Release Date: 15 January 2021
Label: Real Gone Music
Packaging Type: Brilliant Case (Jewel Case size, Holds 2 CDs)
No of Units: 2
Barcode: 848064011484
Genres: R&B
Description
The Jones Girls were the premier girl group on the celebrated Philadelphia International Records label as the '70s turned into the '80s, but sisters Shirley, Brenda, and Valorie Jones were actually industry veterans, having released
singles on several labels between 1970-75, which led to stints as backing vocalists for Aretha Franklin, Lou Rawls, Teddy Pendergrass, and, most famously, for Diana Ross between 1975-1978.
The group enjoyed their own smash hit when You Gonna Make Me Love
Somebody Else (R&B #5/Pop #38, here in its rare extended mix) became their
debut single for PIR in 1979. Their first album made the R&B top ten, also featuring the quiet storm classic, Who Can I Run To, (later #1 R&B for Xscape in 1995, also here in a rare extended mix) and further chart singles I'm At Your Mercy and We're A Melody. As well as working with Gamble & Huff and others, they developed a special relationship with Dexter Wansel, who would produce many of their most celebrated recordings. A guest spot on Wansel's own (I'll Never Forget) My Favorite Disco gave the girls a major disco hit. The group returned in 1980 with another top ten album. Dance Turned Into A Romance returned them to the charts (#22 R&B) and the old-skool ballad I Just Love The Man followed and climbed to R&B #9. Their third album delivered another pair of hits in the form of the funky (I Found) That Man Of Mine (R&B #20) and the slinky Nights Over Egypt (R&B #23), which later became a soul/jazz anthem – also featured here in a rare remix by Mike Maurro.
A switch to RCA Records in 1983 spawned a couple of hits; On Target and 2 Win U Back before the group returned to PIR. UK-based Streetwave Records issued a collection on The Jones Girls in 1986 that featured such underground UK favorites as At Peace With Woman, Life Goes On, Children Of the Night, Knockin' and Keep It Comin'. Further UK vinyl single releases later celebrated Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, This Feeling's Killing Me and the previously unreleased Baby Don't Go Yet, which appears here for the first time on a Jones Girls CD,
Featuring a 24-page booklet including rare photos and a brand new interview with Shirley Jones, WE'RE A MELODY: THE ESSENTIAL JONES GIRLS is a
30-track collection featuring one of the most celebrated R&B vocal groups of the 20th century. BBR America in conjunction with Real Gone Music is proud to present for the first time, all of their hits and favorites together in one package with rare extended mixes and CD exclusives – a must for any Philly soul, funk and disco fan.
Tracklisting
X-Ray Spex
Tyketto
Loudon Wainwright Iii
Petula Clark
The Donnas
Tiny Tim
Willie Nelson
Willie Hutch
Jones Girls
