male singer. The group continues to perform for long-time fans beyond the turn of the century.

Current members

Members associated with the group include Sharon Bryant, David Lewis, Jonathan Lewis, Joseph Phillips, Timmy Allen, Wayne Lewis and Damon Rentie.