Brick

Biography

Brick was an Atlanta-based funk band that emerged in 1975 from the fusion of two Atlanta area bands—one soul funk and one jazz funk. The original lineup consisted of Jimmy Brown (vocals, saxophone, flute, horns), Ray Ransom (vocals, bass, keyboards, percussion), Regi Hargis Hickman (vocals, guitar, bass), Eddie Irons (vocals, drums, keyboards), and Donald Nevins (keyboards). The group released their debut song "Music Matic" on Main Street Records in 1975 before signing with Bang Records in 1976, a local label with national distribution that would become their home for their most successful years.

Brick achieved breakthrough success with their 1976 single "Dazz," a term they coined to describe their signature fusion of disco and jazz. The song peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B charts, establishing their unique "dazz" sound. They continued their hot streak in 1977 with two more enormous hits, "Dusic" and "Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody," both featuring chunky, propulsive beats and catchy light pop-jazz refrains. Between 1976 and 1982, Brick released six studio albums on Bang Records: Good High, Brick, Stoneheart, Waiting on You, Summer Heat, and After 5. Their collaboration with Ray Parker Jr. in 1981 produced "Sweat (Til You Get Wet)," their last Top Ten R&B hit.

The band's career extended beyond their Bang Records years, with their final studio album Too Tough released on Magic City Records in 1988 before the group split. By the time of their dissolution, Brick had achieved seven albums, two of which reached number one on the R&B charts, along with one top 10 pop hit and four top 10 R&B hits. Jimmy Brown later became known as the father of Sleepy Brown of Dungeon Family/Organized Noize fame. The band reunited in the 2010s, releasing a four-song EP titled Strong in December with all original members returning, featuring Jimmy Brown's children Jamaul Brown and Markesha Brown on vocals.

Fun Facts

• Brick invented the term 'dazz' to describe their unique fusion of disco and jazz, which became so influential that another band, Kinsman Dazz (later known as Dazz Band), named themselves after the term.
• Jimmy Brown, Brick's lead vocalist and saxophonist, is the father of Sleepy Brown, a prominent member of the Dungeon Family and Organized Noize production collective in Atlanta's hip-hop scene.
• The band's hit 'Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody' was later sampled and re-popularized by 1980s rap duo Kid 'N Play, demonstrating Brick's lasting influence on hip-hop culture.
• When Brick reunited in the 2010s to record the Strong EP, they featured Jimmy Brown's children Jamaul Brown (rapping) and Markesha Brown (vocals), making it a multi-generational family affair.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Jimmy Brown - Lead vocalist, saxophonist, and flutist; founding member and primary creative force (All Brick albums from Good High (1976) through Strong EP (2010s)) [1975-present]
• Ray Ransom - Lead singer, bassist, keyboardist, and percussionist; founding member and co-writer (Co-wrote 'Dazz' and 'Dusic'; performed on all Brick albums) [1975-present]
• Regi Hargis Hickman - Guitarist, bassist, and vocalist; founding member (Co-wrote 'Dazz' and 'Dusic'; performed on all Brick albums until his death) [1975-2021]
• Eddie Irons - Lead vocalist, drummer, and keyboardist; founding member and co-writer (Co-wrote 'Dazz'; performed on all Bang Records albums) [1975-1988]
• Ray Parker Jr. - Collaborated on production and writing ('Sweat (Til You Get Wet)' (1981)) [1981]
• Donald Nevins - Keyboardist and founding member (Performed on Brick albums through Bang Records era) [1975-2011]

Artists Influenced

• Kid 'N Play - Sampled and re-popularized Brick's music in their hip-hop work (Sampled 'Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody') [1980s]
• Kinsman Dazz (later Dazz Band) - Cleveland band named themselves after Brick's coined term 'dazz' due to their own blend of dance music and jazz (Band name and musical fusion style inspired by Brick) [Mid-1970s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Dazz - Single Version (Super Hits)
2. Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody (Brick (Expanded Edition))
3. Dazz - Dazz Disco Mix (Good High (Expanded Edition))
4. Dusic (Super Hits)
5. Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody
6. Living from the Mind (Brick (Expanded Edition))
7. Southern Sunset (Good High (Expanded Edition))
8. Push Push (Super Hits)
9. Good High (Good High (Expanded Edition))
10. Happy (Brick (Expanded Edition))

External Links

• Spotify