Mike James Kirkland
Mike James Kirkland (born 1949, Yazoo City, Mississippi) is an American R&B singer. Kirkland and his brother Robert Kirkland issued two albums, Hang on in There (1972) and Doin' it Right (1973), following the style and social comment of artists like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield.[1] He was also half of the duo Bo Kirkland.
Biography
Mike James Kirkland grew up singing gospel and doo wop. Kirkland and his brother eventually settled in California where they started a record label, Bryan Records, so they could release love songs and soul music that Kirkland was working on. The brothers released two albums, which both echoed socially conscious soul music of the time. The reputation of the albums slowly grew and spread over the following years, ending with reissues in the '90s by Luv N Haight.
In 2010, John Legend (R&B Singer) released an album that includes a cover of one of Kirkland's classics, "Hang On In There," which brought a new generation of listeners to his music.
“If we were on a bigger label we would have done amazing things,” reminisces Kirkland. “But we did the best we could. I’m amazed that John Legend has decided to cover the title track of my first album, that’s very cool.”[2]
Discography
Albums:
Singles:
- "Victim of Circumstance", Mike & the Censations 1965 - Top 50 R&B
- "There is Nothing I Can Do About It", Mike & the Censations - Top 50 R&B
- "Together" / "The Prophet", Mike James Kirkland 1971
References
- ↑ All Music Guide to Soul p394
- ↑ "Mike James Kirkland - Mike James Kirkland sounds like an underground Marvin Gaye. Do you like deep soul, tinged with rare-groove? Do you like rare-as-hen's-teeth vinyl? If so, MJK is for you. - UBIQUITY RECORDS". www.ubiquityrecords.com. Retrieved 2015-09-24.
- ↑ CMJ New Music Report Feb 8 1999 p39
- ↑ CMJ New Music Report Feb 8 1999 p39