14 Karat Soul
14 Karat Soul
East Orange, NJ
An Acappella Street Corner Vocal Group
This Page contains information on the
Original Fourteen Karat Soul
that recorded on Catamount Records
This Page contains information on the
Original Fourteen Karat Soul
that recorded on Catamount Records
Once called "the best teenage singing group in America" by a Village Voice columnist, Fourteen Karat Soul was the brainchild of Glen "Glenny T" Wright, a 16-year-old from Essex County Vocational and Technical High School in Bloomfield, New Jersey. In November, 1975, Glenny T form the singing group. The original members came from three different schools but each was in the Mount Olive Baptist Church Young Adult Choir in East Orange. Besides Glen there was Russell Fox II (13, baritone, from William S. Heart Middle School), Brian Simpson (13, first tenor natural), David Thurmond (16, first tenor falsetto), and Reginald "Briz" Brisbon (16, bass) (the latter three were of East Orange High School).
Briz was found at the school playground and he auditioned singing "The Sun". When he sailed through the song in baritone, Glenny told him they were really looking for a bass. Briz finished off the ballad by dropping to a lower register, and Glenny T's smile told Briz he'd made the group. They began rehearsing at Glen's Chestnut Street home in East Orange. Their debut was a performance at the dedication for the East Orange Public Library on March 14, 1976.
In November 1977 they played a United in Group Harmony Association (U.G.H.A.) show for the newly formed oldies organization at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen, New Jersey. Former Persuasions producer Stan Krause saw them and immediately recognized the above average talent. Stan brought in producer Skip Jackson to record 14 Karat Soul, and rather than going in an obvious acappella direction, he recorded the group in a disco mode on the song "Doo-Wop Disco."
Live on "Saturday Night Live"
Performed Three Times
Playwrights Bob Telson and Lee Breuer saw the quintet perform at Symphony Hall (March 9, 1980), which led to Fourteen Karat Soul appearing in a doo wop operetta produced by Joseph Papp called Sister Suzie Cinema. The group went on the road to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and European stopovers in France, Switzerland, Holland, and Belgium. By 1982 they had also toured the U.K. and had an LP out on Catamount titled Lovers Fantasy. In 1983 they were brought in to do the harmony on the Stray Cats' EMI recording "I Won't Stand in "Your Way," which charted on October 29th and went to number 35, unfortunately without any credit.
During April 1986 Fourteen K. performed at a music industry party in London and met a gentleman who was interested in bringing them to Japan. It took a year, but the group finally got to perform at several Tokyo clubs in 1987. They went on to record three albums released only in Japan.
At UGHA
Photos provided by Glenny T in promo pac sent to me many years ago.
Also on a Visit to my house when they were here opening for the Stray Cats
Other Photos, Articles and Recordings from my Personal Collection
Glenny T, Thanks for this page - Tommy Mitchell
Also on a Visit to my house when they were here opening for the Stray Cats
Other Photos, Articles and Recordings from my Personal Collection
Glenny T, Thanks for this page - Tommy Mitchell
Discography
Fourteen Karat Soul - LP-907 - Lover's Fantasy
1. The Trouble With Love
2. Please Say You Want Me
3. Why Do Fools Fall In Love
4. Fireball Of Black Belt
2. Please Say You Want Me
3. Why Do Fools Fall In Love
4. Fireball Of Black Belt
1. Mr. Rock N Roll
2. Lover's Fantasy
3. Doo-Wopp Disco
4. The Sun
2. Lover's Fantasy
3. Doo-Wopp Disco
4. The Sun
Briz
14 Karat Soul, apparently reunited, however briefly, for a performance at the Morris Museum's Acappella & Doo Wop Concert #1, July 15, 2011, in Morristown, NJ. Although other members have come and gone over the years, the performing members of 14 Karat Soul were: Glenny T., Tony Zeke, Nadir, Mark Aaron, and Hervon.
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