Uptown - CD

Gloria Barnes got her start as "Towanda" Barnes, releasing 45's on both The Groovy Label in 1966 and A&M Records in 1969. "Uptown", her one and only full-length offering, came two years later in 1971 on the some what obscure, but vibrant Maple label. The Johnny Brantley produced long-player yielded impressive results and features backing from both Lee Moses & The Disciples and The Hustlers. The platter mixes upbeat tracks with some fiery deep soul and includes "You Don't Mean It", a song penned by the Ohio Players. Gloria's version of the cut became popular among those in the know in England's Northern Soul movement. Barnes' vocal prowess is on full display in the opening track, a seven-minute showstopper entitled "Old Before My Time", the A-side of the only single culled from the LP. All tracks newly remastered.