Gwen McCrae, a gutsy soul singer in the southern style and initially influenced by such leading lights of the soul world as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, is known best for her 1975 R&B #1 “Rockin’ Chair”.

Having married George “Rock Your Baby” McCrae after a whirlwind romance in 1963 the couple became a vocal duo, ‘George & Gwen’ and were discovered by influential singer/producer Betty Wright in the late 60’s while performing extensively throughout South Florida. Betty Wright was able to help them get a recording deal at Henry Stones Alston imprint which led to a move to Columbia Records before going
back to a different Henry Stone imprint, Cat. A succession of singles were released during this period with modest success until she hit the R&B #1 spot with the aforementioned ‘Rockin’ Chair’ in 1975 and followed it up with her debut LP of the same name. Gwen recorded several more albums for the Cat imprint with reasonable R&B chart success before teaming up again with Betty Wright who produced her
final LP for the label, MELODY OF LIFE, in 1979.

MELODY OF LIFE opens with intent with McCrae putting down a strong, soulful vocal on “All This Love That I’m Givin’” backed up with a great synth bass line helping it to become a much lauded underground dance
floor favourite up to the present day despite not charting on its release. From ‘I Can Only Think Of You’ onwards MELODY OF LIFE provides elegant and endearing soulful backdrops for McCrae’s stunning vocals to soar over. ‘The Joy’ has a positive groove led by the bass guitar and backed up with an energetic horn section. On every track McCrae is at her impassioned best, a great example of which is ‘Ease The Pain’ where McCrae builds the track to a emotional crescendo, tapping right in to the song’s theme of loneliness.

BBR is very proud to present an often overlooked soul classic MELODY OF LIFE with extensive liner notes and bonus tracks.

MELODY OF LIFE is essential listening for all Soul and R&B fans out there!

1. All This Love That I'm Givin' 4:11
2. I Can Only Think Of You 5:31
3. Maybe I'll Find Somebody New 3:35
4. I Found A Love 4:33
5. The Joy 4:39
6. Ease The Pain 3:36
7. The Melody Of Life 6:12

Bonustracks :

8. All This Love That I'm Givin' (Single Version) 3:55
9. The Joy (Single Version) 3:44


Label : Big Break Records
Catnr. : CDBBR227
Ean : 5013929052734

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