Artist: The Sweet Inspirations

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Edna Wright, Carolyn Willis, and Shellie Clark comprised the vocal trio Honey Cone, which only stayed together for four years but was still one of the best female soul groups of the early ’70s. Although Honey Cone (which lead singer Wright formed in 1969) was based in Los Angeles, their recordings were Northern-style soul — specifically, Detroit soul. Martha & the Vandellas and the Marvelettes — two of the female vocal groups that epitomized Motown Records’ sound in the ’60s — were among Honey Cone’s main influences, and the group (which favored a blend of sweetness and grit) worked closely with three producer/songwriters who used to work at Motown: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Eddie Holland. However, Honey Cone’s members had been in the music industry before they joined forces with the famous Holland/DozierHolland team. Willis (born 1946, Los Angeles, CA) had been with Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans, who were known for ’60s hits like “Why Do Lovers Break Each Other’s Heart?” and “Not Too Young to Get Married.” Clark (born in 1943, Brooklyn, NY) was an ex-member of the Ikettes, (Ike & Tina Turner’s female backup singers), while Wright (born 1944, Los Angeles, CA) had been with the Blossoms. In fact, Wright’s older sister is singer/actress Darlene Love, who was a member of Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans as well as the Blossoms (in addition to doing a lot of recording by herself). Wright also recorded as a solo artist in the ’60s; her Champion single “A Touch of Venus” (recorded under the pseudonym Sandy Wynns) was a small regional hit in Southern California. And like so many of the soul singers who were active in the ’60s and ’70s, Wright wasn’t without gospel credentials. She had a Christian upbringing and sang gospel with the Church of God in Christ Singers, but ended up making secular R&B her primary focus. Wright, Clark, and Willis had only been together a few months when, in 1969, the group caught the attention of Eddie Holland (who came up with the name Honey Cone). The prolific Holland/DozierHolland team (which wrote countless mega-hits for Motown artists) had recently left Motown and started their own Detroit-based soul label Hot Wax/Invictus, and Honey Cone became the company’s first signing. Honey Cone’s first release, a 1969 single titled “While You’re Out Looking for Sugar,” was also Hot Wax’s first release. The very Motown-sounding tune was not a major hit; it reached number 26 on Billboard’s R&B singles chart and number 62 on the magazine’s pop singles chart. But for a small upstart label, that single was a decent start. Honey Cone’s next single, “Girls, It Ain’t Easy,” was equally Motown-sounding and did become a major hit, reaching number eight on Billboard’s R&B singles chart. After that, Honey Cone enjoyed their biggest hits of all. Released in late 1970, the infectious “Want Ads” (which Taylor Dayne covered in 1988) got off to a slow start and the song had been out four months before it even charted in either Billboard or Cash Box (Billboard’s main competitor at the time). But when “Wants Ads” finally took off, it really took off and soared to number one on Billboard’s R&B and pop singles charts. In 1971, Honey Cone had another number one R&B hit with “Stick Up,” which was also a number 11 pop hit. And a few more major hits followed in 1972, including the ballad “The Day I Found Myself” and the Latin-influenced “One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show” (a number five R&B single and a number 15 pop hit). But as big as Honey Cone was from 1969-1972, it didn’t fare nearly as well in 1973; none of the three Honey Cone singles that Hot Wax put out in 1973 (“If I Can’t Fly,” “The Truth Will Come Out,” and “Ace in the Hole”) were big hits. Sadly, Hot Wax/Invictus found itself experiencing a serious cash flow problem in 1973, despite having put out big sellers by Honey Cone as well as Freda Payne, 100 Percent Aged in Soul, Laura Lee, and the Chairmen of the Board. The problem wasn’t that Hot Wax/Invictus’ releases lacked commercial appeal; the problem, allegedly, was that the company was not getting paid by its independent distributors. In 1973, Honey Cone broke up, and Hot Wax/Invictus went out of business the following year. Wright went on to record by herself, providing the solo LP Oops! Here I Go Again for RCA in 1976. All five of the LPs that Honey Cone recorded for Hot Wax — Honey Cone in 1969, Take Me With You in 1970, Sweet Replies and Soul Tapestry in 1971, and Love, Peace & Soul in 1972 — went out of print when the label folded. However, all of Honey Cone’s major hits are included on a 14-song Greatest Hits CD that Fantasy assembled in 1990. And the comprehensive Soulful Sugar, which Castle put out in 2001, boasts no less than 45 tracks. Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Take Me With You (1970)

Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold” provided Holland-Dozier-Holland with their first Top Three pop chart hit. With her Women’s Love Rights album Laura Lee could be credited with drawing up the blueprint for a more outspoken stance in female soul. It was stablemates Honey Cone, however, who combined these features most uniquely in their career’s signature song “Want Ads.” A close relative to Lee’s own “Wanted: Lover, No Experience Necessary,” it resulted from the need the producers felt to remodel the trio after Take Me with You had failed to chart. Something was definitely at stake here, as Honey Cone’s debut was the first proper album release for the recently installed Hot Wax, the same way their brilliant but marginally successful “While You’re out Looking for Sugar” had been the imprint’s first single. Whether or not Holland-Dozier-Holland had actually written the material themselves, legal issues with Berry Gordy didn’t stop them from playing a major part in shaping the band’s feisty, energetic and assured image. With Diana Ross about to embark on a solo career, the genuine Honey Cone creatively surpassed the rise of the Supremes Mach II beforehand. True, the similar sound of a consecutive single byMotown (“Girls It Ain’t Easy”) and this albums’ title track might have fueled the suspicion of filling a temporary void. The inclusion of hippie anthem “Aquarius” hints at a different intention, considering the presence of some outstanding album tracks. Allowing for socially conscious topics to enter the lyrics, Honey Cone furiously attack the hypocrisy of churchgoers in “Sunday Morning People.” Elsewhere, the priceless “Are You Man Enough, Are You Strong Enough?” addresses the dilemma of raising another man’s child far more effectively than the Four Tops’ “Barbara’s Boy.” Musically, these songs are closely related to the psychedelic soul Norman Whitfield used to wrap social issues with for the Temptations. Either for commercial or artistic reasons, nearly half of Take Me with You would be repeated for Honey Cone’s follow-up album Sweet Replies. The socially engaged songs would feel more at home in the company of the forthright, vaguely feminist “Want Ads.” Unfortunately, time would rapidly run out for Hot Wax and recognition only came indirectly through the 1990s emergence of En Vogue and Destiny’s Child. As these independent women became widely known as “sisters doing it for themselves,” flag-bearers Honey Cone were left to resign in the “where are they now” files. Quint Kik, All Music Guide

A brilliant early set from Honey Cone – and a perfect illustration of the way the trio really moved past simple girl group modes of the 60s! There’s a bold, proud, righteous tone to the record right from the start – thanks to these soaringly soulful vocals from the girls, and these fuzzy arrangements from Tony Camillo – who seems to borrow a bit from the more righteous modes of Norman Whitfield at Motown, then give things a bit more of a girl soul twist! The combination is amazing, and the album’s rock-solid all the way through – filled with great original tunes that really keep a unified feel throughout – and titles include “Are You Man Enough”, “Take Me With You”, “Girls It Ain’t Easy”, “While You’re Out Looking For Sugar”, “The Feeling’s Gone”, “Sunday Morning People”, and “Take My Love”. CD features a bonus 7″ mix of “While You’re Out”.

Sweet Replies (1971)

Sweet Replies is Honey Cone’s second Hot Wax LP. The million-seller “Want Ads” propels this twelve-song assortment, with help from the R&B hits “Take Me With You” and the beautiful piano-driven declaration “The Day I Found Myself.” Edna Wright, Shellie Clark, and Carolyn Willis both sang and looked good. Classy photos on the front, back, and inside covers of the three wearing stylish hot pants outfits didn’t hurt sales. Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

Love, Peace & Soul (1972)

Do yourself a favor if you come across this album: play side one once, then take a pin and drag it across the grooves; this way you’ll never make the mistake of playing it again. Three beautiful R&B classics — “Ooh Baby Baby,” “Stay in My Corner,” and Smokey Robinson’s endearing “Who’s Loving You” — are disrespected big time. The arrangements are poor and the vocals are uninspired, but don’t blame L.A. natives Edna Wright, Shellie Clark, and Carolyn Willis (the Honey Cone) — these charts would have dampened James Brown’s fire. “Sittin’ on a Time Bomb (Waitin’ for the Hurt to Come)” climbed the charts and made a respectable showing; it’s the Honey Cone’s style, it’s what they’re about. The piano-driven “Ace in the Hole” is the LP’s other gem; this should have rocketed up the charts, but it did little, probably because Hot Wax was in the process of dissolving and the promotion was little or nil. Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

