Byron Stingily

On his second solo album Club Stories, former Ten City member Byron Stingily hooks up with such top-notch dance music talent as D'Influence, the Basement Boys, Danny Tenaglia, Peter Rauhofer, and Andrew "Doc" Livingstone. Stingily also calls on Frankie Knuckles who was a DJ at Chicago's north side the Warehouse during his Ten City ("Devotion,," "That's the Way Love Is") heyday to determine the track order of Club Stories. House music's roots in '70s-era Gamble & Huff Philly soul definitely show on "Happy," which echoes Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass' gold classic "Bad Luck." Stingily sounds eerily like Sylvester ("You Make Me Feel Mighty Real") on the pumpin' "Stand Right Up," which includes a sample from Brainstorm's "Lovin' Is Really My Game." Stingily covers one of the final songs recorded by another Chicago native, Minnie Riperton, "Stick Together." Stingily redoes "That's the Way Love Is" in two versions; one is a Johnny Vicious remix. A rock-solid set of Club Stories from this house music pioneer. [The Japanese release adds the bonus track "In My Mind."] ~ Ed Hogan, All Music Guide