Both Worlds (Best of Both Worlds) 

One of the top club bands in Baltimore during the 1970s. Named to reflect the racial mixture of members, Both Worlds began as an outstanding R&B outfit and later evolved to become a highly regarded and critically acclaimed jazz and funk group.

The original version of the group featured the veteran soul lead vocals of Winfield Parker (see bio), with members of his Mighty Upsetters band, and other accomplished local musicians. The R&B group released an album in 1975 titled “I Want the World to Know” (Calla 5003) as by Best of Both Worlds. A single culled from the LP featured the title cut b/w “Mama Bakes Biscuits” (Calla 5002). The album featured Parker (lead vocals), with George Parrish (lead guitar), Gary Leslie ‘Boo’ (Langston) (rhythm guitar ex-United Chair), Scott Johnson (keyboards), James Gallon (bass), Ralph Fisher (drums ex-United Chair), Major Boyd (sax), Hal Hagy (sax -Mello Men…), and Joe Conway III (trumpet).

After the “I Want the World to Know” album was released Parker left the group. Parrish left to join Deodato, and Rick Hannah took over on lead guitar, and Langston took over the lead vocals. The horn section regrouped with Ray Sydnor (sax, flute), Tommy Head (trumpet) – both veterans of Hank Levy’s Towson State Jazz Ensemble – and their friend Sammy Dyson (trombone). They set the clubs afire with their high energy choreography and jazz-influenced horn work reminiscent of Tower of Power.

Both Worlds’ song “Fish Bait” was included on the 1978 WKTK album. Members at that time included Fisher (drums), Gallon (bass), Johnson (keyboards), Langston (guitar, vocals), Dave Carrera (guitar, percussion), Mike Carrick (sax, flute ex-Chrome), Bill Moore (trumpet, flugelhorn), Tom McCormick (sax, flute ex-Smokestack Lightning), and Ralph ‘Boo’ Magwood (conga).

In 1978 Both Worlds released the jazz and funk LP “Don’tcha Hide It” (TPI 1004) with the above line-up plus the backing vocals of Vonetta Tyde, and April Wallace. The album received a Billboard Magazine “Jazz Pick,” and Both Worlds was named “Best Local Band” by the City Paper. Music critic J.D. Considine compared the group to the likes of BS&T and Tower of Power. Hank Levy, leader of the Towson State Jazz Ensemble wrote and produced “Comin’ On Strong”, a track from the album that was later used at the opening of game 7 of the 1979 World Series. Unfortunately, the song title was not prophetic, as the O’s lost the series to Pittsburgh.

In late 1978 the band underwent more personnel changes. With Johnson, Carrera and McCormick remaining from the earlier line-up, the group added Mike Taylor (bass, lead vocals ex-Man’s Theory), Steve Carter (sax ex-Man’s Theory), Bill Warfield (trumpet, trombone – rehearsed with the Stan Kenton Orchestra), Ernie Thomas (drums ex-D.C. showband White Heat), and Roger Pace (lead vocal, electric sax – veteran of many Baltimore groups).

In addition to the snapshot lineups noted above, Both Worlds included many other top musicians over the years including George Gray (drums- also of Man’s Theory, Inner Visions, Pockets), Anthony Blunt (drums ex-The Grand Jury), Hal Hagy (sax ex-Mighty Upsetters), Larry Bright (drums), Reuben Armstrong (drums ex-Frankie & the Spindles), Steve Turner (sax ex-United Chair), Tommy Head (trumpet), Jimmy Gallon (bass), Jay Dulaney (bass), Ira Glover (vocals), Harold Adams (sax ex-Imperals, Soul Brothers), Rick Hannah (guitar ex-Ivory Lizard…), Tommy Alderson (guitar).

Both Worlds performed as a house band at Mimmie Jr.’s. They played regularly at the Club Casino on Pennsylvania Avenue, the Hurricane, Paddock, Club Venus, Mother Lode’s Wild Cherry, Rhapsody, Mimmie Jr.’s, Marble Bar, Golden Horn, and the Palace where they opened for artists such as Betty Davis, and David Ruffin, Finnigan’s Rainbow in Ocean City with Tommy James… They toured extensively throughout the east coast at both “black” and “white” clubs, and also arenas, and civic centers. The group went on a 6-month national tour with the Crystals, and also opened for groups such as the Four Tops, Miracles, and the Temptations.

Parker later sang with the D.C. group the Knight Brothers. He released other solo R&B recordings through the early ‘80s after which he turned to performing Gospel music. Langston, Sydnor, and Dyson went on to join One for All, before moving to Atlantic City where they were members of the bands Then & Now. In 1985 Langston became a founding member of the Williamstown, New Jersey based group Cheers the Band, that made appearances in Baltimore during the ‘90s. Gary passed away in 1996 at age 45. Boyd later played with Moon August, and in the ‘00s performed jazz with Tiny Tim Harris & the Do-It-All Band, and the Bobby Rucks group. Fisher played for Cruel Shoes. McCormick went on to the Downstairs Band…

Johnson produced or co-produced recordings by Jessica Williams, Jaime Brockett, Joe Clark, and played piano on many recordings including John Starling’s “Long Time Gone” album produced by Little Feat’s Lowell George. He toured with Tony Sciuto in support of the “Island Nights” album. In 1980 he was named area’s “Best Rock Pianist” by D.C. / Baltimore area critics polled by the Unicorn Times. Also see Johnson Brothers, and Johnson-Tilley Band. Scott returned to college and went on to become a successful entertainment attorney representing many nationally known and local musicians. He contributed a chapter about copyright law to the “Musician’s Business & Legal Guide,” considered the standard for the recording industry.

1975           Calla 5002                    I Want the World to Know / Mama Makes Biscuits

1975(LP)   Calla 5003                    I Want the World to Know

1978(LP)   TPI 1004                       Don’tcha Hide It