Newcleus (formed in 1977) is an American old school hip-hop and boogie-encouraging electro outfit, who endeared themselves to American hearts in 1984 with the 12-ich single “Jam-On’s Revenge” – hailing from Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Initially formed as the group Jam-On Productions in 1977, teenager Ben “Cosmo D” Cenac and cousins Monique and Pierre Angevin, began performing at house and block parties in Brooklyn. Jam-On Productions’ popularity rose to that of local legends by this point and by 1979 the lineup was cemented as Cosmo D, Yvette “Lady E” Cook, Monique “Nique D” Angevin, and Bob “Chilly B” Crafton. The name Newcleus was inspired by the coming together of families as Cosmo D would later marry Lady E, and Monique, Chilly B.
Having initially recorded the single “Jam-On Revenge”, which became a block party staple, Newcleus failed to enjoy significant success until the track was heard by producer Joe Webb. The track ultimately became the band’s debut single on Mayhew Records and entered the U.S. R&B Chart within the Top 40. Propelling the band to national R&B and hip-hop consciousness the single was taken from their debut album of the same name, which charted at No. 84 on the UK Albums Chart. The record was released by Sunnyview Records in 1984, to disappointing reviews, despite now being regarded as a classic. Newcleus subsequently released the singles “Jam On It” and “Computer Age (Push the Button)”, both of which landed within the R&B Charts’ Top 40.
The band’s second album, “Space Is the Place”, arrived in 1985 to little acclaim, with all subsequent releases the creation of producers putting out material under the Newcleus moniker. In 2005 Cosmo D released a definitive collection of Newcleus material “Destination Earth: The Definitive Newcleus Recordings”, where early songs enjoyed a remastering from their original master tapes.
Howard Jones
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