Richard A. Brooks (Brooks Brothers), Soul Junction 45 In 2 Weeks

[Dave Thorley]

 

------------ Out In 2 Weeks, Richard A. Brooks (Brooks Brothers) ----------

 

Richard A. Brookes was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. While attending The Howard High School he formed a vocal group known as the Pleasures this was a short lived affair with Richard later joining his brother Arthur’s group ‘The Four Roosters And A Chick’ (later becoming just ‘The Roosters’).

 

Both Richard and Arthur came to the same conclusion that they stood a greater chance of success if they moved north so with fellow Chattnoogan Sam Gooden they migrated north relocating to Chicago. Upon their arrival in the Windy City they enrolled at the Washburn High School where they first met Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield. In 1957 with the addition of Butler and Mayfield they recorded the Richard Brooks penned “For Your Precious Love” under the group name of “Jerry Butler And The Impressions” for the local Abner label. Due to the popularity of FYPL and the help of their manager Eddie Thomas (of Thomas Records fame) they signed up to the nationally distributed Vee-Jay label. Following Jerry Butler’s departure and further moderate releases Vee-Jay decided to drop them in 1961, only for ABC Paramount to sign them up. Securing a R&B hit with “Gypsy Woman”, but following their sixth ABC release ‘Sad, Sad Girl And A Boy’ in 1963 The Brooks Brothers suddenly left The Impressions. 

 

After briefly forming their own Impressions, Richard and Arthur then moved to Detroit where amongst other production projects they recorded the northern soul classic ‘Looking For A Woman’ as the ‘Brooks Brothers’, Tay (501). Tay being a subsidiary of the Detroit Sound label where Richard also composed The Sequins ‘Try My Love’ (503) a subsequent Detroit Sound release. Into the 70’s Richard pitched up at Nasco Records in Nashville as the lead singer of the group Bits And Pieces. For whom he wrote four excellent tracks, ‘Did I Scare You/Smoke Stream’ (Nasco 031) and ‘Sinner (Have You Been There)/Keep On Running Away’ (Nasco 033).

 

In 2009 Richard in collaboration with blues man Oliver Johnson, (Albert King’s former band leader) formed their own production company. One of their most recent projects is Richards own CD project ‘I Am Back’ which has never really got past the promotional stage.

 

Fate then intervened courtesy of Dave Thorley and Malayka Erpen. Malayka whose job involves making regular trips to Chattanooga struck up a friendship with a local taxi driver. Malakya’s enquires regarding any local soul artists he might know led to a meeting with the aforementioned Richard Brooks, with whom she discussed his performing career over a game of cards. As they parted company Richard pushed a CD into her hands which eventually arrived at Soul Junction HQ. It is from this CD that the Impressionesque ‘I’ll do Anything To Make You Happy’ and ‘With All My Heart’ have been taken for this excellent 45 release.

 

hear it .......................https://youtu.be/hJEgFovbS6Q

Edited June 11, 2014 by Dave Thorley

[Robbk]

There are several mistakes in that blurb.  They got together with Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield in 1957.  They may well have written and practised "For Your Prescious Love" in 1957, but didn't get signed by VJ Records until 1958.  Their record was released FIRST on Vee Jay 280, but soon after transferred to VJ's subsidiary label, Falcon Records.  The very successful sales of their record was the reason why VJ had to change the name of its Falcon Records to Abner Records, as another Falcon Records (in Texas, I believe), brought a lawsuit.

 

The Impressions were cut loose from VJ in late 1959.  Jerry Butler was signed as a solo artist, and Curtis Mayfield was signed by Butler, to be his songwriter and guitarist.  The Impressions, without Mayfield on lead, had 2 records released before Curtis got them the contract with ABC Records in late 1961.  One was on a very small Chicago label (Bandera-"Listen"/"Shorty's Got To Go"), and one on a tinier New York label (a red label with block lettered printing and on styrene), (I've forgotten the name of the label and song titles).  Maybe Sam Gooden and Fred Cash alternated leads?  Both went nowhere. 

Edited June 11, 2014 by RobbK

[Guest Johnny One Trout]

Wonderful 

[Robbk]

It's interesting that The Brooks Brothers asked Jerry Butler to join their Roosters group, which remained The Roosters.  And, when they asked Curtis Mayfield to join, they changed the name to The Impressions.

[Robbk]

I'll Do Anything" sounds just like Curtis Mayfield wrote it.  The Brooks Brothers must have followed his career closely long after The original Impressions split up.  "I'll Do Anything" is many, many years after the music I like stopped being made.  But, it is nice, and decent to listen to.  I like it.  In what year was it recorded?

Edited June 12, 2014 by RobbK

[Roburt]

After the Brooks Brothers left the Impressions, they spent some time based in Baltimore. While there they got to know some local artists, Kenny Hamber being one of them.

