Anglo-Saxon Brown

Philly soul combo Anglo-Saxon Brown began their career in Richmond, Virginia under the name Ujima, formed in 1972 by bassist and frontman Carlton Robinson, guitarists Clemente Burneette and Anthony Ingram, keyboardist Dwight Smith, saxophonist Charles Manns, trumpeter Alvin Brown, and drummer Clemente Burneette. Ujima itself evolved from the late-'60s Richmond soul outfit Stacy Henry and the Majestics, who cut a series of singles for the Flippin' label; following the 1973 addition of vocalist Debra Henry, Ujima signed to Epic and issued a number of little-heard singles including "Hip to Your Ways," "I'm Not Ready," "A Shoulder to Lean On" and "Somebody Tell That Girl That I'm Gone." Inspired in part by the success of fellow Richmond native Major Harris, who, upon relocating to Philadelphia, soared to chart success as a member of the Delfonics, and as a solo act. Ujima likewise packed their bags for the City of Brotherly Love, and in 1976 rechristened themselves Anglo-Saxon Brown, with a lineup that featured Henry, Robinson, Smith, Manns, Clemente Burneette, Alvin Brown, and new drummer Tyrone Durham. Working with the writing and producing team of Joe Jefferson and Charles Simmons, Anglo-Saxon Brown recorded their lone Atlantic LP, Songs for Evolution, in 1976 -- a now highly-collectible document of mid-1970s Philly soul. The record made little impact on its original release, and the group mutated yet again, this time swapping Robinson for new bassist Melvin Watson, and adopting the name Silk. This iteration's sole LP Midnight Dancer appeared on Philadelphia International in 1979 and yielded the minor hit "I Can't Stop Turning You On." ~ Jason Ankeny