Double Exposure
Formed in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
The group comprised
of:
James Williams
Joseph Harris
Charles Whittington
and Leonard 'Butch'
Davis.
Double Exposure
(was) formed in 1966 as a group called United Image.
Salsoul Records
hired Philadelphia songwriter/producer/arranger/musician, Norman Harris to
develop an album. The song “Ten Percent” released in 1976 and was a major club
success as was the album of the same name.
THE DOUBLE EXPOSURE
STORY
On December 11,
1975, at Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Double Exposure
began recording what would become one of the most successful albums to come out
of the Philly music empire. This empire already contained artist such as the
O'JAYS, Billy Paul, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, Teddy Pendergrass, The
Spinners, Blue Magic, The Delphonics, The Trammps, Stylistics and the list goes
on and on.
Double Exposure’s
first album entitled, "Ten Percent" with the title cut having tremendous success
first as a disco hit, then reaching the" R&B" charts and also having surprising
success on the "POP" charts. The second single from that album "My Love is Free"
was also a smash on all three charts putting Double Exposure over the top. The
results, two gold singles, one gold album. For Jimmy Williams, Charles
Whittington, Leonard (Butch) Davis, and Joe Harris, this was their first taste
of real success in the recording business but definitely not their first
experience.
Formerly known as
United Image they had been singing together since Jr. High School.
After High School and military service they reunited and began their
quest toward a life- long dream of becoming successful entertainers and
recording artist. It was not easy but they believed in their God given talents
and they just simply loved to sing. In the early days they worked hard doing
four shows a night (40minutes on stage 20min off) sometimes five and six nights
a week. There were times when club owners claimed that they didn't make money
and couldn't pay or just told the guys that they weren't going to get paid. One
night a blazing gun battle almost erupted but miraculously the club owner came
to his senses. This was all part of working in what was called the chittlin
circuit where you paid heavy dues but you honed your craft by really learning
how to entertain an audience under the most adverse conditions.
photo by hank
dunning
Upon recommendation
of some DJ's United Image was introduced to recording executive Lebaron Taylor
who signed them to Stax Records. They released a single(Loves Creeping Up On
Me)and at least half an album was completed in Philadelphia with Bunny Sigler
co-producing, but the project was shelved, apparently due to internal problems
at Stax. In addition to three songs from Bunny Sigler (Stick Like Glue, Lavada,
Keep A Light Burning In The Window) there was one from Norman Harris and Allan
Felder (I Forgot To Come Into Your Heart) who in the early 70's were fast
becoming a hot writing team. After the Stax project fell apart United Image
hooked up with local producer Jesse James on Branding Iron Records who had some
recent success with Fantastic Johnny C "Boogaloo Down Broadway" and Cliff Nobles
& Co "Hitch It to the Horse". They released a dance tune "The African Bump"
backed with "Hit Man”. Despite their rather contrived titles the recordings
aren't bad at all.
United Image had
numerous disappointments but they persevered, working day jobs while rehearsing
and performing at night. When one day, Joe while shopping in down town
Philadelphia, heard his name called aloud. He turned around to see Norman
Harris, an old friend and guitar player from those chittlin circuit days who
along with Ronnie Baker, bass player and Earl Young, drummer had become known
for their incredible talent as the rhythm section of the Philly Sound. Baker,
Harris and Young was their production company. Norman was emerging from a
business luncheon and he walked toward Joe with a big smile on his face. Norman
said to Joe, I've been trying to find you guys. Nobody knew how to get in touch
with you. I've got a deal for you. Be at my office tomorrow to audition for a
record company. That record company turned out to be Salsoul Records represented
by vice president Ken Cayre. Norman was to embark on a deal to produce music for
the Salsoul record label. Also at the audition were many of the staff writers
and producers working with Norman, such as Allan Felder and T.G.Conway who wrote
“Ten Percent”, Bunny Sigler, (who had hits on the O'Jays) wrote “Everyman” and
My Love is Free with Felder, Bobby
Eli, (who had hits on Blue Magic) Bruce Hawes, (who had hits on The Spinners)
Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey, (who was a great arranger and is known for the monster
hit song, “Disco Inferno” and had played keyboards with United Image) Vince
Montana, (musical director of the Salsoul Orchestra), and Bruce Gray (who wrote
Pick Me with Conway and Felder
Baker Harris and Young had already worked on projects with First Choice & The
Trammps with much success. Needless to say the audition went well. It had been
previously suggested that the group change their name to something more modern.
Some band members had joked about pictures taken saying it looked like a double
exposure. Well, the name stuck.
Double Exposure was
signed to Salsoul and began rehearsing new songs for their upcoming album. Along
with the songs, “Ten Percent and My Love Is Free”, the song “Every Man” (Has to
carry his own weight) became another big dance hit off the album. There was also
a superb update of the Four Tops (Baby I Need Your Loving) along with three
ballads "Give My Love Away" written and produced by Bruce Hawes, "Just Can't Say
Hello" produced by Vince Montana, and the song "Pick Me" a bluesy tune written
and produced by Bruce Gray, Conway and Felder. This album gave Double Exposure
world wide exposure and plenty of appeal. They were a hit not only in the United
States but also Canada, South America, England, South Africa, and Kenya. Salsoul
records did not do a good job getting them R&B radio air play but through the
groups own efforts the group still got a lot of work and successful records
sales.
