Probably the record responsible for my love of deep soul music was Shirley Brown's Woman To Woman when I first heard it in 1974. Here's a spectacular extended (10 minute) live version to 'drown' in. Still sounds as good today (if not better) as it did 46 years ago.
I have just learned that Betty Wright died on 10 May 2020 aged only 66 from cancer. There is a comprehensive tribute by Mark Savage at BBC News and another here at The Guardian.
I will update this post later with a sample of her best work (as it will take some time to do her full justice with 6 decades of work to select from, releasing 20 albums between 1968 to 2011) but for now the one that immediately springs to mind is 'Life' written by her brother Milton Wright I've just checked the UK charts and it's criminal that she had only 2 UK Top 40 hits! Shoorah Shoorah #27 and Where Is The Love #25 from 1975 with her only other chart entries being Pain #42 1986 and Keep Love New #71 1989. Her biggest US hit Clean Up Woman #6 BB 100 #2 R&B didn't even make the UK top 100.
Betty Wright [1976] - Life [Alston 3275]
A Modern Soul classic
The Betty Wright Story by Mike Boone The Chancellor of Soul
Betty Wright Live @ Hammersmith Odeon 1992 - Full Show 90 mins
A fitting tribute - the full performance in London in 1992
Betty Wright [1974] - Tonight Is The Night [Live on Soul Train]
A more recent performance from 3 Jun 2017 on a one night only 'Woman To Woman' gig which was to feature Barbara Mason & Shirley Brown but unfortunately the latter had to cancel due to a fall after a concert in Detroit.
A year earlier Apr 2016 in Amsterdam with a long rap intro where she raps about the song being ripped off by Color Me Badd See for yourself here.
Betty Wright [1971] - Clean Up Woman [Live on Mike Douglas Show]
And here she is performing at North Sea Jazz in 2012 looking fit and healthy. What an evil disease cancer is - I lost my brother in law on 11 Mar less than 4 weeks after diagnosis on 16 Feb ... and what made things even worse was because of COVID-19 we were only allowed 10 at funeral as it was the week of lockdown in UK.
Honey & The Bees started their career as The Yum Yums (a trio consisting of Gwendolyn (Oliver) Wesley (who married Fred Wesley), Cassandra Ann Wooten and Jean Davis Sanders) releasing (the now) Northern Soul classic Gonna Be Big Thing / Looky Looky (What I Got) on ABC Paramount in 1965. A faster version of Gonna Be A Big Thing was released a year later by another Philly group, The Sapphires (Carol Jackson, George Gainer, and Joe Livingston), on the same label.
Jimmy Bishop (the founder of Arctic record) managed them and added Nadine Felder White as lead singer and renamed the group Sugar & Spice and then shortly after Honey & The Bees. As far as I can tell I don't think they released any material as Sugar And Spice.
This group should not be confused with another Philly group of the same name who recorded 2 45s on Academy in 1965 which included Fannie Lee Cobb previously of Fannie & The Varcells on Lash label. Discogs also lists another 45 by them which can't possibly be as it was released in 1959 on Pentagon distributed by Wizz an NY label - so 'perhaps' the other group on Academy? ... but I doubt it. They released 5 45s on Arctic between 1966-69, 6 on Josie 1970-71 and 2 on Bell in 1972. They also released a Christmas 45 which was released on Chess in 1970 and reissued on North Bay in 1971. The 'staggering' thing is that not one of their releases made even the US R&B Top 100! This amazes me as the quality of most of their material is excellent
Gwendolyn (Oliver) Wesley, Cassandra Ann Wooten later met Cheryl Mason Jacks and then producer Richie Rome who introduced them to Jacques Morali (creator of The Village People) and formed The Ritchie Family. However, their first album 'Brazil' in 1975 did not included them, the singers were an established Philly backing group called The Sweethearts who included Barbara Ingram, Carla & Evete Benson. The best known recordings by them are Brazil #11 BB 100 #41 UK and The Best Disco In Town #17 BB 100 #10 UK.
