Former '70s-era
Supremes members Scherrie Payne and
Susaye Greene debuted as the duo Scherrie & Susaye on the Motown LP
Partners, produced by
Eugene McDaniels and issued on October 1979. Those expecting the disco flavor of past
Supremes hits such as ""You're My Driving Wheel" and "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do the Walking" may have been taken aback by the overall smooth, intelligent tone of the album. No doubt producer
McDaniels, whose credits include
Roberta Flack's
Blue Lights in the Basement, had a lot to do with that.
Partners is definitely a quiet storm precursor. The LP opener is the swirling "Storybook Romance" (covered by Scherrie's sister
Freda Payne on her Supernatural High). Sophisticated slow jams like "You've Been Good to Me," "Another Life From Now," and mellow treats like "In the Night" and "Your Sweet Love" were ahead of their time. They do satisfy their dance fans with "Leaving Me Was the Best Thing You've Ever Done" and "I Found Another Love."
Ray Charles makes an amusing cameo as the title character in the thick and funky "Luvbug." It's a shame that this is the duo sole release. A version of "Another Life From Now" appears on
the Supremes' 70's Greatest Hits & Rare Classics. ~ Ed Hogan