Scherrie Payne
Scherrie Payne is an acclaimed American soul singer best known as the final lead vocalist of The Supremes from 1973 to 1977. Born on November 4, 1944, in Detroit, Michigan, she is the younger sister of singer Freda Payne and stands at 5'2", earning her the nickname "the little lady with the big voice."
Payne launched her career as lead singer of The Glass House, a Detroit group signed to Invictus Records in 1969. Their biggest hit was her self-written "Crumbs Off The Table," which reached the Billboard Top 10; the group released two albums and nine singles before disbanding in 1972.
She joined The Supremes in 1973, alongside Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong, then Susaye Greene, bringing powerful leads to tracks like "He's My Man," "I'm Gonna Let My Heart Do The Walking," "You're My Driving Wheel," and "Let Yourself Go." The group retired after a 1977 farewell concert.
Post-Supremes, Payne and Greene released the 1979 Motown album Partners, featuring her song "Leaving Me Was The Best Thing You've Ever Done." She scored club hits with covers like "I'm Not In Love" and solo singles on Motorcity Records, including "Pure Energy."
In 1986, she co-founded the Former Ladies of the Supremes with Lynda Laurence and Jean Terrell (later Joyce Vincent), performing globally and releasing albums like Supremely Yours. They joined Diana Ross's 2000 Return to Love tour.
An avid writer, Payne has penned over 20 screenplays, three stage plays (including the NAACP-nominated A Lady In Waiting), and her musical The Dreamseekers in 2017. As of recent years, she continues performing with Lynda Laurence as Scherrie and Lynda, Formerly of The Supremes.
Incredible
Written-By – Phillip Ingram 4:11
A2 Testify
Written-By – Ali-Ollie Woodson, Otis Williams 4:24
A3 On And On
Written-By – Ken Curry, Phillip Ingram 4:00
A4 Right Stuff
Written-By – Randy Henderson, Ronnie Phillips, Scherrie Payne 3:27
B1 Touch Me Up
Written-By – Rusty Hamilton, Randy Henderson, Scherrie Payne 3:20
B2 Work It Out
Written-By – Ali-Ollie Woodson 4:40
B3 Hot Flash
Written-By – Randy Henderson, Scherrie Payne 3:59
B4 Get Closer
Written-By – J.G. Hall, Joel Wertman, Luther Rabb 3:33
Label: Superstar International Records – SSLP-52
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1987
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Eighties Soul, Pop, Dance
Scherrie Payne's 1987 solo album Incredible (sometimes referred to as her only solo album after her time with the Supremes) is a product of its era, characterized by catchy, high-energy 1980s synth-pop with a strong dance/funk foundation. Reviews for the album are generally mixed, with critics and fans noting that while it has some great tunes and slick production, it doesn't fully showcase Payne's powerful vocal range.
The album is described as 100% 1980s pop music, heavily reliant on synthesizers, but of a high order. It features an energetic, joyful atmosphere with addictive grooves and melodies, containing enough funk that some argue a more natural sound could have made it a disco hit in the late 1970s.
Payne, known as "the little lady with the big voice" during her time with the Supremes, has an exceptional vocal range. However, some reviewers feel the 80s production style and material didn't allow her to showcase the full extent of her talent.
Fans of energetic 80s pop music often love the album, calling it a "gem" with depth in the compositions and great emotional expression. It's considered comparable to other successful female pop acts of the day like Madonna and Whitney Houston in style.
Other reviews state the album features "average songs" and "average 80s arrangements". One critic suggested Payne deserved better material that matched the quality of her voice and her work with the 70s Supremes.
The production is noted as "slick and powerful". When the album was reissued on CD, some reviewers pointed out a lack of bonus tracks, despite the existence of 7'' and 12'' mixes.
Overall, Incredible is an album that divides opinion, but it is a significant part of Scherrie Payne's solo career and her only full-length solo album.