FREDA PAYNE-SUPERNATURAL HIGH.

dereksmusicblog ♦ February 10, 2013 ♦ Leave a comment

FREDA PAYNE-SUPERNATURAL HIGH.

Mention the name Freda Payne, and most people will automatically think of her 1970 two-million-selling single Band of Gold. That, however, is doing Freda Payne a huge disservice. Why? Well, Freda Payne’s career has lasted over fifty years, and saw Freda release eleven studio albums. One of these albums was 1978s Supernatural High, which will be rereleased by SoulMusic Records on 18th February 2013. Supernatural High was Freda’s ninth album, since her 1964 debut album on Impulse After The Nights Go Down Low and Much More. Even by 1964, Freda was an experienced singer, having worked with artists as diverse as Duke Ellington, The Four Tops and Billy Eckstein. By 1978, when Freda released Supernatural High, she was something of a musical veteran. As you’ll see, much had happened to Freda Payne between her 1964 debut album and 1978s Supernatural High.

Freda was born in Detroit in September 1942, and as a child studied ballet and modeled. In 1956, Freda appeared on the syndicated television show Ted Mack’s Original Amateur Hour. From there, Freda appeared on various radio shows, including Make Way For Youth, on WJR. Around this time Freda’s mother was approached by Berry Gordy. This was before he found fame at Motown. Berry Gordy wanted to sign Freda, but her mother wouldn’t sign the contract. After this, Freda graduated from Central High School in Detroit. She toured with Pearl Bailey’s musical review and sang with Duke Ellington’s band. Then in 1964, Freda released her debut album.

Just five years after Freda graduated from high school, she released her After The Nights Go Down Low and Much More on Impulse. Two years later, in 1966, Freda released her sophomore album, on MGM Records. This was How Do I Say I Don’t Love You Anymore. During this time, was making guest appearances on television shows, and working in theatre. It’s as if Freda wanted to broaden her horizons, and  that there would be more to her career than music. However, things were about to change. For Freda’s third album, she’d sign to a newly founded Detroit label, Invictus Records, and enjoy the most successful period of her career.

In 1969, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Edward Holland Jr, had just founded their own record company back in Freda’s native Detroit. By then Freda was living in New York. Eddie Holland approached Freda with a song the trio had written, Band of Gold. Luckily, Freda decided to record the song. On its release in 1970, as a single, Band of Gold sold over two-million copies worldwide. Later in 1970, Freda released her first album on Invictus, Band of Gold. It reached number sixty in the US Billboard 200 and number seventeen in the US R&B Charts. Freda then released Contact in 1971, which reached number seventy-six in the US Billboard 200 and number twelve in the US R&B Charts. The anti-Vietnam song Bring The Boys Home gave Freda one of her biggest hit singles in America, reaching number twelve in the US Billboard 100 and number three in the US R&B Charts. 1973 saw the release of Freda’s final album for Invictus, Reaching Out. After Freda left Invictus, she signed to ABC Records.

During her time at ABC Records, Freda only released two albums. They failed to replicate the success Freda enjoyed at Invictus. Payne In Pleasure, released in 1974, was the most successful album, reaching number fifty-five in the US R&B Charts. Out of Payne Comes Pleasure was then released in 1975. Following Out of Payne Comes Pleasure, Freda signed to Capitol Records. Would she recapture the success of her time at Invictus?

Stares and Whispers, released in 1976, was Freda’s debut album for her new label Capitol Records. This was Freda’s eighth album in twelve years. Still Freda failed to recapture the commercial success she’d enjoyed with Holland-Dozier-Holland at Invictus. Maybe a change of producer for her Capitol Records sophomore album Supernatural High, would revitalize Freda Payne’s career?

For the followup to Stares and Whispers, Freda would hookup with songwriter and producer Skip Scarborough. Not only would Skip would cowrite three of the seven songs on Supernatural High, but produce the album. He penned part of the opening medley of Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music (Dance The Night Away) and wrote Tell Me Please. Skip also cowrote Pullin’ Back with Gregory Abbott, Freda’s husband, who cowrote Livin’ For The Beat. Freda’s younger sister Scherrie, contributed Storybook Romance.Thom and Leroy Bell penned Just The Thought of You (Supernatural High), while David Crawford and Jerome Evans wrote I’ll Do Anything For You. Fallin’ In Love was written by another successful singer Deniece Williams, with Chicago songwriter Tennyson Stephens. These eight tracks became Supernatural High.

Recording of Supernatural High took place at Capitol Recording Studios, with Skip Scarborough producing the album. Accompanying Freda, was a band that included a rhythm section of bassist Robert Russell, drummers Nate Neblett and Alphonse Mouzon plus guitarists John Rowin and Louis Russell. They were joined keyboardists Ernest Straughter and Michael Stanton, while Munyungo Jackson added percussion. Together with a string, woodwind and horn section lead by George Bohannon, the eight tracks that became Supernatural High were recorded. Would Supernatural High mark an improvement in Freda Payne’s fortunes?

When Supernatural High was released in 1978, it failed to chart. Neither Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music (Dance The Night Away) released as single in 1978, nor  I’ll Do Anything For You, released in 1979 charted. It seemed the commercial success Freda Payne enjoyed at Invictus was a long way away? Why was that the case? That’s what I’ll tell you, once I’ve told you about the music on Supernatural High.

Opening Supernatural High is the medley of Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music (Dance The Night Away). A pounding, Latin-tinged rhythm section and chiming guitars propel the arrangement along. Having set the scene, backing vocalists sweep, joyously in. Then Freda takes charge of the familiar song. It’s given a complete makeover. Funk and disco combine, with swathes of lush strings and rasping horns accompanying the funky rhythm section. Soon, the medley is unfolding, with the backing vocalists accompanying Freda, as she discovers her inner diva, as Supernatural High gets off to an uplifting, joyous and dance-floor friendly high.

