Leo's Sunshipp

Biography

Leo's Sunshipp was a short‑lived but highly regarded U.S. funk and soul studio group active in the late 1970s, best known for their mellow, jazz‑tinged modern soul sound and the cult album We Need Each Other (1978).[1][3][5][7] The project revolved around three singers and writers—Kenny Stover, Johnny Simone (often spelled Simon), and Alvin (Allen) Few—who had worked extensively in the soul scene and all shared the astrological sign of Leo, inspiring the group’s name.[2][4][7] Prior to forming Leo’s Sunshipp, the members were particularly connected to Marvin Gaye’s circle; sources describe them as ex–Marvin Gaye backing or associated vocalists and writers, bringing with them a polished Motown‑bred approach to vocal harmony and arrangement.[3][5]

The group’s sessions produced a refined blend of smooth mid‑’70s soul, jazz‑funk, and disco, characterised by warm harmonies, elegant horn and string arrangements, and understated, danceable grooves.[3][5][6][7] Their sole album, We Need Each Other, recorded around 1977–78, showcased this sound on tracks like “Give Me the Sunshine” and “I’m Back for More,” which later became highly prized among modern soul, rare groove, and jazz‑funk collectors.[3][5][7] Although Leo’s Sunshipp did not achieve major commercial success at the time and disbanded soon after the album’s release, their work gained posthumous recognition through reissues and DJ culture, cementing the group’s legacy as a cult favorite in 1970s jazz‑funk and sophisticated soul.[3][5][7]

Despite the project’s brevity, Leo’s Sunshipp’s material has remained influential in underground circles, often cited for its seamless mix of laid‑back, sun‑drenched soul with jazzy chord progressions and subtle disco inflections.[3][5][6][7] The scarcity of original pressings and the mysterious, almost one‑off nature of the group have added to their legend, and We Need Each Other is now frequently highlighted by reissue labels, specialist record stores, and soul aficionados as a hidden gem of the era.[1][3][5][7]

Fun Facts

• The name Leo’s Sunshipp was chosen because the three core members—Kenny Stover, Johnny Simone, and Alvin (Allen) Few—were all born under the astrological sign Leo.[4][7]
• We Need Each Other is the group’s only album, making Leo’s Sunshipp effectively a one‑album project that nevertheless achieved cult status among collectors and DJs.[3][5][7]
• Original pressings of We Need Each Other became rare and highly sought‑after on the collector market, contributing to the group’s reputation as a “mystery” or “forgotten treasure” of late‑1970s soul.[3][5]
• Critics and collectors frequently highlight Leo’s Sunshipp’s sound as a mash‑up of smoothed‑out mid‑’70s soul and gooey jazz‑funk, with subtle disco flavor—an unusually sophisticated blend for a little‑known studio project.[3][5][6]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Marvin Gaye - Core members of Leo’s Sunshipp are described as ex–Marvin Gaye backup singers or close associates, indicating that working within Gaye’s musical orbit shaped their vocal style, songwriting, and arrangement approach. (Pre‑Leo’s Sunshipp backing and writing work with Marvin Gaye (exact track credits vary by member and are not fully documented in the group‑focused sources).) [Early–mid 1970s (prior to formation of Leo’s Sunshipp in the late 1970s).[3][5]]

Key Collaborators

• Kenny Stover - Singer, songwriter, and core member of Leo’s Sunshipp, contributing lead and background vocals as well as writing and production input. (Leo’s Sunshipp – We Need Each Other (album) and singles such as “Give Me the Sunshine” and “I’m Back for More.”) [Late 1970s.[2][4][7]]
• Johnny Simone (Johnny Simon) - Singer and core member of Leo’s Sunshipp, sharing vocal duties and co‑creating the group’s smooth soul/jazz‑funk sound. (Leo’s Sunshipp – We Need Each Other and associated recordings.) [Late 1970s.[2][4][7]]
• Alvin (Allen) Few - Singer and core member, rounding out the vocal trio that defined Leo’s Sunshipp’s harmonies. (Leo’s Sunshipp – We Need Each Other and related sessions.) [Late 1970s.[2][4][7]]

Artists Influenced

• Modern soul and rare groove DJs/collectors (various artists and scenes) - The group’s songs, particularly “Give Me the Sunshine” and “I’m Back for More,” became staples in modern soul, rare groove, and jazz‑funk DJ sets, influencing the sound and repertoire of those scenes even though specific individual artists are rarely named in sources. (Ongoing DJ and compilation use of tracks from We Need Each Other in the modern soul and rare groove circuits.[3][5][7]) [From the 1980s rare‑groove era through later reissue waves in the 1990s–2010s.]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Give Me The Sunshine (We Need Each Other)
2. I'm Back For More (We Need Each Other)
3. Madame Butterfly (We Need Each Other)
4. Get Down People (We Need Each Other)
5. Give Me The Sunshine (Babylon Beach Beats Ibiza)
6. I'm Back For More - Mini-Tro (We Need Each Other)
7. Give Me The Sunshine - Mini-Tro (We Need Each Other)
8. Madame Butterfly - Mini-Tro (We Need Each Other)
9. Get Down People - Mini-Tro (We Need Each Other)
10. Served Chilled Mix (Bar suSU 'On The Rocks')

External Links

• Spotify