Discography
NOTE I am not able to find sound clips for Auld Lang Syne or Leave Me Alone. If anyone is able to provide mp3s it would be gratefully appreciated to complete the full discography. Please leave a comment.
1972 - Song For Jim / Leave Me Alone [Bell 45,299]
Albums
They released a solitary album in 1970 on Josie with most of the tracks (except 3) being released on 45. Two compilations were released in 1999 and 2000. The first included much of their Arctic material including 5 previously unreleased tracks and the second was their complete Josie recordings.
1970 - Love [Josie JOS 4013]
We Got To Stay Together [Josie 45-1028]
(I Want You To) Make Love To Me [Josie 45-1017 & 1023]
Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 45-1017 & 1020]
Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) [Josie 45-1020 & 1028]
It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Medley) [Josie 45-1030]
2000 - Come Get It - The Complete Josie Recordings 1970-1971 [Westside WESM 614]
As the album title states, their complete Josie output, all of which is already linked to above.
We Got To Stay Together
(I Want You To) Make Love To Me
Please Have Mercy Baby
Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover)
It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Medley)
Do You Understand
Now That I Know
What About Me
I'll Spend My Life Loving You
Love Is The Key
People Need Each Other
Love Can Turn To Hate
Come Get It
Tracks 1-10: Josie LP 4013 ;Love'.
Track 11: Previously unissued unedited version. Edited version issued as Josie 1023.
Tracks 12,13: Josie Single 1025.
Selected 45s
Honey & The Bees [1970] - Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 1017 & 1020]
What a tremendous double-sider this is both sides penned and produced by Jimmy Bishop the founder of Arctic records and arranged by legendary Bobby Martin. The official top side is great skip-a-long Philly Northern Soul and the B side is superb sweet soul group harmony/lowrider. Soul Group Harmony
Honey & The Bees [1970] - (I Want You To) Make Love To Me [Josie 1017] Northern Soul
Honey & The Bees [1970] - Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) [Josie 1020 & 1028]
Northern Soul
Honey & The Bees [1970] - Come Get It [Josie 45-1025]
Crossover/Sweet Soul Group Harmony
Honey & The Bees [1969] - Sunday Kind Of Love [Arctic 158]
Rare footage performing Sunday Kind Of Love a song recorded by many including Etta James and Lenny Welch in 1972. The lead singer Nadine Felder White is not too dissimilar to Diana Ross looks-wise but is a much better singer and watching all 3 live clips and listening to all of their material it still astonishes me that they didn't have a hit. Reading some comments on YT it would appear that Nadine ended up working at Philco-Ford plant in C & Tioga in Philadelphia. What a travesty when real soul lovers are still appreciating their music 50 years on!
Honey & The Bees [1971] - We Got To Stay Together [Josie 1027]
Live footage performing We Got To Stay Together in 1970
Honey & The Bees [1970] - Never Can Say Goodbye [Unreleased]
Live footage performing Micheal Jackson's Never Can Say Goodbye on The Mike Douglas Show in 1970. Looks like the same show as above?
Honey & The Bees [196?] - Make You Mine [Arctic Unreleased]
A previously unreleased track from Dynamite!
Superb Soul Group Harmony
Honey & The Bees [196?] - You Pulled A Fast One [Arctic Unreleased]
Following on from Three Ounces Of Love post and keeping with the Motown ladies theme, here's another all girl group from the 70s, High Inergy. They are probably best known for their 1977 hit You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) written by Marilyn McLeod (check out Nu Page - A Heart Is A House on Mowest from 1973 on which she leads) and Pam Sawyer. The track was actually recorded first by Millie Jackson on Lovingly Yours album from 1976 which also contained her version of Latimore's Somethin' Bout Cha.
High Inergy were discovered by Berry Gordy's youngest sister Gwen Berry Fuqua (who married Harvey Fuqua in 1961) at a show in Pasadena California in 1976 and signed them to Motown's Gordy label in 1977. The group were sisters Vernessa & Barbara Mitchell, Michelle Martin (Rumph) and Linda Howard who was a dancer on Soul Train. Vernessa left the group after the 2nd album in 1978 (to pursue a gospel career) and they remained a trio.
