The Rascals formed in early 1965 when Felix Cavaliere, Brigati and guitarist Gene Cornish left the Starliters and recruited drummer Dino Danelli. Manager Sid Bernstein got them signed to Atlantic Records after the group turned heads at Manhattan's Phone Booth nightclub.

The Rascals' biggest hit, "People Got to Be Free," was co-written by Felix Cavaliere and Brigati as an impassioned response to the assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. It topped the charts for five weeks.

The band's name was inspired by the legendary City of New Orleans as Orleans perfected its recipe of eclectic material, including R&B seasoned with Cajun and second line roots; Alan Toussaint, Neville Brothers and Meters tunes were among the mix. The quartet's music evolved and refined in a more mainstream direction as they developed their unique rock/pop sound, which led Rolling Stone to christen them "the best unrecorded band in the country." After signing with Asylum Records they produced chart-topping hits including: Dance With Me, Let There Be Music, Love Takes Time, Reach and, of course, their American standard Still The One. Three of Orleans’ hits have a certified combined airplay total of over seven million.

Among music fans in America there is a broad consensus that for some time now, music on radio, TV and elsewhere has generally lacked intelligent lyrics and memorable melodies. Many also express concern that the music their kids regularly hear is not suitable for young ears. You might be surprised to know where Orleans stands on those issues, also by some of the broad and deep connections they share, going back to the early 1970s and woven into the fabric of American music.

This group’s music has always been family-friendly, intelligent and melodic, well before those things were issues. One of their big hits was so mainstream and mass appeal that during the 2004 Presidential campaign 'Still The One' was used by both the Republican and Democratic parties!

Orleans has been performing live every year since 1972 ALWAYS with at least half original members. They do it the old-fashioned way – they sing and play their own stuff. Their oldest fans are bewildered and amazed at the fact that they still sound as good as – or better than – ever, especially their vocals. Younger fans are simply impressed. Everyone agrees - these guys “still have it”.

Thando Rhythms Records announces the release of Lerato, featuring the last recordings by South Africa’s legendary Dolly Rathebe and her soul sister, Sharon Katz, before Dolly’s untimely passing. “Lerato” means love, the name Dolly gave to Sharon as they performed together and worked together to build a better future for South Africa’s peoples. The jazzy tracks hearken to the free-spirited days of Sophiatown before apartheid. Coupled with the catchy rhythms and Sharon’s unmistakable guitar and vocal styles, your heart and then your feet will lead you to the dance floor for this intrinsically South African experience.