Durell Coleman came to the public eye as one of the first winners of Star Search in the early 80s. His somewhat dramatic 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 album. Radio listeners knew “Somebody,” but few got deep enough into the project to hear a terrific ballad that again displayed Coleman’s incredible pipes. “I Had A Sure Thing” is a familiar story of regret for a love lost, and Coleman sells the Tom Snow/Barry Alfonso composition beautifully.
Check out “I Had A Sure Thing” below. It is our latest SoulTracks Lost Gem.
By Chris Rizik
