cashboxR&Bmewsreport r&b Ingredients
Heard from a reliable source that Lament Dozier, the man responsible for an incredi- ble amount of soulful hits is leaving ABC Records. My source reported that Lamont has signed a colossal deal with Warner Brothers Records. Lamont should be having a WB release coming up shortly
Had to let everybody know that "Let's Do It Again," the new Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier film is a monster. Went to a special screening last week and Curtis Mayfield, who did the music and Pops Staples and his girls, who have the hit single were present. The film is a riot and music is sensational. Afterwards Curtis and Curtom Records had a great buffet which featured some mighty fine shrimp gumbo and pecan pie RCA’s 21st Century will be making their national debut on TV Oct. 26 when the five guys from Chicago appear on Soul Train. The group will perform their current hit single "Child," and their last big hit "Remember The Rain.” Currently the group is back in Chicago working on their next single. Jeff Lane one of the busiest producers around these days is going over new material with Garnett (“Cry Baby”) Mimms for a future recording sesssion. Two of the hits released by Atlantic recording artists, the LAWS AT LIGHTHOUSE - Shown above congratulating UA/Blue Note recording Spinners, “One Of A Kind," and "Just You And Me Baby," set up the whole premise artist Ronnie Laws after a great set at the Lighthouse are from left to right: Steve Gold for the Broadway show “The Ritz,” the satire about New York's famed Continental of Far Out Productions, Al Teller, president of United Artists Records, Ronnie Laws, Baths. and Jess Levitt Cash Box. Jim Gilstrap currently hot on the charts with his Roxbury release “I’m On Fire" is more than a singer — he is also an actor His most recent film work was with Robert Redford in the film "3 Days Of The Condor.” Jim also by the way sings the title tune “I Chain Reaction Edwin Starr .” Got You Where I Want You The 5th Dimension will be celebrating their 10th an- niversary in show business this month while they headline a three week engagement For Crusaders Granite Album at the Riveria in Las Vegas. During this ten-year span the 5th have garnered 14 gold records. Currently they are on the charts with their latest single "Magic In My Mind,” HOLLYWOOD — “Chain Reaction," the HOLLYWOOD — Edwin Starr’s debut written by Jimmy Webb. new Crusaders LP, is getting coordinat- album for Granite Records, entitled A very talented young lady dropped by last week to chat Her name is Brenda Lee ed promotion behind its release on ABC “Free To Be Myself,” has been released. Eager and she records for Playboy Records. Brenda has a great new single out en- records. The group’s current tour takes The album, featuring ten tracks, roughly titled "Good Old Fashioned Love.” Brenda said the inspiration to "Good Old them to New York this week to work with coincides with the singer/composer/pro- Fashioned Love," came from her mom and dad. Brenda by the way is from Laurel the label’s promotion, sales, advertising ducer's return to the U S. from an eight- Peachtree, Alabama and she grew up on a farm. The pert little miss said she used to and publicity departments, and will week tour of South Africa. Nine of the do all kinds of chores on the farm besides listening to the late Dinah Washington. feature an appearance at Korvette's ten songs featured on the LP were writ- Brenda’s first album was with Jerry Butler, but Brenda, a Leo, never liked the idea of Department Store, in addition to radio ten by Starr, whose Zonal Music, Inc. singing with groups and headed west. Brenda will be doing a showcase Oct. 23 at the and TV appearances. ABC will purchase shares publishing rights with Granite's Playboy Club in Los Angeles to show everybody out way west her material from her radio time to back up the tour. parent company, ATV Music. upcoming LP When she is not working Brenda enjoys playing tennis, basketball and being a country girl at heart, messin' with her plants at home. out. When they played their latest single release “Creole created more commotion than when the Sooners of Oklahoma came to town.
