Father's Children

Father's Children

An eight-strong soul group whose roots lay in the Washington DC area, Father's Children released just one album, their eponymously titled debut, recorded for the Mercury label in late 1978. Produced by The Crusaders' Wayne Henderson, for these sessions he augmented Father's Children's line-up with, among others, Bobby 'The Genie' Lyle (synths) and backup vocalists Augie 'AJ' Johnson, Gregory Matta and Miki Howard from the Henderson-produced group Side Effect. The album that resulted really is the definition of the term ''rare groove.'' Overlooked at the time of its original release in 1979, it later became a cult classic on the underground soul circuit thanks to its high steppin' rhythms, tight, funky arrangements and, of course, Father's Children's gorgeous gospel-influenced vocal harmonies. Dutton's CD reissue includes two bonus tracks culled from the group's Mercury single of July 1979.