Forgotten Treasure: Kleeer “Tonight” (1984)

Kleeer is easily one of my favorite Boogie bands of all time, and I say this without hesitation; they’re up there with S.O.S. Band andImagination in my books, absolute classic 80’s Boogie. To me, Kleeer is a name that is all too familiar, however I get the impression that this group has been severely overlooked as a source of gold and Funky goodness and sadly remains forgotten.

Kleeer was a Disco Boogie/post-Disco band based out of New York, and from 1979 to 1985 they produced and released 7 albums. There are at least 2 to 3 great tracks on each album, so I do recommend becoming acquainted with them if you’re into Disco. Their band had originally formed in 1972 but they changed their name frequently until 1978, finally becoming Kleeer. On a few of their albums, you’ll hear the soulful Luther Vandross and on their last 2 albums you’ll hear the production and deadly synth skill set of Eumir Deodato, another sick Disco producer and arranger from the 70’s.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Tonight; hands down easy pick. I could yammer on and on about how much I love this song, but I’ll spare you my Disco cheese. Tonight is a gem and fuses together my love for Boogie, R&B, 80’s synthesizers and instrumental hip hop and will get your body moving at 105 bpm. It’s got one cheesy sexy straight up verse that plays on a loop to a simple beat, and I sincerely couldn’t ask for more in a slow jam, it’s perfect.
(And so is the album art!)

Kleeer “Intimate Connection” Atlantic Records (1984)

Norman Durham – Bass, Synthesizer, Electric Piano, Vocoder, Vocals
Woody Cunningham – Lead and Backing Vocals
Paul Crutchfield – Lead and Backing Vocals
Richard Lee – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocal
Kris Kellow – Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano, Synthesizer
Eumir Deodato – Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Vocoder
Clifford Adams – Trombone
Michael Ray – Trumpet
Steven Greenfield – Tenor and Alto Saxophone
Debbie Cole, Diane Garisto – Backing Vocals

Suggested Kleeer Tracks:

You Got Me Rockin’
Take Your Heart Away
Taste The Music
Keep Your Body Workin’
Stonesee
Get Touch
Intimate Connection

Devon Eve

Montrealer, born and raised, Devon Eve is a disco boogie junkie with much love for the golden era of dance music.