It was hectic last week but Richard Pryor helped me keep my sense of humor. His show at the Shubert was double dy-no-mite. The show was SRO and Richard kept everybody in the place howling during his entire set. No wonder this man’s LP went
gold in five weeks. If the show comes to your area don’t miss it because you’ll miss seeing a very talented performer. Just got word that Warner Brothers is re-releasing
his gold LP from 1972 "That Nigger's Crazy," to go along with the golden "Is It
Something I Said." . Got wind that Gladys Knight and the Pips and their manager Sidney Seidenberg will be making an independent production deal with MCA
regarding features and a Saturday morning kiddie show. . Isaac Hayes is currently in the studios wrapping up material for his next LP "Isaac Hayes Movement." Also
heard that the Chocolate Chip has plans to tour the Soviet Union next year. . . . Due to the success of their records in Tokyo and South America. New Birth is making
preparations for tours to these areas in the very near future. . . . Hot new LP to watch for is the new David Ruffin LP on Motown. Van McCoy wrote most of the material as well as produced. This LP is a monster. Philippe Wynne of the Spinners is going to be honored by the city of Cincinnati when that group appears there Oct. 26. Philippe spent his childhood days growing up GEORGIE WOODS DINNER — Shown at a recent testimonial dinner honoring in the riverfront city. As part of the celebration, the Spinners have invited a hundred Philadelphia radio personality Georgie Woods are (l-r) Dick Griffey, Richard Mack, or so orphans to catch their show Ralph Baccardi, my Jamacian spy called in to director of national r&b promotion of special markets for CBS Records; Woods, say that Stevie Wonder played a joke on Bob Marley at the Dream Concert when LeBaron Taylor, vice president of special markets for CBS Records; Don Cornelius, Stevie did "I Shot The Sheriff," during his set. Bob having a sense of humor coun- and in the background, Bernard Wilson of the Bluenotes. tered by playing "Superstition” on his. Al Green was a surprise guest at the Doobie Brothers party in Memphis last week. The party was aboard the Memphis Queen, an authentic old paddle steamer. Al Over the weekend happened to drop by a recording studio with producer, Gene brought the boat down when he sang “Let’s Get Married.” By the way heard through Russell to check out one of his new groups. They are called Cheyenne and this ten the grapevine that Al will be making his Las Vegas debut when he opens at the Sahara piece group is going to be something special. The group consist of three female
Nov. 3. . Hodges James and Smith are currently starting full rehearsals on their new vocalists that can really wail. The girl's names are Cheyenne, Shelley and Kimberly. musical. Most of the cast has been assembled and the girls are singing and dancin' up Watch for this group to make a lot of noise in the near future a storm Had the real pleasure last week of meeting Lovelace Watkins. United Artists picked up a whole mess of people to go down and catch one of their exciting new stars. We went down to the Lighthouse aboard buses to see Blue Note Lovelace came in on lay out day and it was quite a surprise to meet the gentlemen recording artist Ronnie Laws. Ronnie was outstanding during his set. He plays the I've heard a lot about but have never seen. Lovelace born in Brunswick, New Jersey tenor sax, flute and soprano sax divinely. The numbers that knocked everybody out speaks with a beautiful English accent The reason is that he is a super star in Europe were "Tell Me Something Good” and his current single “Always There." These tunes but not in the states Lovelace though plans to turn that around after he comes back are also included on hiscurrent LP "Pressure Sensitive.” from an eight week tour of South Africa When he returns to the U S, he plans on re- Grady Gotham, my New York man on the scene, really flipped out last week when cording some tracks and going out on an extensive club tour My Las Vegas cor- he caught Sister Sledge at the Radio City Music Hall with Marvin Gaye. Grady was respondent recently told me that Lovelace was sensational when he appeared there not too long ago. oohed and aahed when he heard the girls sing their latest single on Atlantic entitled "Love Has Found Me.” Gladys Knight and the Pips have a new single release out on
Sisters hotter . . The Pointer are than a pistol since their hit smash "How Long (Betcha Buddah entitled "Part Time Love," which is surefire gold. . Gene Page the well " Gotta Chick On The Side). The girls. Bonnie, Ruth, June and Anita have started a ma- known producer and arranger will be co-producing a Latin disco album with Fania jor club tour which features them in a brand new show. Besides concerts the girls Records president Jerry Masucci. Johnny Pacheco will be the musical director for the have been doing a lot of TV lately and will be featured on the Carol Burnett Show sessions The Fania All-Stars include Ray Barretto, Bobby Valentin, Roberto Roena, airing Oct. 25, plus the Flip Wilson Special airing Nov. 14 Natalie Cole leaves for Nicky Marrera. Papa Luca and Eddie Benites. Europe this week after her box. office successes all around the country. Natalie will be Last Saturday night the Palladium in Hollywood got down into a heavy groove as gone for three weeks and is set to appear in England, Germany, Holland and Spain. AWB, Leon Haywood and Tony Camillo’s Bazuka headlined in a far-out triple header. While in London, Natalie will appear on the famed “Tops Of The Pops.” While the AWB was in the pocket as the group from Scotland laid quite a funky groove. Leon Temptations were on tour in England, they were guests on the new Ann- Margret Haywood freaked out the crowd with "I Wanna Do Something Freaky To You” and Special being taped in London The special is a Sir Lew Grade-ATV production and is Tony Camillo’s Bazuka had everybody shouting “dy-no-mite” throughout their set. . . . scheduled to air in the U S in the spring Bruce Longhorn, my southern spy, re- That’s soul. ported in to say that the Crusaders show at the University of Texas blew everybody jess ievitt
30 October 25, 1975