Interview w/ Rochelle Fleming of First Choice on Tap. Your Questions Wanted

[Dayna]

I don't usually get real excited about an interview..BUT,seeing as First Choice is one of my all time favorite girl groups and could spend a day just listening to their music I'm very amped about my upcoming interview with the fabulous lead singer "Rochelle Fleming"..
Please feel free to leave any questions you might have for this Legendary lady~!!

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

Thank you, Dayna! I'm VERY excited about Rochelle's upcoming interview.

When I saw her in concert at The Warsaw Ballroom, on Miami Beach, sometime in the early 90's... The ad campaign featured the cover-art from "The Player" LP. But the concert consisted, entirely of Salsoul material. No Philly Groove material at all. Were there contractual problems with performing material off the "Nickel Shoe" years? I know there were backing tracks, because they were used to create the extended versions of "Smarty Pants" & "Armed & Extremely Dangerous", for the Unidisc CD "Greatest Hits".

My favorite First Choice LP is "Let Us Entertain You", which was almost completely written and produced by James Dean & John Glover. And was their only major label release, on Warner Bros. Records.
Why was there no follow-up to the Dean & Glover Produced release? I felt the ladies were used, vocally, to their best on that production. And, as a single release, it spawned more radio/club hits than any other, until "Hold Your Horses" came along. Not to mention, Dean & Glover are Master Storytellers, with their music.

What's the story behind losing the rights to the name "First Choice"? I'd read something about it having to do with their assigned management, from Salsoul, either pulling a fast one... Or just not being terribly on-the-ball. Were the ladies ever able to regain the rights?

Finally... Who did the group, as a whole, prefer working with?
Harris & Watson
Dean & Glover
Baldursson & Moulton

On a personal note:
You could put any name on the record-label that you wanted... If it's Rochelle singing...? I'd know that voice in a heartbeat. First Choice, with Rochelle at the forefront, had a "sound" that was so much more than Disco. Their contributions to the music, and Urban society of the time, were equally as important as anything Gamble & Huff cranked-out. Unfortunately, First Choice didn't have the same kind of $$$ behind them.

They were the flagship for the inner-city, Girl Group revival of the early-to-mid 70's! Other Girl Groups may have had a touch more polish. But you felt like you knew the girls from First Choice. Disco... R & B... Soul... Pop... Every song, in every genre, told a story that those of us growing-up in the Metro areas could relate to. The halls of my Junior High and High Schools, echoed with the sounds of Nickel Shoe/Philly Groove.

Don't get me wrong.. I LOVED me my '70's Supremes! But First Choice didn't have that whole VEGAS persona to protect. The writers could be REAL and these Girls made the truth-of-the-times come ALIVE in their recordings.

Just for fun... Here's my "First Choice - Top Ten"
(I hope Rochelle agrees with some of 'em )

1) Are You Ready For Me
2) Guilty
3) Gotta Get Away From You
4) Great Expectations
5) Let Him Go
(KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK... "Do I know you, honey? I don't know. But I'm that 'other woman', anyway.")
6) Armed & Extremely Dangerous
7) Yes, Maybe No
8) First Choice Theme / Ain't He Bad
9) Smarty Pants
10) Love Thang (David Morales remix)

Okay, Dayna... So I've gone on, far too long, for your purposes. :icon_lol:
But I'm a BIG TIME, First Choice fan-atic! So please forgive my rambling.

[SandraDee]

Lady D! I would love to know how Rochelle feels about being one of the most sampled singers ever! When she first laid down the vocals for tracks such as 'Let no Man Put Asunder', did she think they would feature so much on dance music of the future? With the possible exception of Loleatta Holloway, I can't think of anyone who's vocals have featured so often on dance records of the last 20 years or so. (& I'd hope she has been sufficiently rewarded by these musical highwaymen)

[Dayna]

Thank you, Dayna! I'm VERY excited about Rochelle's upcoming interview.

