Eric Mercury
Eric Mercury was a pioneering Canadian soul and R&B singer known for his powerful voice and dynamic stage presence. Born Eric Alexander Mercury on June 28, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, he rose from local bands to international recognition before passing away on March 14, 2022, at age 77.
Mercury grew up in a musical family; his father was a Methodist minister from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and his mother a deaconess from Jamaica. As a child, he sang in the junior choir under his aunt's direction and by age 12 toured with a trumpet ensemble. He drew inspiration from groups like Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.
In his teens, Mercury joined the doo-wop group the Pharaohs with Jay Jackson. He later co-formed the Soul Searchers with singer Dianne Brooks, William "Smitty" Smith on organ, and others, performing in Toronto clubs and even sharing a bill with The Doors in New York.
Devastated by Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1968 assassination, Mercury moved to New York alone, sleeping in a bus terminal and an abandoned car before connections like David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears helped him. His 1969 debut album Electric Black Man on Avco Embassy blended soul, rock, and Black Power themes, marking him as a bold voice.
He released further albums like Funky Sound Nurtured in the Fertile Soil of Memphis, Love Is Taking Over, and a 1975 self-titled effort. Hits included "I Can Smell That Funky Music" (Canada, 1972) and a 1983 U.S. duet with Roberta Flack, "Our Love Will Stop the World." Labels spanned Clip, Mercury, Columbia, and Capitol.
Mercury remained active until 2022, fronting groups like Eric Mercury Birthrite and Merc & Monk while embodying resilience through career ups and downs.
Eric Mercury
3:04
A2 Pours When It Pains
3:17
A3 Princess Summerfallwinterspring
3:32
A4 Colour Yesterdays
4:49
A5 Sweetie-Pie
3:30
B1 Down The Backstairs Of My Life
4:00
B2 Forgive A Fool In Love
3:18
B3 Nothing Last Forever
3:10
B4 Love Enough
4:58
B5 No One
3:02
Label: Mercury – SRM 1-1026
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Seventies Soul
Released in 1975 on Mercury Records, the self-titled album by Canadian soul artist Eric Mercury is a 10-track collection of soul and funk featuring a stellar lineup of session musicians. It is widely recognized for its high-quality production, blending smooth soul with rock-infused arrangements.
At its launch, the album garnered positive reviews from major industry publications like Billboard and Cash Box, which praised Mercury's unique stylistic blend.
The album features notable session players, including Danny Kortchmar, David Foster, David Paich, Jeff Baxter, and Jim Keltner. While not a massive commercial success, the self-titled 1975 LP is regarded as a solid example of mid-70s soul.
Eric Mercury was a talented songwriter known for his work with artists like Donny Hathaway and was considered a highly skilled, albeit sometimes overlooked, artist in the industry.
The 1975 Eric Mercury album is considered a standout, refined effort compared to his earlier, more eclectic projects, offering a polished, professional sound.