Fair Use disclaimer

All music presented on this site is shared under the premise of "fair use"; this site is solely intended for the purpose of education and critique. If you are a rights holder to any of the music presented and wish for it to be removed, simply contact me directly and it will be taken down.

Saturday, March 31, 2012

JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - LOVE HIDES ALL FAULTS


Johnnie Mae Matthews is one of the unsung heroes of Detroit music; as an early mentor to Berry Gordy, her influence ricocheted throughout r&b of the '60's, yet her name and the records she recorded are only known and cherished by a small group of soul fanatics.

Beginning her career as a member of a group called the Dapp's (not to be confused with the later Ohio white funk band with a James Brown connection), Johnnie Mae took a small chunk of money that her husband made at Ford Motor Company and started the Northern Recording Company. In effect, she became the first black woman to own a record label/ production company!

Johnnie Mae's first national success was as a co-writer of the incredible track "My Man- He's A Lovin' Man" which was 15 year old Betty LaVett(e)'s debut record in 1962.

This excellent side from Johnnie Mae is a collaboration with Joe Hunter, himself another architect of the Detroit sound. Hunter was the first Motown "Funk Brothers" pianist ('59-'64), and his defining licks on records such as "Heat Wave" (Martha & The Vandellas) are one of the key ingredients of the Motown sound.

from 1966...

JOHNNIE MAE MATTHEWS - LOVE HIDES ALL FAULTS

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Doesn't she have a connection to The Temptations somehow?

Anonymous said...

Its your move to make,i have no choice.Awesome record by JMM.