Carla Whitney
Carla Whitney – Choker Campbell & The Super Sounds

An RSD 2021 reissue of an obscure funk gem, now at reduced price until stocks last – originals going for a good few hundred now.

Carla Whitney (with Choker Campbell and the Super Sounds), a relatively unknown soul gem that has flown under the radar since its release 51 years ago. Backed by Motown royalty Choker Campbell, the velvet-throated Whitney is like Aretha, Marlena Shaw and Vicki Anderson all rolled into one, flitting from cottony crooners to full-out funk stormers. Campbell was the leader of Motown’s live band, the saxophonist and conductor who kept any number of Motortown Revue shows driving along. A respected leader of men, and later a talented producer. Somehow in 1975 the nearly 60-year-old Campbell managed to find his way to Canada, where he hooked up with the little-known but dyno-voiced Carla Whitney in Toronto, producing the only LP she would ever make and issuing it on the then-obscure Attic label.

The album contains many soul gems including the in demand superb mid tempo modern soul beat ballad ‘Lovin At Midnight’ and the excellent orchestrated mid tempo soul track ‘I’ve Been Hurt So many times’  both show off Carla’s vocal range and the magnificent orchestration, which is evident throughout the album. ‘Its You For Me’ is a nice uptempo 70’s soul dancer that belts along. ‘War’ is a brassy funkier groove with a nice deep propelling bassline which could easily have been recorded by her namesake Marva. ‘Wisdom Song’ is another uptempo track that illustrates Choker Campbell’s Detroit/Motown roots. There are also some great ballads like ‘What Made You Change Your Mind’, ‘Tear Stained Pillow’ and ‘I’m Still In Love With You’ .  Nice obscure mid 70’s Soul album.