Odyssey - I Got The Melody (1981/2014)

Odyssey started life as The Lopez Singers, a female vocal group from Connecticut, in 1968. The original line up was the three Lopez sisters Carmen, Lillian and Louise, however Carmen left soon after and was replaced by Filipino singer and bassist Tony Reynolds. It was this line-up which went on to have worldwide success with the hit single Native New Yorker in 1977, taken from their debut self-titled LP Odyssey, which was the first of their albums to be re-issued by BBR. In 1978 Reynolds was replaced by Billy McEachern and gave the group a settled line up which was a springboard for their continued success on both sides of the Atlantic. I Got The Melody (R&B #62/Pop #175/UK #29) was the groups fourth LP, released in 1981 and followed on from 1980's Hang Together and its predecessor, 1978's Hollywood Party Tonight, which is also released by BBR this month. By this point Odyssey had gained a strong following in the UK due to the success of singles Use It Up And Wear It Out, If You're Looking For A Way Out and Hang Together from the album of the same name, which they capitalized on with the release of I Got The Melody.