Total Contrast Explained

Total Contrast
Background:group_or_band
Origin:London, England
Genre:Funk, electro, soul
Years Active:1983–1989
Instrument:Vocals (Robin Achampong)
Keyboards, bass, drums (Delroy Murray)
Label:London Records, Virgin Records, Criminal Records
Past Members:Robin Achampong
Delroy Murray

Total Contrast were a male musical duo from England, specialising in soul and electro music. They are well known for their 1985 hit "Takes a Little Time", which made No. 1 on the US dance chart and No. 17 in the UK. The group formed in 1983 consisting of members Robin Achampong and Delroy Murray.[1]

Biography

In the mid-1980s, they scored several hits on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, including "Takes a Little Time", which hit No. 1 in 1985. In their homeland, the same song reached No. 17 on the UK Singles Chart.[1] Further releases in the UK included "Hit and Run", a minor hit which reached No. 41 in 1985, "The River" which peaked at No. 44 in early 1986, and "What You Gonna Do About It" peaking at No. 63 in the summer of 1986.[1] The latter track was also featured on the band's self-titled album.

They appeared on the Dance Aid single, released in April 1987. Another album, Beat to Beat, was released in 1987. Two singles, "Kiss" and "Jody", despite being popular on the dance floors, were only minor chart hits. The same happened to their 1988 cover version of Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain".

Achampong and Murray formed the group Tongue 'n' Cheek in 1987.

Total Contrast found popularity with 1980s revivalists, in particular the Canadian duo Chromeo, who included "Takes a Little Time" on their 2005 album, Chromeo Presents Un Joli Mix Pour Toi.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumLabelUK
1985Total Contrast London Recordsalign=center 67
1987Beat to Beatalign=center

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positions
US Dance
US R&B
[2] [3]
UK
[4]
1983"Be with You Tonight" align=center align=center align=center
1984"Next Time I'll Know Better" / "Sunshine" align=center align=center align=center
"The Apple of My Eye" (with Carroll Thompson)align=center align=center align=center
1985"Hit and Run" align=center align=center align=center 41
"Takes a Little Time" align=center 1align=center 80align=center 17
"The River" align=center 7align=center 88align=center 44
1986"What You Gonna Do About It" align=center 42align=center 64align=center 63
1987"Jody" align=center align=center align=center 90
"Kiss" align=center 26align=center 55align=center 80
1988"Waiting in Vain" align=center align=center align=center 90
1989"Love Fever" (with Tongue 'n' Cheek)align=center align=center align=center
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Roberts, David. 2006. British Hit Singles & Albums. 19th. Guinness World Records Limited. London. 1-904994-10-5. 562.
  2. Web site: Total Contrast Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography. Music VF. 16 May 2020.
  3. Total Contrast - Chart History: Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Billboard. October 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190428172740/https://www.billboard.com/music/total-contrast/. April 28, 2019.
  4. Web site: TOTAL CONTRAST - full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. 1 March 2020.