The Edge of Daybreak
The Edge of Daybreak is an American soul/funk band formed in Virginia in the late 1970s. The band released a single album, Eyes of Love, in 1979.[1][2][3]
History[edit]
Band members Jamal Jaha Nubi, James Carrington, Cornelius Cade, Harry Coleman, McEvoy Robinson (who had previously played with Otis Redding[2]), Willie Williams, and others[4] met and started playing music together while incarcerated at Powhatan Correctional Center in the late 1970s.[1]
Milton Hogue, a friend of Carrington's and the owner of Bohannon's record shop in Richmond, Virginia, took an interest in recording the band after hearing some of their music.[2][5] On September 14 1979, the band recorded 8 original songs live at Powhatan, in a single take, over the course of 5 hours.[1][2] The resulting album, titled Eyes of Love, was released later in 1979.[1] It was recorded on a budget of $3000,[4] and only 1000 copies were pressed.[1] The album received some local attention and radio airplay in the Richmond area,[2] but remained relatively obscure[4] until it was reissued in 2015.[2][4]
Within a year of recording Eyes of Love, some members of the band were moved to other facilities, effectively leading to the demise of the band.[4]
A short documentary about the band, entitled Edge of Daybreak: The Real Jailhouse Rock, was created by filmmaker Alix Lambert and published in The Atlantic.[3][5]
Discography[edit]
Albums[edit]
- Eyes of Love (1979)
Members[edit]
- Jamal Jaha Nubi (lead vocals, drums)
- James Carrington (keyboards)
- Cornelius Cade (guitar)
- Harry Coleman (additional vocals, percussion[2])
- McEvoy Robinson (bass)
- Willie Williams (percussion)[1][4]
According to some sources there were 10 members in total.[4]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d e f "The Edge of Daybreak: Eyes of Love". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Prison Soul: The Edge of Daybreak Recorded Their 1979 Album Behind Bars in One Take". www.vice.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ a b "Edge of Daybreak: Prison Soul Record Documentary - The Atlantic". www.theatlantic.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
- ^ a b c d e f g Moore, Marcus J. (2015-10-16). "'Eyes of Love,' an album of sweet '70s soul recorded behind bars, resurfaces". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2023-03-08.
- ^ a b Edge of Daybreak: The Real Jailhouse Rock, retrieved 2023-03-08