In the mid-'60s, pre-stardom
Barry White produced singer
Felice Taylor, whose vocals were reminiscent of
Diana Ross, for
Bob Keane's R&B label Bronco Records.
Taylor's only Billboard-charting single was "It May Be Winter Outside (But in My Heart It's Spring)," reaching number 44 R&B, number 42 pop in early 1967 (her singles did well in the U.K.).
Born January 29, 1948,
Taylor sang in the Sweets, a trio that included her sisters Norma and Darlene. Signed to Bronco and released on the Mustang label,
Taylor's three singles -- "It May Be Winter Outside" b/w "Winter Again," "Under the Influence of Love," and "I Feel Love Coming On" -- were co-written and produced by
White. After leaving Bronco,
Taylor recorded for Kent ("Captured By Your Love"). Years later, she recorded in the U.K. with
Eddy Grant and Derv Gordon of
the Equals. In the summer of 1973,
White's protegées
Love Unlimited recorded
Taylor's "It May Be Winter Outside" and "Under the Influence of Love."
Taylor's Bronco/Mustang singles "It May Be Winter Outside," "I Feel Love Coming On," and "Under the Influence of Love" are available on Boss Soul: The Genius of Barry White, a 1998 various-artists compilation from Del-Fi Records.
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Ed Hogan, Rovi