Crystal Winds

Biography

Crystal Winds was a short-lived American soul-funk band formed in the late 1970s by key figures Paul Coleman (keyboardist) and M.C. (Morris) Brown (saxophonist), both alumni of the mid-1970s band Rasputin Stash, which released two albums on Cotillion (Atlantic subsidiary) and Chicago indie Gemigo. The group debuted with their sole album First Flight around 1979-1980, featuring Coleman and Brown writing most tracks, handling male lead vocals, and arranging strings, with Brown also writing horn arrangements. Female vocals were provided by Theresa Davis, and the project involved legendary conductor Rich Tufo (associated with Curtis Mayfield and Curtom acts like Linda Clifford) for strings and horns. Other contributors included guitarist Martin Dumas (co-writer on 'Lover’s Holiday' and ex-Rasputin Stash member) and drummer E. Frank Donaldson (on two tracks, also ex-Rasputin Stash).

The band's musical style blended soul, funk, and jazz elements, highlighted by tracks like 'Signs of Winter's Time,' later reissued by Athens of the North on AOTNLP050. Despite limited commercial success—reflected in current Spotify popularity of 10—First Flight has garnered cult interest among collectors for its rich arrangements and ties to Chicago's funk scene. No extensive career development or later albums are documented, suggesting Crystal Winds disbanded after this release, leaving a modest legacy in obscure soul reissue circles.

Fun Facts

• Crystal Winds' members Paul Coleman, M.C. Brown, Martin Dumas, and E. Frank Donaldson previously played together in Rasputin Stash, which had moderate success with two mid-1970s albums.
• The album First Flight featured arrangements conducted by Rich Tufo, renowned for his work with Curtis Mayfield and Curtom artists like Linda Clifford.
• Their track 'Signs of Winter's Time' was reissued by cult soul label Athens of the North in 2023 or later, boosting visibility among vinyl collectors.

Musical Connections

Key Collaborators

• Paul Coleman - keyboardist, co-leader, primary songwriter, male lead vocals, string arranger (First Flight) [late 1970s]
• M.C. (Morris) Brown - saxophonist, co-leader, primary songwriter, male lead vocals, horn arranger (First Flight) [late 1970s]
• Theresa Davis - female lead vocals (First Flight) [late 1970s]
• Martin Dumas - guitarist, co-writer on Lover’s Holiday, ex-Rasputin Stash (First Flight) [late 1970s]
• Rich Tufo - conductor, orchestrator for strings and horns (First Flight) [late 1970s]
• E. Frank Donaldson - drummer on two tracks, ex-Rasputin Stash (First Flight) [late 1970s]

External Links

• Spotify