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The Martiniques

Short lived Detroit group who have caused much confusion amongst collectors

By Chalky in Articles
Updated on 19 Jun 2024 · Published 18 Mar 2022

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The Martiniques magazine cover

The Martiniques a short lived three 45 group from Detroit and if some believe LA.

Detroit has produced many wonderful obscure acts who recorded a few 45s (sometimes less) and then disappeared with very little known about them. The Martiniques were one such group and until recently nothing was known, just assumptions and myths. There was also confusion over the various recordings and doubts they were the same group, Danceland and Me-O for instance.

Thanks to Andy Alonzo one of the members, any doubts were dispelled.

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The owner and manager of the Martiniques was Thurman Hollis and The Martiniques were Bobby Martin (deceased), Hershel Hunter (deceased) Robert Walker (deceased) Buford (Fab) Glanton. Bobby Martin would be involved in a nasty car accident which left him unable to perform and he was replaced by Andy Alonzo, this was in 1961. Robert Banks would also leave the group and be replaced by Flecher Sawyer.

Bobby Martin would later recover and rejoin the group replacing I believe Flecher Sawyer, Buford would leave and the group and they would remain a trio.

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The group would record two 45s for Morris Kaplan’s Danceland label based at 18956 Wyoming, Detroit in around 1961/2.

Tonight Is Just Another Night b/w Unknown Love (Danceland 777) was released on Danceland in February 1962, it would in April that year see a release on Morris Levy’s Roulette label (R-4423). Bobby Martin sang lead on Tonight Is Just Another Night whilst Hershel Hunter sang lead on the flip.

the-martiniques-tonight-is-just-another-night-danceland-detroit.jpg.2810888ef076c5f29f80f70c8e951a33.jpgthe-martiniques-broken-hearted-me-danceland-detroit.jpg.540920c9dd45db27f64634075e089fd3.jpg

Broken Hearted Me b/w Everything Will Be Alright (Danceland 779) is the second release on Danceland, the exact date unknown but probably shortly after the previously mentioned release. Bobby Martin would be the featured lead vocalist)

the-martineques-if-you-want-to-call-me-meo.jpg.11bfa21c8767f0105301ebfe88786479.jpg

The groups third and final release is the one that has caused so much confusion amongst collectors. Me-O was based in LA, almost certainly owned by Romeo Taylor, pulling the label name from the last three letters of his christian name. Pam-O was a sister label, Pam likely to be his wife/partner/girlfriend, just an assumption. Publishing was by Rocarmeo Music, 624 West 41st Drive, Los Angeles. Everything pointed to the group not being the Detroit one and an LA/West Coast group. However Thurman Hollis and Hershel hunter have writing credits which go some way to dispelling the doubts. The doubts were completely dispelled by group member Andy Alonzo through the Soulful Detroit forum and later Facebook.

 He stated the Me-O release was recorded at Speciality in Detroit, the Danceland 45s were recorded at United Sound. The fact that Romeo Taylor’s name is all over the 45, likely owner, publishing and as producer although it is highly unlikely he had anything at all to do with the production of either side added to all the confusion.

 

How Romeo came about the two sides and indeed The Tootsie Rollers 45 is unclear. The Tootsie Rollers were from Ohio and Thurman Hollis was both writer and producer of their Me-O release (N1005), it is likely they arrived in the hands of Taylor through Thurman who probably knew Romeo from Ohio where Romeo is believed to have originated from before settling on the West Coast.

If you have been a long time collector or have any knowledge of Detroit music from the 60s you only have to listen to both 45s to know they were recorded there.

Lastly this article mayn't be entirely accurate but to the best of my knowledge it is as much as we know.  I have asked Andrew Alonzo for his views so if anything changes I will amend.  If anyone can add to this please comment below.

The Me-O 45 would become a huge favourite on the UK ( and now worldwide) Northern Soul scene played originally by Alan Kitchener who covered it up as the Three Jades at the time.



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Kenb

Kenb 1,415

Posted

great article. see 45cat entry for update-submissions.

Chalky

Chalky 17,529

Posted

12 minutes ago, Kenb said:

great article. see 45cat entry for update-submissions.

thanks mate, credit to ken...

Rocamero Pub Co was Carmelina Taylor (i think wife of Romeo Taylor,, since same address).L.A.
Address was 5303 S.Manhattan Place.

However the address in the piece is from a 1968nlisting for Rocamero and Romeo is the named owner.

