Tee Watts - Music Director, Lake County Community Radio KMOB 100.3FM
In 2003 Ubquity Records in association with Luv N'Haight Records released a compilation entitled Bay Area Funk, covering the fertile music period 1967-1976 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Artist such as Sugar Pie Desanto, Eugene Blacknell & The New Breed, Marvin Holmes & The Uptights, Johnny Talbot & De Thangs and Onyx were represented.
The liner notes describe the vocal group, Onyx, as "a tight harmony group, similar in sound and message to the Temptations".
Indeed, two of the original members of Onyx (Wendell and A.J. Basey) founded the Natural Four with John January and Alfred 'Pumpkin' Bowden. A Third original member of Onyx, Malvin Scott sang with the pre-Zodiac Maurice Williams group, The Kids, with a national hit "Are You My Girlfriend". The maiden voyage of Onyx was launched with the creation of their own record label Nia showcasing the release of the single "Break it Loose". Despite the success of their initial effort, Onyx decided not to pursue "the business" full time and the group disbanded.
When the founding members learned "Break it Loose" was having success in Europe thirty years later and was slated for inclusion in the Bay Area Funk compilation, the Basey brothers and Malvin realized that their dream was still very much alive. They recruited Terry Forsythe, a versatile performer whose resume reveals not only a solid work ethic, but also is indicative of the major players he has worked with; Bonnie Raitt, Stevie Wonder, Taj Mahal, and Richard Street formerly of the Temptations. Mr. Forsythe's four octave vocal range ignites the product you are about to listen to; ONYX1featuring TERRENCE FORSYTHE, RIGHT NOW.
Pre release test marketing of this product indicates that it fits well into the Urban adult contemporary and smooth jazz formats. Folks dig it regardless of where it has been previewed. You will too. Not now, but RIGHT NOW!
Onyx1 are Aaron Basey, Wendell Basey and Malvin Scott. Terrence Forsythe is the featured lead singer on the Onyx1 CD 'Right Now' the members live in Union City California and Las Vegas Nevada. There sound is a cross between the Temptations and Whispers. The sound of Onyx1 resulted in their being nominated for the Soul Track International Artist of the year award for 2007. Their email address is wbasey@msn.com.
The maiden voyage of Onyx began on the now defunct Yew Record Label out of New York with the national release of 'Something your trying to hide' and 'You Never fail to Amaze Me'. Thereafter they created their own record label Nia showcasing with the releasing 'Time Take Me Back', 'Keep on Waiting' and 'Break it Loose'. Despite the success of their initial effort, Onyx decided not to pursue "the business" full time and the group disbanded.
However, In 2003, when Ubquity Records in association with Luv N' Haight Records released the Bay Area Funk compilation that included the Onyx song "Break It Loose", "Break it Loose" was also included in the Pete Rock compilation “Funk Spectrum III" on the BBE record label located in London, England. This same song was scheduled for inclusion in the soon to be released (5/2008) feature movie film "Cross Bronx", by Larry Golin in association with The Wally Don. Visit CODEBLACK ENTERTAINMENT www.codeblack.com for film awards and story.
When the founding members learned "Break it Loose" was having success thirty years later and was slated for inclusion in the various projects, the Basey brothers and Malvin realized that the dream was very much alive. They recruited Terry Forsythe. Terrence is a producer, songwriter, and Broadway performer. Terry's four octave vocal range ignites the CD: "ONYX1 featuring TERRENCE FORSYTHE, RIGHT NOW."
