Brick

Fans first heard of Atlanta-based band Brick when the group topped the charts in 1976 with "Dazz," but that is only part of the group's story. Brick was the result of the merger of two funk and jazz bands and the group similarly merged two concepts -- disco and jazz - to create Brick's signature hit.

Consisting of  guitarist/bassist/vocalist Regi Hargis, lead vocalist andsaxophonist Jimmy Brown; singer, bassist and percussionist Ray Ransom, and drummer and keyboardist Eddie Irons, Brick signed with the Bang label in 1975 and came out of the box smoking. "Dazz," a musically sophisticated earworm of a song, accomplished what its name set out to be, combining elements of the emerging disco sound with jazz undertones and a joyous refrain. The song hit the top of the R&B charts and the top five on the Pop charts -- an auspicious debut for the band. The follow up song, "Dusic," was a somewhat lesser number that again was a phonic blend (disco + music). It hit the top 20 Pop and top 10 R&B, but was not the creative follow up that Brick needed.

After a couple misses, Brick again hit the top 10 with 1978's "Ain't Gonna' Hurt Nobody," but the hits soon slowed down. Brick has one more major R&B hit with 1981's "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)" before fading from the active recording scene.

However, despite the passage of several decades and the loss of several members, a version of Brick continues to perform into the 2020s, led by group co-founder Jimmy Brown. Brick's most recent release was the 2023 single "Drive Me Crazy."

By Chris Rizik