Kellee Patterson – I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby on the Shady Brook 45

As I said in my Soul Tornadoes post, this is going to be my last post until next Monday. I’m taking a few days off to relax with my wife, and from this posting pace that I’ve grown accustomed to. I am going to treat you though to a little bit of goodness before I go, that I came across this past summer while digging. I’m not cover expert, lets say like Oliver over at Soul Sides. I like my covers, the more obscure the better ( I have a few gems in my crates I’ve yet to pull out), but I have to give it up for an artist who covers a Barry White tune. Especially one who does it well. Not too many people can really do that, I mean, there was only one Barry White. However, Kellee Patterson does a great job with her own take on Mr. White’s pantie melting classic: “I’m Gonna Love You Just A Little More, Baby” on Shady Brook Records.

Kellee Patterson grew up in Gary, Indiana. A former beauty pageant queen and talent show winner ( competing against The Jackson 5 on more than one occasion), she started to turn record label heads at a younger age when big guns like Berry Gordy from Motown came courting. Let’s not forget her stints as lead singer of Groovy & the Electras as well. She chose the Black Jazz Label run by pianist Gene Russell and came up with the Jazz gem “Maiden Voyage”. Her version of Herbie Hancock’s signature tune was applauded, but really didn’t do much saleswise. As Russell would fold Black Jazz, he persuaded the singer to move on with him to the Shady Brook label. She would go on to release this record as a single from the album “Kellee”, and move on to release “Be Happy”, her sophomore record. This Lp garnished hits such as “If It Don’t Fit, Don’t Force It” and “Movin’ In The Right Direction”, and “Turn on the Lights”. With the label struggling with financial difficulties, she still managed to release “Let Go, Let Go (Let Love Be The Driver)”, a highly sought after 12″. Not much is known of her after that last record. Rumors surfaced that she may have tried her hand at acting in the UK, but I can not confirm this. All I know is that her great cover of Barry White turned up in a flea market in New Jersey. As I always say, I’m glad it did. Her take on the most famous of the Barry’s (and definitely not *Barry) hit is a great one. Done in a Soulful, Jazzy way, and with her own touch to the tune, I think you will enjoy it. The track itself features Phil Upchurch on bass, Johnny Kirkwood on drums, Marlo Henderson on guitar, and Gene Russell on piano. Like I said earlier, I’m no Oliver Wang, but I know a good cover when I hear one, and this side is one. I will see you next Monday. have a great week/ weekend, and Keep Diggin’!