The Cleftones
Formed in Queens, NY, in 1955, the Cleftones consisted of five friends from Jamaica High School -- Herb Cox (lead), Warren Corbin (bass), Charlie James (first tenor), William McClain (baritone), and Berman Patterson (second tenor). Originally signed to Gee, the group released its first single, "You Baby You," late in 1955; an up-tempo doo wop song, the record became a regional hit. "Little Girl of Mine," the Cleftones' second single, broke nationally, charting at number eight R&B and number 57 pop in 1956; two other similar singles, "Can't We Be Sweethearts" and "String Around My Heart," were released the same year, yet they failed to attract national attention. "See You Next Year," a ballad the group recorded in 1957, did not earn the group an audience outside of New York. Two years later, McClain left the group and was replaced by Gene Pearson from the Rivileers. Patricia Spann was also added to the Cleftones' lineup that year, which helped nudge the band away from traditional group-oriented doo wop harmonies and toward a vocal sound that was dominated by the lead vocals. In 1961, the Cleftones realized the potential of the sound with their smash hit version of the standard "Heart and Soul"; it became the group's biggest hit, reaching number 18 on both pop and R&B charts. Later that year, the group had another hit with "For Sentimental Reasons," but the band had reached a peak with "Heart and Soul" and were never able to reach those heights again. The Cleftones broke up in 1964, three years after their greatest success.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Heart and Soul
Jazz - Released by Stars and Stripes on 13 May 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Anthology: The Deluxe Collection (Remastered)
Pop - Released by Master Tape Records on 11 Sep 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Cleftones - Singles File
R&B - Released by Fidelity Masters on 28 Mar 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Cleftones Memories
Jazz - Released by Studio Masters Rec. on 17 May 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Cleftones Presenting Heart and Soul
R&B - Released by Universal Digital Enterprises on 3 Dec 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heart and Soul / Little Girl of Mine (Rerecorded)
Soul - Released by K-Tel on 28 Sep 2023
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Little Girl of Mine (Hi-Fi Remastered)
Rock - Released by Liberty on 30 Jul 2023
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
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Little Girl of Mine
Pop - Released by Treasury Collection on 13 Mar 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Cleftones Trudy
Pop - Released by Giggling Gecko on 16 Mar 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heart and Soul
Jazz - Released by Black Sheep Music on 13 May 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Little Girl (I Love You Madly) : The Old Town EP
R&B - Released by Old Town Records on 10 Aug 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Diamond Collection (Original Recordings)
R&B - Released by Hoogan Records on 16 May 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Earth Angel
Electronic - Released by Kenzo Records on 16 Dec 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
See You (Soulful Rhythm Songs)
Jazz - Released by Beach View Records on 25 Nov 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Heart And Soul
Pop - Released by Finestar Records on 23 Aug 2019
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Earth Angel (Lovely & Soulful Classic Collection)
R&B - Released by Beach View Records on 14 Oct 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Les idoles du doo wop : The Cleftones, Vol. 1
Pop - Released by Mpm on 28 Oct 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo