First Choice is a three-piece 70s disco girl group, similar to The Three De… Read Full Bio ↴First Choice is a three-piece 70s disco girl group, similar to The Three Degrees but more sassy, with Rochelle Fleming on lead. "I got something for your mind, your body & your soul"/ "It's Not Over" are probably their most sampled lines (from the perennial "Let No Man Put Asunder").
Originally signed to Philly Groove Records via a production contract with Norman Harris, the group came with Harris when he signed onboard the newly formed Salsoul. Most of Harris' work would be issued on the Gold Mind subsidiary of Salsoul - First Choice were no exception. The bulk of the group's offerings came from the stable of Baker/Harris/Young, but other producers and mixers would feature prominently, such as Tee Scott and Tom Moulton (whose mix of "Dr. Love" is the all-time favorite of Salsoul Label head Ken Cayre). "Let No Man Put Asunder" would not reach it's penultimate destination in every urban DJ's front crate until Shep Pettibone re-worked it inthe early 1980's. The group had recorded a Southern Soul styled version of Al Green's "Love and Happiness" for their sole Philly Groove album, where it sat alongside the major hit "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" and the minor hit "Smarty Pants". Salsould would eventually re-mix and re-issue all three tracks in various incarnations, leading to the misconception that they were vintage Salsoul cuts. In fact, they were vintage Baker/Harris/Young productions that preceded Salsoul and were acquire by the label after the fact.
Lead vocalist Rochelle Fleming enjoys a reputation as one of the legendary disco divas, and still lends vocals to the occassional one-off house track, such as Tom De Novy's "Summer Love".
First Choice was an American girl group vocal music trio from Philadelphia. The group produced the disco hits "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "The Player", "Love Thang", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and "Dr. Love".
Career
Fleming was the main vocalist. The group was originally known as the Debronettes.
Philadelphia DJ Georgie Woods introduced the trio to Norman Harris, guitarist with MFSB, to produce their debut single, "This Is The House Where Love Died". Although it sold poorly, the record led to a recording contract with the Philly Groove record label, and the release of Armed and Extremely Dangerous. Also produced by Harris, the song was a hit first in the UK, where it reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart on Bell Records.
U.S. success followed and the later singles, "Smarty Pants" and "The Player," sold equally well.[citation needed] While producer Harris was associated with numerous hits during the disco boom of the late 1970s, the only later chart entry for First Choice was "Dr. Love," and, in 1984, the group split up.
In 1983, however, the group's 1977 album cut "Let No Man Put Asunder" was remixed by Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles for club play, and became a staple for urban DJs and a classic for listeners. The centerpiece vocals and bass riff of the song were among the most sampled expressions of the emerging Chicago house music scene in the 1980s. Steve "Silk" Hurley used this bass line in his 1987 song "Jack Your Body," which went on to become the first house record to top the UK charts.
In 1987, Fleming re-formed the group with her cousin Laconya Fleming, and Lawrence Cottel, to record Love Itch (Prelude Records). In the same year, a reissue of "Let No Man Put Asunder" was a dancefloor hit in the UK.[citation needed]
Over the years, the group has seen some new success, as many of their songs have been remixed and re-released. Larry Levan remixed its "Double Cross" (Gold Mind, 1979) track, plus Tee Scott's first studio mix was "Love Thang" (1979)). It was also remixed by Tony Humphries in 1993 for the Salsoul remix project, two albums released on Double J Records. First Choice benefitted somewhat when Rhino Records put its Armed and Extremely Dangerous into the Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind series, and also when the Salsoul catalog was digitally remastered and released in the 1990s.
Fleming has also provided guest vocals for the occasional house music release over the years.
Originally signed to Philly Groove Records via a production contract with Norman Harris, the group came with Harris when he signed onboard the newly formed Salsoul. Most of Harris' work would be issued on the Gold Mind subsidiary of Salsoul - First Choice were no exception. The bulk of the group's offerings came from the stable of Baker/Harris/Young, but other producers and mixers would feature prominently, such as Tee Scott and Tom Moulton (whose mix of "Dr. Love" is the all-time favorite of Salsoul Label head Ken Cayre). "Let No Man Put Asunder" would not reach it's penultimate destination in every urban DJ's front crate until Shep Pettibone re-worked it inthe early 1980's. The group had recorded a Southern Soul styled version of Al Green's "Love and Happiness" for their sole Philly Groove album, where it sat alongside the major hit "Armed and Extremely Dangerous" and the minor hit "Smarty Pants". Salsould would eventually re-mix and re-issue all three tracks in various incarnations, leading to the misconception that they were vintage Salsoul cuts. In fact, they were vintage Baker/Harris/Young productions that preceded Salsoul and were acquire by the label after the fact.
Lead vocalist Rochelle Fleming enjoys a reputation as one of the legendary disco divas, and still lends vocals to the occassional one-off house track, such as Tom De Novy's "Summer Love".
First Choice was an American girl group vocal music trio from Philadelphia. The group produced the disco hits "Armed and Extremely Dangerous", "The Player", "Love Thang", "Let No Man Put Asunder" and "Dr. Love".
Career
Fleming was the main vocalist. The group was originally known as the Debronettes.
Philadelphia DJ Georgie Woods introduced the trio to Norman Harris, guitarist with MFSB, to produce their debut single, "This Is The House Where Love Died". Although it sold poorly, the record led to a recording contract with the Philly Groove record label, and the release of Armed and Extremely Dangerous. Also produced by Harris, the song was a hit first in the UK, where it reached the Top 20 in the UK Singles Chart on Bell Records.
