The Creations on Mel-O-Dy and Unique Blend

[Nick Soule]

Years ago Bob Abrahamian told me that The Creations from Toledo, who recorded one single for Motown's Mel-o-dy label, evolved into Eastbound's Unique Blend, but the information that I can find about members of either group is contradictory. I'm hoping that someone can help me with the lineups of both groups.

The lineup that I have for The Creations is Tom Lipkins, Charles Holman, Robert Williams, Juan Wingard, and Michael Farland.

The lineup for Unique Blend on Discogs that appears to be taken from an Ace CD is Howard Kinnibrew, Milton Overton, and Lorenzo Smith. Some other sources include Charles Holman in the lineup, and he does have writing credits on 3/4 of their released recordings. 

The link between the two groups appears to be Charles Holman. I have a photo of the Creations, and comparing it to the photo I can find online of Unique Blend, I'm positive that the two members in the Creations picture (bottom row, left-to-right) are the same people in the Unique Blend picture (center and right) - I also see similarities with the Creations member on the top left and the Unique Blend member on the left, but I'm not 100% that it's the same person. Anyway, is there anyone out there that has actually talked to either group and confirm the lineups? 

The Creations:

 

Unique Blend: