Retta Young
Retta Young is an American soul and disco singer born in 1949 in South Carolina. She gained fame in the 1970s for her hit single "(Sending Out An) S.O.S.".
She began singing in the late 1960s with groups like The Superbs and Devotion, recording tracks such as "The Dawning of Love" that charted modestly. Young signed with All Platinum Records, where she also handled reception duties and received backup vocals from The Moments.
Her 1975 breakout "(Sending Out An) S.O.S.," produced by Al Goodman and Harry Ray of The Moments, topped disco charts in New York and reached Billboard Hot Soul Singles, Cash Box Top 100 R&B, and UK Top 30. She promoted it in London alongside fiancé Al Goodman.
Young released the album Young and Restless in 1976, followed by singles like "You Beat Me To The Punch" and "My Man Is On His Way" in 1978. She retired from music for family life after marrying Goodman.
Young And Restless
A2 Now Or Never (A. Goodman*, H. Ray, W. Morris 4:48)
A3 Just Look Into His Eyes (A. Goodman, H. Goodman, W. Morris 4:15)
A4 We're So In Love (A. Goodman, H. Ray, W. Morris 3:18)
A5 I Love My Jim (A. Goodman, H. Ray, W. Morris 3:49)
B1 My Love Is On His Way (A. Goodman, H. Ray, W. Morris 4:27)
B2 That's How Some Men Are (A. Goodman, H. Ray, W. Morris 4:39)
B3 Our Way Of Loving (S. Lowe 4:44)
B4 Let's Make Up For Lost Time (S. Lowe 4:39)
Label: All Platinum – AP-3017
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1976
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Disco Soul
Retta Young's 1976 album Young and Restless is considered a high-quality "gem" of 70s modern soul and disco, particularly sought after by collectors of Northern Soul. It is praised for combining elements of soul and disco in a "supremely groovy" mid-70s mix.
The album blends R&B, modern soul, and disco. It features both uptempo, soulful dance tracks like "My Man Is On His Way" and "Really, Really", as well as slower, emotion-rich ballads such as "Our Way Of Loving" and "Now or Never". The overall sound has a brilliant, sometimes "Philadelphia International style" feel.
Reviewers and collectors generally regard the album highly, often giving it positive ratings (e.g., 4-5 stars on retail sites). It's described as an enjoyable album from start to finish, with some tracks being considered "Northern Soul Classics".
The original 1976 pressing on All Platinum Records became a rare collector's item, fetching high prices. Due to high demand, it was reissued for the first time in 2017 by Expansion Records on both vinyl and an expanded CD format.
Retta Young was the wife of Al Goodman of the group The Moments, who produced and engineered the album and wrote some of the tracks.
In summary, Young and Restless is a well-regarded album appreciated by fans of 1970s R&B, soul, and disco music.