By the end of 1977,
Double Exposure was on top of the world benefiting from two smash singles
off of a very strong album. They had also gained a reputation of having a
strong, polished, and
energetic stage show which was backed up by excellent musicians. This was the
experience
gained during those chittlin circuit days finally coming to light.
|While the guys were committed to the work the group became alarmed to uncover a
host of improprieties with finances allocated for business expenses and issues
relating to bookings and management. Double Exposure immediately took steps to
correct this matter. They had already begun recording their second album but
Salsoul did not proceed with further recording until matters were resolved. This
explains the large gap of time between their first album "Ten Percent" and
second "Four Play". All of the
momentum gained with "Ten Percent" was lost because there had simply been too
much time between albums. Double Exposure would have continued recording if the
company had been willing to work things out but finances was an issue and trust
had disappeared. Salsoul waited over a year to act on the matters. The group
felt that matters should have been handled immediately saving valuable time for
Double Exposure.
All was not lost because during the lapse in recording time the guys were still
performing and making a living. Around the spring of 1978 the "Four Play" album
was released. There were no contributions of Felder's up tempo songs like "Ten
Percent", My Love Is Free" and "Every Man" but there were some good songs. Two
were produced by Ron Tyson (currently with the Temptations) there was a remake
of First Choice's "Newsy Neighbors", but the strongest song on the album was a
ballad called "Perfect Lover" written by Akins, Bellman, Drayton, &Turner known
in Philly as The Corner Boys writers of songs like, (Don't Let the Green Grass
Full You)(by Wilson Pickett). Double Exposure’s "Perfect Lover" was arranged and
produced by old friend Ron "Have Mercy" Kersey who had also arranged "My Love Is
Free" and "Baby I Need Your Loving. A song entitled, "Perfect Lover" was a hit
getting heavy airplay from the album on R&B stations around the country but it
was not in Salsoul’s plan to release this song as a single. They had a one track
mine pushing only disco dance music and not R&B which was Double Exposure's
roots to which they were dying to return. But the group had two years left on
their contract and Salsoul would not release them from it.
Changes with the
producers and writing teams with Norman Harris left the group feeling less
excited. The group was disappointed seeing how these changes affected their
career and there wasn't a thing they could do about it. It seemed that Salsoul
would not intervene. So again they had to persevere.
New life came again
in October 1978.The international representative for Salsoul called to inform
them that the single, "My Love Is Free" and the "Ten Percent" album both went
gold in South Africa and that international promoters wanted to book the group
for tour dates. There first reaction was no because of the apartheid, but after
speaking with the South African reps, it was learned that black South Africans
were mostly responsible for the record sales and they wanted to see and hear
Double Exposure. Well, with all the hell South Africans fans were catching and
they still found time and money to buy our records, said Joe Harris, we've got
to go. So on the night of October 5th, 1978, Double Exposure landed at
Johannesburg International Airport and the party started and it would last for a
month. That tour was one of the most thrilling, educational, and outright
partying experiences of Double Exposures' career.
After returning to
the states and going into 1979 things slowed down. But there was another brain
storm brewing. In preparing for their next album, it was decided to do an
athletic theme because the Olympics scheduled for 1980.
With proper planning Double Exposure could get some mileage out of it. In
December 1979, Double Exposure again found themselves in Africa this time in
Nairobi, Kenya. They were bringing in the New Year and were very upbeat about
their upcoming project. Ideas relating to the use of Double Exposure to promote
the Olympics had been sent to the Olympic Committee and their response was very
positive. Everything was a go until the Russians invaded Afghanistan. Then later
President Carter boycotted the Olympics. That was the end of Double Exposures'
plan and some of the guys had to take a break. They never declared the group
broken up but other ways of making a living had to be established. In July 1980,
Joe returned to his trade as an electrician. Butch opened an electrical/plumbing
business. Charlie became a machinist then later went to medical school and
became a Physician’s Assistant.
Jimmy joined The Trammps as a second tenor after lead singer Jimmy Ellis left.
Yet, Double Exposure vowing never to call it quits was at it again in 1981.
Produced by Lionel Job and under the watchful eye of Cecil Holmes, they released
a single "After All This Time "backed with "Yes I’m In Love With You" on Marv
Stuart's Chicago based Gold Coast label. Stuart was previously with Curtis
Mayfield at Curtom Records. After All This Time (an up tempo tune) reached the
R&B charts and began making some noise but it was said that Gold Coast developed
financial problems and could not continue. Again Jimmy Williams returned to the
Trammps and everyone else to their other ventures.
It's been over
twenty years since Double Exposure last recorded together although you will
still hear "Ten Percent" and "My Love Is Free" on radio in the states,
especially on satellite stations, Music Choice, YouTube, or listen for
the songs on Rhapsody, iTunes, etc. The group has however done a few
shows in New York and Florida. Whenever they can find the time to get away from
work, personal business, and family obligations, it's like old times and they
can still light it up. These guys are a family having been personal friends for
over forty years. The comradery is true, the love is genuine, and the friendship
is priceless. Don’t count them out because there are new territories in music to
explore. You can count on Double Exposure to bring great music with excellent
vocals. Their star has not fizzled it still shines bright. Look for more music
from Double Exposure.
Albums:
Ten Percent (Salsoul 1976)
Four Play (Salsoul 1978)
Locker Room (Salsoul 1979)
Donna Sure 1979