Introduction
Charles Mann (1949–1991), also named Charles M. Mann, was an American R&B songwriter, soul singer, record producer and musician. He worked during the 1970s into the Philly Sound world. He should not be confused with its namesake, the swamp pop singer Charles Mann born in 1944.
Life and career
Charles M. Mann was born on December 29, 1949 in Atlanta, Georgia. He built up a reputation as a writer and performer in the Atlanta area, which allowed him to be spotted by Jay Lasker, then president of ABC Records, who signed him for the label at the beginning of 1973.
As a songwriter, often in partnership with Dave Crawford, he wrote and composed for artists such as B.B. King, The Mighty Clouds of Joy and Nature's Gift. He obtained five hits in the R&B Top 100, including one hit in the Top 10 (I Like to Live the Love by B.B. King in 1973).
As a solo singer, he had a minor hit in 1973 with the song '"It's All Over", a track from his Philadelphia-recorded album Say You Love Me Too. Produced by Dave Crawford, the title track reached #36 on the Billboard R&B chart.
From 1977, he worked as a writer, arranger and producer for two labels owned by a company based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which hadto stop its activities in 1980 for illegally marketing bootleg recordings.
He later signed for Crawford's own small Los Angeles based label, LA Records and released "Shonuff No Funny Stuff Love", in 1981.
Charles M. Mann died on April 24, 1991 in Atlanta (Fulton County), Georgia.
Discography
Performer (as Charles Mann)
Singles
- 1973 : "Do It Again" / "It's All Over"
- 1973 : "Say You Love Me Too" / "I Can Feel It"
- 1973 : "It's All Over" / "Very Lonely"
- 1974 : "Got To Let You Know" / "Loving You Is Changing Me"
- 1981 : "Shonuff No Funny Stuff Love" / "Shonuff No Funny Stuff Love (instrumental)"
Albums
- 1973 : Say You Love Me Too
Producer (as Charles M. Mann)
- 1977 : The Original Marauders - "Now Your Mouth Cries Wolf - A Tribute To Bob Dylan" (LP, )
- 1977 : Blue Heaven - "After The Deluge - A Tribute To Jackson Browne" (LP, )
- 1977 : The Great Imposters - "Dollars In Drag - A Tribute To David Bowie" (LP, )
- 1977 : The Great Imposters - "20/20 Hindsight - A Tribute To Nazz" (LP, )
- 1978 : The Blazers - "Store Bought" (LP, )
- 1979 : Robert, Rory and Ricky (LP, )