G.C. Cameron [2021] - Out Of The Shadows [Nationrizn] (Full Album)

New album from Motown veteran G.C. (George Curtis) Cameron (released 1 Jan 2021), who's probably best known as the lead singer with The (Detroit) Spinners.  He was lead on their first big hit 'It's A Shame' in 1970.  When The Spinners left Motown in 1971 for Atlantic, Cameron decided to stay at Motown where he released four albums beween 1974-77 ('Love Songs & Other Tragedies' 1974, 'G.C. Cameron' 1976,  'You're What's Missing In My Life' 1977 and a duet album with Syreeta 'Rich Love Poor Love' 1977), although he rejoined them in 2000 for a few years replacing John Edwards who suffered a stroke. 

He recorded the album 'Give Me Your Love' for Malaco in 1984 and then another with Ian Levine's MotorCity in the 90s 'Right Or Wrong'.  He continued his solo career with at least 5 albums released since 2000. 'Shadows' (Wiki states released 2001, Discogs 2005/07 and playlist on his YT channel 2009 - so take your pick), 'No Need To Explain' 2007, 'Jokers Are Wild' 2007, 'Enticed Ecstacy' 2009 and his latest 'Out Of The Shadows' 2021.

This album contains 3 tracks released on Shadows ('I Choose Your Love', 'Foolish', 'Truly Wonderful') hence, presumably, the title 'Out Of The Shadows'.  It also contains re-recordings of Spinners' hits 'It's A Shame', 'I'll Be Around' and his biggest solo recording 'It's Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday' and a couple of covers of classics such as  'Papa Was A Rollin' Stone' (who many think was originally recorded by The Temptations but Undisputed Truth's was the original in 1972) and 'People Get Ready' (The Impressions). 

As an aside, for the Northern Soulies, Joe Harris was the lead singer for Undisputed Truth. He was previously a member of The Fabulous Peps (who had a few records spun on NS scene e.g. 'With These Eyes', 'My Love Looks Good On You' and several others), The Monticellos ('I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face' on Red Cap) and was a member of The Ohio Untouchables/Players before joining Undisputed Truth in 1970, so was, presumably, on their Compass recordings such as 'You Don't Mean It'.  Tyrone Barkley ('Man Of Value') later joined the group along with other members of The Magic Tones. Chaka Khan's sister, known as Taka Boom, joined the group in 1976 for the album 'Method To The Madness' which spawned the minor UK hit 'You + Me = Love' which reached #43 in 1977. They also released the Norman Whitfield song 'Save My Love For A Rainy Day' in 1971 which was not as 'urgent' as the monster version played on NS scene by The Van Dykes on Mala from 1967.  They were a vastly underrated group, probably in the shadows of The Temptations, which gives me an idea for featuring some of their recording in a future post.

There is a '50th Anniversary Edition' banner on the sleeve which I presume must be in reference to his 50 years in the business since 1970 when he joined The Spinners after serving in Vietnam as a marine.

Here's my favourite tracks from the album, but you can hear the full album here.

People Get Ready

I'm going to kick-off the highlighted tracks with People Get Ready as it's a pleasant surprise as he goes deep on his version of the Curtis Mayfield song originally recorded in 1965 by The Impressions.

Running Back For More

Foolish

I Choose Your Love