There’s no drop in the tempo on Pullin’ Back. Indeed, the track bursts into life, allowing Freda to showcase her considerable vocal prowess. Skip Scarborough’s arrangement is a mass of dancing strings, growling horns, keyboards and a funk-laden rhythm section. Freda mixes power, passion and sass, while harmonies sweep in, soaring above the arrangement. Soon, Freda cajoles and encourages the backing vocalists and band “higher.” Spurred on, they respond to Freda’s call. They join Freda and create another delicious dance track.

Tell Me Please sees the tempo drop, and Freda unleash a heartfelt, soulful vocal. Keyboards, rhythm section and braying horns combine with percussion, before layers of strings sweep in. They’re joined by Freda’s needy, emotive vocal. Soon, she’s probing and questioning, hope filling her voice. Cooing harmonies sweep in, while and keyboards add a jazzy twist. Meanwhile, the rhythm section and percussion create the backdrop for Freda’s impassioned, powerful plea as she ask, begs: “Tell Me Please.”

Just The Thought of You (Supernatural High) has an almost understated arrangement, when it unfolds. Just keyboards, rhythm section, chiming guitars and flourishes of strings combine, before Freda’s wistful, tender vocal enters. Horns rasp and groan, while Freda’s vocal brings life and meaning into the lyrics subtleties and nuances. Her vocal is tender, deliberate and filled with emotion, while the arrangement fuses jazz and soul. Later, backing vocalists enter, their sweet, soulful sound the perfect foil to Freda’s heartfelt, tender vocal.

Livin’ For The Beat marks a change in sound and style. It has a tougher, funkier sound. Blazing horns, an edgy, funky rhythm section and urgent, punchy harmonies accompany Freda’s sassy, fiery vocal. Searing guitars, slapped bass and pounding drums join a saxophone that reminds me of David Bowie’s Fame. The urgent, dramatic harmonies add the finishing touch, as Freda demonstrates her versatility.

Fallin’ In Love has a vintage jazz-tinged sound. With a string-drenched, understated arrangement that meanders along, Freda delivers a vocal where power, passion and emotion unite. Cooing harmonies, rasping horns, keyboards and a subtle rhythm section provide the backdrop for Freda as she unleashes one of her best vocals on Supernatural High, while reminding me of Deniece Williams who cowrote the song.

Melodic keyboards, percussion and drums open I’ll Do Anything For You, before the band and Freda kick loose. Strings dance, horns rasp and the rhythm section provide the arrangement’s heartbeat. Having set the scene, Freda delivers a joyous, heartfelt and powerful vocal. Harmonies sweep in, soaring, soulfully above the arrangement. By the strings dance appreciatively and horns serenade Freda, who has hit her soulful stride, during this infectiously catchy, hook-laden paean to love.

Storybook Romance which closes Supernatural High, was written by Sherrie Payne, Freda’s younger sister. Strings dance, drums pound and horns growl, grabbing your attention. The arrangement continues to do this, until Freda, accompanied by backing vocalists struts centre-stage. She delivers a strident, confident vocal, while harmonies, swathes of sweeping, swirling strings, growling horns combine. Along with the rhythm section, they combine to create the perfect backdrop for Freda’s vocal. As if realizing this is the track that would close Supernatural High, Freda goes on to deliver what can only be described as a masterclass in soulfulness. To do this, she’s helped no end by a tight, talented band, that bring Supernatural High to memorable, musical high.

That Supernatural High failed commercially, seems somewhat strange, and almost unjust. After all, from the opening bars of Happy Days Are Here Again/Happy Music (Dance The Night Away), right through to Storybook Romance, the music is of the highest standard. Surely, music as good as the eight tracks on Supernatural High, should’ve fared better commercially? Sadly, that wasn’t the case. There’s no filler on Supernatural High, just songs that cross musical genres. Disco, soul, funk, jazz and Latin music are fused, as Freda Payne rolls back the years. During Supernatural High, Freda either sassily struts her way through tracks, or tenderly and soulfully, delivers songs with emotion. Producer Skip Scarborough played his part, as do the all-star band and backing vocalists. 

By 1978, when Supernatural High was released, Skip was an experienced producer and songwriter. He knew what was required to make an album a commercial success. So, he penned three tracks, and added to them, five other tracks. This included songs from songwriters from the calibre of Thom Bell and Deniece Williams. To record these tracks, he put together a band that contained some of the best session musicians and backing vocalists. They played their part, seamlessly switching between soul, funk, jazz and disco, which was the most possible musical genre. Sadly, Supernatural High’s release went almost unnoticed. Freda Payne had failed to rediscover the commercial success she enjoyed at Invictus. Since the release of Supernatural High in 1978, it has remained a hidden gem in Freda Payne’s back-catalogue. Now, thirty-five years after the release of Supernatural High, it’ll be rereleased by SoulMusic Records on 18th February 2013. SoulMusic Records’ rerelease of Supernatural High sees one of the hidden gems of Freda Payne’s back-catalogue get a welcome rerelease. Hopefully, and somewhat belatedly, Freda Payne’s Supernatural High will be discovered by a new generation of music fans, who will cherish and enjoy this hidden gem of an album. Standout Tracks: Pullin’ Back, Tell Me Please, I’ll Do Anything For You and Storybook Romance.

FREDA PAYNE-SUPERNATURAL HIGH.