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Hi-Tension

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Hi-Tension
OriginLondon, England
GenresBrit funk[1]
Years active1971 (1971)–1984 (1984), 2014–present
LabelsIsland Records, EMI, Streetwave
MembersPaul Philips
Jeffrey Guishard
Paapa Mensah
Patrick McLean
Paul McLean
Past membersPhil Fearon
David Joseph
Ken Joseph
David Reid
Leroy Williams
Courtney Pine

Hi-Tension are a British band based in North West London, and are pioneers of Brit funk.[1] with the original line-up being Paul Philips (guitarist), Jeff Guishard (percussionist & vocalist), David Joseph (keyboard player and lead vocals), Paul McLean (lead guitar and vocals) Ken Joseph (bass player) Patrick McLean (Saxophonist & vocalist), David Reid and Paapa Mensah (both drummers)[2] and Leroy Williams. Hi-Tension originally performed as 'Hot Wax' but due to a legal technicality, they changed the band name to Hi-Tension in 1977. They had hits with the songs "Hi Tension" and "British Hustle", both were top 20 hits in the UK.

Biography

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In 1971, the group started as Hott Wax with original members being Paul Philips, Lloyd Philips, David Joseph and Ken Joseph. In 1975, Phil Fearon (later a member of the bands Galaxy and Kandidate) joined as a member of the group but had later left by 1977. After this, David Joseph recruited other members that lived in the area to join the group.[3]

In 1978 they released their first single aptly named "Hi Tension" that peaked to No. 13 in the UK Singles Chart in May 1978.[4] They then released a second single titled "British Hustle" which eclipsed their first single and peaked to No. 8 in late 1978.[4] In the same year a short film was subsequently made about British soul music called British Hustle.[1][5]

By 1981, David Reid, Patrick McLean and Paul McLean left the band. The remaining members of Hi Tension continued and secured another recording contract with EMI records. Whilst touring they recruited Courtney Pine as a session player, playing saxophone during their tour. Subsequently, Paul Philips left the band. From 1983 to 1987 David Joseph secured a solo career and accomplished two hit songs: "You Can't Hide (Your Love from Me)" and "Let's Live It Up (Nite People)".[6]

In 1984, Ken Joseph, Leroy Williams and Jeffrey Guishard remained resilient and secured a further recording contract with Streetwave Records and released the singles "Rat Race" and "You Make Me Happy" in 1984. The latter single was written, produced and arranged by David Pic Conley of the band Surface whom later released a cover version of the song under the title "Happy" for their debut album in 1986.[3]

In 2014, Paul McLean reformed Hi Tension with four original members, Paul Philips, Jeffrey Guishard, Paapa Mensah and his brother Patrick McLean to headline and perform at the Summer Soulstice Festival in Barnet, London.[3]

Discography

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Studio albums

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Year Album Label UK
[7][8]
1978 Hi-Tension Island Records 54
1983 The Joys of Life[9]
(only solo album of David Joseph) 		—

Compilation albums

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  • The Best of David Joseph & Hi-Tension (1993)

Singles

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Year Song Label UK
[7][8]
1978 "Hi Tension" Island Records 13
"British Hustle" 8
"Peace on Earth" —
"Autumn Love" / "Unspoken" —
1979 "Funktified" —
"There's a Reason" —
1981 "We've Got the Funk" EMI —
1982 "How D'you Feel" —
1984 "Rat Race" Streetwave 83
"You Make Me Happy" —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

David Joseph solo singles

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Year Song Label UK
[6]
1983 "You Can't Hide (Your Love from Me)" Island Records 13
"Let's Live It Up (Nite People)" 26
"Be a Star" 81
1984 "Joys of Life" 61
1987 "No Turning Back" 4th & Broadway 85

References

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  1. ^ a b c Petridis, Alexis (2 April 2021). "'There were pitched battles, fist fights': how Britfunk overcame racism to reinvigorate UK pop". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  2. ^ Wynn, Ron. "Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 21 March 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Hi-Tension Page". Summer Soulstice. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  4. ^ a b Easlea, Daryl (2013). "Review of Hi-Tension (album) - Hi-Tension". BBC Music. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  5. ^ "British Hustle (1978) - BFI". Archived from the original on 13 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  6. ^ a b "DAVID JOSEPH - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  7. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 252. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. ^ a b "HI TENSION - full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  9. ^ "David Joseph - The Joys of Life (1983)". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
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