They had 9 US R&B 45 hits, 2 of which entered Billboard Hot 100 lower reaches (#82 & #89) and their first hit (You Can't Turn Me Off) reaching #12 which they were unable to emulate. However, Motown must have had faith in them as they released 8 albums between 1977 and 1983 all on Gordy, but again none could improve on the chart position of their first album Turning You On which was #6 R&B and #28 Pop.
The group disbanded in 1984 to pursue solo careers. The only member who had any success as a solo artist was Barbara Mitchell who released 2 albums and about 5 45s in the 80s.
Discography
45s
1977 - You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) / Save It For A Rainy Day [Gordy M 7155F]
1977 - You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) / Let Me Get Close To You [Motown (UK) TMG 1087]
1978 - Love Is All You Need / Some Kinda Magic [Gordy G 7157F]
1978 - We Are The Future / High School [Gordy G7160F]
# indicates recommended tracks
Cat. No. appended to tracks released on 45
1977 - Turnin' On [Gordy G6-978 S1]
Love Is All You Need [Gordy G 7157F] You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) [Gordy M 7155F] Some Kinda Magic [Gordy G 7157F] Searchin' (I've Got To Find My Love) Ain't No Love Left (In My Heart For You) Let Me Get Close To You [Motown (UK) TMG 1087] Save It For A Rainy Day [Gordy M 7155F] Could This Be Love Gordy 1613GF & 1641GF] High School [Gordy G7160F] 1978 - Steppin' Out [Gordy G7-982 R1]
Two great modern soul album only tracks on this one. Skate To The Rhythm[Gordy G 7174F] (Funky Disco) Main Ingredient # (Modern Soul) I Love Makin' Love (To The Music) [Gordy G 1178F] (Funky Disco) Will We Ever Love Again? # (Modern Soul) Phantom # (Modern Soul/Disco) Heartbeat (Disco) Somebody, Somewhere [Gordy G 718F] Voulez-vous? (Disco) Time Of Your Life (Ballad/Stepper) 1980 - Hold On [Gordy G8-996 M1]
I Just Can't Help Myself[Gordy G 7207F] Sweet Man (Disco) Make Me Yours [Gordy G7187F] Hold On To My Love [Gordy G 7192F] If I Love You Tonight[Gordy G 7192F] Boomerang Love (Disco) I'm A Believer # (Ballad) It Was You Babe # (Modern Soul) 1981 - High Inergy [Gordy G8-1005 M1]
Goin' Thru The Motions[Gordy G 7207F] All Of You (Modern Soul) Heaven's Just A Step Away (Everytime I Hold You) (Ballad/Stepper) Fill The Need In Me (Modern Soul) Devotion (Modern Soul Dancer) I Just Wanna Dance With You [Gordy G 7201F] Now That There's You[Gordy G 7201F] Don't Park Your Loving[Gordy G 7211F] Soakin' Wet (Funky Disco) ... got shades of MJ Wanna Be Starting Something! 1982 - So Right [Gordy 6006GL]
Journey To Love[Gordy 1641GF] Don't Cha Love It (Modern Soul) Wrong Man, Right Touch[Gordy 1632GF] Wanna Be Your Lady # (Modern Soul / Boogie) First Impressions[Gordy 1613GF] So Right [Gordy 1688GF] (Horrible 80s pop/soul) Show Me How (Modern Soul Stepper) Tired Of Being Alone * surprisingly this isn't on YT but it's a cover of the Al Green song Take A Chance (Disco Funk) Match Point (80s Disco / Funk) 1983 - Groove Patrol [Gordy 6041GL]
This was their last album and sadly from the poor quality of the tracks it is not surprising! This was the time when 80s music was changing to synthesised cr*p! This album is mainly devoid of ANY soul. The only worthy track is Just A Touch Of Love featuring Smokey Robinson. The other track featuring Smokey (Blame It On Love) is a bland MOR ballad, the rest of the album is 'crash, bang wallop' 80's synthed dance dirge even the cover of The Supremes HDH hit.
