Category: Peabo Bryson

Peabo Bryson – D.C. Cab (US 12″) (1984)

Burning The Ground Exclusive

Remembering the late Peabo Bryson today with a bit of an overlooked soundtrack cut from 1983.

“D.C. Cab” was the title track from the Motion Picture Soundtrack D.C. Cab, the cult comedy directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Mr. T, Adam Baldwin, Gary Busey, and Marsha Warfield. The soundtrack was a very 1983 affair, packed with R&B, pop, and dance names including Irene Cara, Shalamar, DeBarge, Stephanie Mills, Karen Kamon, and Giorgio Moroder.

Peabo Bryson’s contribution sits in a fun little corner of his catalog. Most listeners know him for those smooth, romantic ballads and his later Disney classics, but “D.C. Cab” gives us a different side of Peabo. This one has more street-level sparkle, more movie-theme energy, and a bright early ’80s R&B bounce that fits the film’s scrappy, oddball charm.

As the title track, “D.C. Cab” had the job of selling the attitude of the movie. It is not trying to be a grand ballad. It is not trying to pull tears from the balcony. Instead, it rolls along with that soundtrack polish, a little bit of grit, and Peabo’s unmistakable voice giving the whole thing more class than a film about a wild taxi company probably deserved.

Released as the fourth and final single from the soundtrack, “D.C. Cab” spent nine weeks on the Billboard Black Singles chart. In the February 11, 1984 issue of Billboard, the single reached its peak at #53.

It may not be one of Peabo Bryson’s best-known singles, but that is part of the fun. Soundtracks from this era often tucked away these little surprises, songs that lived between radio formats, movie marketing, and the clubs. “D.C. Cab” is one of those records. It captures a moment when movie soundtracks could be wonderfully strange, tossing together big voices, rising acts, disco veterans, and studio pros to create something that could only have happened in the early ’80s.

A music video was not released for this single.

Peabo Bryson left behind a huge legacy, from quiet storm favorites to pop duets that became part of music history. “D.C. Cab” may be a smaller stop on that ride, but it is still worth pulling over for.

SIDE A:
D. C. Cab (Remixed Version) 5:38

SIDE B:
D. C. Cab (Dub Version) 5:04

VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint

RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA-13988
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: Electronic, Funk / Soul, Pop, Rock
Style: Hi NRG, Synth-pop

CREDITS:

NOTES:
From the original Motion Picture Soundtrack “D.C. Cab”
An RKO-Universal Picture
“Peabo Bryson appears courtesy of Elektra / Asylum Records

Buy the 12” at DISCOGS

VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND

THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon Concorde Music Black
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2
Phono Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
Audio Interface: MOTU M4
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Cleaning Solution: Turgikleen Record Cleaning Solution
Scanner: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner

SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator

RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi

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Remembering Peabo Bryson

Today, the music world says goodbye to one of its most beloved voices.

Peabo Bryson, the two-time Grammy Award-winning singer whose rich, soulful tenor became the soundtrack to countless romantic moments, passed away on June 2, 2026, at the age of 75. According to family reports, Bryson died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after suffering a stroke days earlier.

For more than five decades, Peabo Bryson defined what a great ballad singer could be. His voice possessed a rare combination of power, warmth, and elegance. Whether performing R&B, soul, adult contemporary, or pop, Bryson delivered every lyric with sincerity and emotional depth.

Born Robert Peapo Bryson in Greenville, South Carolina, he began his recording career in the mid-1970s and quickly established himself as one of the premier vocalists of his generation. Throughout the years he gifted audiences with timeless classics such as “Feel the Fire,” “Reaching for the Sky,” “I’m So Into You,” “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” “Can You Stop the Rain,” and “Show and Tell.”

While his solo recordings earned him a devoted following, Bryson’s unforgettable duets helped cement his place in music history. His collaborations with Roberta Flack, Natalie Cole, Regina Belle, and Celine Dion showcased his remarkable ability to connect with fellow artists while never losing his own identity.

For many listeners, Peabo Bryson will forever be associated with two Disney classics. His Grammy-winning performances of “Beauty and the Beast” with Celine Dion and “A Whole New World” with Regina Belle introduced his extraordinary voice to an entirely new generation of fans. Those songs became more than movie themes. They became part of popular culture and remain cherished decades later.

What made Peabo Bryson special was not only his technical brilliance but also the emotion he brought to every performance. He sang about love, heartbreak, hope, and devotion in a way that felt genuine. His recordings never relied on trends. Instead, they were built upon timeless melodies and a voice that conveyed every feeling with grace.

As fans around the world revisit his remarkable catalog, they will discover what made him one of the greatest balladeers of the modern era. His music accompanied first dances, weddings, anniversaries, quiet evenings, and unforgettable memories. Few singers can claim such a lasting connection with their audience.

Peabo Bryson leaves behind a legacy of beautiful songs, extraordinary performances, and a voice that will continue to resonate for generations to come.

Thank you, Peabo, for the music, the memories, and the love you shared through song.

Rest in peace.

-DjPaulT (Burning The Ground)