Rose Cornelius [2023] - Here / I Want You To Stay [Disco Bizzzare #DB03]

A 12" vinyl release on 20 May (which we posted from promo on 10 May) was surprisingly released digitally on 20 Jun.

It's a set of previously unreleased music from Florida's Rose Cornelius of Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose who will probably be best remembered for their million selling #2 Hot 100 hit "Too Late To Turn Back Now", covered by many (e.g. Chi-Lites and the recently deceased Renée Geyer), from late 1972. Sister Rose being Rose Cornelius who was a soloist and member of the Gospel Jazz Singers in the late 60s, and even made a solo appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show in Jun 1967.

However, at her mothers request, in 1970 she returned home to join her brothers Carter and Eddie (who were performing as a duo the Cornelius Brothers) and use the contacts she'd made to progress the group. The Cornelius Brothers became Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose and released their first single, "Treat Her Like A Lady", in 1970 on Platinum, a small local Miami, FL, label owned by sound engineer Bob Archibald who also produced all their later recordings at his Music Factory studio. The single was picked up by United Artists who signed the group and the record peaked at #3 on the Hot 100 in 1971. 

They recorded three albums for UA, an eponymous debut in 1972, by which time they were joined by sister Billie Jo,  followed by "Big Time Lover" in 1973 and "Greatest Hits" (1976). Around nine or ten singles were released by the label, all but the last two taken their three albums.  

The group disbanded in 1976, presumably due to lack of success and being released by United Artists? The brothers found religion, Carter joining a Black Hebrew sect and Eddie becoming a born again Christian and that was that, or was it?

Rose rekindled her solo career and recorded a number of songs at The Music Factory (produced by Shirley Cowell who later received a Grammy nomination for her work with Lena Horn). The music industry was in the grip of Disco by this time and the session produced "Here" and "I Want You To Stay With Me" but didn't gain release and the recordings sat collecting dust.

However, in 2018 well known, Berlin based, rare soul DJ/collector Dave Thorley (who, for those who don't already know was behind the, now legendary, Stafford 'Top of The World' Northern Soul all-nighters in the 80s) spotted and bought an acetate for sale online credited to Rose Cornelius. It was initially purchased for use in his DJ sets but he offered it to the Disco Bizarre crew from Berlin's KitKatClub for their label who approached Rose for permission for its release. In addition they obtained approval to do some remixes/re-edits. New York producer DJ Duke was commissioned to do the remix and San Francisco Disco authority Jim Hopkins did the restoration and re-edit.

Each song has been restored by Jim Hopkins and "Here" has a re-edit by him whilst "I Want You To Stay" has a 'No Sax' remix and all four tracks will be released on 12".

Vinyl copies are £17 plus postage (UK £12, Germany £6, Italy £11, USA £15.50). 

To order contact Dave Thorley davethorleyuk@gmail.com

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Disco
Format:	Single
Media:	12" Vinyl / Digital
Label:	Disco Bizarre
Cat No:	DB03
Date:	20/05/2023 /20/06/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17 / £3.16

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