“Just For Tonight” (1980)

Kip’s debut full-length album, with sessions recorded over several years during the mid-70s at Royal Studios in Memphis, Opal Studios in New York City, and Rockin’ Reel Recording Studios in Long Island. Musicians featured on the record include Cornell Dupree (guitar), Jerry Jemmott (bass), Chris Parker (drums), James Allen Smith (keyboards), Danny Horton (guitar), Lenny Albergo (alto sax), Tony Catanzaro (bass), Michael Rubin (keyboards), Rik Sherry (drums), and more.

Kip originally self-released the album in 1980 on his own label Long Island Sounds Records, and in 2024 the album was remastered and made available on all major streaming platforms.

“This Island Is Our Home” / “Might as Well (Give It Up)” (1980 / 2020)

German label Music Take Me Up reissued the long out of print single “This Island is Our Home” on deluxe 12” 45rpm vinyl in the Fall of 2020. These songs are also from Kip’s late 70s / early 80s collaboration with Danny Horton, which (much to Kip’s surprise) gained popularity among DJs in Europe and elsewhere around the world (and became highly sought-after by collectors) decades after its initial release. This reissue marks the the first time these songs have been made commercially available since 1980. More information at Music Take Me Up.

Credits

Originally produced by Ogden Fell, and arranged and directed by James Allen Smith, for Reveille Records.

Kip Carmen - guitar and vocals; James Allen Smith - keyboards; Cornell Dupree - guitar; Danny Horton - guitar; Stanley Banks - bass; Charles Collins - drums; Crusher Bennett - percussion; Morris Goldberg - saxes and flute.

Macon Woman Blues / I Must Be Losing You (1974)

Kip’s 45 single recorded under contract with Hi Records (released through a Hi Records subsidiary called Mach Records). Recorded at the legendary Royal Studios in Memphis and produced by Hi Records co-founder Bill Cantrell (formerly a songwriter and session musician at Sun Records). These two songs feature Kip’s own rhythm section (including Ben Ninmann on piano and James H. Walker on drums), along with Hi Records staples Rhodes, Chalmers & Rhodes and the legendary Memphis Horns, longtime backup musicians for Al Green and other Hi Records artists.

Credits

Produced by Bill Cantrell; Kip Carmen - guitar and vocals; Ben Ninmann - keyboards; Mark Ryan - lead guitar; Pete Bartarsh - bass; James H. Walker - drums; Rhodes, Chalmers, & Rhodes - backing vocals; Memphis Horns: Wayne Jackson - trumpet; Andrew Love - tenor sax; Jack Hale - trombone; James Mitchell - baritone sax and horn arrangement. Memphis Strings arranged by James Mitchell.

Loving in the Morning / That’s Enough For Me (1973)

An early 45 single recorded for Queen Bee records in 1973, this record features two original songs by Kip, performed by Kip and his backing band at the time, The New Frontier. The B Side includes the psychedelic-tinged “That’s Enough For Me,” one of two of Kip’s songs recorded by the band Compass in the early 1970s.

Credits

Produced by Bob Morgan; Kip Carmen - guitar and vocals; Gene Fabian - keyboards; Ken Butler - guitar; Barry Canter - bass; Phil Corso - drums; Debi Carpenter - congas.