First Class Love: Rare Tee

First Class Love: Rare Tee

A tremendously soulful singer from Santa Monica, Teena Marie was signed to Motown in the late ‘70s, where she was taken under the wing of Rick James, who produced her debut album Wild and Peaceful, best known for the hit single "I'm Just a Sucker For Your Love." Over a 30 year span, she released 13 solo albums, racked up several gold and platinum plaques, appeared on several TV shows (she was the first white female singer on Soul Train), and helped lay the foundation for hip-hop via samples and interpolations (see: the Fugees' first smash "Fu-Gee-La"). Into the new millennium, she was signed to New Orleans' rap powerhouse Cash Money Records, and was recording a new album when she passed away the day after Christmas in 2010. This compilation digs into the Motown vaults for a dozen early tracks that showcase her colorblind vocal prowess. Check out "Why Can't I Get Next To You," "Wasn't I Good To You," "Hey Boy," and "White Soul."

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