Deep Groove Encyclopedia

Independents

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Click below for an Independents sample:

Talented but often overlooked vocal group from Chicago comprised of Chuck Jackson, Maurice Jackson, Eric Thomas and Helen Curry. Their streak of hits included "Just As Long As You Need Me," "Leaving Me," and "It's All Over." Most of their notoriety was for love songs, but they unwittingly played a role in disco's development also: "I Love You, Yes I Do," the B-side to "Leaving Me," was discovered by Nicky Siano, Larry Levan and the early club jocks as an effective tool after the single had faded off the charts. When the song began another chart ascension, label chief Mel Cheren took it as a sign of disco's ability to create hits, a perceptive move given the embryonic stage of the music at the time. Cheren pushed Wand/Scepter to sign more dance acts, and the rest...well, that's why he's the Godfather of Disco.

Independents' Deepest Grooves

The First Time We Met (Wand, 1972)

Chuck, Helen, Eric, Maurice (Wand, 1973)

Discs of Gold (Wand, 1974)

Golden Classics (Collectables, 1980s?)