alton mcclain and destiny International Womens' Day

As it’s International Womens’ Day for 2018, we’re going to take advantage of a golden opportunity to share five of our favourite disco and soul tracks by female-only groups.

 

Alton McClain and Destiny – “It must be love”

From Baltimore, Maryland, Alton McClain and her group Destiny produced three albums between this in 1979, and 1981’s ‘Gonna Tell The World’. Produced by former Motown writer/producer Frank Wilson, this outrageously catchy gem is a beautiful showcase for the group’s soulful sound.

LaBelle – “Lady Marmalade”

The greatest girl group of all time? This trio of incredible talents, Patti Labelle, Nona Hendryx and Sarah Dash evolved from a four-piece doo-wop group with future Supreme Cindy Birdsong, into one of the most genuinely funky outfits ever. ‘Lady Marmalade’ was a rare cover for them, with the majority of the material on their 7 albums composed by Nona Hendryx.

The Supremes – “Come Into My Life”

An excellent disco number from the underrated final incarnation of the Supremes, Mary Wilson, Scherrie Payne and Susaye Green, and the last Supremes album, ‘Mary, Scherrie & Susaye’. This song reunited the group with the songwriting team of Holland Dozier Holland. Lead vocals were by Susaye Green, who later went on to co-write ‘I Can’t Help’ It with Stevie Wonder for Michael Jackson’s ‘Off The Wall’.

The Emotions – “I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love”

Sisters Wanda Hutchinson, Sheila Hutchinson and Jeanette Hutchinson formed The Emotions in 1969, and the group is still performing today. A run of three albums in the 70s produced by the Earth Wind and Fire team brought them huge success. This track came off the first of those albums, ‘Flowers’ in 1976, and was famously sampled by Primal Scream on ‘Loaded’ in 1990.

The Pointer Sisters – “Automatic”

Another group of sisters formed in 1969, the Pointer Sisters were variously a two piece, three piece and four piece act. ‘Automatic’ comes from the group’s most successful phase, featuring the line-up of Ruth, Anita, and June Pointer and the album ‘Break Out’ from 1983.

 

Like these? Come join us on April 1st and May 19th to hear some of these as they should be heard…

160