Major Harris

Watts' Club Mozambique

With his silky-smooth style, his super-cool image, and a voice that is soothing, mild, and inviting, Major Harris definitely does have an - aura about himself. The man is sensuous in every way- there is no doubt that he comes to arouse and entertain, and that's exactly what he succeeded in doing at Watts' Club Mozambique last week.
Most will remember Major Harris from his big single of last year, "Love Won't Let Me Wait," or from his work with the popular Philadelphia-based singing group, the Delfonics.
Harris was born in Richmond, Virginia but spent his teen years in New York (where he sang with the legendary Frankie Lyman & the Teenagers) and, later in storied South Philadelphia (where he worked with the "Little Bit of Soap" group, the Jarmels).
Harris joined the Delfonics (already a hit group) in 1968 and stayed for six years of recording and intensive touring that helped establish his individual identity for the first time. Itching to break out on his own, the Major finally left the group in 1974 and signed with WMOT (We Men of Talent) Productions, who had scored with the youthful chart-climbing vocal quintet Blue Magic. The combination resulted in recording sessions with some of Philly's finest musicians, arrangers, and writers (from out of the Philadelphia International-MFSB stable) and the gold "Love Won't Let Me Wait" single. His current show uses tunes fresh from the Top Forty, perfectly tailored to his oh-so-mellow approach: David Ruffin's "Walk Away From Love," the Brothers Johnson's "I'll Be Good to You," and George Benson's "Masquerade." Pulled from his new album, of course, were the title cut "Jealousy" and his latest single, "It's Got to Be Magic." The obvious finale (and crowd pleaser) was "Love Won't Let Me Wait," with Harris at his sexiest. The Major's impeccable outfits added to his impact, to say the least, and he even had color-coordinated microphone covers which matched whatever jacket he was wearing at any given time. We should mention, too, that Major's backup band, the Detroit-based Sweet Thunder, did a very fine job holding everything together; and, judging from some original tunes we heard in warm-up, the group should have a very interesting future.

- Darnell Murray