SYNDICATE LOOKING FOR ITS OWN HITS

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, January 3, 1992                   TAG: 9201030101
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TRACY FELLERS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
SYNDICATE LOOKING FOR ITS OWN HITS
You may not recognize the name Rythm Syndicate on first hearing, but if you listen to urban or Top 40 radio, you've definitely heard the group's sound.
Its funky first single, "P.A.S.S.I.O.N," was one of the dominant tunes on the pop airwaves this fall, and it went to No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart. The band's style - heavily influenced by R&B and sometimes reminiscent of Minneapolis funk band The Time - also can be heard in songs its founders have written for others.
Lately, they've lent their touch to Nia Peeples with "Street of Dreams," and last year they revived the career of Donny Osmond with "Soldier of Love" and "Sacred Emotion."
Now Evan Rogers, Carl Sturken and the other guys in the Syndicate are looking for hits of their own. They're also on tour with rap/dance act Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. The show comes to Southwest Virginia 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Salem Civic Center. Tickets are $13.50 in advance, $15 on the day of the show.
In a recent news release, lead singer and co-songwriter Rogers talked about Rythm Syndicate's edge over other dance acts. In this age of technologically driven and machine-enhanced music, this six-man band's members are proud to say they play and sing their own tunes. "We're looking forward to showing people we truly are a band," Rogers said.
Rogers and Sturken, who plays guitar and keyboards, have been playing music together since they were kids in Connecticut. They parted ways for a while, then rejoined to write songs for R&B artists including Stephanie Mills and Karyn White. Now the group includes Rob Mingrino on sax; bassist John Nevin; guitarist Mike McDonald and drummer Kevin Cloud.
"This touring and playing live - it's hectic, it's exhausting," Nevin said in the news release. "It's the most fun I've ever had, and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world."

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB