High & Mighty [1974] - You Gave Me A Brand New Start [Chelsea #CH-3005]

Linked to William DeVaughn is this one-off 45 by High & Mighty released on Chelsea in 1974.

It was co-written by Pal Rakes and Frank Fioravanti who was also the executive producer/co-ordinator on DeVaughn's first album Be Thankful For What You Got. Fioravanti  also co-wrote one of the tracks on the album with DeVaughn, Sing  A Love Song, and Pal Rakes played guitar on most of the tracks (in fact all but the title track).  

Fioravanti is the founder of Sound Gems label based in Philadelphia and both Fioravanti & Rakes wrote the modern soul classic by Crystal Motion - Main Squeeze released on Sound Gems in 1975 (their only release).  Another interesting release on the label was another modern soul spin by Vivilore Jordan - Put My Loving On You, also from 1975.  Her other modern soul spin was All Work And No Play on Task from 1977 which was also recorded by Serena Johnson on Big 2.

Another interesting observation is that Fioravanti wrote the deep soul track 'What About The Children' released by blue-eyed soul singer Billy Harner on Mel-Omega in 1973.

There looks like a few other goodies on the label so will have to explore and report back!

I'm pretty sure Rakes had a record played on the Northern Soul scene (even though he is basically a country singer).  The record in question is I Can't Deny The Hurt on Uptight which then got a national release on Verve from 1967.

Anyway, before digressing any further, onto the track in question.  I came across this via another version recorded by DeVaughn which has been released on re-issues of the Be Thankful For What You Got album since 1989. i.e. it wasn't originally on the album and never previously released.  Check out my William DeVaughn Discography if you want to hear his version.

High & Mighty were Carlton & Clayton Rembert, Frank Mundy, and Rich Bransdorf. I found the following comment from Carlton Rembert left on a YT post:

"The High and Mighty originally formed as the Primes and then changed their name to "The Accomodations" performing in the New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore areas."

I believe that this is their only recording - there's certainly nothing else listed from them.