Carl Carlton ‎ Carl Carlton (1981

CARL CARLTON, born in 1952 and hailing from Detroit, Michigan, was an R&B, Funk and Soul singer/songwriter who is arguably best known for his crossover hits “Everlasting Love” from 1974 and the Leon Haywood penned “She’s A Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)” from 1981 which features on this, his eponymously titled album release from the same year. Carlton’s career got started through the most coincidental of circumstances – while playing baseball with friends in a vacant lot a neighbour called down and yelled for the boys to “stop playing and turn that radio off,” the reply came back, “that ain’t no radio, that’s Carl.” Within a short space of time the astonished neighbour had helped Carlton secure a deal with Lando Records in the mid-sixties, recording under the name “Little” Carl Carlton, as his voice had similarities to Stevie Wonder.

Carl Carlton was the singer's sole gold LP and included his sole gold single, "She's a Bad Mama Jama." Produced by Leon Heywood, it includes the steppers favorite "Your Love's Rated X-Tra," " Don't You Wanna Make Love" (which sounds like Rick James' "You & I"), and the ballad "I Think It's Gonna Be Alright." The album highlights Carlton's vocal growth. "She's a Bad Mama Jama" can be found on Pure Funk, Vol. 2, Old School, Vol.3, The Number Ones: Soul on Fire, Funk Classics: The 80's, and Strip Jointz, Vol. 2: More Hot Songs for Sexy Dancers, among others.

"Physical" and "Make a Move on Me" were brilliant singles from 1981's Physical album, and they achieved their status as timeless pop classics without the help of a Xanadu soundtrack. "Overnight Observation" from Soul Kiss doesn't come close to the magic of those radio gems. It, like the front and back cover photos, seems a bit contrived, as does much of this album. "You Were Great, How Was I?" is a duet with Carl Wilson, and features he and Christopher Cross providing authentic Beach Boys harmonies.

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