JR Bailey

Just Me 'n You

This album is one of the all-time greats that did not sell and was the best kept secret for years. Every track on side one is from 2-Step heaven, side two has three stunning ballads and two steppers, it just doesn't get any better. Love Love Love was known because Donny Hathaway had done a fine job on it some years earlier. Although JR's album had been issued in 1974, some tracks date back to 1972 as singles for Bailey.

Our good friend and writing partner is also involved on this album that's Ken Williams, who we have talked about in length earlier. Just Me 'n You was arranged by Bert De Coteaux and fans of his work will know you're in-for some fancy production work.

Why is it on MAMS label you are wondering, well I'll tell you. Gordon Mills the master mind behind the careers of Gilbert O'Sullivan, Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck put him on the label. The album has been re-issued on CD this year but if you want an original vinyl let me know.

Born James Ralf Bailey in 1932, in his late 20's he joined The Original Cadilacs, after that he had various singles and made a name for himself as a writer and producer for Ben E King, Three Degrees, Platters - Sweet Sweet Lovin' , Esther Philips, Sweet Inspirations, Rayletes, Arthur Prysock & Ike and Tine Turner. Background vocals he gave to Aretha Franklin, Roberta Flack, Donny Hathaway, Melvin Van Peebles, Jimmy Caster and the Northern Soul classic Chuck Wood's Seven Days Is Too Long on Roulette Records was one of his creations as well!

The Seventies gave hits from the Main Ingredient's Everybody Plays The Fool (Sometimes). Eramus Hall recorderd a jazzy version Just You n' Me on Westbound Records. Sadly though Bailey died in 1980 at the young age of 48.