100 Proof Aged In Soul
100 Proof (Aged In Soul) was an American soul and funk group formed in 1969 in Detroit, Michigan. They were assembled by the legendary Holland-Dozier-Holland (HDH) songwriting and production team as a signature act for their Hot Wax Records label after departing Motown.
The group's initial lineup featured established Detroit vocalists with previous ties to Motown: Steve Mancha (Clyde Wilson): Lead singer (1945–2011); Joe Stubbs (Joseph Stubbles): Co-lead singer and brother of the Four Tops' Levi Stubbs; formerly of The Contours and The Falcons (1942–1998); Eddie Holiday (Eddie Anderson): Former lead singer of The Holidays; Carlis "Sonny" Monroe: Former lead singer of The Falcons (1938–2009).
The group specialized in a gritty, earthy style more closely aligned with Southern soul than the polished Motown sound.
Their second single, "Somebody's Been Sleeping" (1970), became their biggest success, reaching #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #6 on the R&B charts. It sold over a million copies and was certified gold.
Other chart entries included "Too Many Cooks (Spoil the Soup)" (1969), "One Man's Leftovers (Is Another Man's Feast)" (1971), and "Everything Good Is Bad" (1972).
The group's members were closely linked to another HDH act, The 8th Day. Their lead singer, Steve Mancha, co-wrote and performed on the 8th Day hit "She's Not Just Another Woman".
The original group disbanded in 1973 after releasing two albums: Somebody's Been Sleeping in My Bed (1970) and 100 Proof Aged in Soul (1972). The name was briefly revived in 1977 with an entirely new lineup for the single "I'm Mad as Hell (Ain't Gonna Take No More)".
100 Proof Aged In Soul
A2 Since You Been Gone (Clyde Wilson, Ronald Dunbar 3:50)
A3 Nothing Sweeter Than Love (Clyde Wilson 3:50)
A4 Ghetto Girl (A. Bond, C. Wilson, G. Perry 3:47)
B1 Words (B., R. & M. Gibb 3:56)
B2 I Don't Care If I Never Get Over You (A. Bond, C. Wilson, R. Dunbar 3:59)
B3 Don't Scratch Where It Don't Itch (A. Bond, G. Johnson, G. Perry 3:46)
B4 Don't You Wake Me (A. Bond, G. Perry 3:39)
B5 Never My Love (Don & Rich Addrisi 4:02)
Label: Hot Wax – HA714
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1972
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Funk
100 Proof Aged In Soul's self-titled album, released in 1973 on Hot Wax Records, is the group's second and final studio album before they disbanded that year. It is a funk and soul album, primarily known for being produced by the Motown songwriting team Holland-Dozier-Holland's independent label.
The album features the group's signature sound of smooth soul alternating with energetic funk, built on distinctive lead vocals from members Joe Stubbs and Clyde Wilson (Steve Mancha). The record, like their debut, heavily leverages proverbs and idioms in its lyrical content.
100 Proof Aged In Soul is a gritty, soulful work that reached #40 on the R&B charts. It features the hit single "Everything Good Is Bad" which reached #15 on the R&B charts and #45 on the pop charts in the USA.