The Floaters Float On

Unknown Contributor Role: Floaters.

"I Am So Glad I Took My Time," released on Fee Records, was their debut single, but the Detroit quartet struck gold with their second release (the Floaters were actually a quintet; Ralph Mitchell missed the "Float On" session and the album's photo shoot for some unexplained reason, though he was present for the other tracks). "Float On" was 11 minutes and 46 seconds of pure magic; the tune echoed the group's name, for it just floated on a bed of rhythm and harmony as the guys introduced themselves and gave their astrological signs. The other Floaters are Paul Mitchell, Jonathan Murray, Charles Clark, and Ralph Cunningham. Disk jockeys loved "Float On" -- they could pair it with Isaac Hayes' "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," make a munchie run, and be back before Ike sings "she'll be rising." "Float On" aced Billboard's R&B chart and Great Britain's pop chart. Nothing else as magical appears on this LP. They followed with "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," which surprisingly charted despite Charles Clark's whiny, uninteresting falsetto lead. ~ Andrew Hamilton