The Checkmates Ltd - Love Is All We Have To Give (1969)A&M

The Checkmates Ltd were an American R&B group from Fort Wayne,Indiana.The group were
discovered by Nancy Wilson,and included both black and white members.Their one major
hit was 1969's "Black Pearl",produced by Phil Spector.The song peaked at No. 13 on
the U.S. pop charts.Their remake of "Proud Mary" reached No. 30 in the UK Singles
Chart in late 1969,gaining popularity on the uk northern scene.
The group broke up in 1970,but reunited in 1974 for a few more years.They performed
on the same billing as Frank Sinatra and Herb Alpert,and sang the National anthem
for the "Thrilla in Manila" in 1975.Lead singer Sonny Charles later had a moderately
successful career as a solo artist.Charles and Marvin("Sweet Louie")Smith later
reunited and toured the U.S. into the 2000s.
Smith died on December 15,2007 of a heart attack,while on a cruise ship in the Caribbean
where he and Sonny Charles were scheduled to perform.He was 68.
On June 25 2019,The New York Times Magazine listed the Checkmates Ltd among hundreds
of artists who lost material in the 2008 Universal fire....hmmm got my own ideas about that!

AMM

                                                       ALBUM REVIEW COURTESY OF MOXYSOULANDJAZZ

                                                                                     A TASTER BELOW! 

                                                                         TRACKS ON BACK COVER BELOW