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
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Doesn't she have a connection to The Temptations somehow?
ReplyDeleteIts your move to make,i have no choice.Awesome record by JMM.
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