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Review Love, Peace & Soul (1972) By RDTEN1:

Released in 1972, “Love, Peace & Soul” marked Honey Cone’s final studio album and stands as one of the most schizophrenic LPs in my collection … Featuring the talents of Shellie Clark, Carolyn Willis, and Edna Wright, I’ve always thought these ladies recorded some of the most enjoyable and commercial soul sides of the early-’70s. That remained the case on this album, though only on the second side of the collection. To get to the good stuff, you had to slog through a side’s worth of horribly over-orchestrated, MOR-schlock.

Given how enjoyable the first three Honey Comb albums had been, you were left to wonder what happened on this one. It’s nothing more than speculation on my part, but by 1972 Hot Wax was beginning to face cash flow issues. In fact label owners Eddie Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Brian Holland would close the label the following year. With Hot Wax management attention increasingly focused on business issues, I’ve always wondered if the side one covers (two Smokey Robinson and the Miracles remakes and a cover of The Dells’ ‘Stay In My Corner’ reflected previously recorded and shelved material. These heavily orchestrated, MOR-ish sides simply didn’t sound like mainstream Honey Comb tracks. On the other hand, maybe those sides were intended to break the group to a wider, slightly older audience? The good news was side two returned the group to the kind of pop-soul material they excelled at. Largely written by the team of General Johnson, Greg Perry, and Angelo Bond, tracks like ‘Sittin’ On a Time Bomb (Waitin’ for the Hurt To Come)’, ‘Ace In the Hole’, and ‘Woman Can’t Love By Bread Alone’ all exhibited killer melodies and catchy lyrics that continued in the mold of their earlier hits. Yeah, ‘Innocent ‘Til Proven Guilty’ made it clear they were mining that earlier sound, but most of the second side was as good as anything on the first three albums.

“Love, Peace & Soul” track listing:
(side 1)
1.) O-O-O Baby, Baby (William Robinson – Warren Moore) – 6:34 rating: ** stars
Literally buried in an arrangement that would have suited a Liberace performance, their remake of the Smokey Robinson and the Miracles staple ‘O-O-O Baby, Baby’ was simply gawdawful. Lounge act territory, and by the time they actually kicked the song into a more up-tempo vibe, it was simply too late to salvage your interest.
2.) Stay In My Corner (Wade Flemons – Bobby Miller – Barrett Strong) – 4:57 rating: *** stars
With Carolyn Willis on lead. their cover of The Dell’s ‘Stay In My Corner’ wasn’t going to make you forget the original, but proved a major improvement over the opener.
3.) Who’s Lovin’ You (William Robinson) – 4:00 rating: *** stars
The album’s second Smokey Robinson cover featured Clark on a slowed down, pseudo-bluesy interpretation of the soul classic. It made for a nice platform for hearing Clark’s powerful voice, but the arrangement was simply bland and forgettable.
4.) A Woman’s Prayer (General Johnson – Grey Perry) – 3:29 rating: *** stars
Like the rest of side one, ‘A Woman’s Prayer’ surrounded the ladies with heavy orchestration. The good news this time out was that Wright’s voice was big and powerful enough the rise above the arrangement. The downside was it took the song way too long to breakout of a bland and forgettable Gospel-tinged melody. Once it picked up some steam, it was actually quite nice.

(side 2)
1.) Sittin’ On a Time Bomb (Waitin’ for the Hurt To Come) (General Johnson – Greg Perry) – 3:39 # 96 pop; # 33 R&B rating: **** stars
‘Sittin’ On a Time Bomb’ found the trio returning to their creative and performance strengths. Built on Wright’s awesome voice and a funky, horn-powered refrain, this one sounded like something Norman Whitefield and Barrett Strong might have pulled together for Motown. Easy to see why Hot Wax tapped it as the album’s debut single:

