Renee Diggs - Oasis(1993)Expansion LP- Rare Soul

I first became a massive fan of Renee Diggs amazing voice when i came across STARPOINT,S records in the club,s years ago.STARPOINT recorded 11 albums before they broke up in 1990. Renee recorded this her only album in 1993...again,what a gem it is!..Released on Vinyl & CD the latter had 2 Bonus tracks ...But i,m giving you 3 with a track from her days with STARPOINT, as this review is the LP.. A native of Annapolis, Maryland, Diggs was lead singer of the group. The group which formed in New York City in 1969, also included Lionel Job, Kayode Adeyemo, George Phillips, Gregory Phillips, Orlando Phillips, and the late Ernesto Phillips (Renee's longtime companion). The group were originally called "Lieyndiana" before Diggs joined  & included only the Phillips brothers.The group met Renee early in there career and after hearing her wonderful singing voice, they immediately installed her as the group's lead singer, and changed there name to "Starpoint." The group began doing rehearsals, writing sessions, and eventually touring and doing other performances, sometimes with the likes of Isley O'Kelly and Luther Vandross. The group were signed to the Polygram sub Label, Casablanca/Chocolate City Records in 1980, and together the group recorded four albums on that label as well as 5 for Elektra,1 for Boardwalk & a last album(Live) for Grephill. There seventh album, and single, 'Object Of My Desire,' were released in 1985. The album which was recorded on the Elektra/Asylum Label (Warner Brothers Label) sold over 600,000 copies while the single for 'Object Of My Desire,' went Gold. They soon followed this up with there Restless tour, but there success and joy was short-lived. During the tour Renee was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and the rest of the tour was cancelled. The band eventually disbanded. In 1990, Renee returned to music as a solo artist recording her debut album, "Oasis" on Capitol. The album wasn't released by the Capitol Label, but it was eventually released in Europe on Expansion Records. Diggs who also worked with the likes of Michael Franks, Cliff Dawson, and James Ingram, founded the Renee Diggs Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis. The longtime companion of fellow bandmate Ernesto Phillips, the two often wrote songs together, Sadly Ernesto Phillips passed away in 2004. On March 18, 2005, Renee Diggs herself passed away in her hometown of Annapolis, Maryland, at the age of 50, from complications with her heart.

AMM 

 

                                    Be Blown Away With The Taster...Please Listen Till The End!

 

 

                                                        Tracks Below With Bonus Tracks

11 Bonus - Rising Above It All

12 Bonus (Feat Starpoint) - All Night Long

13 Bonus - Oasis (Island Mix)