Side Effect

A vocal foursome blending soul and funk, Side Effect might have emerged if the O'Jays, the Dramatics, or Bloodstone had welcomed a woman into the lineup while weaving in bebop-tinged vocal arrangements; the Los Angeles-based act carved out its own niche across the 1970s and early 1980s. Although the quartet never rose to major prominence in R&B and lacked the uniform quality of the O'Jays’ catalog, its sound remained distinctive and engaging. The ensemble first assembled in Los Angeles during May 1972 as an all-male trio featuring Louis Patton, Gregory Matta, and Augie Johnson, who served as leader. Johnson himself had been performing since childhood, including a youthful contribution to Frank Sinatra’s 1959 chart-topper “High Hopes.” The unit expanded to four voices in 1974 after the original members recruited Los Angeles native Sylvia Nabors. Side Effect then joined Fantasy Records and cut its self-titled debut album in 1975—an effort, like all that followed, overseen by producer Wayne Henderson of Crusaders renown. Nabors had already exited by the time the group tracked its 1976 sophomore release, What You Need, with Helen Lowe stepping in. Lowe herself departed in 1977, giving way to Sylvia St. James, whose tenure covered the group’s 1977 and 1978 recordings. Miki Howard eventually succeeded St. James; the gifted vocalist remained for several years before moving to Atlantic in 1986 and establishing a successful solo career.