U.S. success followed and the later singles, "Smarty Pants" and "The Player," sold equally well.[citation needed] While producer Harris was associated with numerous hits during the disco boom of the late 1970s, the only later chart entry for First Choice was "Dr. Love," and, in 1984, the group split up.
In 1983, however, the group's 1977 album cut "Let No Man Put Asunder" was remixed by Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles for club play, and became a staple for urban DJs and a classic for listeners. The centerpiece vocals and bass riff of the song were among the most sampled expressions of the emerging Chicago house music scene in the 1980s. Steve "Silk" Hurley used this bass line in his 1987 song "Jack Your Body," which went on to become the first house record to top the UK charts.
In 1987, Fleming re-formed the group with her cousin Laconya Fleming, and Lawrence Cottel, to record Love Itch (Prelude Records). In the same year, a reissue of "Let No Man Put Asunder" was a dancefloor hit in the UK.[citation needed]
Over the years, the group has seen some new success, as many of their songs have been remixed and re-released. Larry Levan remixed its "Double Cross" (Gold Mind, 1979) track, plus Tee Scott's first studio mix was "Love Thang" (1979)). It was also remixed by Tony Humphries in 1993 for the Salsoul remix project, two albums released on Double J Records. First Choice benefitted somewhat when Rhino Records put its Armed and Extremely Dangerous into the Soul Hits of the 70s: Didn't It Blow Your Mind series, and also when the Salsoul catalog was digitally remastered and released in the 1990s.
Fleming has also provided guest vocals for the occasional house music release over the years.
Guilty
First Choice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
As a lover you run for cover
Whenever trouble appears
Kiss and hug again
Kiss and hug and then
It's always ending in tears
You've been floating around like a butterfly
But I'm gonna pin you down
'Cause you've been
Found and convicted of a serious crime
Caught in possession of this heart of mine
I'm lockin' you away for a long, long time
'Cause your guilty (guilty)
You're guilty of love
I'm the judge and the jury
And defendant too
And I'm just about to throw the book at you
'Cause your guilty (guilty)
You're guilty of love
I said G-U-I-L-T-Y; G-U-I-L-T-Y
Now I'm on the case
Keeping you in place
Seems so easy easy to do
Don't step out of line
Or you're gonna find
That I'll come gunnin' for you
Just like an agent from the F-B-I
I'm gonna get my man
'Cause you've been
Whenever trouble appears
Kiss and hug again
Kiss and hug and then
It's always ending in tears
You've been floating around like a butterfly
But I'm gonna pin you down
'Cause you've been
Found and convicted of a serious crime
Caught in possession of this heart of mine
I'm lockin' you away for a long, long time
'Cause your guilty (guilty)
You're guilty of love
I'm the judge and the jury
And defendant too
And I'm just about to throw the book at you
'Cause your guilty (guilty)
You're guilty of love
I said G-U-I-L-T-Y; G-U-I-L-T-Y
Now I'm on the case
Keeping you in place
Seems so easy easy to do
Don't step out of line
Or you're gonna find
That I'll come gunnin' for you
Just like an agent from the F-B-I
I'm gonna get my man
'Cause you've been
First Choice's song Guilty is a powerful message of someone who is tired of the lies and the deceit from their partner. The opening lyrics set the scene, with the singer revealing that their lover is a coward who runs away at the slightest hint of trouble. They paint a picture of a relationship that is based on nothing but empty gestures and promises, where every kiss and hug is just another step towards more heartbreak.
But the singer is not content to let this go on any longer. They're tired of being lied to and they're not going to let their partner get away with it anymore. The metaphor of the butterfly being pinned down is a powerful one, and it speaks to the singer's determination to finally get to the truth of the matter.
The chorus is a declaration of guilt, with the singer acting as judge, jury, and defendant. Their partner is on trial, and they've been found guilty of love. The repetition of the letters in "guilty" drives this point home, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Ultimately, the song is a warning to anyone who's been in a relationship where they feel like they've been taken advantage of. It's a reminder that we should all stand up for ourselves and demand that our partners treat us with respect and honesty.
Lyrics © DistroKid, ELOISE HARRIS, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BLAZY, DANIELS, WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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drewsmusical
If you're posting First Choice you have great taste in great music!!!!!!!!!!! the best female group since the supremes with diana and an amazing sound love them all They deserved better recognition and hope someday they will get the respect they deserved for these long many years of greatness!!!!!!!!!
koollatter
Thank you. One of my favorite Philly Soul groups.
Moutton Noir
This was originally a top 30 hit in the UK for female duo The Pearls
Ian Ferguson
My favorite First Choice song, with Joyce Jones handling lead on the verses and Rochelle Flemming taking over the chorus---this is pure heaven! And those Prime Cut horns at the end (that sax---oooow!). SO GOOD!
Chris Rose
Can't believe there aren't more posts for this. But then I suppose it's much better that way...
Heavenly First Choice. Amazing years...
Candida Almeida
Love these fantastic ladies!
Cortefiel Kid
That sax solo by Leon Zachery of MFSB is ice cold!!!
Felix Sicardo
Amazing group..the one and only FIRST CHOICE..
Miss Cassie
I have just about all their albums especially this one I love it....69 goin on 70.....70's & 80's were the best years of life...... I wouldn't change them for the world
Micaï. Claude.
Super First Choice.