When I saw her in concert at The Warsaw Ballroom, on Miami Beach, sometime in the early 90's... The ad campaign featured the cover-art from "The Player" LP. But the concert consisted, entirely of Salsoul material. No Philly Groove material at all. Were there contractual problems with performing material off the "Nickel Shoe" years? I know there were backing tracks, because they were used to create the extended versions of "Smarty Pants" & "Armed & Extremely Dangerous", for the Unidisc CD "Greatest Hits".

My favorite First Choice LP is "Let Us Entertain You", which was almost completely written and produced by James Dean & John Glover. And was their only major label release, on Warner Bros. Records.
Why was there no follow-up to the Dean & Glover Produced release? I felt the ladies were used, vocally, to their best on that production. And, as a single release, it spawned more radio/club hits than any other, until "Hold Your Horses" came along. Not to mention, Dean & Glover are Master Storytellers, with their music.

What's the story behind losing the rights to the name "First Choice"? I'd read something about it having to do with their assigned management, from Salsoul, either pulling a fast one... Or just not being terribly on-the-ball. Were the ladies ever able to regain the rights?

Finally... Who did the group, as a whole, prefer working with?
Harris & Watson
Dean & Glover
Baldursson & Moulton

On a personal note:
You could put any name on the record-label that you wanted... If it's Rochelle singing...? I'd know that voice in a heartbeat. First Choice, with Rochelle at the forefront, had a "sound" that was so much more than Disco. Their contributions to the music, and Urban society of the time, were equally as important as anything Gamble & Huff cranked-out. Unfortunately, First Choice didn't have the same kind of $$$ behind them.

They were the flagship for the inner-city, Girl Group revival of the early-to-mid 70's! Other Girl Groups may have had a touch more polish. But you felt like you knew the girls from First Choice. Disco... R & B... Soul... Pop... Every song, in every genre, told a story that those of us growing-up in the Metro areas could relate to. The halls of my Junior High and High Schools, echoed with the sounds of Nickel Shoe/Philly Groove.

Don't get me wrong.. I LOVED me my '70's Supremes! But First Choice didn't have that whole VEGAS persona to protect. The writers could be REAL and these Girls made the truth-of-the-times come ALIVE in their recordings.

Just for fun... Here's my "First Choice - Top Ten"
(I hope Rochelle agrees with some of 'em )

1) Are You Ready For Me
2) Guilty
3) Gotta Get Away From You
4) Great Expectations
5) Let Him Go
(KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK... "Do I know you, honey? I don't know. But I'm that 'other woman', anyway.")
6) Armed & Extremely Dangerous
7) Yes, Maybe No
8) First Choice Theme / Ain't He Bad
9) Smarty Pants
10) Love Thang (David Morales remix)

Okay, Dayna... So I've gone on, far too long, for your purposes. :icon_lol:
But I'm a BIG TIME, First Choice fan-atic! So please forgive my rambling.

lol moosey..
NO.. I love that you're so interested..I will see how much of this I can work out..You know I'm less technical and more about personal issues in my interviews,That's why I ask you guys for some questions because u give me the stuff I wouldn't think of....Me.Myself want to know things like who she loved working with be it her fav remixer,other artists etc..If there was any animosity because she was basically"the Voice" of First Choice.
Her relationship with "THE CHILDREN":icon_lol: lol.. I was lmao when Patti "Brooks" said to me as you affectionately call them"The Children" when we were speaking about gay men..Her fav perfume etc,lol..That's the Diva in me
I like to get all up in the meat if I can:icon_eek:..BUT for the inquiring minds that are on the forum and that read the forum I ask some technical questions.
The interview was going to be tomorrow but I didn't have my questions drafted and that didn't give u guys any time to throw some in..so I asked if we could do it Friday..So kids get you're questions in here..
Rochelle and George have been wonderful..She really loved it when I told her it would be just like 2 girlfriends having a chatfest..Most artists hate clinical interviews..

