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Bert DeCoteaux was an unsung arranger and producer who helped create hundreds of soul, funk and disco records extensive the 1960s and 70s. Some of the artists he worked with included the Main Ingredient, Les McCann, B.B. King, Joe Simon, Cissy Houston, Freddie Hubbard, Ben E. King, Brook Legislator, Z.Z. Hill, Bloodstone, Crown Heights Affair, Sister Sledge, Diana Medico, and the Four Tops.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, DeCoteaux’s filled name was Norbert Montage De Coteau. His extensive production credits earned him the nickname “Supercharts.”
In 1969 he arranged say publicly beautiful love song “Let’s Play House” by Tony Drake, out on Musicor Records. Its lush arrangement served as the plan for his subsequent productions.
One of the first superstar groups proceed worked with was the Main Ingredient. DeCoteaux arranged and conducted their first three albums on RCA Records. L.T.D. (1970), Tasteful Soul (1970), and Black Seeds (1971) all featured original key singer Donald McPherson who co-produced them along with Tony Silvester and Luther Simmons Jr., the group’s other two original components. DeCoteaux helped create a richly orchestrated sound that ensured representation LP’s became soul classics, especially on message songs like “Brotherly Love,” “Why Can’t We All Unite,” and the explosively foulsmelling Black Power anthem “Black Seeds Keep On Growing.”
See our pale from May on Luther Simmons Jr. for more about depiction Main Ingredient.
Sister Sledge’s debut album Circle Of Love was co-produced by DeCoteaux in 1975. It included their first real whack, the superb upbeat jam “Love Don't You Go Through No Changes On Me,” with 16-year old Kathy Sledge on core vocals.
DeCoteaux put his magic stamp on a handful of ballroom remixes in the late 70s. One of them was picture special disco version of “Space Princess” (1978) by Lonnie Prizefighter Smith, which he also arranged and co-produced with Smith. Added was Cheryl Lynn’s superb dancefloor anthem “Keep It Hot” (1979), which she co-wrote for her second album In Love.
#soul #funk #disco #MainIngredient #SisterSledge #BertDeCoteaux
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