On the Rise is the fourth album by the R&B band the S.O.S. Band, released by Tabu Records on July 1, 1983.
Critical reception Marcia Smith of the Boston Globe claimed, "Smooth production, dynamic vocals and strong dance rhythms characterize this album...All in all, good danceable rhythm blues."
Amy Hanson of Allmusic with praise wrote, "Hip, slick, and full of dance tricks, the band infused On the Rise with enough '80s synth sounds to break through in the clubs, while keeping their funk roots intact. Energized throughout, the set hardly slows down for a moment...On the Rise is the sound of a band finding their feet again -- and knowing what to do with them once they'd found them."
History The album peaked at No. 7 on the R&B albums chart. It also reached #47 on the Billboard 200. The album yielded two Billboard R&B Top Ten singles, "Just Be Good to Me" and "Tell Me If You Still Care", each peaking at No. 2 and No. 5. Both singles also charted on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 55 and No. 65. "Just Be Good to Me" also peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Dance Club Play chart and No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. The third single, "For Your Love", also charted on the R&B chart, reaching No. 34. The album also includes a cover of Johnnie Taylor's 1968 hit song, "Who's Making Love".
On the Rise was produced by Gene Dozier, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.The album was digitally remastered and reissued on CD with bonus tracks in 2013 by Demon Music Group.
Track listing
Personnel The S.O.S. Band Jason Bryant – keyboards, vocals Mary Davis – lead vocals Billy Ellis – saxophone Willie "Sonny" Killebrew – saxophone, flute Abdul Ra'oof – trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion, lead vocals John A. Simpson III – bass Bruno Speight – guitar Jerome "J.T." Thomas – drums, percussion
Production Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Gene Dozier, The S.O.S. Band – producers, arrangers Clarence Avant – executive producer Tina Stephans – A&R coordinator Ron Cristopher, Bob Brown, Sabrina Buchanek, Judy Clapp, Taavi Mote – engineers Steve Hodge – engineer, mixing engineer Brian Gardner – mastering Bunnie Jackson Ransom – management Ezra Tucker – cover illustration Ford Smith – back cover photo
Charts Chart (1983)PeakU.S. Billboard Top LPs & Tape47U.S. Billboard Top Black Albums7
Singles Year Single Peak chart positions US USR&B USDan UK1983 "Just Be Good to Me" 55 2 3 13 "Tell Me If You Still Care" 65 5 — 811984 "For Your Love" — 34 26 —
References
External links On the Rise at Discogs