Rena Scott - A Profile Of ...

This week's spotlight is on Rena Scott.  Her name may not be that well know to many and I hope to correct that. I will showcase some of her best recordings. 

UPDATE 23 Nov 2021. Rena was interviewed by Gary Van Den Bussche on his lunchtime Starpoint radio show on 23 Nov 2021 so I've now added that interview to this post.

Her biggest hit, until recently, was a duet with Michael Henderson in 1978 with 'Take Me I'm Yours' which reached #3 US R&B.  She has since, in 2005, had a #1 US R&B hit with 'A Love Thang', which also reached #17 on Hot 100.  The album from which it came, 'Let Me Love You', was nominated for a Grammy for Best New Album in the Urban Adult Contemporary category. The title track from the album featured in the movie 'Love In Action In Chicago'. Another single from the album 'Remember' charted as a ballad and was later remixed by Dutch producer BM on Room Recording label in 2017.

Rena grew up in Detroit and her talent was recognised from an early age, she performed in her first talent show aged 13 and released her first single at 16 in 1971. At the same time she was opening for many Motown acts such as The Temptations, The Originals and The Four Tops and at the age of 18 was a backing singer for Aretha Franklin perfoming at Carnegie Hall. 

The artists she has toured with include The Crusaders, Michael Henderson, David Ruffin, Bobby Womack, Ronnie McNeir and (that man again) Phil Perry. She replaced Randy Crawford in The Crusaders in the early 80s not long after the world-wide hit 'Street Life'.

Frustrated that she had deals with three labels that failed, she set up her own label, 'Amor', in partnership with Lloyd Tolbert in 2005.

To date, she has released four albums and approx. 15-20 singles:

1979 - Come On Inside [Buddah #BDS 5721] Listen here / available here

1987 - Love Zone [Sedona #SDI 711] Listen here / available here

2005 - Let Me Love You [Amor #AMR0001] Listen here / available here

2010 - Take Me Away [Amor #AMR0002] Listen here / available here

On 21 Aug. 2016 she was inducted into the R&B Hall Of Fame.

You can read an interview with her here

Her latest recording is the release in 2020 of two previously unreleased tracks from 1983 on UK label Izipho Soul.

Here's a selection of her best recordings in chronological order.  It's almost a full discography apart from some 80s recordings which didn't make the cut.

Little Rena Scott [1971] - I Just Cant Forget That Boy [Grand Junction #1002]

Her debut single released in 1971 when she was just 16. It was issued on both Grand Junction and it's subsidiary Black Rock. I'm not sure which was first as 45Cat states both were released in May 1971. It then got a national release in Aug 1971 on Epic. 

The song was written by George McGregor who released a solitary 45 on Chicago's Twilight (before it was renamed to Twinight) in 1967 as George McGregor & The Bronzettes - 'Temptation Is Hard To Fight' / 'Every Time I Wake Up'.

He also wrote several well known songs on some NS legendary labels Ric-Tic, Revilot, Zodiac, Drew, Sidra, Kellmac, Verve for some NS heroes such as San Remo Strings (I'm Satsified), Rose Batiste (Hit & Run), Tobi Lark (Happiness Is Here & Twenty-Four Hours) , The Precisions (Why Girl & You'll Soon Be Gone), Barbara Mercer (Call On Me), Timmy Willis (Mr. Soul Satisfaction), Terri Bryant (Geni). Edwin Starr (Harlem), The C.O.D.'s (Coming Back Girl), Gwen Owens (It Ain't Hardly Over), Betty MaVette (Thank You For Loving Me), Almeta Latimore (La La), Ruby Andrews (I Just Don't Believe It & I've Got A Bone To Pick With You), Wilson Williams (Up The Down Stairs) and sweet n deep number The Citations (Mercy Mercy (Have A Little Mercy)).

Little Rena Scott [1971] - Set Me Free [Grand Junction #1002]

Deep Soul song on the flip to 'I Just Cant Forget That Boy' that was on both Grand Junction and Black Rock and nationally on Epic.

This song was written by Tyrone Hite who was a member of Black Merda who also released a song of the same title on their debut album but it was only only a 40 second snippet as the last track on the album, and I don't think it's the same song. 

Rena Scott [1972] - Testify [Epic #5-10864]

Another deep and soulful ballad again co-written by George McGregor.

Rena Scott [1972] - I Finally Found A Love [Epic #5-10864]

A 70s Northern Soul tune written by George McGregor. It doesn't seem that this record was ever released as only promos are listed.

Rena Scott [1973] - La-Te-Da (This Girl's In Love) [Epic #5-11064]

Mid-tempo Modern Soul / Crossover

Rena Scott [1973] - It's Time To Go Now [Epic #5-11064]

Another deep and soulful ballad written by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield and recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips in 1967 on the flip side to 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'. 

