D Train (group)
| Company type | Musical duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Founder | James D-Train Williams, Hubert Eaves III |
| Defunct | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
D Train was a U.S.-based duo known for charting hits on the Billboard Dance and R&B charts throughout the early 1980s.[1] Additionally, three of their singles secured positions within the UK top 30.[2]
Career
This duo united the vocal and songwriting abilities of James D-Train Williams with the keyboard expertise of Hubert Eaves III, who was responsible for the instrumental arrangements.[1] Both artists hailed from Brooklyn, New York. Williams also held a role as an R&B-dance producer. Their initial acquaintance occurred during high school, and they reconnected professionally in the 1980s after Eaves' stint with the R&B ensemble Mtume. The moniker D-Train originated from Williams’ high school nickname.[3]
Their first single, "You're the One for Me" (1981), reached number one on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart and was subject to multiple remixes and reissues; in the UK, it was also covered by Paul Hardcastle featuring Kevin Henry.[1] Early in 1982, they released their self-titled debut album, which included further dance and R&B charting tracks such as "Keep On" (peaking at No. 2 on Dance charts) and a rendition of "Walk On By," influenced by Isaac Hayes’ interpretation.
In 1983, D Train followed up with Music, whose title track became another prominent dance hit approaching the success of their initial release. Other singles from this album achieved moderate positions on various charts.[1]
Their sole appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 occurred in 1984 with "Something's on Your Mind," which reached No. 79; this track also ascended into the R&B top five, marking their most significant success in that genre. The album Something's on Your Mind showcased a blend of reggae influences alongside a more mature R&B sound, reflecting an evolution in style.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Williams also played acoustic guitar on their cover of Carole King's "So Far Away."
A greatest hits album titled You're the One for Me - The Very Best Of was issued in the UK in 1985,[4] followed by a U.S. release in 1986.[5][6] This compilation included a Paul Hardcastle remix of "You're the One for Me," which re-entered the UK charts. Despite this resurgence, D Train disbanded later that year.[3]
D Train as a solo artist
Following the group's breakup, D Train embarked on a solo career while continuing his partnership with Eaves as producer and instrumentalist. In 1986, he introduced his solo debut album, Miracles of the Heart, which featured the R&B top ten hit "Misunderstanding." The subsequent single, "Oh, How I Love You, Girl," also enjoyed success within the R&B domain.
His sophomore effort, In Your Eyes (1988), presented its title track that narrowly missed entering the R&B top ten, accompanied by an additional single release.
Legacy
The catalog of D Train’s albums was reissued on CD by Unidisc Music, a company that acquired Prelude Records along with other New York-based dance labels during the 1990s.
The song "You're the One for Me" has been remixed by notable figures such as Larry Levan and Shep Pettibone and sampled by DJ Kue in his 2006 track "I Got Love." Furthermore, it is featured in The Prodigy's "Girls" from their album Always Outnumbered Never Outgunned.
D Train lent his vocals to the official soundtrack of the Pokémon anime’s "Pokérap," included on 2BA Master. In 1999, he provided background vocals for Michael McDonald's "Eyes of a Child," part of South Park Bigger Longer & Uncut.
Between 2001 and 2008, Williams worked as a DJ for Heart & Soul Channel 51 on Sirius Satellite Radio based in New York City. His renditions of "My Funny Valentine" and Hot Chocolate’s "You Sexy Thing" were featured on the soundtrack for the 2007 film Perfect Stranger.
Significantly, The Notorious B.I.G.'s track "Sky's the Limit" interpolates D Train's 1982 song "Keep On." Additionally, rapper Yo-Yo sampled "Something's on Your Mind," featuring Gerald LeVert, on her 1998 single "Iz It Still All Good."
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Record Label | Format | Highest Chart Rankings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | UK | ||||
| 1982 | You're the One for Me | Prelude, Unidisc Records | LP, CD | 128 | 16 | 72 |
| 1983 | Music | — | 31 | — | ||
| 1984 | Something's on Your Mind | — | — | — | ||
| "—" indicates albums that did not chart or were not issued in that region. | ||||||
Compilation albums
- You're the One for Me (The Very Best Of) (1985)
- The Best of "D" Train (1986, 1990)
- The Best of the 12" Mixes (1992)
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Highest Chart Positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Dance | US R&B | US Pop | UK | ||||
| 1981 | "You're the One for Me" | 1 | 13 | ― | 30 | You're the One for Me | |
| 1982 | "Keep On" | 2 | 15 | ― | ― | ||
| "Walk on By" | 45 | 42 | ― | 44 | |||
| "D" Train's Theme" | ― | ― | ― | ||||
| 1983 | "Music" | 12 | 20 | ― | 23 | Music | |
| "Keep Giving Me Love" | 24 | 55 | ― | 65 | |||
See also
- List of Billboard number-one dance club songs
- List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
External links
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