MR. LEE, "MR. LEE'S PLEA" C/W "DEAR ONE," ADDIT A-1229 (REL. 10/1960)

As the legend goes, Black girl group Bobbettes wrote their hit Atlantic Records single "Mr. Lee" about their dreamy high-school teacher. They followed that up with the notorious "I Shot Mr. Lee," which suggests all was not well with these Bobbettes. (Some of their zanier singles might also lead to this diagnosis.) Whether or not this is just publicity hogwash, it sold records. 

In 1960, a Mr. Lee recorded a couple of follow-up singles that appear to be riding on the coattails of The Bobbettes' classic. Is it the Mr. Lee? The answer is lost to time, but given the nature of vernacular music, it is possible.

The Lee is Lee Tyer, and the record is one strange beast. Its two sides couldn't get much different, and its A-side became a favorite of the UK-based mod jazz scene. "Mr. Lee's Plea" has a fab low-down sound, akin to the vibe of those infamous song-poem records. Moonlighting jazz musicians achieve a great moody groove, over which this possible school-teacher sings an ad hoc blues with a bit of proto-rap.

The sax-organ duet mid-song, joined by twangy guitar, is divine.

Impossible to guess who this record was made for, but it's got a wonderful vibe and its cockeyed qualities are charming to these ears. See what you think...

On the flip is the out-there rap-ballad "Dear One," penned by someone named Palmer. Tyer gets off to a rough start on this side, and more-or-less succeeds at his task as he delivers a light-swingin' please-please-love-me item.

His second rap, in congress with the guitar. gets a bit out-there. but if you're here today, that is an asset to your willing ears.

And that is all we got on this puppy. This guy made another single in 1960, for another label, and it's the same singer. That is a more conventional r&b record of its day. It's on YouTube if you're curious.

Tomorrow: Harvey Fuqua anticipates the future of Black music on a thrilling 1963 single for the Tri-Phi label. Top-tier Detroit excitement!