(July 26, 2020) Throughout the 1980s, the duo of Martha Wash and the late Izora Armstead made a memorable impression on listeners with a powerful brand of soulful harmonizing visually matched by a striking physical presence. First as Two Tons O’ Fun, then as The Weather Girls, the take-no-prisoners divas went from backing singers for trailblazing disco figure Sylvester to bona fide R&B and dance floor hitmakers via “I Got the Feeling” and “Just Us,” before reaching the masses with the perennially omnipresent “It’s Raining Men” in 1982.
Wash went on—often uncredited—to front universal ‘90s smashes such as C&C Music Factory’s “Gonna Make You Sweat” and Black Box’s “Everybody Everybody” prior to a run of solo club hits. Armstead, meanwhile, recruited her daughter Dynelle for a new incarnation of The Weather Girls, which enjoyed several minor hits in Europe. Following Izora’s passing in 2004, Dynelle kept the act going, most recently pairing with gospel vocalist Dorrey Lyles.
Armstead and Lyles have teamed up with Rob Hardt, half of retro-forward-R&B duo Cool Million, on the composition of “Stand Up,” a new Weather Girls single released on Hardt’s SedSoul label. The message and vibe of the track is simple and straightforward, calling for individual positivity and an effort towards unity in times of trouble. The duo’s alternating leads flow seamlessly through the feel-good groove, fusing inspirational lyrics with crisp phrasing and motivating chorus vocals.
Take a First Listen to “Stand Up” below and welcome back The Weather Girls!
by Justin Kantor
The Weather Girls - "Stand Up"
