line up 1 (1977-79)

- Susaye Greene (aka Susaye Greene-Brown) -- vocals

- Scherrie Payne -- vocals

- The Former Ladies Of The Supremes (Scherrie Payne)

- The Glass House (Scherrie Payne)

- Susaye Greene (solo efforts)

- Jean, Scherrie & Lynda

- The Raelettes (Susaye Greene)

- Scherrie Payne (solo efforts)

- The Supremes (Susaye Greene and Scherrie Payne)

Genre: soul

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Partners

Company: Motown

Catalog: MT 920R1
Year: 1979

Country/State: Detroit, Michigan

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: --

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 1327

Price: $15.00

Mary Wilson, Susaye Greene, and Scherrie Payne had the watch in 1977 when it came time to put The Supremes out of their long-standing misery.   Greene and Payne initially thought about continuing The Supremes nameplate with former Dawn member Joyce Vincent Wilson as the third member, but Motown management apparently killed the idea.  The pair subsequently decided to continue their partnership as a duo, spending the next two years writing their own material for the project.   Produced by Eugene McDaniels, the results came out in the form of 1979's "Partners".   With the pair sharing associate producers credits, they were also responsible for penning all nine tracks (can you imagine the original Supremes writing their own material ...) ; Greene and Payne were each credited with four compositions;  the pair collaborating on one track (I Found Another Love').  Both ladies were fabulous singers with Greene having a slight edge in the soul and funk department ('Your Sweet Love''), while Payne had the better ballad and pop voice ('Another Life from Now').   Given their different vocal strengths, the pair's voices actually blended surprisingly well.   Overlooking a couple of needless disco-influenced numbers, the collection was quite enjoyable with plenty of highlights, including a collaboration with Ray Charles ('Luvbug'), the funky 'Your Sweet Love', and ... yes, I'll admit it, the discofied  'Leaving Me was the Best Thing You've Ever Done'.

"Partners" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Storybook Romance   (Scherrie Payne) - 5:10

I've always liked Payne's voice, but on the self-penned 'Storybook Romance' her talents were largely wasted on a slice of faceless and completely disposable disco ...  The thing is Payne had such a strong voice that she almost managed to pull it off.   If the song had simply downplayed the anonymous disco effects and focused on her great voice, this could have been an awesome song.  The tune does grow on you if given a chance.  I'm sure you'll want to know that Scherrie's sister Freda Payne covered the song on one of her albums.    rating: *** stars

2.) Your Sweet Love  (Susaye Greene-Brown) - 4:16

'Your Sweet Love' was probably the album's most soulful number with a tasty lead vocal from Greene.   One of the album highlights.   rating: **** stars

3.) Luvbug  (Susaye Greene-Brown) - 3:35

For some reason Greene's funky and nasally delivery has always reminded me of cross between Betty Davis and Sly Stone.  Perhaps a repayment of sorts for Greene's work as a member of The Raelettes, Ray Charles guested on the track, turning in the growling male vocals.   Big surprise and quite enjoyable.    rating: **** stars.   

4.) Leaving Me was the Best Thing You've Ever Done   (Scherrie Payne) - 5:24

With the pair sharing lead vocals, 'Leaving Me was the Best Thing You've Ever Done' found them returning to disco mode.  Surprisingly enjoyable, Motown tapped it as a single:

- 1979's 'Leaving Me was the Best Thing You've Ever Done' b/w 'When the Day Comes Every Night' (Motown catalog number M 1473F).  The video and sound quality aren't very good, but YouTube has a clip of the pair (boy were they short), performing the tune for The Mike Douglas Show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjzhNEgj5YQ   rating: *** stars

5.) When the Day Comes Every Night  (Susaye Greene-Brown) - 2:23

Brittle keyboard-powered ballad that almost sounded like a Broadway soundtrack throwaway.  Guess it was intended to showcase Greene's powerful voice.  rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) In the Night   (Susaye Greene-Brown - Ed Brown) - 6:04

Exemplified by 'In the Night' Greene, nee Greene-Brown (then married to Ed Brown) sure had an extraordinary voice; funky and growling at the same time.  'In the Night' was simultaneously funky and jazzy ...  For anyone interested, I think producer McDaniel was featured on the backing vocals.   rating: **** stars

2.) I've Found Another Love   (Susaye Greene-Brown - Scherrie Payne) - 3:06

I'll give this one an extra star since it was the lone collaboration between the pair.  The fact it was the standout performance, exhibiting  a nice blend of old school and more up-to-date touches certainly didn't hurt.  Nice example of different the pair's voices were, but how good they sounded together.  rating: **** stars

3.) You've Been Good To Me   (Scherrie Payne) - 4:05

They share lead vocals on this mid-tempo ballad but Greene sort of takes over as the tune got going  (not a bad thing).   rating: **** stars

4.) Another Life from Now   (Scherrie Payne) - 5:53

Payne wrote the tune for the Broadway show "Ten Good Years" and while she sings the hell out the tune, the ballad certainly sounds like a Broadway composition - pretty but kind of MOR-ish.   rating: *** stars

Both ladies have websites:

http://www.supremextreme.com/

http://www.scherriepayne.com/