By Eli (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Saturday, September 07, 2002 - 08:07 pm:

I spoke to my old friend Allison Hobbs- Johnson from the Philly group Brown Sugar who recorded the hit "The Game is Over" on Capitol.
The other group members were Karen Dempsey and the late Phyllis Nelson who recorded Move Closer and I Like You for the Carrere label.
She is doing well and has a book coming out called Pandoras Box. It is a very sexy novel and not to be missed.
Check out her web site at www.allisonhobbs.com

By Eli (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 01:56 am:

Pick up the Vince Montana comp entitled Ear Candy.
The Game Is Over and the flip side both appear on it in all it's full digital glory!!
BTW brown Sugar were one of thebest female acts out there and truly under appreciated
I have worked with them in their formative years
and have ben mesmerized by their collective and individual talents.

Eli

By Davie G (213.251.162.249 - 213.251.162.249) on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 09:52 am:

Hi Bobby,

I don't suppose being confused with the Clydie
King group could have helped their career much.

I haven't heard "The Game Is Over" but I'll keep
an eye out for the comp. CD

By Brian Chin NYC (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 10:27 am:

Hi Bobby --

Hey, it's been forever since we last spoke, I think I might have been working at Profile Records at the time. I'm so glad that you've gotten through the last months okay.

You know, I've tried over the last several years to get Brown Sugar onto some legitimate compilation on EMI, as we all know, there's a million random reasons why things turn up or don't. I should e-mail the Stateside folks in the UK and make sure they get around to both those songs.

Bobby, I'd love to know if you have a wishlist of things you've written that should be reissued -- and thereby lead to samples, covers or commercials. You know that Nile Rodgers and Vince Montana made a mint from publishing on these sampled filtered-disco records.

Best regards and stay well, Brian

By Eli (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 10:29 am:

The song is supposed to be back in circulation via a new comp out of Italy and we were told that it is being revitalized via some decent club play.

Eli

By Mark Speck (64.156.67.221 - 64.156.67.221) on Sunday, September 08, 2002 - 07:25 pm:

"The Game is Over" is available on one of Goldmine's comps of Modern Soul, can't remember which volume.

Best,

Mark

By Flynny (213.122.202.64 - 213.122.202.64) on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 02:04 pm:

The Italian CD which has recently come out featuring TGIO is called, "Living for the weekend"...thoroughly recommend it... http://www.lapellenera.com.html

Would like to see a decent Capitol compilation one day, too.

By FRANCIS T. (195.92.168.165 - 195.92.168.165) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 04:31 pm:

The Living for the Weekend C.d to be released in the U.K week beginning 16th september.I can not remember the label but its a major.

regards Francis

By A. FAN (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 04:38 pm:

I am waiting with baited breath for the members of Brown Sugar to post on this thread!!!
One of them posted on the Eli thread but we need to see them right here, right now. HELLO.
I have been a fan of their music and I have always wondered where they could be.
I do believe that they are from Philadelphia.

By Eli (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 04:50 pm:

Hi Brian,

Yes it has been a long time. First of all I am feeling great and back to normal again.
Regarding my old songs, I am in the process of putting together a cd comp. of a lot of my stuff and by the looks of things it may have to be a 2 cd set!! I am having fun doing it and there are a lot of unreleased ditties included as well such as three Jimmy Ruffin tracks, some Sons of Robinstone, Locksmith, Joneses, Tymes, and the list goes on. By the way Shaggy did an interpolation of Just Dont Want To Be Lonely on his big Hot Shot cd under the title Lonely Lover.
Get in touch me at phillysoulman@aol.com
or 215-266-1060.

Peace and prospreity,

Bobby Eli

By Brown Sugar (151.197.228.207 - 151.197.228.207) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 04:51 pm:

Hi A Fan!

My name is Karen Dempsey and I'm one of the original members of Brown Sugar along with Allison Hobbs and Phyllis Nelson (deceased). We are, indeed, from Philadelphia, PA and were part of the Philly Sound Era. Allison and I have remained best friends and we were very surprised and delighted to learn that people remembered us and were still listening to our record. It's truly amazing and we are deeply touched by the interest in our music. Thank you soooo much! You just can't imagine how happy you have made us.

Luv ya much
Karen

By A. FAN (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 05:02 pm:

Thank you so much Miss Dempsey!! I am tickled brown that you have responded so quickly to my post and I am happy to know that you and Miss Hobbs are the best of friends.In the world today with groups like Destiny's Child (sic)and 3LW and countless others, there is so much jealousy and cattiness that it sickens me. So it is good to know that your group have remained friends through thick and this.
I am saddened by the passing of Phyllis as her song Move Closer has been special to me.

Thank you for the great music which you have made and I always wanted to hear more of it.

Sincerely,

A. FAN

By Eli (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Tuesday, September 10, 2002 - 05:09 pm:

Hi Karen!!

Glad you came on under the Brown Sugar thread.
Looking forward to hooking up with you and Allison very soon.
We have some wonderful musical memories and "youse guise" have been an integral part of my early musical roots.
I am "Grateful" for you your wonderful musical talent.

Eli

By soul councillor (193.113.57.163 - 193.113.57.163) on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 06:52 pm:

Thanks Francis for the release date for Livin for the weekend I was led to blve it was 26th Aug and have started pestering Jim Stewart, who has many mentions on this site,as to where my copy is

By Allie (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 10:32 pm:

Greetings:

My name is Allison Hobbs and I too am an original member of Brown Sugar.

Last night, Karen and I went to visit Vince Montana (producer of TGIO) and we were given copies of the CD, PHILLY EAR KANDY. Vince also gave us the tracks for some dance music he's curretly working on for us.

I am delighted to finally have our dusty old 45 resurrected and given new life on various CD's.

Back in '75, we recorded our vocals for TGIO in less than 45 minutes. There were no mistakes. We had been singing together for years and for us, making music together was child's play.

Thank you for the opportunity to share on this board.

Allison Hobbs

By Eli (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 11:42 pm:

Hi Allie,

I could not have said it better myself!!
It's something how the cycle goes around and in the words of K.G. himself,"Only The Strong Survive"

Eli...from back in the day!!

By Mark Speck (64.156.67.187 - 64.156.67.187) on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 12:53 am:

I'm just curious...had Allie and Karen recorded anything prior to the Brown Sugar record?

Best,

Mark

By Eli (205.188.208.135 - 205.188.208.135) on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 12:22 pm:

They, along with the late Phyllis Nelson were part of the Major Harris aggregation.
They toured extensively with him during his hit period. Prior to this they worked on a lot of things with ol' Eli here mostly in thedemo stage including a version of Grateful later to berecorded by Blue Magic.
They were a very versatile group and you should have heard them do "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" Truly exceptional, indeed.

Eli

By Brown Sugar (151.197.233.187 - 151.197.233.187) on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 01:47 pm:

Hi Mark,

This is Karen. Yes we did make other recordings, but they were made after TGIO and, unfortunately were not released. We were signed with Tom Bell of Philly International Records under the name of "Thunder" prior to our Brown Sugar incarnation. We were on the company's roster for quite a while, but other artists(Dionne Warwick, Stylistics, Johnnie Mathis, etc.)of course, took precedence over getting us into the studio. We grew impatient and disheartened, left the company and began our journey as Brown Sugar.

After TGIO, we recorded an album for Capitol which the Moments produced. The album was recorded in Sylvia's (of Pillow Talk fame) studio. One song got some airplay, but the album was not released. Then in the 80's, we reunited with Phyllis Nelson, renamed the group "Spyce" and recorded "Smooth Talker" with producer Nicky Martinelli. This too was unreleased.

We are currently back in the studio with Vince Montana (co-writer/producer/arranger of TGIO)working on some new material.

Thanks for your interest Mark and take care,

Karen

By Brown Sugar (151.197.233.187 - 151.197.233.187) on Thursday, September 12, 2002 - 02:07 pm:

Hey Eli!

The time we spent recording demos with you was the most fun we had doing sessions. You were always so gracious and generous to us. I remember the luxurious spreads you'd have waiting for us. You really enjoyed introducing us to new and exotic beverages and cuisine. Your encouragement and friendship kept us going through some tough times and we did some of our best work with you.

The good times, friendship and music we shared are still very dear to me.

Luv ya Eli

Karen

By Eli (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Sunday, September 15, 2002 - 06:00 pm:

Thank you so much Karen for your kind and wonderful words. It really touched me deep down inside.
You young ladies were special and extremely talented and it brought out that little extra something in me that contributed to the magicthat permeated the air.
During that time in our lives, the Philly Sound was just coming into it's own and the vibe was electric in every part of town( including down by the airport!!) I can still hear "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" echoing in my ears!!Plus I remember the little routine that you had going on.
I will forever be GRATEFUL for the experience.

P.S..... i could use one of those deviled eggs right about now!!

