Forgotten Treasure: Kleeer “Tonight” (1984)

Soul & Funk

Kleeer is easily one of my favorite Boogie bands of all time, and I say this without hesitation; they’re up there with S.O.S. Band andImagination in my books, absolute classic 80’s Boogie. To me, Kleeer is a name that is all too familiar, however I get the impression that this group has been severely overlooked as a source of gold and Funky goodness and sadly remains forgotten.

Kleeer was a Disco Boogie/post-Disco band based out of New York, and from 1979 to 1985 they produced and released 7 albums. There are at least 2 to 3 great tracks on each album, so I do recommend becoming acquainted with them if you’re into Disco. Their band had originally formed in 1972 but they changed their name frequently until 1978, finally becoming Kleeer. On a few of their albums, you’ll hear the soulful Luther Vandross and on their last 2 albums you’ll hear the production and deadly synth skill set of Eumir Deodato, another sick Disco producer and arranger from the 70’s.

If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Tonight; hands down easy pick. I could yammer on and on about how much I love this song, but I’ll spare you my Disco cheese. Tonight is a gem and fuses together my love for Boogie, R&B, 80’s synthesizers and instrumental hip hop and will get your body moving at 105 bpm. It’s got one cheesy sexy straight up verse that plays on a loop to a simple beat, and I sincerely couldn’t ask for more in a slow jam, it’s perfect.
(And so is the album art!)

Kleeer - Tonight (1984)

Kleeer “Intimate Connection” Atlantic Records (1984)


Norman Durham – Bass, Synthesizer, Electric Piano, Vocoder, Vocals
Woody Cunningham – Lead and Backing Vocals
Paul Crutchfield – Lead and Backing Vocals
Richard Lee – Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocal
Kris Kellow – Electric Piano, Acoustic Piano, Synthesizer
Eumir Deodato – Electric Piano, Synthesizer, Vocoder
Clifford Adams – Trombone
Michael Ray – Trumpet
Steven Greenfield – Tenor and Alto Saxophone
Debbie Cole, Diane Garisto – Backing Vocals

Suggested Kleeer Tracks:

You Got Me Rockin’
Take Your Heart Away
Taste The Music
Keep Your Body Workin’
Stonesee
Get Touch
Intimate Connection

Devon Eve

Devon Eve

Montrealer, born and raised, Devon Eve is a disco boogie junkie with much love for the golden era of dance music.