Source Material

Taeko Ohnuki is a singer and songwriter from Suginami, Tokyo, Japan.  In 1973, she formed Sugar Babe, a band featuring Japanese musicians Tatsuro Yamashita and Kunio Muramatsu.   After struggling to find success at home, the group broke up…

William DeVaughn is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Washington, D.C.  Early in his career, he wrote a song called "A Cadillac Don't Come Easy." In 1972, he rewrote it, and "Be Thankful For What You Got" was born.  In 1974, he…

Paul Mauriat was a French orchestra leader from Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France.  As a child, Mauriat studied classical music, but as a teenager, he transitioned to jazz and popular music.  At 17, he formed his own orchestra, and he…

Patti Austin is a singer and songwriter from New York.  She was born in Harlem, but she grew up in Bay Shore, New York on Long Island.   When she was four years old, she sang at the Apollo Theater during a performance by Dinah Washington,…

Brighter Side of Darkness was a soul group from Chicago, Illinois who enjoyed a brief run in the early '70s.  The group was led by 12-year old Darryl Lamont, and the supporting members were Ralph Eskridge, Randolph Murph, and Larry…

Ryo Fukui was a jazz pianist from Biratori, Hokkaido, Japan.  In 1970, when Fukui was 22 years old, he taught himself how to play the piano.  Six years later, he released his debut album, Scenery.  One of the standout tracks from his album…

Junior Parker is a blues singer who was born on a plantation near Bobo, Cahoma County, Mississippi.   As a child, he sang in various gospel groups, and after he moved to Memphis, Tennessee with his mother, he began his blues career.  In the…

Eddy Mitchell is a singer and actor from Paris, France who began his music career in the late '50s.  He recorded with the rock & roll group Les Chaussettes Noires for a number of years before he went solo in 1963.   As a solo artist,…

Labi Siffre is a singer, songwriter, and poet from Hammersmith, London, England.  In 1970, he made his recording debut with his self titled album, Labi Siffre.  He released five additional albums by 1975.  In 1975, he released two albums:…

The Natural Four were a soul group from Oakland, California that was formed in 1967.  The Natural Four was comprised of: lead singer Chris James, Allen Richardson, John January, and Al Bowden.  In 1969, they released their debut single, "I…