Sandra Reid

b. 1960, London, England. As an adolescent, Reid and her sister added distinctive vocals as backup singers in the soul group Eruption. When she was 15 Reid entered a talent contest held at Phoebes nightclub Her performance of Gladys Knight’s ‘It Should’ve Been Me’ met with resounding approval from the audience and resulted in Reid winning a recording contract with the independent Magnet label. She initially recorded her own compositions ‘Lovers Dream’ and ‘You’re Still Waiting’ (a reply to Bob Marley’s classic ‘I’m Still Waiting’), both produced by Lloyd Charmers. Her association with the roots reggae ensemble Black Slate resulted in Anthony Brightly enrolling her to his Sir George label for the release of ‘Look In Your Eyes’ and a cover version of Rose Royce’s ‘Ooh Boy’. The latter release proved a commercial success, which inspired Sony Records to release the song in the hope of a crossover hit. At this time Reid was still balancing her recording career with work for the social services, and disillusioned with the meagre rewards for her efforts she decided to take a sabbatical. She was persuaded back into the music business by Sir George. In the autumn of 1983 they released the popular lovers rock tune, ‘Don’t Tell Me Tell Her’. The lack of recognition accorded Reid was eventually remedied when she was voted the Top UK Female Vocalist at the 1985 Annual British Reggae Awards. In the mid-80s she enjoyed major lovers rock hits with ‘Feels So Good’, ‘It Feels Like We Belong Together’ and ‘Caught You In A Lie’.