Meet The Checkmates Vol.7

1960s-1970s Soul/R&B/Funk group originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Members:

Sonny Charles – lead vocals (Charles was later a vocalist with the Steve Miller Band ); Bobby Stevens – vocals; Harvey Trees – guitar;  Bill Van Buskirk – bass; Marvin "Sweet Louie" Smith – drums, vocals; Calvin Thomas – drums; Jimmy Milton – vocals; Joseph Ramirez - guitar

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The group, discovered by Nancy Wilson, was named such because the group included both black and white members, and their various skin tones evoked a chessboard;[1] their one major hit was 1969's "Black Pearl", produced by Phil Spector.[1] The song peaked at No. 13 on the U.S. pop chart. Their remake of "Proud Mary" reached No. 30 on the UK Singles Chart in late 1969.

The group broke up in 1970, but reunited in 1974 for a few more years.They performed on the same billing as Frank Sinatra and Herb Alpert, and sang the national anthem for the Thrilla in Manila in 1975. Lead singer Sonny Charles later had a moderately successful career as a solo artist. Charles and Marvin ("Sweet Louie") Smith later reunited and toured the U.S. into the 2000s.

 In 1974 they starred in the blaxploitation movie "The Black Connection" (or "Run Nigger Run") with first leading role given to their, then, lead singer Bobby Stevens. Their "F.S.O." album is actually the soundtrack of this movie. Last recorded in 1977.

The Checkmates Ltd. – F/S/O (1974) @ 320

01. The Checkmates Ltd. - Louie The Piper  (6:03)

02. The Checkmates Ltd. - (Ain't A) Goddamned Thang Going On  (4:27)

03. The Checkmates Ltd. - I Must Be Dreaming  (6:41)

04. The Checkmates Ltd. - Street Of Dreams  (1:43)

05. The Checkmates Ltd. - Pretty Balloons  (2:29)

06. The Checkmates Ltd. - Sexy Ways  (5:17)

07. The Checkmates Ltd. - Might Get Betta  (2:08)

08. The Checkmates Ltd. - Coming Down  (1:48)

09. The Checkmates Ltd. - Run Nigger Run  (4:24)

10. The Checkmates Ltd. - Got To See "U" Soon  (3:49)

11 (bonus). The Checkmates Ltd. Featuring Sonny Charles - Ain't Got No  (3:31)

12 (bonus). The Checkmates Ltd. Featuring Sonny Charles - Black Pearl  (3:29)

13 (bonus). The Checkmates Ltd. Featuring Sonny Charles - Proud Mary  (3:48)

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Bobby Stevens; The Checkmates Ltd. - Life (1971) @ 320

(Rustic Records (RR2001))

"For a long time I've wanted to do an album with the concept

of entertainer performing directly to and for the people the

people who follow his particular career. I have often felt

that the failure on the part of many recording artists to self

records has been that they did not fit the formula that most

record companies have for recording them. Therefore,

this album was designed not to restrict the performance of

the artist to a time limit that would be playable on a radio

station format. There are songs on this album which ask you to

clap your hands and sing along. There is no audience performing

on those songs purposely, so you can have your own party

at home and we can sing together. As in my live performances, I

want no one between us... you the audience and me the perform

This album is for the use of those people who have

followed the career of the Checkmates, Ltd. and now

Bobby Stevens and the Checkmates, Ltd., who have supported

them and who have insisted and requested time and again

an album which truly represents these performers and the

style and manner they perform on stage. It has been further

my desire to present to those beautiful people whom I

have met in cities all around the world, my version of what

Bobby Stevens is and is about. Therefore, this album was

conceived and produced by myself, of myself... but for the

people. The poems embodied in the album were all written

from my life's experiences as I have grown to know and

see and feel Life" ~ BOBBY STEVENS

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1. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Poem: Life  (0:39)

2. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - My Girl  (3:43)

3. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Poem: Criticize  (0:18)

4. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Mary Was Born On The Bayou  (3:19)

6. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Turn Back The Hands Of Time  (3:22)

7. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - God, Love And Rock & Roll  (3:56)

8. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Poem: What You Don't Know Won't Hurt You Is A Lie  (1:31)

9. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - All Goin' Down Together  (3:15)

10. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Poem: You Never Said You Loved Me  (0:41)

12. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Poem: Reminiscing  (0:38)

13. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Walk On By / Mac Arthur Park  (6:05)

14. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - I Am I Said  (4:33)

16. Bobby Stevens  & The Checkmates Ltd. - Monologue: Peace Talk>sweet Caroline  (5:22)

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