– 1972’s ‘Sittin’ On a Time Bomb (Waitin’ for the Hurt To Come’ b/w ‘It’s Better To Have Loved and Lost’ (Hot Wax catalog number HS 7205)
2.) Innocent ‘Til Proven Guilty (General Johnson – Greg Perry – Angelo Bond) – 3:27 # 101 pop; # 37 R&B rating: **** stars
Sad to say the today most folks know this one from tracks like Common’s ‘Testify’ and MURS ‘I’m Innocent’… If folks only knew the original tune. Finally the Honey Cone that fans loved … Johnson-Perry-Bond turning in one of their patented, gimmicky tunes that mixed cutesy lyrics with a killer, radio-friendly melody; the ladies singing like their freedom was at stake. Admittedly it milked their earlier hits, but it was still enjoyable and the song was released as a single:

– 1972’s ‘ Innocent ‘Til Proven Guilty’ b/w ‘Don’t Send Me an Invitation’ (Hot Wax catalog number HS 7208). Recorded from the audience, the sound and video quality aren’t great and it’s only a fraction of the tune, but YouTube has the trio performing the song for a March, 2014 reunion at L.A.’s The Mint.
3.) I Lost My Rainbow (General Johnson – Greg Perry – Angelo Bond) – 3:40 rating: *** stars
‘I Lose My Rainbow’ was a big, old-school ballad that was actually far better than you would have expected. Wright used the song as an opportunity to really cut loose.
4.) Ace In the Hole (General Johnson – Greg Perry – Angelo Bond) – 3:03 rating: **** stars
A classic Johnson-Perry-Bond tune, ‘Ace In the Hole’ was my choice for the album’s best performance. The song had everything you look for in a classic ’70s slice of soul – killer hook; easy to remember refrain, and Wright’s take-no-crap vocals. Another one that was tapped as a single:

– 1972’s ‘Ace In the Hole’ b/w ”O-O-O Baby, Baby’ (Hot Wax catalog number HS-7212)
5.) Woman Can’t Love By Bread Alone (General Johnson – Greg Perry – Angelo Bond) – 2:57 rating: *** stars
Another one of those patented, highly commercial Hot Wax tunes. That said, this time out Wright and company sounded like they were pushing just a little too hard for their own good. Nice, but just short of some of their classic performances.
6.) Don’t Send Me an Invitation (General Johnson – Greg Perry – Angelo Bond) – 2:50 rating: ** stars
Okay, the closer ‘Don’t Send Me An Invitation’ pushed the catchiness factor over the line into cloying territory.

Source

Albums: Take Me With You, Sweet Replies, Soulful Tapestry & Love, Peace & Soul (1972)

Release date: 1970, 1971, 1971 & 1972

Tracklist Take Me With You (1970):

01. Sunday Morning People
02. Son Of A Preacher Man
03. Take Me With You
04. Girls It Ain’t Easy
05. You’ve Made Me So Very Happy
06. Are You Man Enough, Are You Strong Enough?
07. Aquarius
08. Take My Love
09. While You’re Out Looking For Sugar
10. My Mind’s On Leaving But My Heart Won’t Let Me Go
11. The Feeling’s Gone

Tracklist Sweet Replies (1971):

01. Want Ads
02. You Made Me Come To You
03. Blessed Be Our Love
04. Are You Man Enough, Are You Strong Enough
05. When Will It End
06. The Feeling’s Gone
07. Sunday Morning People
08. Deaf, Blind, Paralyzed
09. Take Me With You
10. My Mind’s On Leaving, But My Heart Won’t Let Me Go
11. We Belong Together
12. The Day I Found Myself

Tracklist Soulful Tapestry (1971):

01. One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show – Part I
02. One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show – Part II
03. Don’t Count Your Chickens (Before They Hatch)
04. A Little More
05. Stick-Up
06. Want Ads
07. Who’s It Gonna Be
08. How Does It Feel
09. V.I.P.
10. The Day I Found Myself
11. All The King’s Horses (All The King’s Men)

Tracklist Love, Peace & Soul (1972):

01. O-O-O Baby, Baby
02. Stay In My Corner
03. Who’s Lovin’ You
04. A Woman’s Prayer
05. Sittin’ On A Time Bomb (Waitin’ For The Hurt To Come)
06. Innocent ‘Til Proven Guilty
07. I Lost My Rainbow
08. Ace In The Hole
09. Woman Can’t Live By Bread Alone
10. Don’t Send Me An Invitation

‘Take Me With You (1970)’ On YouTube

‘Want Ads (1971)’ On YouTube

‘Stick-Up (1971)’ On YouTube

‘Innocent ‘Til Proven Guilty (1972)’ On YouTube

Vinyl Covers & Labels 1970, 1971, 1971 & 1972 (Click On The Thumbnails)

