Soul Strutter: Jodi Mathis aka Mortonette Jenkins / Stephens

Whilst researching a post a while back on Sharon McMahan, I discovered that she wrote a song recorded on Benny Golson's 1978 album 'I'm Always Dancin' to the Music' called 'Love Is The Key'. I liked the female vocals so investigated who it was and discovered that it was a lady called Mortonette Jenkins which turns out to be Jodi Mathis who had a big NS tune released on Capitol in 1971 which was played around 74/75 and was popular enough to get a UK reissue in 1975.

Whilst researching her I found this clip of her singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' which was a bit of a coincidence as I had posted this song as a tribute to Gerry Marsden only a few days earlier.

There was a comment on there asking if she sang on his Killer Joe album (which was Golson's previous album released in 1977) so I checked it out and indeed she did and she sang lead vocals on tracks 5,6,12 which includes 'New Killer Joe' which has been a favourite of mine since hearing it on release. So, this got me digging deeper.

She got her first break backing Billy Paul in the late 60s/early 70s and then through connections that her relations had, she was auditioned by Capitol Records. After recording two solo singles on Capitol as Jodi Mathis she went on the become a highly sought after session singer who toured with many established artists such as Barbara Streisand, Paul Anka, Linda Ronstadt and Elton John. Quincy Jones signed her to his label as a member of The Wattsline before she was signed by Paul Anka who she toured with for 11 years. During this time she also appeared as backing singer on recordings for artists such as Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Joe Cocker, Nancy Wilson, Quincy Jones, Norman Connors, Chuck Jackson, Gladys Knight, Ronnie Laws, Howard Hewett and many others.

She appeared on 2 tracks on Michael Jackson's 'Off The Wall' album - 'Don't Stop Til You Get Enough' and 'Get Off The Floor'.

Jodi Mathis [1971] - Don't You Care Any More [Capitol (US) #3180]

I think I'm correct in saying that this was an Ian Levine spin from The Blackpool Mecca (it certainly sound like one he would have pushed). The issue is the one to find as as all the demos are same sided with 'Mama'. It was reissued in UK in 1975.