The Inclinations
Baltimore, Maryland soul vocal group consisting of Billy Butler, James Player, Harold Foster, Charles Addison & Darnell Carter previously known as The Optimistics with Jerome Webb instead of Darnell Carter
Billy Butler and Charles Addison had previously recorded as The Del Capris and then as Beverly and The Del Capris before transtioning into the Optimistics.
Billy Butler produced 'Just Let Me Know' by Allen Harris and Perpetual Motion which he co-wrote with Allen Harris as well as Jay (James) Player 'Love Is The Answer' singer from The Inclinations. Billy also co-wrote and produced Crosswind 'Fire'.
The Optimistics were best known for 'Say It Baby' which was thought to be an Album only track and rumoured to be a single but unproven until surfaced in 2024!
They were based in Harlem and were supposedly discovered by Marvin Gaye who gave them their first break introducing them to Baltimore DJ Al Jefferson who eventually signed them to Turbo a subsidiary of All Platinum. They were asigned to George Kerr who produced their solitary Album. Despite their talent the album failed to get noticed primarily due to lack of promotion by the label. The group wanted to part ways but discovered their contract gave exclusive rights of their name to the label.
So if they wanted to continue recording they needed to create a new identity and so they became The Inclinations. Al Robinson secured them a deal with GRT's Janus Records.
They released two killer sweet soul singles which are very rare and sought after 'I'm Gonna Make Love Last This Time' released in 1972 and by far the hardest of the two this double header 'Could This Be Love, That I Feel / Cross My Heart (To You) in 1974.
Don't miss this limited reissue of their most sought after 45.