Felice Taylor
Encyclopedia
Felice Taylor is an African American
singer best known for her recordings
in the late 1960s.
Norma and Darlene in a trio, The Sweets, who recorded one single
, "The Richest Girl", for the Valiant label
in 1965. She then recorded "Think About Me", as Florian Taylor, on the Groovy label. Her greatest success came after signing for Bob Keane
's Mustang label, a subsidiary of Bronco Records. There she was teamed with the songwriter
and record producer
, Barry White
, who co-wrote "It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring)", a minor hit reaching #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
and #44 on the R&B
chart
in early 1967, and its follow-up "I'm Under The Influence Of Love". A third single, "I Feel Love Comin' On", also written and produced by White, was not released in the U.S.
, but reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
when leased to President Records later in 1967.
After leaving Bronco, Taylor recorded for Kent Records
, and later in the UK
with members of The Equals
. In 1973, White's protegées Love Unlimited
recorded new versions of "It May Be Winter Outside" and "Under the Influence of Love". Taylor herself seems not to have recorded since the early 1970s.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
singer best known for her recordings
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
in the late 1960s.
Life and career
Taylor began singing with her sistersSibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
Norma and Darlene in a trio, The Sweets, who recorded one single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
, "The Richest Girl", for the Valiant label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in 1965. She then recorded "Think About Me", as Florian Taylor, on the Groovy label. Her greatest success came after signing for Bob Keane
Bob Keane
Bob Keane was an American musician, producer and owner of the record label Del-Fi Records. He was perhaps best known for being the producer and manager of Ritchie Valens.-Early years:...
's Mustang label, a subsidiary of Bronco Records. There she was teamed with the songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
, who co-wrote "It May Be Winter Outside (But In My Heart It's Spring)", a minor hit reaching #42 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and #44 on the R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
in early 1967, and its follow-up "I'm Under The Influence Of Love". A third single, "I Feel Love Comin' On", also written and produced by White, was not released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
when leased to President Records later in 1967.
After leaving Bronco, Taylor recorded for Kent Records
Kent Records
Kent Records was a Los Angeles based record label, launched in the 1960s by the Bihari brothers. It was a follow up to the bankrupted Modern Records and reissued Modern's records. It was later bought by Ace Records, England, which used the label name to release Northern Soul records.The label...
, and later in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
with members of The Equals
The Equals
The Equals were a pop/reggae/rock group that formed in North London, England in 1965. They are mainly remembered for its million-selling chart-topper, "Baby Come Back". Eddy Grant, then sporting dyed blonde hair, founded the group...
. In 1973, White's protegées Love Unlimited
Love Unlimited
Love Unlimited was a female vocal trio that provided backing vocals for American R&B/soul singer Barry White on his albums and concert tours. They also found success with their own recordings. Formed in 1969, the group included Barry White’s future wife, Glodean James, her sister, Linda James, and...
recorded new versions of "It May Be Winter Outside" and "Under the Influence of Love". Taylor herself seems not to have recorded since the early 1970s.