Kleeer - Get Tough

My Review of 'Get tough' by Kleeer

There's a great drum and percussion intro with some interesting conga / bongo rhythms.

The falsetto vocals really contrast the deep low voice that simply states "You'd better get Tough kid". I think the track really develops nicely, and with the introduction of different voices with some close harmony and minor chords, and the slight uncomfortable feeling I get from too much falsetto goes away. The short, but great, piano solo seems to just come out of nowhere, but fits well. There's a good synth bass/ percussion break that is joined by the bass solo.

I'll save the discussion on whether the vocalist with the deep voice is impersonating John Wayne for another time, but there's a good chance.

Mini Biography for 'Kleeer'

Initially, in the early seventies Kleeer were the backing group for the 'Choice Four' disco group, but later formed their own band headed by Woody Cunningham. The 'Jam Band', as they were known then, soon had to take another direction because of the rise of 'The Jam' - the British punk rock group - so they became 'Pipeline' and focused mainly on hard rock.

Kleeer were later re-named yet again in 1976 as 'The Universal Robot band', and produced by Patrick Adams and Gregory Carmichael and enjoyed considerable success with singles such as 'Dance and Shake your Tambourine'. Their sound, thanks mainly to the producers, was electronic disco, and with Patrick Adams providing the synths they were an instant success in the night clubs of New York.

In 1978 they decided to break away and re-named themselves 'Kleeer' and their music became more funk orientated. They received good success from their single 'Keeep Your Body Workin', and were signed to the Atlantic record label. Their first Album 'I love to Dance' was released in 1979, and they continued to release and album every year until 1985. They also managed to build up a good following in the UK.

My Other Favorite tracks by 'Kleeer'

• The Break
• Keeep your body Working
• I love to Dance
• De Kleeer Ting
• Tonights the Night

'Kleeer' Band Members / Musicians

• Woody Cunningham - Drums, vocals, Percussion, Lead Vocals
• Norman Durham - Bass, Piano, Electric Piano, Harpsichord, Synthesizer, Drums, Lead Vocals, Clavinet, Guitar, Percussion, vocals, Omnichord
• Richard Cummings - Clavinet, Electric piano, Percussion, vocals
• Richard Lee - Guitar, Percussion, vocal
• Terry Dolphin - Piano, Vibraphone, Clavinet, Electric Piano
• Louis Small - Electric Piano
• Paul Crutchfield - Congas, Wind Chimes, Percussion
• Angel Nater Jr. - Percussion
• Eric Rohrbaugh - Ominchord, Mini Moog
• Kris Kellow - Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Piano
• Brooks Tillotson - French Horn
• Eddie Daniels - Alto Saxophone
• Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxophone
• Steven Greenfield - Alto/Tenor Saxophone
• Eddie Martinez - Lead Guitar
• Alan Raph - Trombone
• Clifford Adams - Trombone
• Jon Faddis - Trumpet
• Randy Brecker - Trumpet
• Isabelle Coles - Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals
• Carol Sylvan - Backing vocals
• Melanie Moore - Backing volas
• Yvette Flowers - Backing vocals
• Gene Orloff - Concertmaster
• Carlos Franzetti - Conductor, Arrangment (Stings / Horns)



• Engineers - Bill Dooley, Julie Last, Bill Scheniman, Bobby Warner, Erol Uckan, Peter Robbins, Scott Litt, Gary Rindfuss, Ray Willhard, Dan Nash, Eddie Garcia, Ken Bloom, Michael O'Reilly, Mallory Earl, Stephen Benben
  
• Greg Calbi - Mastering
• Eumir Deodato - Producer / Arrangement
• Dennis King - Producer, Mastering

'Kleeer' Discography

Albums

• I Love To Dance - Atlantic - 1979
• Winners - Atlantic - 1979
• License To Dream - Atlantic - 1981
• Get Ready - Atlantic - 1982
• Taste The Music - Atlantic - 1982
• Intimate Connection - Atlantic - 1984
• Seeekret - Atlantic - 1985
• Winners (The Best Of Kleeer) - WEA International Inc. - 1986
• The Very Best Of Kleeer - Rhino Entertainment Company - 1998

Singles

• Keeep Your Body Workin' - Atlantic - 1978
• It's Magic - Atlantic - 1979
• Tonight's The Night - Atlantic - 1979
• Winners - Atlantic - 1979
• Close To You - Atlantic - 1980
• Get Tough - Atlantic - 1980
• Get Tough - WEA International Inc. - (with Fancy Dancer by Lenny White) - 1980
• De Kleeer Ting - Atlantic - 1981
• Running Back To You - Atlantic - 1981
• De Ting Continues - Atlantic - 1982
• She Said She Loves Me - Atlantic - 1982
• Taste The Music - Atlantic - 1982
• Intimate Connection - Atlantic - 1984
• Next Time Is For Real - Atlantic - 1984
• Never Cry Again - Atlantic - 1985
• Take Your Heart Away - Atlantic - 1985
• Keep Your Body Working / Get Tough - Old Gold - 1990
• Untitled - New Image Records - 1990
• Just A Touch Of Love / Winners - Old Gold - 1991
• Oooh With You - Old English Records - 1993
• Taste The Music - Parisonic Records - 2003
• Intimate Connection / Tonight - Atlantic - 2007

Youtube Video - 'Keeep your body working' by Kleeer