Gladys Knight & Pips version of 'Grapevine' was the first 'release' of the record but it was 'recorded' first by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles in 1966 but wasn't released until they put it on 'Special Occasion' album in 1968.  It was, of course, Marvin Gaye who had the big hit with it in 1968.

Michael Henderson Feat. Rena Scott [1978] - Take Me I'm Yours [Budda #BDA #597]

This is the full length album version from 'In The Night-Time'. This would have to be up there in my Top 100 favourites of all time. This is simply a marvellous piece of music that I never tire of hearing, it's got everything - soul perfection. It reached #3 in US R&B and #88 Hot 100 and also got a release in UK but didn't chart.

Ronnie McNeir (Special Appearance by Rena Scott) [1978] - A Different Kind Of Love [Tortoise #JH 11381]

Modern Soul from 1978 with a 'special appearance' by Rena Scott on Ronnie McNeir's recording.  The track was reissued in 2008 in UK on Expansion 45 and also appeared on his 'Rare McNeir' compilation released in UK and Japan in 1996.

The Dramatics [1978] - Stop Your Weeping [ABC #AA 1072]

Rena featured on The Dramatics 1978 album 'Do What You Wanna Do' on 'Stop You're Weeping' track written by LJ Reynolds, although she didn't actually sing, hers is the weeping voice.

Rena Scott [1979] - The Grass Ain't Greener [Buddah #BDA 607]

Modern Soul. This was released as flip side to 'Super Lover' and was on 'Come On Inside' album.

Rena Scott [1979] - We Can Make It Better [Buddah #BDA 614]

A good 70's modern soul dancer.

Rena Scott [1988] - Nightdancing [Sedona #SDI 7511]

A classy jazz flavoured stepper from 'Love Zone' album (only).

Rena Scott [1979] - I Could Use A Kiss [Sedona #SDO-7610]

A mellow soul ballad from 'Love Zone'

Rena Scott [1979] - Don't Know What You Got [Sedona #SDO-7610]

Another soulful ballad on flip to 'I Could Use A Kiss'.

Rena Scott [2005] - Remember Me (Radio Version) [Amor #AMR0001]

The ballad version from 'Let Me Love You'. This build and builds into a deep soul ballad.

Rena Scott [2005] - A Love Thang [Amor #AMR 0711]

Modern Soul stepper released as a single from 'Let Me Love You' album.

Rena Scott [2017] - A Love Thang (BM Soulful Remix) [Room Recordings]

A BM Soulful House Remix done in 2017.

Rena Scott [2005] - Day And Night [Amor #AMR 0711]

Another Modern Soul stepper released as a single along with 'A Love Thang' from 'Let Me Love You' album.

Rena Scott [2005] - I Know It's Right [Amor]

Smooth, sensual and soulful ballad/stepper from 'Let Me Love You'

Rena Scott [2010] - Take Me Away  [Amor #AMR0001]

A few tracks from her 2010 album 'Take Me Away'. 

 

Take Me Away

The title, and best, track on the album.

Joy And Pain

A cover of Frankie Beverly & Maze's UK soul weekender anthem.

Don't Ask My Neighbors

Cover of a song written by Skip Scarborough and recorded originally by The Emotions in 1977.

Rena Scott [2014] - One More Chance [Amor]

A soulful house track released in 2014.

Rena Scott [2017] - Remember Me (BM Radio Mix [Room Recordings]

A 'soulful house' remix of her ballad from 'Let Me Love You'. There is another Deep House Mix.

Rena Scott [2018] -  Until You Come Back To Me [Amor]

Rena's rendition of the Stevie Wonder song made famous by Aretha Franklin.

Rena Scott [2020] - In This Life (Jazzindahouse Remix) [New Jazz Adventure]

Mellow and jazzy stepper rework of album track from 'Take Me Away' released 19 Sep 2020.

Rena Scott [2009] - In This Life (Astral22 Rework) [Trans Phatt]

Remixed by Astral 22 and released on a 2009 compilation.

Rena Scott [2020] - Driftin' On A Dream [Izipho Soul #ZP54]

Released on Izipho Soul in 2020, but was written in 1982 with Skip Scarborough and recorded in 1983 with The Crusaders, who she toured with, performing on it, but it was never released.  Wilton Felder (The Crusaders) recorded an instrumental version of it on his 1983 'Gentle Fire' album.

Rena Scott [2020] - Kick It [Izipho Soul #ZP54]

Another previously unreleased track which is a mellow ballad/stepper. The intro reminds me of Isley Bros. - Between The Sheets as it's very much in that vein.