The new Jean Carn remixes album ("RE-Captured: The Official Jean Carn Philadelphia Remix Album") posted on Friday reminded me of a
recording that may not be that well known (or at least overlooked or
forgotten) by Fat Larry's Band who covered "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" which was included on their 1983 "Tune Me Up" album but only saw a release as a single in UK and Australia.
This version features Freddie Campbell (Fatback Band)
and Monica Thoughton sharing lead vocals. It's still 'cheap as chips' to buy, you should easily find a decent copy for under a fiver.
Later versions have been recorded by Dave Chambers (Jazz instrumental 1983) Chellé (1990), The Brand New Heavies (1992), sampled by Brand Nubian ("Foundation" 1998) and Will Downing ("Black Pearls" 2016). A reggae versions were also released in 1979 by Black Harmony and True Harmony. Another reggae / lovers rock version from the mid 80s (possibly early 90s) by Tricia Dean which was actually reissued this year.
The Philly group had seven minor US R&B hits between 1977-86, their highest being "Boogie Town" which reached #43. Their biggest success was "Zoom" which reached #2 in UK pop chart in 1982. "Don't Let It Go To Your Head" got to #93 on UK pop chart which possibly explains why there are so many copies still around and why it is cheap.
They also had a club hit in the UK with "Center City" in 1976/77 which didn't seem to register stateside. Other popular UK club plays included "Boogie Town", "Lookin' For Love Tonight" and "Act Like you Know".
The band's leader Larry James died in 1987 from a heart attack which effectively ended the band.
| Rating: | 8.6 |
| Explicit: | N |
| Genre/Style: | Modern Soul |
| Format: | Single |
| Media: | 7" |
| Label: | WMOT/Virgin |
| Cat No: | VS632 |
| Date: | 1983 |
| Key/BPM: | 12A/113 |
| Value: | £5 approx. |
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