Loleatta Holloway
Loleatta Holloway was an influential American singer renowned for her powerful vocals in disco, gospel, and house music. She rose to fame with hits like "Hit and Run" and "Love Sensation," leaving a lasting impact as one of the most sampled female artists in popular music.?
Born on November 5, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois, Holloway grew up in a musical family and began performing gospel at age five with her mother's group, the Holloway Community Singers. She later sang with the Caravans gospel group alongside Albertina Walker from 1967 to 1971 and appeared in the Chicago production of the musical Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope.
Holloway's secular breakthrough came after meeting producer and future husband Floyd Smith; her 1971 single "Rainbow '71" gained traction on Galaxy Records. She signed with Atlanta's Aware Records, releasing albums Loleatta (1973) and Cry to Me (1975), with the title track hitting #10 on Billboard's R&B chart before the label folded.
In 1976, she joined Gold Mind (a Salsoul imprint), producing disco anthems like "Hit and Run" (#3 Disco chart, 1977) and tracks from Queen of the Night (1978). She collaborated with Dan Hartman on the #1 Disco hit "Vertigo/Relight My Fire" (1979) and placed 18 songs on Billboard's Dance chart, including four #1s.
Holloway's voice was heavily sampled, notably in Black Box's 1989 UK #1 "Ride on Time" from her "Love Sensation" (1980). Billboard ranked her 95th among top dance artists in 2016. She passed away on March 21, 2011, from heart failure at age 64.
Cry To Me
Written-By S. Dees, D. Camon
5:45
A2 I Know Where You're Coming From
Written-By S. Dees
3:19
A3 The Show Must Go On
Written-By S. Dees
3:50
A4 The World Don't Owe You Nothing
Written-By S. Dees, F. Knight
3:10
A5 Just Be True To Me
Written-By – C. Mayfield
3:16
B1 Something About The Way I Feel
Written-By – J. Jacobs, R. Walker
3:23
B2 I'll Be Gone
Written-By – L. Holloway
4:08
B3 I Can't Help Myself
Written-By – A. Williams, W. Johnson
3:48
B4 Casanova
Written-By – J. Armstead
3:42
B5 H.E.L.P. M.E. M.Y. L.O.R.D. 2:48
Written-By S. Dees
Label: Aware – AA 2008
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1975
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul, Disco
Released in 1975 on Aware/Hotlanta, Loleatta Holloway’s Cry To Me is a critically acclaimed Southern Soul gem showcasing her transition from gospel to secular music.
Featuring passionate, dramatic vocals and tight arrangements by Floyd Smith, the album blends heartfelt ballads with pre-disco dancefloor fillers.
Highlights include the emotive title track and a standout cover of "Casanova," notes Discogs and Soul and Jazz and Funk.
Holloway delivers a mix of soul-baring, defiant, and sassy vocals, displaying her gospel roots through intense, emotional delivery.
The album is characterized by a mixture of power and drama, featuring weepy guitars and sophisticated, soulful arrangements.
The title track "Cry To Me" (a Top 10 R&B hit) and a cover of Ruby Andrews' "Casanova" are considered high points.
Despite limited initial success due to label issues, Cry To Me is now regarded as a must-have for Southern Soul and R&B collectors.
The album is praised for its authentic, heartfelt sound, with Amazon users calling it brilliant, though some have noted variations in mastering quality across different reissues.
Loleatta
Written-By – G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin
2:25
A2 We Did It
Written-By – J. Moore
2:19
A3 Our Love
Written-By – C. Jackson, M. Yancy
3:09
A4 Can I Change My Mind
Written-By – B. Despenza, C. Wolfolk
2:40
A5 Part Time Lover, Full Time Fool
Written-By – F. Smith
4:03
B1 So Can I
Written-By – S. Dees
3:20
B2 Only A Fool
Written-By – F. Smith, W. Johnson
2:25
B3 Love Woke Me Up
Written-By – N. Ashford-U. Simpson
2:45
B4 Mother Of Shame
Written-By – C. Yelder, J. Lewis, S. Dees
2:41
B5 Remember Me
Written-By – C. Otis, V. McCoy
2:04
Label: Aware – AA 2003
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Soul
Style: Southern Soul