The Soulettes

The Soulettes were a Vocal trio comprised of Rita Marley, Marlene Gifford and her cousin Constantine 'Vision' Walker. One day Rita found out that the Wailers passed by their house everyday. She decided to talk to them and when they passed by the next time, they sung, "What's Your Name" by Sam & Dave. Peter Tosh invited them afterwards to come to the studio. In 1964 The Soulettes began recording for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd at Studio One. In 1964 they cut "Friends And Lovers" with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer as backing vocals. Rita Anderson of that trio pairs with Bob on a duet called "Oh My Darling" also in 1964 and  “Sugar and Spice” with Roland Al and the Soul Brothers. 

 

 

They make occasional stage show appearances, but concentrated primarily on daily rehearsals to polish their sound, influenced in particular by the harmonic style of the Impressions. In 1965 The Soulettes began releasing singles with Lee Perry. “Please Don’t Go”, “That Ain’t Right”/”One More chance”, and “opportunity” in 1965

In 1966 they released “A Deh Pon Dem”, “Lala Lover”, “I Want To Be”, and “Nice Time”/” Play Play play” with The Wailers.

 

During 1966 The soulettes also released  “Don’t Care What people Say”/”Tighten Up”, “Doctor Dick” with Lee Perry, and “Rub & Squeeze” also with Lee Perry, and “Baby Come On Home” with Tony Gregory

 

“Dum Dum” followed these singles in 1967

In 1968 the group lost a member, so Nora Dean joined Rita and Cecile Campbell. They released "King Street" and "Barbwire" in 1969.

Regrettably, as the group was about to tour Canada in support of their hit, "Let It Be", Nora was taken ill and replaced by Hortense Lewis. 

In 1969 the lineup was revised: Rita Marley, Hortense Lewis and Cecile Campbell. In 1970 they released an LP called "Jamaica Magic" with the mento singer Lloyd Wilks. The LP includes tracks include 4 familiar mento selections (like Banana Boat (Day-O) / Star-O), plus 8 originals written by Cornel Lumiere. The music is best described as easy listening as played by a jazz combo. The last recording found was “Same Thing” in