Deep Groove Encyclopedia - Universal Robot Band

Universal Robot Band

The Greg Carmichael-Patrick Adams-Leroy Burgess connection produced many magical recordings, including those by Carmichael's infrequently recorded Universal Robot Band. "Barely Breakin' Even" is a legendary boogie track and the inspiration behind the name of the great British reissue label.

Universal Robot Band's Deepest Grooves

Dance & Shake Your Tambourine (Red Greg, 1976)
The inaugural URB offering is best described as a black Silver Convention. Female voices chant phrases over spacey club grooves, except that in this case, the effect is achieved with synths instead of strings. Over the course of the songs (all between 5 and 11 minutes) it's a totally hypnotic effect. Carmichael's sometime partner Patrick Adams was serving up similar fare with Cloud One and his influence is definitely imprinted on "Sunshine," replicating the "Atmosphere Strut" spirit to perfection. The discoized version of the Flinstone's theme obviously isn't up to this standard, and was included I'm thinking for fun.

Freak in the Light of the Moon (Red Greg, 1978)
More oddball material ("Star Trek Theme") that is redeemed by "Doing Anything Tonight."