Lonette McKee - Lonette (1974) Sussex LP Only Release - Rare Soul (FLAC)

Lonette was born in Detroit in 1954 & began her music career in her home city as a child prodigy, where she began writing music, singing, playing keyboards and performing at the age of seven. By fourteen, she had written and recorded her first singles, one of which became an instant regional pop-chart hit. Lonette wrote the title song for the film "Quadroon" when just fifteen. Growing up in Detroit, she listened to all the legendary Motown stars. No doubt this was what influenced her to start playing the piano, writing songs and singing at about five years old. Her mother quickly became a  “stage mother” and encouraged her to practice and keep writing. She convinced her father to invest in a small tape recorder, microphone and acoustic piano. The family went around to record companies and people in the music industry where lonette would sit at the piano and sing her songs.When neighbourhood small-time music producers heard her sing and play they arranged for her to go into a recording studio to cut her first demo. She started getting live bookings at local clubs. Then when she was about 13, she was introduced to Mike Theodore and Dennis Coffey, who were well known local producers and top-notch musicians/legends in Detroit. They went in the studio and recorded an R&B single called “Stop Don’t Worry ‘Bout It.” The record made the charts and became a regional hit and she became a regular on a local hit television variety/dance show called “Swingin’ Time” hosted by radio personality, Robin Seymour. That transitioned her into the professional music scene. Admittedly, it was difficult doing gigs at night and trying to gear up for high school in the morning. Eventually, with her parent’s blessing, she dropped out of school in favor of pursuing a music career. Soon after that, she went to Los Angeles and  was on her my way…Lonette has scored the music for numerous infomercials and a well-received cable documentary on the lower Manhattan African Burial Ground. She has toured extensively throughout the world in concert performances, including the JVC Jazz Festival at New York's Carnegie Hall.  Her success has been mainly in TV,Film,& Musical Productions where she is totally involved at all levels but the 3 albums and 10  x 45,s she did are still sought out by collectors. This debut album is so cool and classy with her in demand tracks included.

AMM

                 The Tasters!..Here,s her huge northern soul hit on the Detroit M-S label not included.