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.[2] 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.[2] 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.[2] 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).[2]

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.[2][4] 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.[2] 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.[2][3]

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.[2]
• The album First Flight featured arrangements conducted by Rich Tufo, renowned for his work with Curtis Mayfield and Curtom artists like Linda Clifford.[2]
• 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.[4]

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