[Dayna]

Lady D! I would love to know how Rochelle feels about being one of the most sampled singers ever! When she first laid down the vocals for tracks such as 'Let no Man Put Asunder', did she think they would feature so much on dance music of the future? With the possible exception of Loleatta Holloway, I can't think of anyone who's vocals have featured so often on dance records of the last 20 years or so. (& I'd hope she has been sufficiently rewarded by these musical highwaymen)

Consider it done..
But you know how I can get about royalties and the lack there of~!!!!!!!!!!!!:icon_evil:It burns me

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

She really loved it when I told her it would be just like 2 girlfriends having a chatfest..Most artists hate clinical interviews..

You do your thang, Grrrrl!!!

[SandraDee]

Consider it done..
But you know how I can get about royalties and the lack there of~!!!!!!!!!!!!:icon_evil:It burns me

Thanks Dayna. It's a prickly subject i know & I hope I don't open an ugly can of worms.:icon_confused: Take something to relax you both before you ask the question!:icon_razz:

[kdavid13]

Hi Dayna

My question has to do with her short stint on Prelude Records in the mid-80's.
Why wasn't there any other release aside from 1985's Love itch ? And how did she like working with Greg Carmichael & Patrick Adams on this particular track ?

I wonder if an album was ever planned or was it a one-shot deal ?

Plus why was her name spelled Roshelle Fleming (with an S) on the US label (and not on some european versions) - Was it a typo or perhaps the way she spells her name in real life ?

[KBallenger53]

Is she married? And is she planning on coming out with some new material??? Does she stay in touch with the other girls?

Give her a kiss for me...........................

'NUFF SAID

[Dayna]

Hi Kris..I'm def gonna ask her about Love Itch "love it"..and will incorporate you're Q in that..
and that's interesting about the spelling I might ask her about that as well..Thank u..
and K-Ball..lol..If we talk about men that's usually "OFF" the record.. But I always ask about new material.
Thank you..

[KBallenger53]

Hi Kris..I'm def gonna ask her about Love Itch "love it"..and will incorporate you're Q in that..
and that's interesting about the spelling I might ask her about that as well..Thank u..
and K-Ball..lol..If we talk about men that's usually "OFF" the record.. But I always ask about new material.
Thank you..

I guess that means I still have a chance!!!:icon_lol::icon_lol::icon_lol:

'NUFF SAID

[Videoskooter]

Hi D, 1 quest-I-on:

How does Rochelle feel about the oldskool and nuskool vibes? We know she was there in the golden years and she's still here and...bringing out new stuff. Is she as enthusiastic about the new Dance music as she is about the "old" grooves? Or vice versa?

And big thanks to the both of you for the interview in advance!

[Dayna]

Hi D, 1 quest-I-on:

How does Rochelle feel about the oldskool and nuskool vibes? We know she was there in the golden years and she's still here and...bringing out new stuff. Is she as enthusiastic about the new Dance music as she is about the "old" grooves? Or vice versa?

And big thanks to the both of you for the interview in advance!

I will ask her..
As far as the interview, my pleasure and Rochelle said her's as well..
Thanks J.......

[Dayna]

There's still plenty of time for questions..
we rescheduled the interview for Monday at 1:30 EST..
and ..I can't wait..Rochelle is a very social lady with some adventures to relay..so I'm going to get her take on friends like Larry Levan,Tee Scott and lots of other Disco heavy hitters she's socialized with and still does..All I can say is it's going to be FUN~!!
This one is sure to thrill

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

There's still plenty of time for questions..

Okay... Heres' one more that comes to mind...
Did Rochelle ever record vocals under an alias / pseudonym?
Anything the fans can hunt for, featuring that unique voice, but recorded under any name other than 'First Choice', or 'Rochelle Fleming'?

[Disco Funk]

Oh wow, I almost missed this because I usually don't look at the stickies!

This one is right up my alley, since I'm a philly music fanatic, as everyone knows! :)

Here's a handful of questions I hope you like something amongst them:

1. Did The First Choice make any records before they recorded 'This Is The House Where Love Died' in 1972?

2. When they were recording tracks for Armed & Extremely Dangerous, were they aware of the new disco sound that was being created in the studio for that LP?

3. Did they watch the MFSB guys play the music before they laid down the vocals, and was it exciting seeing the new songs unfolding before their eyes and ears?

