Al Goodman (b. Albert Willie Goodman, 31st March 1946, Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.A., d. 26th July 2010, Hackensack Medical Center, Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.A.)
Harry Ray (b. Harry Milton Ray, 15th December 1946, Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey, U.S.A., d. 1st October 1992, Bound Brook, New Jersey, U.S.A.)
and
William Brown (b. 30th June 1946, Perth Amboy, New Jersey, U.S.A.)
When the Moments had to change their name, due to contractual matters with Stang Records, they chose to record under an arrangement of the three group members surnames, namely (Harry) Ray, (Al) Goodman and (William) Brown.
Whilst waiting for the outcome of the legal wranglings with Sylvia Robinson's imprint, Ray, Goodman and Brown recorded backing vocals on two Millie Jackson albums.
When it was, finally, decided that Stang owned the name the Moments, the trio joined Polydor in 1979 under their new identity.
ray, goodman and brown - 1979 / ray, goodman and brown II - 1980
Their first single, their own composition, 'Special Lady', reached the U.S. Top 5 and their debut album, which they co-produced with Vince Castellano, made the Top 20.
The trio followed up the 45 with a succession of further hits, including 'Inside Of You' (number 14 R & B, 1980).
The second album, 'Ray, Goodman & Brown II' made the U.S. Top 100 and their revival of the Platters' song, 'My Prayer' narrowly missed the Top 40.
stay - 1981 / open up - 1982
A third album, entitled 'Stay' was released in 1981, followed by 'Open Up' the following year.
it's good to be home - 1982
Harry Ray left in 1982, following the release of the fourth and final album for Polydor, and released a successful solo album, entiled 'It's Good To Be Home', on Sylvia Robinson's Sugar Hill imprint.
The album contained 'Love Is A Game', a dancer, hugely popular on the U.K. dancefloors.
The song, incidentally, featured the vocals of a singer called Angie B, who was a vocalist for the group the Sequence at Sugar Hill.
Angie has more recently become better known as the recording artist Angie Stone.
Ray, Goodman and Brown released one album, in 1985 without Harry Ray (replaced by Kevin Owens), for the Panoramic Records imprint.
all about love - who's gonna make the first move? - 1986 / mood for lovin' - 1988
Apart from Ray, Goodman and Brown releasing the album, 'All About Love, Who's Gonna Make The First Move?' for Panoramic, Harry Ray, independently, released a 12" on the label of the classic Sylvia Moy / Ivory Hunter / William Stevenson tune, 'My Baby Loves Me'.
Harry rejoined the trio in 1986 after the group had signed to EMI America when they had their last R & B Top 10 hit with, the Beau Huggins produced, 'Take It To The Limit'.
'Mood For Lovin' followed in 1988 and was well received by soul pundits.
Occasionally, solo artist Greg Willis (he released 'Give Her What She Wants' as a solo artist in 1990) joined with Harry, Billy and Al in performances and later, on records, but never became a full-time member.
harry ray
Harry Ray sadly died from a stroke in 1992 in Bound Brook, New Jersey.
al goodman
Al Goodman passed away in July 2010. He was 64.
Ray, Goodman and Brown sang backgrounds on Alicia Key's 2003 song 'You Don't Know My Name,' which was a number 1 R & B song that year, sampling the Main Ingredient tune, 'Let Me Prove My Love To You'.
a moment with friends 2002 / intimate moments - 2003
'A Moment With Friends' was released in 2002 on Defouvus Records out of New Jersey, repackaged as 'Intimate Moments' the following year.
The current line-up of the group includes Kevin 'Ray' Owens, Al Goodman and Billy Brown.
Albums:
Ray, Goodman & Brown (Polydor Records 1979)
Ray, Goodman & Brown II (Polydor Records 1980)
Stay (Polydor Records 1981)
Open Up (Polydor Records 1982)
All About Love, Who's Gonna Make The First Move? (Panoramic Records 1984)
Take It To The Limit (EMI Records 1986)
Mood For Lovin' (Orpheus Records 1988)
Live (JBR Records 1992)
A Moment With Friends (Defouvus / Orpheus Records 2002)
Intimate Moments (Defouvus / Orpheus Records 2003)