B. E.

By Paulie 3 shoes (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Monday, September 16, 2002 - 08:31 pm:

Paulie (over here)

I remember dose dames whens I met dem t'ru my ol' paisan Freddy Di Sipio in New Joisy in da 70's I t'ink it was . Freddy an me was in a diner having sum macaronis an in comes dese t'ree broads wit dese racks an s**t. WOWEE, morone!!
Da toid shoe got ta twitchin'.
Anyways dere was a paisan named Vince uh..
Mon...Montana who was supos to take em inna studio owned by dis udder paisan called Joe Tarsia in Philly. Anyways , I tag along an' I seen da hole t'ing, soup to nuts. Man dem babes could sing and old Paulie (over here) was pleased
and I went an' treated evrybody to Chinese food after da session!!
Paulie ( over here)

By allie (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 09:02 pm:

Paulie: Your making me smile. But, I truly don't recall being treated to Chinese food after the session. I could be wrong because it was a very long time ago, but I don't even recall Fred DiSipio being present during the recording of our vocals. I have a vivid memory of Karen, Phyllis, and I leaving Sigma together very pleased with our work and envisioning a bright future in the recording industry. Thanks for the compliments. I'll have to ask Karen if she remembers being treated to Chinese Food.

Allison Hobbs
www.allisonhobbs.com

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Friday, September 20, 2002 - 09:48 pm:

Allison,
First let me say how honored we are to have you here on the forum.Your presence here is so very much appeciated and you will add to the wonder of Soulful Detroit.
Secondly...regarding Bobby's memory. When it comes to matters associated with the Philly Sound you are pretty much assured that he knows what he's talking about. Hope you enjoyed the Chinese food that long ago night.

By Allie (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 08:16 pm:

Hi Ralph:

Yes, Bobbi does have a mind like computer. However, I insist that neither Fred DiSipio nor Bobbi Eli was present during our vocals (speak up ELI, tell the man the truth). In fact, when we left Sigma, Vince was busy working with Don Renaldo and his strings. I also have a vague memory of Bunny Sigler milling about. There was no celebratory meal in China Town.

Bobbi has treated Brown Sugar to many meals (he introduced us to Sushi) but Bobbi was an in- demand hot producer and studio musician in 1975 and he was certainly not hanging around Sigma listening to the work of three nubies called Brown Sugar.

Okay,Eli...fess up!
Allison Hobbs

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Saturday, September 21, 2002 - 09:34 pm:

OH OH!
Hey Bobby...I think you might have met your match in the memory department.Allison seems pretty adament and I think she knows what she's talking about. Maybe you should send Paulie 3 Shoes to talk to her. Thanks for the up-date Allie. Be nice to Paulie now.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Tuesday, October 08, 2002 - 04:09 pm:

I have recently taken delivery of the double album 'Montana/Heavy Vibes' which includes a nice Brown Sugar track called 'I'm going through changes', recorded in 1974. Quite a good compilation of Vince Montana's work, with whom I have much respect for. Don't you just love those mid seventies brass arrangements? There is a mention of Bobby Eli and one of the great bass players hardly mentioned these days, Michael 'Sugarbear' Foreman. Brown Sugar sound great, as to be expected.

By Paulie 3 shoes (64.12.96.230 - 64.12.96.230) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 08:22 am:

Its Paulie (over here)

Cum ta tink of it, it was Italian food. Morrone
I screwed up. It was a pot of macaronis and sum gravy jus like mama use ta make for da guise at the clubhouse
in sout' phillie ove dere.
Paulie mus have a case of 24 hour alz...altz.. oldtimers... its been 22 hours now sos i got two to go an s**t
ah fongool I can't pernounce it alzboiners or sumtin like dat where da brain goes nuts an s**t
Sorry Allie I am getin' old (over here and dere too)

By thecount (64.53.165.90 - 64.53.165.90) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 01:12 pm:

Hey Pauli,kiesadiech whyo.Ina seta dah podray,spirdeah santuse,santuse,santuse,all you wops ah get offa dah lawn,Hey cumba,comea over here,Iama takea you to "VISTA MARIA".Itsa gooda place to cure your illsa.It'sa like ah pasta fazool,right through the holy fenca.It'sa all ah good girl ting.I'ama have ah "COUPAGOUL ANDAH PROVALONE now,and den I'ama go to dis ah VISTA MARIA for ah desert. AURE-VADELSH. "COUNT"
p.s.disa FRANK NITTI besta church.

By Anna Marie Gobbagool (152.163.189.167 - 152.163.189.167) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 05:11 pm:

Hey Paulie,

I been followin da forum an I kinda like ya an wat yis hav ta say(over here)
I dont believe in meetin peeple on da net but I gotta meet ya sumtimes an share a pot of gravy, ya know wot I mean!??
By da way , why yagot only t'ree shoes, huh!??

Anna Marie G.

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 07:26 pm:

Bobby,
Anna Marie rules!!!

By Ralph (209.240.198.62 - 209.240.198.62) on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 07:29 pm:

P.S. Bobby,
Can you fix me up with her?? After all you always refered to me as one of the Gobagool
Twins. We might have something in common...like genes!