22.6.11

The Raelettes compilation


Just like Ike & Tina's "Ikettes" , The Raelettes were known around the world for their backing vocals work but themselves never had a solo hit.

And it's not for ladies lack of talent- just check this brilliant compilation of their late 1960s-early 1970s work (cover photo is deceiving) to hear for yourself how passionate,committed and underrated these girls were. My guess is that constant changes of line-up + background work somehow kept them away from the charts,although music presented here is of such high quality,it is really a crime it didn't have proper exposure.


It sounds very much like Ray Charles best work (Genius himself can be heard either in the background or singing with the girls) with his recognizable brassy,funky sound and occasional downright blues thrown it. If we have to search for comparison,think about a cross between "The Sweet Inspirations" and early Pointer sisters and you will get the idea. Impossible to say who is singing where because girls were constantly changing,the only person easy to identify is Ray Charles.


Standout: "Many rivers to cross", "Come and get it,I got it"

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