Universal Robot Band

Yet another member of the underground disco family overseen by Patrick Adams and Greg Carmichael, Universal Robot Band cut a pair of full-length albums in the late '70s (both for Carmichael's Red Greg label) and re-emerged in the '80s, most notably for the classic 1982 boogie cut "Barely Breaking Even." URB's debut release was the "Dance and Shake Your Tambourine" single, a mid-tempo groove with a number of female background vocalists highlighted by the wild, indelible synth work of Adams. In 1977, the single became the title track of URB's first LP, which included a jokey rendition of The Flintstones' theme and a great track penned by Kleeer's Woody Cunningham ("You're My Music"). Freak in the Light of the Moon, the second and final LP, followed in 1978. "Disco Trek" followed in the footsteps of "Flintstone Disco" as a bit of a novelty jam, this time putting a dancefloor spin on the Star Trek theme. A small number of URB recordings were scattered during the '80s, after most of the group's touring members defected to form Kleeer. "Let's Get This Thing Together," recorded with Debbie Hayes, was issued in 1980. And in 1982, the Caliber label funded the spectacular "Barely Breaking Even" single, a lengthy slice of boogie featuring one of LeRoy Burgess' finest lead vocal turns. Unidisc has kept both URB LPs in print throughout the years, and several rare groove and disco compilations have kept their legacy alive as well.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo