Full Force

Full Force rose to prominence in the mid-’80s, writing and producing popular R&B hits for Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam before embarking on a moderately successful solo career that ultimately led them back to production work. The six-man collective — featuring Paul Anthony, Bowlegged Lou, B-Fine, Baby Gerry, Shy Shy, and Curt-t-t — originated in New York City’s Brooklyn borough, where they originally met up with Steve Salem — a business-savvy individual who functioned as their manager — in the late ’70s.

In 1985 Full Force worked with Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, a dance-pop group led by a 16-year-old singer named Lisa Velez. Originally Velez had auditioned for the production team, who then went ahead and recorded “I Wonder If I Take You Home” with her, releasing the single under the moniker Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam with Full Force on indie New York label Personal.

Thanks to the momentum surrounding that hit single, Full Force signed a deal with Columbia to release their own material. They scored the following R&B hits, “Unselfish Lover”, “Alice, I Want You Just For Me!”, “All Cried Out” ,”Temporary Love Thing,” “Old Flames Never Die”, “Love Is for Suckers (Like ME and You)”, “Someone to Love Me for Me”, “All in My Mind” and “Ain’t My Type of Hype.