James D TRAIN Williams "IN YOUR EYES" LP NM/VG+ 1988 Funk, Soul, Boogie

Description: D Train Biography by Andy Kellman D Train, an innovative post-disco duo that consisted of James "D-Train" Williams (vocals) and Hubert Eaves III (keyboards, bass, drums, arrangements, productions), recorded a clutch of electrified dance/R&B classics in the early '80s. From the release of their first single onward, Williams' voice was instantly recognizable for its power-packed, uplifting nature. Eaves' instrumental backing and production were extremely complementary to Williams' deliveries, punching out bold, intricate arrangements that were often livened up for the dancefloor by remixer extraordinaire Francois Kevorkian. Williams and Eaves met in Brooklyn, New York. Shortly after the '70s gave way to the '80s -- long after the latter had established himself as a crucial jazz and R&B session musician, often as an associate of James Mtume -- they began recording together, using Williams' nickname (earned from his prowess on the football field) as their recording alias. They signed a contract with Prelude and released their first single, the brilliant "You're the One for Me," by the end of 1981. The song hit number one on the dance chart in early 1982 and kept that position for three weeks. Their somewhat spotty debut album followed later that year and included another spectacular track, the spirited "Keep On." Music Music, D Train's second album, followed in 1983 and was supported with another batch of singles: "Keep Giving Me Love," "Are You Ready for Me," and Top 40 U.K. hit "Music" among them. Something's on Your Mind, the third and final album from the duo, spawned a Top Five R&B chart hit in the form of the title track. A couple of other singles from the album didn't do as well, but the group bowed out in fine fashion. They could've milked the sound of "You're the One for Me" for a long time, but they kept moving ahead and did the unexpected by incorporating elements inspired from other music forms. A list of covers they recorded -- Carole King's "So Far Away," Bacharach/David's "Walk On By," Mandel/Webster's "The Shadow of Your Smile" -- hardly indicate the scope. Williams and Eaves quit recording as D Train in 1985. Eaves' accomplishments did not go unnoticed, as he continued working with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Luther Vandross. Williams continued as a solo artist and notched three R&B chart hits during the latter half of the '80s. He also lent background vocals to several records throughout the following decade. In Your Eyes Review by Alex Henderson Some R&B historians have blamed technology for the fact that there were so many forgettable R&B recordings in the mid- to late '80s, but technology per se wasn't the problem. It was a question of what artists chose to do with all those synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines, not the very fact that they were using them. One of the artists who helped usher in the synth-funk era, James "D-Train" Williams wasn't shy about embracing technology. But the Brooklynite was a soul singer at heart, and no matter how high-tech he became, Williams provided synth-funk recordings that were warm, soulful, and inviting rather than sterile or mechanical. His high standards are very much in evidence on In Your Eyes, which was his second (and last) album for Columbia and was the second time he was billed as James "D-Train" Williams the solo artist rather than as half of the duo D-Train. But Hubert Eaves III, the duo's other half, isn't exactly absent from this 1988 effort; in addition to handling most of the keyboards, synthesizers, and drum machines, Eaves co-wrote most of the material -- and that includes energetic synth-funk grooves such as "With All My Heart," "Diamond in the Night," the haunting "Runner," and the title track (a number 11 R&B hit and the album's only single). Uptempo songs dominate the album, but Williams detours into quiet storm territory with the ballads "Shadow of Another Love," "Curious," and "My Friend." Unfortunately, Columbia considered In Your Eyes a commercial disappointment; even though the title track almost made the Top Ten on Billboard's R&B singles chart, the album itself only reached number 46 on Billboard's R&B albums chart. And in 1989, Columbia dropped Williams. But thankfully, In Your Eyes returned to print in 2011, when Funky Town Grooves reissued the album as a 70-minute CD and added four bonus tracks (including dub mixes of "Runner" and the title song). In Your Eyes is less essential than Williams' best Prelude output of the early '80s, but it's a solid effort and reminds us that creatively, Williams was a cut above most of his synth-funk competition. James D-Train Williams* – In Your Eyes James "D-Train" Williams - In Your Eyes album cover More images Label:Columbia – BFC 40914, Columbia – C 40914, Columbia – 40914 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Country:US Released:1988 Genre:Funk / Soul