Pronounced Em-Too-May, the band was founded in the early 1970s in New York by the percussionist James Mtume.
The group first signed for Stata East and released the album Alkebu-Lan-The Land of the Blacks in 1972. From 1973 to 1977 they released Kawaida, Alkebu-Lan and Rebirth Cycle on Third Street Records, with none of them gaining much chart attention.
In 1978 they signed with Epic Records and released Kiss This World Goodbye, which produced the song “Just Funnin'” which barely entered the R&B chart t No. 93 in 1978. Two years later their 1980 released In Search of the Rainbow Seekers brought them a lot more attention when it reached No. 30 in the R&B album charts and the single “Give It On Up (If You Want To)” and “So You Wanna Be a Star” reached No. 26 and No. 52 on the US R&B charts respectively.
1983 was when they saw their biggest success with the album Juicy Fruit which reached No. 3 on the Top R&B Album chart and No. 26 on the Billboard Album chart. The title song was released as a single and stayed at No. 1 on the R&B chart for eight weeks as well as No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was certified gold by the RIAA.
Continuing with their success the following year in 1984, their You, Me and He reached No. 5 on the R&B Album chart and No. 77 on the Billboard Album chart. Once again their title song came with the most success when it reached No. 2 on the R&B chart and No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100. The other single released, “C.O.D. (I’ll Deliver” reached No. 20 on the R&B chart.
Two years later in 1986 their final album Theater of the Mind produced the single “Breathless” which would be their final R&B top 10 hit.
The group disbanded and pursued their own careers from around late 1986.
Members
James Mtume (vocals/percussion/keyboards)(1978-1986)
Hubert Eaves III (keyboards)(1978-1980)
Tawatha Agee (lead vocals)(1978-1986)
Reggie Lucas (lead and rhythm guitars/vocals)(1978-1980)
Basil Fearington (bass)(1978-1980)
Howard King (drums/vocals)(1978-1980)
Michael Henderson (bass)(1977?)
Raymond Jackson (bass)(1983-1986)
Philip Field (keyboards)(1983-1986)
Ed “Three” Moore (guitars)(1983-1986)
Mtume Recordings
Juicy Fruit (James Mtume)
Juicy Fruit Part II (Reprise)(James Mtume)
Sources:
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mtume-mn0000508391/biography
- http://www.soulwalking.co.uk/Mtume.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mtume
- http://www.whosampled.com/Mtume/
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/97070-Mtume?filter_anv=0&type=Appearances