The Mysterious Disappearing Act of Side Effect

The R&B group Side Effect released their seventh album, Portraits, in 1981, but it remains one of the most obscure relics of the era. Despite being signed to a major label, this project largely faded into history shortly after its release.

Side Effect was a prolific jazz-fusion and R&B collective that helped launch the career of singer Miki Howard. Portraits served as their second project under the prestigious Elektra Records banner, aiming to capture the sophisticated sound of early eighties urban radio. However, the album struggled to gain traction in a crowded market and is now a sought-after rarity for record collectors. Its relative anonymity stands in sharp contrast to the group's reputation as a vital incubator for soul talent.