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Slave

Slave – Overview

  • Origin: Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A.

  • Formed: 1975

  • Genre: Funk, R&B

  • Initial Line-Up: Formed by Steve Washington from local bands The Young Mystics and Black Satin Soul.

Key Members (Original & Notable Contributors)

Founding/Original Members:

  • Steve Washington – Trumpet, percussion, vocals

  • Floyd Miller – Vocals, horns, percussion

  • Tom Lockett Jr. – Sax, keyboards

  • Mark L. Adams (The Hansolor) – Bass, vocals (d. March 5, 2011)

  • Mark Hicks (Drac) – Lead guitar, vocals (d. June 14, 2011)

  • Danny Webster – Lead vocals/guitar (d. September 11, 2020)

  • Orion Wilhoite (Bimmy) – Saxophone (d. March 7, 2020)

  • Tim Dozier (Tiny) – Drums

  • Carter Bradley – Keyboards

Later Key Members:

  • Steve Arrington – Drums, vocals (joined 1978)

  • Curt Jones – Vocals

  • Starleana Young – Vocals

  • Others: Raye Turner, Kenny Anderson, Kenni Hairston, Larry Houston, Eugene Jackson, Charles Cedell Carter, and more

Albums & Highlights

1977–1981: Cotillion Records Era

  • 1977 – Slave: Featured hits Slide, You and Me

  • 1977 – The Hardness of the World: Included The Party Song, Baby Sinister

  • 1978 – The Concept: Known for Stellar Funk

  • 1979 – Just a Touch of Love: Title track hit UK charts

  • 1980 – Stone Jam: Featured Watching You

  • 1981 – Showtime: Included Wait for Me, Steal Your Heart, Party Lites

1982–1984

  • 1982 – Visions of the Lite: Featured I’ll Be Gone

  • 1983 – Bad Enuff: Included Steppin’ Out

  • 1984 – New Plateau: Notable tracks Ooohh, Motorway

Ichiban Label Era (1985–1992)

  • 1985 – Unchained at Last: Included Jazzy Lady

  • 1986 – Make Believe

  • 1988 – Slave 88

  • 1990 – Rebirth: Notable for instrumental Andy’s Ways

  • 1992 – The Funk Strikes Back

Later Releases

  • 1996 – Masters of the Fungk: Reworkings and new material

Legacy and Deaths of Members

  • Mark Adams – Died March 5, 2011

  • Mark Hicks (Drac) – Died June 14, 2011

  • Orion Wilhoite (Bimmy) – Died March 7, 2020

  • Danny Webster – Died September 11, 2020

Side Projects

  • Steve Arrington, Starleana Young, and Tom Lockett left to form Aurra, which later became Deja.

  • Steve Arrington also pursued a solo career, including the 2009 release Pure Thang.