Mabel – Ivy To Roses (Mixtape) – Album Zip
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Released: 13 Oct 2017 via iTunes Store

Tracklist

01. Come Over
02. Begging
03. Finders Keepers (feat. Kojo Funds)
04. Ivy
05. Low Key
06. Roses
07. Weapon
08. Passionfruit
09. Finders Keepers (feat. Kojo Funds, Burna Boy & Don-E) [Remix]

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dvsn – Morning After – Album Zip
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Released: 13 Oct 2017 via iTunes Store

Tracklist

01. Run Away
02. Nuh Time / Tek Time
03. Keep Calm
04. Think About Me
05. Don’t Choose
06. Mood
07. P.O.V.
08. You Do
09. Morning After
10. Can’t Wait
11. Claim
12. Body Smile
13. Conversations in a Diner

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Joe Perkins Featuring The Memphians - Looking for A Woman (Plush) - Can you help Joe out?

Brent Faiyaz – Sonder Son – Album Zip
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Released: Oct 13, 2017 via iTunes Store

Tracklist

01. Home
02. Gang Over Luv
03. Burn One (Interlude)
04. First World Problemz / Nobody Carez
05. Missin Out
06. Stay Down
07. L.A.
08. Talk 2 U
09. Sonder Son (Interlude)
10. So Far Gone / Fast Life Bluez
11. Needed
12. All I Want

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Vivian Green – VGVI – Album Zip
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Released: Oct 6, 2017 via iTunes Store

Tracklist

01. Overture
02. Vibes
03. Promise
04. I Don’t Know
05. That’s What Love Can Do
06. The 1st Time (Again)
07. Happy with You
08. Just Like Fools (Revisited) [feat. Music Soulchild]
09. Chances
10. Mutual Feelings (feat. Charisa the Violindiva)
11. Supa Dope Fresh Beat Show (Interlude)
12. Sunglasses
13. Stop Sleeping (See the Light)

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Hey Monday, how are you doing? Need a pick me up? Well Potions Records has just the thing for you. Social Lovers have a new forty five, and this thing is begging you to get on the dance floor. Low key dance vibes here beckon you and who ever you choose to grab ahold of and get it moving. A definite future classic with sexy vocals by Meg Doherty, this thing is infectious. Matty P’s production nails this sultry sound, synth stabs and a driving, but low key beat all the way until the club closes or the basement doors open. This is some late night shit, some back of the club down low shit, basically dripping with sexiness from start to finish. This is underground New York City, and Ridgewood, Queens is churning out some of the coolest sounds on this Potions label. It’s all good, and the flip, “Your Heart To Me” is Fleetwood Mac meets Sade vibes, so if you can’t relate to either one of those artists, you might need to move on. More sultriness and vibes for days , this could end out the evening just before the lights go on. Meg’s voice once again proves that she has got what it takes, and her voice just grabs you over that bass line and wholesome drums. Dreamy to say the least. Heartache never sounded so positive. More Meg Dohety vocals please, we could listen all day! Check out both sides below and order the record after the streaming player. NYC stand up once again.

Buy the record here.

Dig Deeper!

Hey Monday, how are you doing? Need a pick me up? Well Potions Records has just the thing for you. Social Lovers have a new forty five, and this thing is begging you to get on the dance floor. Low key dance vibes here beckon you and who ever you choose to grab ahold of and get it moving. A definite future classic with sexy vocals by Meg Doherty, this thing is infectious. Matty P’s production nails this sultry sound, synth stabs and a driving, but low key beat all the way until the club closes or the basement doors open. This is some late night shit, some back of the club down low shit, basically dripping with sexiness from start to finish. This is underground New York City, and Ridgewood, Queens is churning out some of the coolest sounds on this Potions label. It’s all good, and the flip, “Your Heart To Me” is Fleetwood Mac meets Sade vibes, so if you can’t relate to either one of those artists, you might need to move on. More sultriness and vibes for days , this could end out the evening just before the lights go on. Meg’s voice once again proves that she has got what it takes, and her voice just grabs you over that bass line and wholesome drums. Dreamy to say the least. Heartache never sounded so positive. More Meg Dohety vocals please, we could listen all day! Check out both sides below and order the record after the streaming player. NYC stand up once again.

Buy the record here.

Dig Deeper!