Planet Patrol
Considered by many as the founders of Electro-Funk, Planet Patrol, originally called The Energetics, was a vocal quintet from Boston, Massachusetts. Their conversion to Electro-Funk was conceived by musical architects Arthur Baker and John Robie who wrote and produced the group's music for Tommy Boy Records.
The Energetics were a pop, soul, R&B group consisting of Joseph Lites, Melvin B. Franklin (not to be confused with Melvin Franklin of the Temptations), Herbert Jackson, Tony Borders and Calvin Sheppard. In 1974 they released their first single "You Make Me Nothing" on Cobra Records. Over the next few years, they continued to release a variety of singles on local record labels. In 1979, they were under the wing of legendary Motown producers Brian and Eddie Holland. The group recorded an album on Atlantic Records titled “Come Down To Earth” featuring the two singles "Living by the Strength of Your Love" and "Come Down To Earth" which established a strong segment of international fans of Obscuro Soul. After their stint at Atlantic, the group struggled to maintain their career. Tony Borders and Roscoe Mills (who replaced Calvin Sheppard) left the group. Michael Anthony Jones and Rodney Butler replaced them to establish the last iteration of The Energetics.
Their story seemed likely to end until 1980 when fellow Bostonian Arthur Baker contacted them to record vocals for a new project. Arthur, now residing in New York City, became one of the principal architects of a new sound in hip hop using the Roland TR 808 to provide drum beats and rhythm tracks. With John Robie on keyboards, the duo teamed up to produce their international hit “Play At Your Own Risk.” The Energetics changed their name to Planet Patrol and thus defined the genre of Hip Hop and Electro-Funk. Planet Patrol, with their music roots heavily influenced by R&B, provided stridently soulful vocals to provide the blueprint for Hip-Hop, Freestyle, Breakdance, B-Boy/B-Girl and Pop Lockers for the Dance Music scene.
Original members, Herbert Jackson & Rodney Butler continue to perform today as a duo. Former members Joseph Lites and Melvin B. Franklin are deceased. Michael Anthony Jones retired from the music business. Planet Patrol’s Mission Statement is based on; Faith, Hope & Love, regarding themselves as ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill’ to help make a difference in the earth. Stay Tuned, keep your Ears to the Airwaves and your Eyes in Cyber Space for the Return of; “PLANET PATROL!”
The Energetics were a pop, soul, R&B group consisting of Joseph Lites, Melvin B. Franklin (not to be confused with Melvin Franklin of the Temptations), Herbert Jackson, Tony Borders and Calvin Sheppard. In 1974 they released their first single "You Make Me Nothing" on Cobra Records. Over the next few years, they continued to release a variety of singles on local record labels. In 1979, they were under the wing of legendary Motown producers Brian and Eddie Holland. The group recorded an album on Atlantic Records titled “Come Down To Earth” featuring the two singles "Living by the Strength of Your Love" and "Come Down To Earth" which established a strong segment of international fans of Obscuro Soul. After their stint at Atlantic, the group struggled to maintain their career. Tony Borders and Roscoe Mills (who replaced Calvin Sheppard) left the group. Michael Anthony Jones and Rodney Butler replaced them to establish the last iteration of The Energetics.
Their story seemed likely to end until 1980 when fellow Bostonian Arthur Baker contacted them to record vocals for a new project. Arthur, now residing in New York City, became one of the principal architects of a new sound in hip hop using the Roland TR 808 to provide drum beats and rhythm tracks. With John Robie on keyboards, the duo teamed up to produce their international hit “Play At Your Own Risk.” The Energetics changed their name to Planet Patrol and thus defined the genre of Hip Hop and Electro-Funk. Planet Patrol, with their music roots heavily influenced by R&B, provided stridently soulful vocals to provide the blueprint for Hip-Hop, Freestyle, Breakdance, B-Boy/B-Girl and Pop Lockers for the Dance Music scene.
Original members, Herbert Jackson & Rodney Butler continue to perform today as a duo. Former members Joseph Lites and Melvin B. Franklin are deceased. Michael Anthony Jones retired from the music business. Planet Patrol’s Mission Statement is based on; Faith, Hope & Love, regarding themselves as ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill’ to help make a difference in the earth. Stay Tuned, keep your Ears to the Airwaves and your Eyes in Cyber Space for the Return of; “PLANET PATROL!”