Aquarian Dream

by Alex HendersonAquarian Dream was an obscure but noteworthy 1970s soul/funk band that, despite its association with Norman Connors, was unable to score a hit. The band was formed in 1976, when Connors brought it to Buddah and produced its debut album, Norman Connors Presents Aquarian Dream. That year, Dream's lineup included lead singer Gloria Jones (not to be confused with the singer of the same name who sang the original version of "Tainted Love" in the 1960s), saxophonist Claude Bartee Jr. (who had a jazz background and had been a sideman for Grant Green, Pucho, and others), guitarist Pete Bartee, keyboardist Jacques Burvick, percussionist Mike Fowler, and drummer Jimmy Morrison (who shouldn't be confused with the Doors' lead singer). By the time Dream recorded its second album, Fantasy -- which was also produced by Connors -- some personnel changes had taken place. Jones and Fowler were gone, and newcomers included lead vocalist Sylvia Striplin, bassist Ernie Adams, percussionist Dave Worthy, and keyboardist Winston Daley. Fantasy found Dream moving from Buddah to Elektra; unfortunately, changing labels didn't help the band commercially. Fantasy's sales were disappointing; so with its third album, Chance to Dance (1979), Dream severed its ties to Connors and switched to a much more disco-oriented approach. But the album didn't do any better than its predecessors, and Dream broke up in 1979.