Style:Soul, Funk, Disco A1In Your Eyes Backing Vocals – B.J. Nelson, Genobia Jeter, Lisa Fischer Electric Bass – Hubert Eaves III Mixed By – Bob Brockman* Mixed By [Assistant] – Mike Bono Written-By – H. Eaves III*, H. Eaves IV*, J. Williams* 6:10 A2Order In The House Guitar – Philip Hamilton* Mixed By – Francois Kevorkian* Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 4:54 A3With All My Heart Backing Vocals – Curtis King, Lisa Fischer Electric Bass – Hubert Eaves III Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – Philip Hamilton* Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 5:02 A4If You Know What I Know Arranged By [Rhythm Track Arrangement], Keyboards – Paul Johnson (34) Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Johnny Hodges (2) Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Written-By – J. Hodges*, P. Johnson* 4:30 A5Shadow Of Another Love Backing Vocals – Cindy Mizell*, Curtis King, Lisa Fischer Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – Doc Powell Sounds [Drum Fills] – Frank Diorio Written-By – J. Williams* 4:13 B1Runner Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – James "D-Train" Williams Written-By – H. Eaves III*, M. Jaye* 5:05 B2Curious Alto Saxophone – Lenny Pickett Backing Vocals – Audrey Wheeler, Cindy Mizell*, Wilfred Downing* Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – Doc Powell Written-By – D. Eaves*, H. Eaves III* 4:36 B3Child Of Love Backing Vocals – Audrey Wheeler, Cindy Mizell*, Wilfred Downing* Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – Doc Powell Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 4:10 B4Diamond In The Night Backing Vocals – Audrey Wheeler, Cindy Mizell*, Wilfred Downing* Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Sounds [Drum Fills], Percussion – Hubert Eaves III Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 4:14 B5My Friend Engineer – Peter Diorio* Engineer [Assistant] – Bill DeMarco (3), Darren Manigault Guitar – James "D-Train" Williams Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 3:13 B6Smile Backing Vocals – Norma Jean Wright Guitar – Ed "Tree" Moore* Mixed By – Bob Brockman* Mixed By [Assistant] – Mike Bono Written-By – H. Eaves III*, J. Williams* 4:15 Copyright © – CBS Records Inc. Recorded At – Sound Lab Studios Mixed At – Sound Lab Studios Mixed At – The Music Palace Mastered At – Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records Inc. Produced For – Keep On Productions Inc. Manufactured By – Columbia Records Manufactured By – CBS Records Inc. Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA Lacquer Cut At – Frankford/Wayne Mastering Labs Art Direction – Josephine DiDonato Executive-Producer – Tom Hoover Keyboards [All], Drum Programming, Arranged By [Horns] – Hubert Eaves III Lacquer Cut By – Herbie* Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Programmed By [Additional Keyboard Programming] – James "D-Train" Williams Management – Sandjatom Inc. Management [Manager] – Tom Hoover Mastered By – Herb Powers* Photography By – Hans Neleman Producer, Arranged By – Hubert Eaves III, James "D-Train" Williams Sounds [Additional Synth Sounds] – Peter Freeman (2) Barcode (Text): 0 7464-40914-1 Rights Society: BMI Matrix / Runout (Label side A): AL 40914 Matrix / Runout (Label side B): BL 40914 Matrix / Runout (Etched on A side, runout): AL-40914-C1 G1 F/W Herbie In :^) Matrix / Runout (Etched on B side, runout): BL-40914 C3 G1 F/W Pressing Plant ID: G1 GOLDMINE GRADING MINT ---- It should appear to be perfect. No scuffs or scratches, blotches or stains, labels or writing, tears or splits. Mint means perfect. NEAR MINT ---- Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident: slight ring-wear, minor denting to a corner, or writing on the cover should all be noted properly. VERY GOOD PLUS ---- The record has been handled and played infrequently or very carefully. Not too far from perfect. On a disc, there may be light paper scuffs from sliding in and out of a sleeve or the vinyl or some of the original luster may be lost. A slight scratch that did not affect play would be acceptably VG+ for most collectors. VERY GOOD ---- Record displays visible signs of handling and playing, such as loss of vinyl luster, light surface scratches, groove wear and spindle trails. Some audible surface noise, but should not overwhelm the musical experience. Usually a cover is VG when one or two of these problems are evident: ring wear, seam splits, bent corners, loss of gloss, stains, etc. GOOD ---- Well played with little luster and significant surface noise. Despite defects, record should still play all the way through without skipping. Several cover flaws will be apparent, but should not obliterate the artwork. POOR ---- Any record or cover that does not qualify for the above "Good" grading should be seen as Poor. Several cover flaws.

Price: 9.99 USD

Location: Saginaw, Michigan

End Time: 2025-01-06T23:37:25.000Z

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