Bob Relf
Encyclopedia
Robert 'Bob' Nelson Relf (January 10, 1937 – November 20, 2007), was an African American
R&B
and soul
musician
. Best known as half of the soul music duo Bob & Earl
whose song, Harlem Shuffle
was released in the US in 1963 and in the UK in 1964. It was re-released 1969 reaching No 7 in the UK charts. He also wrote the song "Blowing My Mind to Pieces" which was popular on the Northern soul
scene in the UK in the 1970s.
and in 1954 when joined fellow pupils Sam Jackson, Ted Brown and Ronald Brown forming a doo wop group, The Laurels. They recorded on the Combo and the Cash Record label
s. Their "Our Love" an operatic ballad on the Cash label was described by the music writer Jim Dawson as one of Relf’s best recordings — “a strange, lugubrious performance that sounds like nothing else”.
Relf's solo recording of "Little Fool" followed in 1956 without success. He spent short stints with the Crescendoes, the Upfronts, The Hollywood Flames
and Bobby Day
and the Satellites. With the Crescendos, he recorded "Finders Keepers", "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Sweet Dreams" for Atlantic Records
in 1956, alongside Prentice Moreland
, Young Jessie
of The Flairs
, and Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames.
They recorded Harlem Shuffle in 1963 a song part-arranged by the keyboards player, Barry White
.
' RPM studios in Los Angeles. The uplifting song was written by Lou Barreto and was also a hit on the Northern Soul scene in the early 1970s. It was re-released in the UK in 1974 using Relf's name but was by a completely different singer.
In the early 1970s Relf resumed working with Barry White helping to produce discs by Love Unlimited
, Gloria Scott and White Heat
. A Relf composition, "Bring Back My Yesterdays", was recorded by White in 1973 on the album I’ve Got So Much to Give
. He also co-wrote, with White, the B side, "I Should Have Known", from Love Unlimited's hit single, "Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love".
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
R&B
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Best known as half of the soul music duo Bob & Earl
Bob & Earl
Bob & Earl were an American soul music singing duo in the 1960s, best known for writing and recording the original version of "Harlem Shuffle".-Career:...
whose song, Harlem Shuffle
Harlem Shuffle
Harlem Shuffle can refer to:* "Harlem Shuffle" * Harlem Shuffle...
was released in the US in 1963 and in the UK in 1964. It was re-released 1969 reaching No 7 in the UK charts. He also wrote the song "Blowing My Mind to Pieces" which was popular on the Northern soul
Northern soul
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged from the British mod scene, initially in northern England in the late 1960s. Northern soul mainly consists of a particular style of black American soul music based on the heavy beat and fast tempo of the mid-1960s Tamla Motown sound...
scene in the UK in the 1970s.
Musical career
Relf attended Fremont High SchoolJohn C. Fremont High School
John C. Fremont Senior High School is a Title 1 co-educational public high school located in Los Angeles, California, United States.Fremont is in a region known as South Los Angeles...
and in 1954 when joined fellow pupils Sam Jackson, Ted Brown and Ronald Brown forming a doo wop group, The Laurels. They recorded on the Combo and the Cash Record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
s. Their "Our Love" an operatic ballad on the Cash label was described by the music writer Jim Dawson as one of Relf’s best recordings — “a strange, lugubrious performance that sounds like nothing else”.
Relf's solo recording of "Little Fool" followed in 1956 without success. He spent short stints with the Crescendoes, the Upfronts, The Hollywood Flames
The Hollywood Flames
The Hollywood Flames were an American R&B vocal group in the 1950s, best known for their hit, "Buzz Buzz Buzz".They formed as The Flames in 1949, in Watts, Los Angeles, at a talent show where members of various high school groups got together. The original members were Bobby Byrd , David Ford,...
and Bobby Day
Bobby Day
Bobby Day , was an early African American rock and roll and R&B musician.Born Robert James Byrd, , in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 15...
and the Satellites. With the Crescendos, he recorded "Finders Keepers", "I'll Be Seeing You" and "Sweet Dreams" for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in 1956, alongside Prentice Moreland
Prentice Moreland
Prentice Moreland was an R&B and doo wop singer of the 1950s and early 1960s.-Biography:He was born on March 4, 1925 in East St...
, Young Jessie
Young Jessie
Obediah Donnell "Obie" Jessie , is an African American R&B and jazz singer and songwriter. He recorded as Young Jessie in the 1950s and 1960s, and was known for his solo career, work with The Flairs and a brief stint in The Coasters...
of The Flairs
The Flairs
The Flairs were an American doo-wop group based in Los Angeles. They went through several lineup changes during their existence. Their notable members included Richard Berry and Cornell Gunter, who would go on to being a member of The Coasters.-Career:In 1952, an African-American musical group...
, and Bobby Byrd of The Hollywood Flames.
Bob and Earl
Bobby Day formed the original Bob & Earl duo in 1957 with Earl Nelson. When Day left to go solo in 1962, Relf took his place.They recorded Harlem Shuffle in 1963 a song part-arranged by the keyboards player, Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
.
Bobby Valentino
As 'Bobby Valentino he recorded Special Delivery b/w How Deep Is The Ocean for the West Coast label Lita labelBobby Garrett
Using the pseudonym 'Bobby Garrett' he recorded two singles on the Mirwood label in 1966. "I Can't Get Away" became a Northern soul favourite in the UK and was used to advertise Kentucky Fried Chicken on national TV in the US. Also popular was "My Little Girl" which originally appeared as the flip side of the soulful ballad "Big Brother".Northern soul
Relf's song and most popular solo track, "Blowing My Mind To Pieces", was recorded at Ray CharlesRay Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
' RPM studios in Los Angeles. The uplifting song was written by Lou Barreto and was also a hit on the Northern Soul scene in the early 1970s. It was re-released in the UK in 1974 using Relf's name but was by a completely different singer.
Later career
Relf wrote and produced songs for Jackie Lee including "The Chicken" and "African Boo-Ga-Loo".In the early 1970s Relf resumed working with Barry White helping to produce discs by Love Unlimited
Love Unlimited
Love Unlimited was a female vocal trio that provided backing vocals for American R&B/soul singer Barry White on his albums and concert tours. They also found success with their own recordings. Formed in 1969, the group included Barry White’s future wife, Glodean James, her sister, Linda James, and...
, Gloria Scott and White Heat
Switch (band)
Switch was an R&B/funk band that found fame recording for the Gordy label in the late 1970s releasing hit songs such as "There'll Never Be", "I Call Your Name" and "The Best Beat in Town" and influenced bands such as DeBarge, which featured members Bobby and Tommy's siblings.-Early years:Formed in...
. A Relf composition, "Bring Back My Yesterdays", was recorded by White in 1973 on the album I’ve Got So Much to Give
I've Got So Much to Give (album)
I've Got So Much to Give is the self-produced debut album by American R&B singer Barry White, released in 1973 on the 20th Century label. The album immediately marked out White's distinctive trademark sound , particularly via its breakout single "I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More...
. He also co-wrote, with White, the B side, "I Should Have Known", from Love Unlimited's hit single, "Walkin' In The Rain With The One I Love".