Freda Payne
Freda Charcilia Payne is an American singer and actress best known for her 1970 hit "Band of Gold," which reached No. 3 on the US charts and No. 1 in the UK. Born on September 19, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan, she grew up immersed in jazz influences from artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday. She is the older sister of Scherrie Payne, a former Supremes member.
Payne attended the Detroit Institute of Musical Arts as a teenager and won local TV and radio talent shows while singing jingles. After graduating from Central High School in 1959, she toured with Pearl Bailey's musical revue and sang with the Duke Ellington Band. At 17, she performed in Pearl Bailey's show, initially auditioning as a dancer but hired as a background singer.
In 1962, Payne released her debut album, After the Lights Go Down Low and Much More!!, on Impulse! Records, establishing her as a jazz singer. She moved to New York in 1963, working with Quincy Jones, Pearl Bailey, and Bill Cosby. Signing with Invictus Records in 1969, her single "Unhooked Generation" charted modestly on R&B, but "Band of Gold"—written by Eddie Holland, Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier, and Ronald Dunbar—became her signature hit, earning a gold record.
Payne scored additional Invictus hits like "Deeper & Deeper" and "Bring the Boys Home" through 1973, then recorded for ABC, Capitol, and Sutra. In 1981, she hosted the TV talk show Today's Black Woman and shifted toward acting in films, Broadway, and TV, including Living Single, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, Now and Then, and Velvet Goldmine. She remade "Band of Gold" in 1986 with Belinda Carlisle and later returned to jazz.
Payne was previously married to Gregory Abbott. She has appeared on shows hosted by Johnny Carson, David Frost, and Merv Griffin, and continues performing, with a career spanning over 16 albums.
Supernatural High
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Sigidi, Skip Scarborough
Written-By [Happy Days Are Here Again] – Yellen, Ager
Written-By [Happy Music (Dance The Night Away)] – Sigidi, Scarborough 5:52
A2 Pullin' Back
Written-By – G. Abbott, S. Scarborough 3:35
A3 Tell Me Please
Written-By – Skip Scarborough 3:40
A4 Just The Thought Of You (Supernatural High)
Written-By – L. Bell, T. Bell 6:15
B1 Livin' For The Beat
Written-By – G. Abbott, R. Cason 3:48
B2 Falling In Love
Arranged By [Rhythm] – Sigidi
Written-By – D. Williams, T. Stephens 4:00
B3 I'll Do Anything For You
Arranged By [Rhythm] – David N. Crawford
Written-By – D. Crawford, J. Evans 4:18
B4 Storybook Romance
Written-By – Scherrie Payne 5:30
Label: Capitol Records – ST-11864
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul, Disco
Supernatural High is the eighth studio album by American singer Freda Payne, released in 1978 on Capitol Records. The album features a blend of soul, funk, and disco music, with production handled by the renowned songwriter Skip Scarborough.
The album is noted for its mix of dance-oriented tracks and standout ballads. "Storybook Romance" was written by Payne's younger sister, Scherrie Payne, a former member of the Supremes. Scherrie also provided backing vocals for the album. The tracks "Pullin' Back" and "Livin' for the Beat" were co-written by Payne's then-husband, Gregory Abbott.
The medley of "Happy Days Are Here Again" / "Happy Music (Dance the Night Away)" and "I'll Do Anything for You" were released as singles, though neither managed to chart.
Producer Skip Scarborough was known for his work with Earth, Wind & Fire, including the hit "Can't Hide Love". Arrangements were partly handled by David Crawford.
While not a massive commercial success at the time, the album is cited by Payne herself as a personal favorite and is considered a treasured gem among her fans for its sophisticated sound.