Rocarmeo Pub. Co. (BMI), Romeo L. Taylor, 624 West 41st Drive, Los Angeles (1968 listing)

Chalky

Chalky 17,529

Posted

The obituary for Bobby Martin in Billboard.  Bobby was born Robert Willingham and his name appears on various records as composer.  He was also married to Sherri Taylor?  Bobby was born in Cleveland, Ohio.  Thurman Hollis also from Ohio I believe as was I believe Romeo Taylor, that I am sure I read and that he also spent time working and or living in Detroit.  The link with The Martiniques is via those three.  Speaking to an old friend there is a thought Thurman was co-owner of Me-O?  Internet searches throw up very little on a basic search one either Romeo or Thurman so a bit more digging required.  Romeo as an arranger and producer and his publishing appear on quite a few 45s from the West Coast, Maxine Womack on Highland being just one.

 

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Kenb

Kenb 1,415

Posted

Romeo Leroy Taylor was maybe ...'a bit of a boy' . His business intersts included Hollywood Talent Productions (with Carmelina) and Leroy's Bail Bonds to name two.

Hope it helps with your digging.

Chalky

Chalky 17,529

Posted

Doing some more digging...it would appear Pam-O is nothing to do with Me-O and Romeo Taylor. It was owned by John Woodson. Woodson Music (BMI) listed at same address as this label in 1968 (2150 West View Street, Los Angeles).

The Yank

The Yank 2,457

Posted

Here's a pic of Mr. Woodson - 

 

Wood.jpg.c8716cb1ede007d6b98f3cac9cbdb65d.jpg

 

Blackpoolsoul

Blackpoolsoul 1,519

Posted

On 18/03/2022 at 14:16, Chalky said:

thanks mate, credit to ken...

Rocamero Pub Co was Carmelina Taylor (i think wife of Romeo Taylor,, since same address).L.A.
Address was 5303 S.Manhattan Place.

However the address in the piece is from a 1968nlisting for Rocamero and Romeo is the named owner.

Rocarmeo Pub. Co. (BMI), Romeo L. Taylor, 624 West 41st Drive, Los Angeles (1968 listing)

Love the connection Karl not these guys again ? It appears that The Tootsie Roll was a dance "thing".

 

 

Bobby.jpeg.b8c4e8c7efd8e8f43c6ec5d2e33f514b.jpeg

 

 

 

Tootsie.jpeg.e30946e2d4e709f1a45f3f2be58669be.jpeg

Blackpoolsoul

Blackpoolsoul 1,519

Posted

On 18/03/2022 at 19:33, Chalky said:

The obituary for Bobby Martin in Billboard.  Bobby was born Robert Willingham and his name appears on various records as composer.  He was also married to Sherri Taylor?  Bobby was born in Cleveland, Ohio.  Thurman Hollis also from Ohio I believe as was I believe Romeo Taylor, that I am sure I read and that he also spent time working and or living in Detroit.  The link with The Martiniques is via those three.  Speaking to an old friend there is a thought Thurman was co-owner of Me-O?  Internet searches throw up very little on a basic search one either Romeo or Thurman so a bit more digging required.  Romeo as an arranger and producer and his publishing appear on quite a few 45s from the West Coast, Maxine Womack on Highland being just one.

 

Bobby is known to have been with group called Bobby Brown and The Tune Twisters

I saw a benefit concert poster once from 1996, but can't find it now !!!!, I am sure / think it was from Highland Park

 

Chuck.jpg.2deeeab62337da4b9d81e751e45b5b9f.jpg

Blackpoolsoul

Blackpoolsoul 1,519

Posted

I know this was on the thread, but worth looking at again as Mr Hollis was Therman AKA Thurman and that may help in searches.

 

Therman.jpeg.2cef5f249edb182eef847bbbf532531e.jpeg

Chalky

Chalky 17,529

Posted

On 19/03/2022 at 06:45, Blackpoolsoul said:

I know this was on the thread, but worth looking at again as Mr Hollis was Therman AKA Thurman and that may help in searches.

 

Like all then other 45s bearing Rocarmeo publishing it doesn't lead you to much.  TMT is to do with Thurman Hollis I believe, Tomorrow's Music Today.  Not sure how Rocarmeo Publishing ended up on the 45 as it is a Popcorn production and through his publishing as well so not sure how it became joint publishing?

Chalky

Chalky 17,529

Posted

On 19/03/2022 at 05:37, Blackpoolsoul said:

Love the connection Karl not these guys again ? It appears that The Tootsie Roll was a dance "thing".

 

I know of the Valid 45 and posted elsewhere about it and maybe a link to the Tootsie Rollers given they were both from Ohio.  Tootsie Roll is. a sweet, chewy chocolate candy.  Any references to a dance that I founds so far are more recent than the 50s and 60s.

Marc Forrest

Marc Forrest 467

Posted

This is my acetate - which got me on the tune back then. Back then you could not find any info on an official release on the net. In the meantime a few VALID 45s surfaced, two I grabbed (sold one years back). Silverfox currently has one at 150 what is very reasonable given its rarity..

IMG_1264.jpeg.0188b8ab606fe98e5e8c72bc85b3ceac.jpeg



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