He only recorded this One album & 11 x 45,s but the man possessed a voice to die for. Chris was born in Harlem just round the corner from the Apollo Theatre. Leroy "Chris" Bartley born in 1947 & passed in 2009. Chris grew up listening to 1950s soul and doo wop, and formed his own group in the early 1960s with William Graham, Henry Powell, Sam Nesbitt, and Ronald Marshall. The group was initially called The Soulful Inspirations, but changed names several times, including a stint as The Mindbenders. Later in the 1960s, Bartley and Marshall auditioned as a duo with Van McCoy, and McCoy elected to sign Bartley to a solo deal with Cameo-Parkway subsidiary Vando Records his own label as he intended for chris to be a superstar such was his vision for his career. Bartley hit the pop charts with the McCoy penned single "The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven", peaking at #10 on the US R&B Singles chart and #32 on the Billboard pop charts in 1967. Chris released a full album behind the single and toured both in America and England following the song's success. When Vando Records folded, Bartley signed with Buddah Records, but the resulting single "Baby I'm Yours" did not chart. Bartley left the music industry in the early 1970s as a result of family health problems, but re-emerged a few years later by joining his fellow new York friends The Ad-Libs. I`ve included some Bonus tracks listed under the back cover.. Such a great under rated talent deserves a review on this blog. back in the day there was a right old scramble to get hold of the LP as its full of great Van McCoy penned dancers. great to hear these again, what a talent!
AMM
The Tasters!
14 The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven (Mono Single Version (Bonus Track)
15 Baby It's Wonderful (Mono Single Version (Bonus Track)
16 I'll Be Loving You (Mono Single Version (Bonus Track)
17 For You (Mono Single Version (Bonus Track)
18 You Get Next To My Heart (Mono Single Version (Bonus Track)
28 comments:
Great singer! thanks for the review AMM
I like the romantic picture in the cover, I hope the music is also that good, thanks AMM!
Fantastic voice , thanks for the review .
And a great cover, too! Thanks for review, P.
Brilliant yes please AMM
Right up my ally and mind blowing. He reminds me of Eddie Kendricks and Damon Harris. Excellent Review. Thanks, AMM.
Thanks for this gem
Didnt Know This One, Thanks A Lot For Another Great Review!
Thanks AMM for bonus material too.
This is the sweetest thing this side of heaven!
Thanks, AMM!
thanks for the review with the extra tracks AMM
Uuhweee, I always really dug the title, some may find it cheesy, I don't ;) So, 'Sweet Thing Nr. 2!' in my opinion, thanks for that ;) ☮️☀️✌🏻
Great review, I'm intrigued
Thanks for this review
Great mate - thanks for the review
Very nice indeed... many thanks AMM for this review.
BigD
Voice sounds good and it a shame that he wasn't as well know in the states. thank you AMM.
Please and thank you!
Bought the title track in the sixties but never heard anything else by Chris after that so it's great to be able to hear this now. great voice.
Thanks for the review
Thank you very much for this
Great singer sweetest voce you'll ever here great review AMM
Cheers Pedro
Thank you AMM for reviewing Chris Bartley. Another fine singer.
nice review AMM thanks and thanks for the bonus tracks
Loved the title track!
Unknown to me, but great tasters indeed !
Used to own a box of this lp sealed...today I don't even have the hit single!
Got this excellent album, but you`ve tempted me with the bonus tracks and quality download. THANKS!
Cheers!
Bill
(b3will@msn.com)
Post a Comment