The Cleveland-based Dazz Band was one of the more popular funk groups of the early ‘80s.
Bobby Harris formed the group in the late ‘70s, taking members from two Cleveland bands, Bell Telefunk and the Kinsman Grill's house band. The end result was an eight-piece band featuring Harris, Skip Martin III, Pierre DeMudd on horns and vocals, guitarist Eric Fearman, bassist Michael Wiley, drummer Isaac Wiley, keyboardist Kevin Frederick and percussionist Kenny Pettus.

Harris’ concept for the group was “danceable jazz” (which he shortened to "Dazz") and he named the group Kinsman Dazz. Under that name, the group had two small hits in the U.S. during 1978 and 1979. In 1980 they changed their name to the Dazz Band and signed with Motown. The group's first Detroit vinyl was released in 1981. Once the group veered away from the more melodic, pop-oriented dance music that dominated their debut and started playing tougher, more groove-oriented funk, the Dazz Band began racking up the hits. “Let It Whip,” taken from their second album in 1982, reached number 5 and won the Grammy Award for Best Performance by an R&B Vocal Duo or Group.

The group had a string of six consecutive Top 100 albums that ran until 1986. During that period they scored two other Top 10 singles, “Joystick” and “Let It All Blow”. In 1985, Fearman and Frederick left the band and were replaced by Marlon McClain and Keith Harrison, respectively. The band switched labels to Geffen in 1986. That year they had their final charting album, “Wild And Free”. Soon after its release, the group switched to RCA.

This hot album, produced by Tony Camillo, dips into and showcases the funky power of one of the best R&B groups to grace the genre.

— Gene Serina

SOURCE (edited):
All Music Guide
www.allmusic.com