ELAINE HILL, "IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?'' C/W "YOU'RE GONNA GET IT (IN THE SAME OLD WAY)," RSVP 1011, REL. 7/1964

Elaine Hill sang on an iconic Disco single that went to the top of the charts. As part of the anonymous studio-only group “Love and Kisses,” hers was one of the voices on 1978’s “Thank God It’s Friday.” None of that record’s legion of fans had the slightest idea who Elaine was. By her own name, she was a young Black vocalist who made her lone single in Detroit under the songwriting/production aegis of Albert Hamilton and one R. Vincent. Hamilton is best-known as ‘Al Kent,’ a songwriting pseudonym often seen in tangent with ‘Ronnie Savoy’—in reality, Hamilton’s brother Eugene—and ‘Al Reeco’ (sibling Robert). It’s conceivable that R. Vincent is Robert Hamilton. (I’d wager his middle name was Vincent.)

Ms. Hill has been mistaken for Lainie Hill, a white vocalist whose 1966 single for New Voice Records, “Time Marches On,” recently sold in auction for over 800 dollars. THAT singer is also rumored to have been Herb Alpert’s wife at the time. Misinformation swirls around obscure artists—especially if said artist is in the Northern Soul territory.

Today’s single, made for the RSVP label in 1964, is an atmospheric, earthy rarity that hasn’t yet garnered enough soul-snob attention (yet). To a rowdy, driving arrangement, “You’re Gonna Get It (In the Same Old Way)” is a bouncy serves-ya-right caper about a cad whose philandering catches up with him.

Ms. Hill sings with solid girl-group support—a stylistic touch that brings a pop feeling to this soulful driver. I love the moody lo-fi sound of these small Detroit studios; it’s among the most vital sounds in 1960s music. The singer’s confidence and poise suggest she had prior experience performing; it’s too bad she didn’t take off as a solo performer.

Hear it >>>>> HERE. <<<<<

Cash Box review, July 11, 1964

The intended A-side, “Is It Really Worth It?” is more of a grabber, with a sound like the gritty version of The Orlons that emerged on that group’s contemporary records like “Envy (In My Eyes)” and “I Ain’t Comin’ Back.” A more pronounced presence by the soulful background singers, plus a stronger horn arrangement, makes this a Detroit delighter that deserves to be much better-known. It wouldn’t take much to correct that imbalance!

Hear it >>>>> HERE. <<<<<

Ms. Hill passed on in 1991 and was celebrated by her LGBT fans for her role in “Thank God It’s Friday.” Nary a one of those well-wishers had any idea of where she started out. Thank you for helping her first recordings find a new audience.

Tomorrow: the return of Carol Vega with another pair of soulful items penned by Sun Records star Billy Emerson. A great Argo Records release from 1965.