Kenny saw them walking down the street one day & recognised them from shows he had seen the Impressions perform in the city. He introduced himself and asked if they were who he thought they were (which they confirmed).

Seems that they must have moved about a bit back in the 60's after their spell based in New York with the Impressions.

[Chris Turnbull]

Funny, always assumed Brooks Brothers ('Looking for a woman') were a white act - great record but very blue eyed sounding, though I guess along the lines of some of the Fame sides of the time with double tracked vocals (Slippin' Around', or Jimmy Hughes 'Lovely Ladies') which makes them less 'black' sounding

[Jerry Hipkiss]

Funny, always assumed Brooks Brothers ('Looking for a woman') were a white act - great record but very blue eyed sounding, though I guess along the lines of some of the Fame sides of the time with double tracked vocals (Slippin' Around', or Jimmy Hughes 'Lovely Ladies') which makes them less 'black' sounding

Either that or you have a residual memory of this UK duo...;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXQ1a-cjXXE

[Louise]

There are several mistakes in that blurb.  They got together with Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield in 1957.  They may well have written and practised "For Your Prescious Love" in 1957, but didn't get signed by VJ Records until 1958.  Their record was released FIRST on Vee Jay 280, but soon after transferred to VJ's subsidiary label, Falcon Records.  The very successful sales of their record was the reason why VJ had to change the name of its Falcon Records to Abner Records, as another Falcon Records (in Texas, I believe), brought a lawsuit.

 

The Impressions were cut loose from VJ in late 1959.  Jerry Butler was signed as a solo artist, and Curtis Mayfield was signed by Butler, to be his songwriter and guitarist.  The Impressions, without Mayfield on lead, had 2 records released before Curtis got them the contract with ABC Records in late 1961.  One was on a very small Chicago label, and one on a tinier New York label.  Both went nowhere. 

 No mistakes Robb

Just not the full facts what Dave has posted up is a brief resum'e of Richard Brooks career taken from our website to promote the 45.we are in the process of finishing off a more indepth article of his career which we intended to post next week, but Dave T jumped the gun.

But just to wet your appetite, the tiny New York release by the Impressions which you have quoted is "I Need Your Love/Don't Leave" on the Swirl label release number 107. Which featured Sam Gooden, Fred Cash and Richard and Arthur Brooks as Mayfield had gone off to play guitar for Jerry Butler. Sorry we haven't been able to give it to you chapter and verse sooner but some of us do have a life which doesn't include reading websites all day.

Dave Welding

Edited June 11, 2014 by Louise

[Dennisoul]

Superb record.....absolutely essential 45.....another beauty from soul junction 

[MarkH]

A top quality double sider. I actually have a slight preference for the flip "With all my heart" and had a really good response from those in attendance at Majestic Soul last week.Either way , 2 very good tracks.

Mark Houghton

[Robbk]

In what year was it recorded?

[Chalky]

Great track but why a full clip on youtube?  Surely this will have an affect on sales?

Edited June 13, 2014 by chalky

[Steve Plumb]

Super track, loving it and the B side ain't bad either 

 

Didn't realise this was the same Richard Brooks who wrote and sang on Bits n Pieces 'Keep on running away' 'Did I scare you' etc

 

Cheers

Steve

[Trafficmaster]

played it on dab of soul radio show monday night got a good response

it will have another outing on next mondays show

 

thanks to the soul junction guys

 

regards

dave lucas

[Louise]

In what year was it recorded?

 Both songs were recorded in 2012 with the aid of  Albert King's former band leader Oliver Johnson a close friend and associate of Richards.

Real music by real musicians  

Dave

Edited June 13, 2014 by Louise

[Tfk]

Fantastic double header,gave um both a whirl at Thorne last month - both.sides do it ' 

 

Andy

Edited June 13, 2014 by tfk

[Philly]

First heard it via Dave Lucas on Dab of Soul, brilliant double sider which arrived yesterday, thanks Dave

[Louise]

After the Brooks Brothers left the Impressions, they spent some time based in Baltimore. While there they got to know some local artists, Kenny Hamber being one of them.

Kenny saw them walking down the street one day & recognised them from shows he had seen the Impressions perform in the city. He introduced himself and asked if they were who he thought they were (which they confirmed).

Seems that they must have moved about a bit back in the 60's after their spell based in New York with the Impressions.

 

Arthur Brooks met his first wife Everlyn in Baltimore and did live their for a while.

[Guest malayka]

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=698799520206793&id=100002302530300

[Dave Thorley]

Fantastic little video from Richard Brooks of The Brooks Brothers.................. This is his thank you to everyone who bought a copy of his new 45 on Soul Junction

 

https://m.facebook.c...100002302530300