Listen: Leave My Man (Woman) Alone / The Raeletts
Leave My Man (Woman) Alone / The Raeletts

Having developed a liking for early Ray Charles records meant the net was cast, and all things remotely related dragged in. Enter The Raeletts. Although sometimes referred to as The Raelettes, depending on which single you’re holding, various early members are mentioned/not mentioned in the their lineup. The more famous, like Mable John, Merry Clayton and Minnie Riperton, all got a run for their money by vocalist Vernita Moss, more often than not, criminally overlooked.

Her ad libs on ‘Leave My Man (Woman) Alone’ are priceless, seldom heard on record at that time. Tangerine, Ray Charles’ imprint, released some raw and earthy records in the late 60′s/early 70′s patch, and this is one. Relegated to the B side didn’t mean it could hide for long.

This copy was shipped in the above company sleeve. One side of which is an all white front, revealing the record’s label copy through a standard, circular hole, while the back is a uncut, color picture of the generic Tangerine artwork.

The Raeletts appeared many times on US television, including THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, many times with Vernita Moss.

Listen: Dream Baby Dream / Suicide 13 Dream Baby Dream.mp3

Wedensday was Alan Vega’s birthday. He’d kill me if he knew I was letting on, but Vega never goes online, so no worries. Having said that, he and his partner in Suicide, Marty Rev, always were, and still are, sonically light years ahead of the rest of the planet. Have you ever seen Suicide live? They are more powerful than ever. Do not waste the rest of your life. See them ASAP. Search youtube and check them out performing ‘Dream Baby Dream’ on The Midnight Special, making awesome TV back in ’79. Thanks Bruce Springsteen for rightfully honoring Suicide and performing this at concerts. Apparently his respect for Alan and Marty goes way back. Good one.

Above: Jukebox Tab signed by Alan Vega