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
15 comments:
Always passed on this at the record shows. Your review made me want to hear it
Looks interesting, many thanks guys for sharing it!
Very nice LP with the superb "Black Pearl".
Yves
nice looking album AMM
P&T Reb
I remember buying Black Pearl as a spotty teenager.
Nice choice AMM. Will definitely like to review this album.
Thanks for another interesting review
Takes me back this one I bought Black pearl I think it was the right up in the early days of Blues & Soul mag made me buy it boy wish I hadn't given all them mags away what great reading it work be today but my old West Indian mate was quite happy to help me out at the time More Memory's Thanks All Music Man Cheers Pedro
Thanks MoxySoulLandJazz for this Pearl.
For better or worse, Phil Spector's involvement actually makes me curiouser about this. Thanks, MoxySoulandJazz and AMM!
If anyone can give love we should take it. Thanks for review, P.
Very good cover of "proud Mary"...
Thanks for the discovery, man !
Thank you MOXYSOULANDJAZZ & MM for the review.
cheers,ELtel
Brings back memories of this sweet soul sound. Black Pearl was and is a beautiful song.
thank you MOXYSOULANDJAZZ and AMM
i recommend the title song
the deeep ballad of Bobby Stevens
i love it much!
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