(July 2, 2025) Black Ivory appeared in an era of the late 1960s and early 1970s when male vocal groups specialized in singing romantic ballads. The group was originally formed in Harlem in 1969 as a quintet known as the Mellow Souls.
Black Ivory became a trio a year later, featuring founding members Leroy Burgess and Stuart Bascome, along with Russell Patterson, and released their debut album Don’t Turn Around in 1972. That Top 20 album cemented Black Ivory as one of the premier practitioners of the slow jam.
Black Ivory’s ballads charted consistently in the early and mid 1970s, with singles such as “Don’t Turn Around” and “You and I” breaking the Top 40 on the R&B charts. Their up-tempo songs were less successful, although “I Keep Asking You Questions,” a funky number that has a psychedelic era Temptations vibe, is a favorite of mine.
Now, more than a half century after first charting, Black Ivory returns with a smooth, Quiet Storm styled reinterpretation of a soul classic. Originally recorded by Little Anthony and the Imperials, “Going Out of My Head” is a lush, angst filled ballad about a tormented by a woman he admires from afar but can’t muster the courage to approach.
Black Ivory maintains the pathos that made the song great. The arrangement has a smooth 1980s era style with a touch a of jazz. Fans of Black Ivory will be excited to learn that the classic lineup of Leroy Burgess, Stuart Bascome and Russell Patterson is still making music and that they are a featured on this recording of the Little Anthony and the Imperials classic. Check it out here.
By Howard Dukes
