Barbara Joyce Lomas (born May 19, 1952) – Whatcha Think About That? (1975)
This powerful, funky message song by B.T. Express featured Lomas on vocals and was written by guitarist and co-lead vocalist Richard Thompson.
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Barbara Joyce Lomas was one of the lead vocalists of B.T. Express, the group that shot to fame in 1974 as their first two singles “Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)” and “Express” both went to #1 R&B.
Lomas was originally from Bessemer, Alabama before moving to New York City. She sang with a group called the Uptights who released the single “Free at Last” b/w “You Git’s None of This” on Skye Records in 1965.
B.T. Express were formed in Brooklyn, and came together in the early 70s out of other groups, going through several name changes. Guitarist Richard Thompson, tenor saxophonist Bill Risbrook, and alto saxophonist/flutist Carlos Ward were members of the King Davis House Rockers, a local dance band. Together with bassist Louis Risbrook (Bill’s brother), percussionist Dennis Rowe, drummer Terrell Wood, and Lomas on vocals, they became the Madison Street Express.
In 1974, they signed with Roadshow Records, an independent production company, to record a single by songwriter Billy Nichols. Co-produced by Jeff Lane and Trade Martin, with strings arranged by Randy Muller, “Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)” was brought to various labels before being picked up by Scepter Records, where Tom Moulton was then employed. Scepter suggested they change their name, and they first chose Brothers Trucking before settling on Brooklyn Transit Express, later shortened to B.T. Express.
Released on August 24, 1974, the single took off and hit #1 R&B that fall. It crossed over to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and reached #8 on the early disco charts. B.T. Express returned to the studio to record their follow up single, “Express,” which again went to #1 R&B, and the entire Do It (‘Til You’re Satisfied) LP, which featured extended mixes of their singles by Moulton and hit #1 on the R&B album charts and #5 on the Billboard 200. Among its other highlights were “If It Don't Turn You On (You Oughta' Leave It Alone)” and the string-heavy jam “Mental Telepathy,”
Their second album Non-Stop (1975) was again co-produced by Lane and Martin, with strings arranged by Muller and several tracks mixed by Moulton. Non-Stop’s closing cut was the very funky, powerful message song “Whatcha Think About That?,” written by guitarist Thompson, who along with Lomas was one of the group’s lead vocalists. Lomas and bassist Louis Risrook were also featured on vocals.
Also on Non-Stop was the funky inspirational anthem “Give It What You Got,” featuring Lomas on lead vocals. It was written by Solomon Roberts Jr., a future member of Skyy, and mixed by Moulton.
Released as the first single off the album with “Peace Pipe” on the flip, it went to #5 R&B. “Peace Pipe” also reached #3 on dance charts. “Give It What You Got” remains an important reminder for us all to keep trying “til you make it!”
#soul #funk #disco #BTExpress #BarbaraJoyceLomas