By Brian Chin NYC (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:29 am:

Now, here's a record that's haunted me since my childhood: "5-10-15-20 (25-30 Years of Love)" by the Presidents, which I first heard on WWRL in New York, and couldn't believe my ears when it hit the top 40 WABC. Unearthly echoey ambience, ultra-falsetto overness, incomparable drumming and of course, that outlandish compressed bass ornament at the end!

Album sleeve says it was recorded in New York, at The Record Plant -- anyone know about the possible personnel?

By IT (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 11:30 am:

.

By AH (67.25.176.106 - 67.25.176.106) on Tuesday, August 27, 2002 - 07:30 pm:

The Presidents were Tony Boyd, Archie Powell and Billy Shorter. The group originated from Washington D. C. and later renamed themselves Anacostia after a public housing complex in the District. Powell sang with the Ascots prior to the Presidents.

By Mark Speck (65.56.222.59 - 65.56.222.59) on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 12:35 am:

Also, let's not forget Archie Powell's wonderful duet with Pat Thompson, "Darling Darling", also on the Mir-A-Don label.

I agree, "5-10-15-20" is a great tune. I also remember it from my childhood and remember seeing the group perform it on the local show Upbeat.

Best,

Mark

By John Lester (213.122.201.129 - 213.122.201.129) on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 04:08 am:

Marvin Gaye's version is on his box set..

Not one of his best I thought

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 10:14 am:

Andrew,

thanks for the explanation of what Anacostia
meant - that's puzzled me for ages.

I've a feeling their final Sussex single
was issued under the name Trilogy.

I'll have to dig out their album and give it
a listen.

By AH (64.159.100.53 - 64.159.100.53) on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 11:17 am:

The lineup for Anacostia--Tony Boyd, Tony Williams, and Ron Sinclair--was different. So they were actually a new group. Anacostia recorded for Columbia, MCA, Tabu and Roulette. Their Columbia singles included "On and Off," which I believe is the same song David Ruffin cut on Motown under Van McCoy and a remake of "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby." They also cut "All I Need" on CBS but I'm not sure its the old Temptations' song or not.

By Brian Chin NYC (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Wednesday, August 28, 2002 - 10:33 pm:

Oh, darn, thanks for all the nice responses. I was meaning, who was playing the rhythm...

By Dennis Coffey (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 05:53 pm:

Hi Everyone. My friend Charles Kipps wrote the song and produced the Presidents along with Van McCoy. He lives in NYC and works for Bill Cosby. He is a successful writer and TV producer. They also produced Aretha, David Ruffin and other artists.

Dennis Coffey

By AH (67.25.177.228 - 67.25.177.228) on Thursday, August 29, 2002 - 06:46 pm:

Kipps' "Walk Away From Love" by David Ruffin is a soul classic and one of my favorite recordings.

By David Meikle (213.122.49.23 - 213.122.49.23) on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 03:46 am:

Agreed Andrew.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Friday, August 30, 2002 - 06:13 pm:

Hi everyone. I will be talking to Charles in a few weeks and will relay your nice comments.

Dennis

By Eli (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Saturday, August 31, 2002 - 04:46 pm:

Hi Dennis!!,

Please tell Charlie hello for me.

Eli

P.S.

How is the book doing??

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 10:51 am:

Hi Eli. How are you feeling? The book is number four in rock book sales in London according to the August issue of MOJO magazine. I'll relay your messagage to Charles. I spoke to him yesterday and talked him through it while he accessed this site. He was impressed. I hope he posts some info.

Dennis

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 09:21 am:

Hi Dennis,

Great to hear the book's doing so well - it's
well deserved.

By Dennis Coffey (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Monday, September 02, 2002 - 09:13 pm:

Thanks Davie. I am just waiting for it to be released in the US.

Dennis