Malik Malo from Bakersfield, CA, has teamed up with 60s/70s Chicago veterans
The Notations on a cover of The Dramatics' 1972 classic "In The Rain" for his latest single released 10 Apr 2022.
The song was written by legendary Detroit writer Tony Hester and released
on Stax subsidiary Volt and was The Dramatics biggest hit reaching #1
R&B and #5 Hot 100.
The song doesn't appear to have been covered that many times. One of the
first covers was by Arthur Prysock in 1973 and Keith Sweat did a version
in 1987. It may surprise you to learn that Birmingham's UB40 covered it in
2018, with an inevitable reggae twist.
Malik has recorded with The Notations previously on a single "Smile Now Cry Later" in 2020 which was posted on a feature on The Notations in Jan
2021.
As generally often the case with Silent Giant, they have produced an
accompanying video for the song.
UPDATE: USMAN47's comments led me to dig a bit deeper and I found several other versions (see comments) but the best of the bunch, for me, is probably from 1997 by Xscape from a soundtrack for "Love Jones" (posted below).
Click icons below for further information or to connect with the
artist.
| Rating: | 8.4 |
| Explicit: | N |
| Genre/Style: | Sweet Soul / Cover Version |
| Format: | Single |
| Media: | Digital |
| Label: | Silent Giant Entertainment |
| Cat No: | None |
| Date: | 10/04/2022 |
| Key/BPM: | 1A/72 |
| Value: | £1 |
This song is excellent dating from the great Groovesville era. Arthur Prysock's version isn't bad either.
ReplyDeleteYves
Indeed surprising the version of UB40 which in their style is not bad thanks to the song itself.
ReplyDeleteYves
To be complete 2 other versions. One by the Philadelphia band "Blue Magic" on their album "Magic #" and another live instrumental by "The Wooden Glass feat. Billy Wooten".
ReplyDeleteYves
Hi Yves, Thanks for your comments. There are a few more versions of interest.
ReplyDeleteSecondHandSongs lists 10 - 8 vocals and 2 instrumentals but here are some others not listed and I'm sure there will be others as I've skipped a few not really soul related:
Debonaires 1972 (Reggae version)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTx8MpH3cPU
Chosen Few 1972 (Reggae Version) .. and a later version in 1987
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kf0fqmli1oY
Wee Gee 1983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQKee5H72KM
Nerissa 1993
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kley3mGVG5M
Xscape 1997 (a nice version I think!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jU0nJomobM
Boney James 2006
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPubHIUT72c