Retta Young

Retta Young was a singer who released an album and 3 singles during the 1970s. She is remembered for her 1975 disco hit "Sending Out An S.O.S.".

Retta Young
Also known asHenrietta Young
Rhetta Young
Reeta Young
Henrietta Goodman
Born1949 (age 71–72)
South Carolina, U.S.A.
Occupation(s)Singer
Years active1960s - 1970s
LabelsAll Platinum
Associated actsThe Devotions, The Superbs

Background

In the 1960s she was a member of The Superbs,[1] and The Devotions.[2] In the mid-70s she was with the All-Platinum label which also included Sylvia and The Moments.[3]

She was married to Ray, Goodman & Brown member, Al Goodman. She was originally introduced to her future husband by producer / composer Paul Kyser.[4]

Releases

In 1975, her single "Sending Out An S.O.S." was released on the All Platinum label, #AP-2355.[5] It debuted for the week ending May 31, 1975.[6] It Peaked at No. 88 on the U.S. R&B charts and No. 28 in the U.K.[7] For the week ending June 14, 1975 "Sending Out An S.O.S." was rated No. 9 for The Top Audience Response In N.Y. Discos. The top 3 were "The Hustle" by Van McCoy at No. 3, El Bimbo by Bimbo Jet at No. 2, and No. 1 was "Free Man" by South Shore Commission. Record sales in New York record stores showed it at No. 7 at Colony Records, and No. 1 at Downstairs Records.[8]

In 1978, "My Man Is On His Way" backed with "Really, Really" was released.[9] It is featured on the 2014 compilation album, Disco: A Fine Selection of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82.[10][11]

In May 2017, her 1977 album Young And Restless was released on the Expansion Records label in both vinyl LP and CD formats. The CD version includes bonus non-album tracks.[12][13]

Discography
Singles
Title Release info Year Format Notes
"(Sending Out An) S.O.S." / "(Sending Out An) S.O.S." (Instrumental) All Platinum AP 2355 1975 7"
"You Beat Me To The Punch" / "Maybe It's The Best Thing" All Platinum AP-2361 1975 7"
"My Man Is On His Way" / "Really, Really" All Platinum AP 2375 1978 7" [14]
Albums
Title Release info Year Format Notes
Young And Restless All Platinum AP-3017 1976 LP
Young And Restless Expansion EXLPM 61 2017 LP
Young And Restless Expansion EXCDM 61 2017 CD [15]

The Devotions
The Devotions
Also known asThe Superbs, The Devotion, Devotion, Retta Young and the Devotions
OriginNew Jersey, United States
GenresR&B, soul
Years active196? - 197?
LabelsSymbol Records, J City, Colossus, Silver Dollar, Wanderik Records
Past membersEarly line-up
* Rhonda Franklin
* Phillis Harris
* (first name unknown) sister of Phillis Harris
* Anita (second name unknown)

Later line-up
* Henrietta Young
* Bertha Addison
* Madge Quince

The Devotions were a female group from New York. They had recorded for the Colossus Records. As reported in the June 19, 1971 edition of Billboard, they were to be exclusively with the Silver Dollar Label, which was owned by Paul Kyser.[16][17] The single "Dawning Of Love" bw "So Glad You're Home" which they recorded for Colossus was written By Kyser as well as co-produced by him and Tom Vetri.[18][19]

Henrietta Young, Bertha Addison and Madge Quince are credited with composing "Stuck To You Like A Magnet".[20] Retta Young's first Devotions recording was "The Saga Of Will-E Jones" which was released in 1971. It was composed by Paul Kyser and Tom Vetri, and released on the Silver Dollar Records label.[21] The single "Dawning Of Love" bw "So Glad You're Home" predates that release. It was released in 1970.[22] This suggests that Retta Young didn't sing on the earlier release.

Membership

An early member of the group was Rhonda Franklin. She left the group at some stage and the line-up consisted of Phillis Harris and her sister, and another lady called Arnita. At that time the group were with Symbol Records and their personal management was by Kay-Vee productions. Somewhere between the group changing from The Superbs to The Devotions, the line up changed and Henrietta Young, Bertha Addison and Madge Quince replaced the previous line up. Later on Paul Kyser used a different line-up of girl singers to perform as Devotion.

Discography
Singles
Act Title Release info Year Format Notes
The Superbs "The Dawning Of Love" / "So Glad You're Home" Symbol Records SYMBOL 8 1969 7" single [23]
The Devotions "So Glad You're Home" / "The Dawning Of Love" J City JC-325 1970 7" single
Devotion "Dawning Of Love" / "So Glad You're Home" Polydor 2058 071 1970 7" single UK release
Devotion "Dawning Of Love" / "So Glad You're Home" Colossus 1970 7" single
The Devotions "The Saga Of Will-E Jones" / "Let's Join Our World Together" Silver Dollar SD-154 1971 7" single [24]
Retta Young and the Devotions "So Glad You're Home" / "The Dawning of Love" Essential Media Group 2014 CD-R
Retta Young and the Devotions "So Glad You're Home" / "The Dawning of Love" Essential Media Group 2014 (Digital 45)
Albums
Title Release info Year Format Notes
Retta Young And The Devotions Wanderik 1977 LP
Retta Young And The Devotion Wanderik Records 2011 MP3 album
Retta Young And The Devotions (Digitally Remastered) Essential Media Group 2013 CD-R

References
  1. Soulwalking - retta young
  2. Discogs - The Devotions (2)
  3. Billboard, January 28, 1978 - Page 69 Licensing Spans World U.S. Labels
  4. Createspace - Retta Young And The Devotions (Digitally Remastered)
  5. 45Cat - Record Details, Artist: Retta Young, Catalogue: AP 2355
  6. Disco Charts - Currently Reviewing the week of June 14, 1975!
  7. MusicVF.com - Sending Out an S.O.S. By: Retta Young
  8. Billboard, June 14, 1975 - Page 26 Disco Action By TOM MOULTON
  9. 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
  10. The Quietus, December 17th, 2014 - Reviews, Various Artists, A Fine Selection Of Independent Disco, Modern Soul and Boogie 1978-82 - Neil Kulkarni
  11. Fact Mag, Oct 14 2014 - Soul Jazz prep new disco compilation featuring Retta Young, John Morales and more
  12. AllMusic - Retta Young, Young and Restless, Releases
  13. Soul Brother Records, May 5, 2017 - New releases and pre-orders | 5th may 2017, New Releases
  14. 45Cat - Retta Young - Discography
  15. Discogs - Retta Young* – Young And Restless
  16. Billboard, June 19, 1971 - Page 51 Late News, Jamie/Guyden To Distribute Silver Dollar
  17. Billboard, May 8, 1971 - Page 6 General News Record Firm Is Formed By Kyser
  18. 45Cat - Devotion - Discography
  19. Billboard, May 8, 1971 - Page 6 General News Record Firm Is Formed By Kyser
  20. Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series, Volume 25, Part 5, Number I, Section I - January–June 1968 - Page 626 STUCK TO YOU LIKE A MAGNET
  21. Discogs - The Devotions (2) Discography
  22. 45Cat - The Devotions (New Jersey) - Discography
  23. 45Cat - The Superbs (Devotion) - Discography
  24. 45Cat - The Devotions (New Jersey) - Discography
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