Bailey, Albert (19??-27th May 2020)

One third of the R&B group, Faith, Hope & Charity, a Van McCoy-produced trio who inked a deal with the Maxwell label in 1970 and enjoyed chart success throughout the decade. The group was rounded out by Zulema Cusseaux and Brenda Hilliard. “Baby Don’t Take Your Love” and “So Much Love” went to #36 and #14 on the R&B chart, respectively. The latter crossed over to the pop chart, where it peaked at #60. Their first album was self-titled and was followed up by Heavy Love in 1972.

Zulema went solo and Brenda and Albert issued one single as a duo on Clarama entitled “Talking About Loving You”, backed with “This Has Happened Before”.

They were joined by Diana Destry, and Faith, Hope & Charity was reborn and they released another eponymous album in 1975. It yielded a #1 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart, “To Each His Own”, which also went to #15 on the Hot Disco Singles chart and #50 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

Albert also contributed backing vocals to the Van McCoy albums, Disco Baby, Lonely Dancer, The Real McCoy, and Rhythms of the World.

Faith, Hope & Charity enjoyed moderate success during the mid-‘70s with singles such as “Don’t Go Looking for Love”, “Don’t Pity Me”, “Life Goes On”, and “You’re My Peace of Mind”, all of which graced the R&B chart. Afterwards, the group disbanded.

The CD era is full of opportunities to hear Albert’s backing vocals on albums such as La Diva by Aretha Franklin, The Very Best of Stacy Lattisaw, Everything’s Coming up Love by David Ruffin, and The Great David Ruffin: The Motown Solo Albums, Vol. 2.

He died in May 2020 when he was 73 years old.

Van McCoy recordings
That’s the Joint (Van McCoy )
H & L Records HL-4677 (UK)
The Shuffle (Van McCoy )
H & L Records HL-4677 (UK)

Here’s Faith, Hope & Charity performing “To Each His Own”…

Sources:

Bailey, Albert (19??-27th May 2020)

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