Real Thing: The Pioneers of British Funk and Soul

Real Thing is a British soul and funk band that emerged from Liverpool in the 1970s. The group achieved massive commercial success, particularly with their 1976 album 'Four from Eight', which spawned several chart-topping singles and solidified their place in UK music history.

Early career

Real Thing was formed in Liverpool in 1970 by vocalists Chris Amoo and Eddie Amoo. The band's early sound was rooted in harmony-driven soul, and they built a strong live reputation before securing a recording contract with Pye Records in 1974.

Their self-titled debut album arrived that same year, featuring the minor hit 'Vicious Circle'. This initial period established their vocal prowess and songwriting talent, setting the stage for a major shift in their musical direction.

Breakthrough

The band's breakthrough came in 1976 with the release of the album 'Four from Eight' on the Pye label. This album marked a decisive move towards a disco-infused funk sound, perfectly capturing the era's dancefloor spirit and propelling them to national fame.

The lead single, 'You to Me Are Everything', became a phenomenon, selling over a million copies in the UK alone and reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart. The album itself achieved platinum certification, cementing Real Thing as household names.

Key tracks

You to Me Are Everything — This 1976 chart-topper is their signature song, a million-selling smash that defined their commercial peak.

Can't Get By Without You — Another major hit from 1976, this track followed their number one and secured their status as hitmakers.

Can You Feel the Force — A later hit from 1979, this song showcased a more electronic, disco-oriented sound and reached the UK Top 5.

Whenever You Want My Love — This 1977 single demonstrated their consistent ability to craft polished, chart-ready soul and funk.

Later career and legacy

Following their late-70s success, Real Thing continued to record and perform, adapting their sound through the 1980s and beyond. The band experienced a notable resurgence in the 1990s when their track 'Can You Feel the Force' was sampled by the UK electronic act The Prodigy for their hit 'Out of Space'.

This introduced their music to a new generation of listeners. The core members, particularly the Amoo brothers, have kept the band's legacy alive with consistent touring, celebrating their catalogue of classic British funk and soul.

For fans of Real Thing's brand of melodic, danceable soul, similar artists from the UK scene include Hot Chocolate, who shared a knack for smooth, soulful pop singles. Light Of The World offers a comparable blend of funk instrumentation and vocal harmony. The sophisticated sound of Central Line also aligns with the early 80s evolution of the British funk sound.

Real Thing's classic hits remain a staple on classic soul and disco radio stations, as well as specialist shows dedicated to 70s and 80s dance music on online radio streams. Their music frequently appears in rotation on independent music radio stations that celebrate the foundations of funk.

You can hear the timeless music of Real Thing on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover their classic hits and deeper album cuts through the classic soul and funk radio stations available on onairium.com.