Gene & Eddie were a journeyman R&B act from Silver Springs, Maryland who enjoyed some regional success in the mid-'60s to early '70s as a churchier and more polished alternative to
Sam & Dave. For a time, they were partnered with a white R&B showband called
the Nightcaps, and as one of the few integrated soul acts of the day, they landed a handful of upscale gigs that eluded their peers, including an appearance at a party at the White House. (Washington, D.C. was one of their biggest markets at the time.) Post-
Nightcaps,
Gene & Eddie teamed with
Joe Quarterman, a songwriter, arranger, and producer who ran the independent
Ru-Jac Records label when he wasn't busy performing under the name
Sir Joe.
Gene & Eddie cut six singles for
Ru-Jac, but only one, "It's So Hard" b/w "Sweet Little Girl," gained any sort of traction, and then only as a regional hit. However, the obscurists on the British Northern soul scene would in time discover
Gene & Eddie, and they helped make a few of their previously forgotten sides collector's items. The American archival label
Omnivore Recordings has finally given
Gene & Eddie's material the reissue treatment, and
True Enough: Gene & Eddie with Sir Joe at Ru-Jac collects the material they cut for
Ru-Jac between 1967 and 1971, along with a few extras. In addition to their 12
Ru-Jac sides,
True Enough includes a 1965 single
Gene & Eddie cut with
the Nightcaps, as well as a few of
Quarterman's tracks as
Sir Joe.
Quarterman actually turns out to be the secret star of this collection.
Gene & Eddie were solid performers, with good harmonies and dynamic interaction, but
Quarterman's contributions shine brightest. These singles were clearly cut on a limited budget, but the studio sound is impressive, and his arrangements sound full-bodied and imaginative.
True Enough is good fun for collectors of vintage soul rarities, and
Omnivore has clearly assembled the album with care. ~ Mark Deming
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