Aurra was an American 1980s soul group, which, at the time of its biggest success was composed of Curt Jones and Starleana Young.
Aurra started off in 1979 as an offshoot of the R&B-funk band Slave, Aurra was Created by Steve “The Fearless Leader” Washington which featured Curt Jones, Starleana Young, Charles Carter, and Buddy Hankerson on the first LP.
YOUTUBE
Aurra initially signed with Dream Records and then Salsoul Records when Steve Washington and Thomas Lockett became members of Aurra with the addition of Phil Field.During the early 1980s, the group found success with hits such as “Are You Single” (#16 R&B) “Checkin’ You Out” and “Make Up Your Mind,” (Produced) by Steve Washington which was its biggest US hit under this moniker, reaching #6 R&B and #71 pop.Legal issues with Steve Washington over the name Aurra made the duo change its name to Déjà, after which the group had a big hit with “You and Me Tonight,” which reached #2 R&B, #54 pop in the US. A deal with Virgin affiliate 10 Records in the UK resulted in the song reaching #12 on the UK Singles Chart, their best showing on that chart.
The group later cracked the upper reaches of the US Billboard R&B chart with the Teddy Riley-produced hit “Made To Be Together” in 1989. Starleana Young left the group to go solo and was replaced by Mysti Day.
In 2013 Family Groove Records recovered the lost tapes for the unreleased “5th” Aurra album “Satisfaction” originally recorded in 1984 scheduled for release by the end of this year. The direction of this album is being supervised by Steve Washington, Amuka Kelly Also known as Sheila Horne Washington and Daniel Borine.
Discography
Albums
as Aurra
1980 — Aurra (Dream Records)
1981 — Send Your Love (Salsoul Records)
1982 — A Little Love (Salsoul Records)
1983 — Live and Let Live (Salsoul Records)
1985 — Like I Like It (10 Records) / Bedtime Story (Next Plateau Records Inc.)
2013 — Satisfaction (Family Groove Records)
2013 – “BACK 2 U” Aurra featuring Curt Jones (Single)
as Déjà
1987 — Serious (Virgin / 10 Records)
1989 — Made to Be Together (Virgin / 10 Records)
Members include
STEVE WASHINGTON – Saxophone
TOM LOCKETT. Jr – Saxophone
PHILLIP FIELDS – Keyboards
STARLEANA YOUNG – Vocalist
CURT JONES – Vocalist
Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurra
http://www.buddyhankerson.com/
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/aurra-mn0000048138