|
Whilst Mickey & Sylvia might be most widely known for their playful and sensuous hit single, Love Is Strange, there is so much more to this trailblazing duo. Mickey Baker was an accomplished guitarist whose career started out in session work, playing on some of the rock ‘n’ roll era’s most iconic tracks - think Money Honey by The Drifters, Big Joe Turner’s Shake, Rattle And Roll, and Big Maybelle’s Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going’ On. Sylvia Robinson’s contribution to popular music cannot be overstated. Aside of achieving success as a solo artist after Mickey & Sylvia split, Robinson was a true entrepreneur whose label, Sugar Hill Records, brought the then emerging genres of rap and hip hop to the mainstream, producing The Sugar Hill Gang’s iconic hit Rappers Delight and The Message (Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five). It is in this context that the pair’s earlier contributions need to be understood and heard. Joining forces due to Mickey’s love of the duo Les Paul & Mary Ford, they were one of the few boy/girl duos to make an impact in the R&B, rock ‘n’ roll and pop markets during the rock ‘n’ roll era. This stunning 16 track LP features all their eight career hits in the US pop and R&B charts including the R&B No.1 and pop No.11 Love Is Strange, and the R&B No.8 There Oughta Be A Law.
|
