Maurice McAlister (April 23, 1934 – November 11, 2017) – Baby You've Got It (1966)

This stellar jam by Maurice & The Radiants was produced by Billy Davis and co-written by the unsung singer/songwriter who recorded for Chess Records.

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Maurice McAlister was an R&B and soul singer/songwriter who led the Chicago vocal group the Radiants in the 1960s, and wrote songs for other artists on Chess Records like Etta James, Little Milton and Bobby McClure.

Born and raised in Chicago, Maurice Eugene McAlister got his start singing in the youth choir at Greater Harvest Baptist Church. In 1960 he assembled a vocal group called the Radiants in which he sang lead, backed by four other choir members - first tenor Charles Washington, second tenor Jerome Brooks, baritone Wallace Sampson, and bass vocalist Elzie Butler.

They sang gospel at area churches but also performed R&B songs written by McAlister at nightclubs and other secular venues. Washington left the group and was replaced by McLauren Green before their first recording session in 1961. They shopped their demos around, trying to land a record deal, but were rejected by Chess Records at first, and by Motown. Chess eventually changed their mind and signed them, pairing them with producer Billy aka Roquel Davis for their early records. They debuted with “Father Knows Best” (1962) b/w the doo-wop number “One Day I'll Show You (I Really Love You),” both sides co-written by McAlister and bassist Lee Jackson. The single became a regional hit, but barely cracked the Billboard Hot 100 at #100.

After four more unsuccessful singles, the Radiants broke up in 1964. Undeterred, McAlister put the group back together with himself, the other remaining original member Wallace Sampson, and Leonard Caston, Jr., who had been the organist at Greater Harvest Baptist Church.

Their first single as a trio was the upbeat “Voice Your Choice,” released in late 1964, which McAlister co-wrote with Gerald Sims. It went to #16 R&B, #51 on the Hot 100, and became their all-time biggest hit. They followed it up with “Ain't No Big Thing” (1965), written by Sims, which did slightly better on the R&B charts at #14 but stalled out at #91 on the Hot 100.

Following their taste of success, Caston left the group in 1965 and was replaced by James Jameson, who recorded only one single with the group, now billed as Maurice & The Radiants. The stellar jam “Baby You’ve Got It” (1966) was co-written by McAlister and Chess staff songwriter Terry Vail, arranged by Phil Wright. and produced by Billy Davis. Its B-side was “I Want To Thank You, Baby,” penned by Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford, and Joshie Jo Armstead. It did not chart, although they performed it live on the nationally broadcast soul music TV show The !!!! Beat during its first and only season.

While his own group was struggling to find its way, McAlister also wrote for other artists on Chess and its subsidiary Checker Records, including Little Milton and Bobby McClure. One of the best was the heartfelt “Only Time Will Tell” (1966) which was recorded by the great Etta James. It was co-written by McAlister and Vail, produced by Davis, and arranged by Phil Wright. James also appeared on an episode of The !!!! Beat and performed it live.

Shortly after the release of “Baby You’ve Got It,” McAlister himself left the Radiants. They regrouped, and continued to record and perform until 1972. McAlister went on to form the duo Maurice & Mac with a former member of the Radiants, McLauren Green.

They went to FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record several tracks. Among them was the superb upbeat jam “Try Me” (1967), which was co-written by McAlister, Vail, and Simmons, and produced and arranged by Rick Hall. It was the B-side to their cover of Carole King’s “So Much Love.”

The following year, they released the heartfelt love song “Lean On Me” (1968). Solely written by McAlister, it was the B-side to “Why Don't You Try Me,” written by Billy Young. Both were recorded at FAME Studios and produced by Rick Hall.

In 1969 they put out one more beautiful love song, “What Am I Gonna Do,” co-written by McAlister and Lloyd Webber, and the B-side to the upbeat “Lay It On Me.” Both sides were produced and arranged by producer Gene Barge, who was in SCLC’s Operation Breadbasket Orchestra alongside guitarist Phil Upchurch.

Happy 90th Heavenly Birthday to the great Maurice McAlister.

Further info:

“Two more soul men pass on,” The Vinyl Word, November 16, 2017.

“In Memoriam (Maurice McAlister),” Chicago Defender, November 22, 2017.

#soul #funk #Chicago #The Radiants #MauriceMcAlister