Odyssey (USA)

Originally formed in 1968 as a "family act", sisters Carmen, Lillian and Louise Lopez gathered together to sing in harmony as The Lopez Sisters. The trio found work in and around New York, mainly the usual gigs such as weddings, parties, and small clubs. After struggling for many years without success, sister Carmen chose to opt out for marriage and domesticity.
Lillian and Louise decided that a new sound was needed to enhance their chances for success, enter Manilla-born Tony Reynolds. With the new line-up a name change was in order. Lillian and Louise were embarking on a new odyssey with a male singer and a more pop oriented sound, hence....Odyssey!
Although raised in New York city, the sisters were actually born in the Virgin Islands and infused much of their heritage into their music giving it a Carribean feel. Carribean music with it's rhythmic beat was a natural bridge to somewhat more mainstream dance music. That's probably why Odyssey was mistaken as a "disco group" in the beginning. A listen to their debut album and one quickly realizes that it's not at all like other 1977 "disco albums".
It was a chance meeting with Tommy Mottola (the former Mr. Mariah Carey and Pres. of Sony Music), who was an executive at RCA Records and flush with success on his discovery and management of Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band that brought Odyssey to RCA Records. Mottola wanting to strike "gold" again paired Odyssey with Savannah Band producer Sandy Linzer. Linzer had a knack for creating dance (disco) hits from non "disco artists". His work with Odyssey on their first album did create their biggest hit, "Native New Yorker," but the album itself has a wider range of sounds. Listen to the very Carribean "Easy Come, Easy Go-Hold De Mota Down" or the unique "Ever-Lovin' Sam" as evidence. And "Native New Yorker" can often be heard on easy listening radio stations.
After the unexpected success of their debut album, no one is sure why, there was the sudden departure of Tony Reynolds and Billy McEachern was brought in as a replacement. Not that anyone would really notice, after all it was Lillian's voice that weaved the magic and spun the gold (records).
Their 1978 release "Hollywood Party Tonight" featured a hodgepodge of styles and sounds, and although there was 2-12" single releases, there was to be no hits, club or otherwise. The album is consistent with their previous effort and features keyboards and arrangements by Paul Schaffer. Guest vocalists include Luther Vandross and Alfa Anderson (of Chic).
By 1980 disco had all but died and perhaps this is why Odyssey was able to score their next huge hit. This album, "Hang Together," was probably their most commercial success. It spawned the easy listening radio and late night club hit "Don't Tell Me-Tell Her." And disco being at death's door had very little high energy music forthcoming so clubs latched onto "Use It Up-Wear It Out" with a vengence. Radio (and clubs) gave much airplay to another 12" single release. Irionically as disco was dying Odyssey was beginning their string of successes.
For 1981's "I Got The Melody" they borrowed a previous dancefloor classic to centerpiece their album. Wrapping Carribean/African rhythms around Lamont Dozier's "Going Back To My Roots" provided them with yet another 12" club hit. Although no further hits were culled from this album it is their most even and consistent release. Oddly enough it harkens back to the "disco concept" albums of 1977-1979.
By 1982's "Happy Together" the steam was running out of Odyssey. Producer Jimmy Douglas had a hard time producing a hit. He did manage a mediocre hit with the 12" release of "Inside Out." Although this album is very consistent and much more R&B oriented than their others, musical tastes were changing and Odyssey didn't seem to be on the menu.
1988 brought a U.K. release of a double album full of remixes. The group has always enjoyed a much larger following in England than Stateside. The next several years saw RCA release a "Greatest Hits" (with another re-mix of "Native New Yorker") in 1990. Collectables released a compilation in 1994 entitled "Native New Yorker" which featured all of their 12" mixes.
1995 saw a new album and 12" single, "Joy" released on Hot Records. RCA Camden released another "Greatest Hits" package in 1997, this time with 17 tracks. 1998's "Greatest Hits-Remixes" saw all different remixes than those by M & M in 1988, these by Charles Afton and Mike Mucci. Odyssey, now down to Lillian and Bill, re-recorded all their hits for Waxworks' 1998 "Greatest Hits" package.
Interesting to see that Odyssey is as popular now as ever and still going strong. Personal appearances are somewhat rare these days but they can occasionally be caught in a "disco revival" show. Their vinyl records are highly sought after collector's items and most of their 12" singles were promotional only. See them and buy them when you can!