Chalky

RUSSELL THOMPKINS JR. RELEASES NEW SINGLE "SAY HELLO" BY THE HIT SONGWRITING TEAM OF MELVIN STEALS, MERVIN STEALS & MCKINLEY JACKSON Today, legendary soul singer Russell Thompkins Jr. (The Stylistics) releases the fresh song “Say Hello,” a smooth, stirring single graced with old-school charm. Produced by prominent tandem of Melvin & Mervin Steals (The Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”) and their business partner McKinley Jackson (arranger/producer from Detroit and along with the Steals Brothers a cowriter of “10%,” Grammy Awards 2020 “Best Dance Recording” winner) on their MoPhilly International Record label. Presents SAY HELLO (Steals-Jackson-Steals) - Russell Thompkins Jr. A sheen of jangly guitar, whirling keys, relaxed drums and caresses of flute and sax launches “Say Hello,” building the anticipation for when Thompkins lets loose with that famed falsetto and soothing tenor that helped sell more than a few million records. “Say hello to the fool who has broken all the rules and now has nothing,” is his attention-grabbing opening line, setting the tone that’s powerfully relatable to anyone whose mistakes or misdeeds prompted a remarkable love to leave. Each towering note from Thompkins, counterbalanced by backing harmonies, strikes a feeling of regret and remorse paired with some hard-earned, cautionary wisdom to be shared. The song, currently available on www.stealsbrosclassics.com and others like Amazon, Apple, and Spotify in the coming days, is primed to spark a resurgence for the Philly native, whose lead vocals with The Stylistics in the early 1970’s led to five Billboard Top-10s, You Are Everything,” Betcha By Golly Wow,” “I’m Stone In Love With You,” “Break Up To Make UP,” and the gold-certified ballad “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” In 1972, Russell’s iconic voiced inspired Melvin & Melvin Steals to write a song for The Stylistics, drive to Philadelphia and present it to Thom Bell. On the way out of Bell’s office, Mervin abruptly returned to Bell’s piano, sat down and played “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love” while Melvin sang the lyrics. Afterwards Bell told them to put it on the reel-to-reel tape with the first song they presented. Whereas The Stylistics did not record either one, The Spinners did record the second tune. The Spinners’ smash hit would not only achieve diamond-selling status (10 million copies), but also spurred a 50-year quest by the brothers to get Russell’s timeless voice on one or more of their compositions. Together at last with a beautifully orchestrated track by the Motor City’s gifted and talented arranger/producer McKinley Jackson, all parties involved are delighted to have produced a melodious song with a MoPhilly flair. So, say hello to SAY HELLO, a song poised to make you sing and sway along, awash in its alluring rhythms and heartfelt emotions

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. 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. 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. 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 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.