Brown Sugar (group)
| Company type | Vocal group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Headquarters | London , England |
| Products | Music recordings (singles and albums) |
Brown Sugar was a female vocal trio based in London, England, established in 1976. The group consisted of Pauline Catlin, Caron Wheeler, and Carol Simms. Though their time together was brief, they made a significant impact by reaching the top of the British Reggae Chart on three separate occasions.
History
Pauline Catlin and Caron Wheeler were schoolmates who frequently sang together, with Catlin mentoring Wheeler on harmonizing techniques. Drawing inspiration from vocal groups of the 1960s and early 1970s, they won a singing contest held at the Bali Hai nightclub in South London around 1976. This event was organized by Castro Brown, a relative of Jamaican artist Dennis Brown, who later played a key role in founding a reggae record store and label in South West London.
Catlin came across Carol Simms through a local newspaper feature and persuaded her to join their duo, thus creating a trio influenced by American black girl groups from the 1960s such as The Shirelles and The Ronettes. The name "Brown Sugar" was proposed by Catlin’s mother, inspired by their naturally brown skin tones reminiscent of Caribbean sugar or molasses.
The ensemble signed with Lover's Rock, a newly launched record label founded by Dennis Harris, John Kpiaye, and Dennis Bovell. Harris chose the label’s name after an Augustus Pablo composition; this label name eventually became synonymous with the lovers rock genre.
Their first single, released in 1977, was "I'm in Love with a Dreadlocks," penned by guitarist John Kpiaye and serving as Lover's Rock’s inaugural release. The track blended roots reggae themes with romantic lyrics and reached number one on the British reggae charts. Following singles included a rendition of Barbara Lewis's "Hello Stranger" and "Black Pride," which celebrated black cultural identity.
Feeling dissatisfied with their treatment by the label, the group temporarily disbanded. Without proper industry support, they underestimated their career potential. After their exit, Dennis Harris released further tracks such as "Free," "Forever My Darling," and "Do You Really Love Me." Pauline Catlin pursued solo projects under the name Pauline from Brown Sugar, while Wheeler and Simms (performing as Kofi) also embarked on individual careers.
In 1978, Brown Sugar reunited for a UK tour alongside Dennis Brown. Working with producer Winston Edwards at Studio 16 and inspired by Pat Kelly’s "I Am So Proud," they issued a cover of the Impressions’ classic song through Decca/Studio 16 in 1979. Additional releases included "Our Reggae Music," "Confession Hurts," "Dreaming of Zion," and John Holt’s "You And Your Smiling Face." They achieved another chart success in 1983 with the single "Go Now."
Throughout their career, the group received multiple accolades such as Black Echoes magazine’s 'Best Vocal Group' award and supported prominent acts including Aswad and Janet Kay.
In the mid-1980s, Wheeler and Catlin contributed backing vocals to projects like Keith Douglas’s "Cool Down Amina."
Following Brown Sugar’s dissolution, Wheeler gained widespread recognition with Soul II Soul. Simms enjoyed a prosperous solo career and briefly collaborated with Soul II Soul in 1992. Catlin shifted her focus to gospel music with the ensemble "Chosen" during the 1980s before relaunching her solo work as Shezekiel in 2012.
The narrative of Brown Sugar was featured in the 2011 documentary The Story of Lovers Rock, directed by Menelik Shabazz, which included selections from their musical catalogue.
Albums
- Brown Sugar (1977), Eve (never released)
- I'm In Love With A Dreadlocks (Brown Sugar And The Birth Of Lovers Rock 1977-80) (Soul Jazz, 2018)
Singles
- "I'm in Love with a Dreadlocks" (1977), Lover's Rock (7") – B-side features "Dreadlocks a Sugar" by Jonny One Star
- "I'm in Love with a Dreadlocks"/"Loving Dreadlock" (1977), Rama (7")
- "Hello Stranger" (1977), Lover's Rock (7")
- "Black Pride" (1977), Lover's Rock (7")
- "Do You Really Love Me" (1978), Lover's Rock (7")
- "For Ever My Darling" backed with "Free" and "Albatross (Afro Connection)" (1978), Lover's Rock (12")
- "Our Reggae Music" (1979), Studio 16 (12") / Decca (7")
- "Confession Hurts" (1979), Studio 16
- "I am So Proud" (1979), Studio 16 – released under Pauline & the Brown Sugar
- "Black Is The Colour"/"Hello Stranger" (1980), African Drums Music (12")
- "You and Your Smiling Face" (1981), Studio 16 (12")
- "Dreaming of Zion" (1981), Studio 16 (12")
- "Run Away Love" (198?), Studio 16 (12")
- "Go Now" (1983), El Jay – credited to Caron Wheeler/Brown Sugar
- "Hello Stranger", Ariwa