4. What was Stan Watson like? Was he as intense or moody the way people have talked about Gamble & Huff?

5. Since they were hanging around Sigma where G&H also recorded their Philadelphia International albums, did they ever approach the First Choice to sign with them?

6. Did they interact with their label mates The Delfonics, Nat Turner's Rebellion, Tapestry? Was there any discussion of maybe doing a recording with another artist on Philly Groove like the Supremes did with the Temptations in the 60s?

7. Was the move to Gold Mind from Philly Groove after Let Us Entertain You because it was time to move on from Stan Watson? Or did Stan Watson want to follow The First Choice to Salsoul but wasn't allowed for contractual reasons?

8. How did work on the Gold Mind label compare with working for Philly Groove?

9. Did she have a favourite MFSB musician?

10. If she could do her career all over again, would she do anything differently?

Man, I could go on forever. Sorry Dayna! And thanks for setting up this amazing interview with a philly soul legend! :)

Disco Funk

[remicks]

*****

I very much like their 1979 remake of LET ME DOWN EASY ...a song so beautiful it makes me feel warmth and yet sadness at the same time .... :icon_sad:

Now that album it's from : HOLD YOUR HORSES

... four of its' six songs:

A1 Let Me Down Easy (6:20)
A2 Good Morning Midnight (3:57)
A3 Great Expectations (5:33)
B1 Hold Your Horses (5:50)


were German productions with Thor Baldursson at the helm
(he's also on keyboards w/Keith Forsey on drums/percussion )

While the music was put together there in Munich .....
the LP credits say that the vocals by FIRST CHOICE were done at Sigma Sounds in Philadelphia................ (as well as the horns ...sax heard on LET ME DOWN EASY is John Davis)

Just wondering if Rochelle could elaborate some on the LP and how and why that project was put together that way ......???

----
Oh ...........
I'd also be interested in the relationships between the girl groups being produced out of the Sigma Studios ....The Jones Girls , The Three Degrees , First Choice ......any stories there ????


Thanks Dayna !



ps
Rochelle Fleming has by far one of the most distinctive and pleasurable voices to be found under the disco banner ....:icon_cool::icon_cool::icon_cool:

*****

[Cory Ander]

I'd be kind of interested in knowing if the group made any money when Mary J. Blige covered "Let No Man Put Asunder" and what they thought of the cover. Thanks.

[Dayna]

Thanks guys..I will see what I can work in .
Cory,I can pretty much assure you that unless Rochelle wrote and owns the rights to "let no Man Put Asunder".
She nor any of the other girls got any compensation from the Mary J Cover

[SandraDee]

Rochelle Fleming has by far one of the most distinctive and pleasurable voices to be found under the disco banner ....:icon_cool::icon_cool::icon_cool:[/COLOR]

*****

I agree, her voice is brilliant & unique, as Stephie pointed out.

[drlove]

How did the interview go, Dayna (Friday, was it ???). Hope it went splendidly and thank you SO much for all the hard (but fun) work you do to land these educational and nostalgic interviews with these legendary performers, producers, deejays, behind-the-scenes personnel,etc.

[Dayna]

DR Love..
The interview was today at 1:30 it went very nicely,thank u..
except I have the flunot swine of course,I can't even party for my Birthday because I'm sick ..I didn't get to ask alot of the questions you guys asked..It was more of a personal kind of interview not alot of technical talk..but enough to satisfy I think..Rochelle is so passionate about certain things she just runs with it..
It's a sweet, funny , endearing interview

[Bernie]

Dayna,

Happy birthday! Sorry to hear you are under the weather, but it should pass quick.

I'll go through your interview and format... and have it up by tomorrow. I'll post a separate sticky thread when it's ready so everyone knows. Thank you for your hard work on it, especially under the miserable circumstance you are in. Feel better and have some cake!

[Disco Funk]

Happy Birthday Dayna from me too! And here's hoping you have a speedy recovery from your illness.

Disco Funk

[STEPHEN L FREEMAN]

It's a sweet, funny, endearing interview

aaahhh... So it's more like conversation, less structured by question & answer.

...the best things happen, when you're blown off course.