Durell Coleman came to the public eye as one of the first winners of Star Search in the early 80s. His somewhat overdramatic stage presence was tempered beautifully in his first (and only) album, the 1985 release Durell Coleman, another great Al McKay production. While Island Records was an odd place for a modern soul artist to find himself in the mid 80s, Durell Coleman and the song “Somebody Took My Love” were moderate hits. But apparently not big enough hits for a sequel to be recorded.
The big-voiced Coleman opened for Anita Baker’s Rapture Tour, and also toured with B.B. King, the Temptations, Sister Sledge and others during the late 80s. Around 1990 he joined Al McKay’s All-Stars, a stars-studded band of some of L.A.’s best musicians, where he also served as vocal director and lead singer.
But back to 1985 and that terrific debut. The lack of monster sales doesn’t negate the quality of the project, which still sounds great more than three decades after its release. Check out the video for “Somebody Took My Love,” below. It certainly has the almost comical 80s MTV feel, but the song is pure gold. Enjoy!
Durell Coleman – “Somebody Took My Love”
