Effective period / Period of releases: 1977 - 2006

Members: Kevin Johnson (2), Steve Arrington, Stephen C. Washington, Charles Carter, Curt Jones, Tom Lockett, Mark Adams, Delbert Taylor, Eugene "Moochie" Jackson, Mark Hicks, Wayne Foote, Starleana Young, Kenny Anderson (2), Floyd Miller, Keith Nash, Roger Parker (2), Danny Webster, Raye Turner, Orion Wilhoite, Tom Dozier, Carter Bradley, Sam Carter, Aubrey Rivers, Ronny Cochran, Marvin Wheatley

The group was formed in Ohio by New Jersey native horn player/songwriter/producer Steve Washington (funk obviously runs in the blood - Washington's uncle was Ralph 'Pee Wee' Middlebrook of the famed Ohio Players). Slave performed edgy funk grooves that rival (or even overwhelm) what is considered 'hard' street music today. By the time the Cotillion/Atlantic album "Stone Jam", originally release in September 1980, came out, Steve Washington had departed the group to form another band, Aurra. Not long afterward, Steve Arrington (drummer and vocalist) also departed to undertake a solo career that produced important funk classics such as "Way Out" and "Nobody Can Be You But You".