Friday, June 6, 2008

26 comments:

Doctor Okeh said...

A stellar debut from Chicago's the Independents, a quartet that featured activist Jessie Jackson's younger brothers: Chuck on lead vocals, and Maurice; the other members were Marvin Yancy, who wrote and produced the tunes with Chuck, and lone female member Helen Curry who blended with the guys and added some eye candy for the fellows (she was fine). They were at their best on southern drawl-slow, meandering ballads with hitches in the rhythms. Four of their finest, "First Time We Met," "Leaving Me" (a million seller), "Just As Long As You Need Me" (a duet featuring Chuck and Marvin), and "Baby I've Been Missing You," stand out like diamonds among coals when compared to the other selections. Picking their A-sides was a piece of cake as they waxed either hits or garbage (a term Berry Gordy, Jr. used for songs that didn't get enough votes by his quality control panel to get released as singles).

Among the more interesting male/female vocal groups, the Independents made some outstanding singles in the early '70s. Chuck Jackson, Maurice Jackson, Helen Curry, and Eric Thomas specialized in almost melodramatic, overwrought, but perfectly performed love songs. Their first single for Wand, "Just as Long as You Need Me," set the stage in 1972, reaching number eight on the R&B charts. They topped those charts in 1973 with "Leaving Me," while "Baby I've Been Missing You" made it to number four. They never had any song attract much pop support, but soul fans loved the lyrical scenarios and group interplay. Their last hit was "Let This Be a Lesson to You" in 1974, another R&B Top Ten hit. Jackson and Yancy went on to attain success as a production/songwriting team, scoring hits with Ronnie Dyson and Natalie Cole.

http://www.mediafire.com/?b2dgiz04b1m

enjoy!

Christopher Vanaria said...

yeaaaaaaaaa nice jackets.and there from chicago. uhhhhhhh oh!

invisiblenigma said...

Those Jackets reminde me of the one the Fresh Prince used to wear inside out on his show! Thanks Doc! Looks Good

jdayal said...

Thnx Doc,loving the new spot. Keep it up!!

Unknown said...

i feel like i should have heard of them before...

i appreciate this

Unknown said...

sweet...You dont know how much i wanted this...good lookin out Doc..you just gave me a remedy

Unknown said...

A much sought after 72 Wand release, back from the days where people seemed to have as good a taste in music as to wear unsurpassed jackets...

masa said...

thank you for sweet!!

James Chevalier said...

I'm going to market with "collar extenders" ... Why buy all new shirts to capture your new image, when you can just extend the collar?

Thanks for the share

AnonymousGodOfMusic said...

WOAH! Been looking for an Independants record! Thanks Doc!

Raphy said...

Big Big Album

Thanks
& Big Up!!

purple_Crayons said...

looking forward to this one. is the cover correct? their debut is called "the greatest hits" kind of like the eleventh hour's "greatest hits" debut?

hooch said...

Thanks Doc!

Apani said...

Thank you again Doc!

Andre B said...

more fire. thanks for this one doc

MUSIC MEIHO said...

Thanks!

trakbuv said...

Chuck Jackson fragile vocal seemed to suit those catchy Jackson/Yancy melodies just right, with Helen Curry's far stonger chords never dominating duets - tortured soul at its best - many thanks for this Doc Okeh !!

k02 said...

I have just discovered youre blog and its amazing, appreciate the genorosity and great work. Thank you very much.

Joe said...

Thanks for your awesome blog, this one is an incredible lost classic!

soulcontrollah said...

Thanks for all of your hard work, I love what you post!

BillyGunner said...

Your the man! thanks...

R0yalty said...

thanks man...

XOEL said...

I THINK I WILL BE FAN OF UR BLOG 4ever! WGEMS GEMS!

Unknown said...

yeah without a doubt.. thanks

freethewearsideone said...

Thanx Doc this is a joy

AftaMidNite said...

another GOOD one