Dirty Boyz (Horrible 80s Electro/Dance) Rock My Heart (Horrible 80s Electro/Dance) He's A Pretender[Gordy 1662GF] Groove Patrol Blame It On Love[Gordy 1684GF] Back In My Arms Again[Gordy 1688GF] So Right[Gordy 1688GF] Just A Touch Away # (Ballad/Stepper)
Selection of best 45 released tracks
High Inergy [1977] - You Can't Turn Me Off (In The Middle Of Turning Me On) [Gordy M 7155F]
Their first and biggest hit originally recorded by Millie Jackson. The sound clip is the full 5:09 album version not the 3:31 45 version.
High Inergy [1977] -Save It For A Rainy Day[Gordy M 7155F]
Modern Soul
High Inergy [1977] - Let Me Get Close To You [Motown TMG 1087]
This was the flip side on the UK release.
Ballad
High Inergy [1978] - Love Is All You Need [Gordy G 7157F]
Funky Soul
High Inergy [1978] - Some Kinda Magic [Gordy G 7157F]
70s Modern Soul
High Inergy [1978] - We Are The Future [Gordy G7160F]
Really nice Modern Soul Stepper
High Inergy [1978] - Lovin' Fever [Gordy G 7161F]
Modern Soul Stepper
High Inergy [1978] - Beware [Gordy G 7161F]
Modern Soul
High Inergy [1979] - Peace Land [Gordy G 7166F]
Soulful Ballad written by group members.
A side is Shoulda Gone Dancin' (see link in Discography above)
High Inergy [1979] - Midnight Music Man [Gordy G 7172F / G7174F]
Modern Soul Stepper
Released as flip side on 2 consecutive 45s ... and better than both A sides IMHO!
G7172F A side is funky dancer Come And Get It (see link in Discography above)
G7174F A side is funky dancer Skate To The Rhythm (see link in Discography above)
High Inergy [1979] - I Love Makin' Love (To The Music) [Gordy G 7178F]
70s funky dancer sounding similar to Undisputed Truth.
High Inergy [1979] - Somebody, Somewhere [Gordy G 7178F]
Modern Soul Stepper
High Inergy [1980] - Make Me Yours [Gordy G 7187F]
Decent and faithful cover of Bettye Swann's classic
High Inergy [1981] - Goin' Through The Motions [Gordy G7207F]
Modern Soul reminiscent of The Emotions - Best Of My Love
Flip side is a funky dancer I Just Can't Help Myself which has shades of Theme Form Shaft in it. (see lin in Discography above)
High Inergy [1982] - First Impressions [Gordy 1613GF]
80s Modern Soul
High Inergy [1982] - Could This Be Love [Gordy 1613GF]
80s Modern Soul with a funky edge
Also released as flip to Journey Of Love 1641GF
High Inergy [1982] - Back In My Arms Again [Gordy 1688GF]
80s cover of Holland Dozier Holland song recorded by The Supremes
Selected Album Tracks
1978 - Steppin' Out [Gordy G7-982 R1]
Didn't Wanna Tell You
70s Modern Soul Stepper
Fly Little Blackbird
Moody 70s Modern Soul Stepper
1979 - Frenzy [Gordy G7-989 R1]
Main Ingredient
Modern Soul
Will We Ever Love Again?
Modern Soul groover
Phantom
Modern Soul bordering on Disco
1980 - Hold On [Gordy G8-996 M1]
It Was You Babe
Modern Soul
I'm A Believer
Ballad/Stepper
1982 - So Right [Gordy 6006GL]
Wanna Be Your Lady
Modern Soul / Disco
1983 - Groove Patrol [Gordy 6041GL] Just A Touch Away
Modern Soul Ballad/Stepper
