Crystal Motion

Side A - There’ll Be Another

Side B - Million Dollar Baby

Catalogue # SJ551

Posted in: Release Listings

Release Date: Tuesday May 30th 2023

“Crystal Motion” were a vocal quartet of Cape Verdean descendancy from New Bedford, Massachusetts. The original members being lead vocalist “Kevin Gomes”, Kevin’ s cousin, Rodney “Skeeta” Santos, Daniel “Buddy” Monterio and John Paris the man responsible for coining the group’s eventual performing name “Crystal Motion”. The group was managed initially by Eddie Carter of Carter Management out of Onset, MA.

As a then unnamed ensemble, the group entered the now defunct “Metcalf” Recording studio in New Bedford during 1972 to record the Kevin Gomes penned demonstration song, the sweet soul ballad, “There’ll Be Another”.

A copy of this song was later submitted to the recently formed Independent Recording Studio, “Omega Sound Productions” in Philadelphia, PA. The label owned by Frank Fioravanti having just hit paydirt with William DeVaughn’s smash hit “Be Thankful For What You Got” continued with his policy of supporting up and coming talent and upon hearing Crystal Motion’s demo decided to offer them a recording contract. Although deciding against using the submitted demonstration song (which was to remain unissued) Fioravanti chose to record the group on a song he had co-written with another Philly writer and recording artist Pal Rakes, the title of the song was “You’re My Main Squeeze (Part 1 & 2)” an exciting disco dance orientated song that Frank released on them in 1974 on his Sound Gems label imprint. The song became a minor hit in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island plus other towns throughout New England. The record was also popular in the Philadelphia area while also receiving extensive airplay in Atlanta, Georgia and Houston, Texas. Following the success of “You’re My Main Squeeze” John Paris was to leave the group being replaced by a longtime friend of the other group members Douglas “Dougie” Mendes.

With attention coming from the producers of “American Band Stand” and “Soul Train” the group continued to tour the East coast circuit throughout 1975 and 1976 in preparation for their proposed upcoming album project. The song “There’ll Be Another” was originally cited to be included on the album, rehearsals had begun on another two Fioravanti and Rakes songs firstly “Wrap Your Love Around Me” (although no actual recording of this song was laid down) and “Million Dollar Baby” which the group did manage to finish and record. The album was never completed as lead singer Kevin Gomes left the group due to unforeseen personal reasons and ultimately the group broke up. Little did “Crystal Motion” know at the time but their solitary 45 release was finding a new audience across the pond in the UK with “You’re My Main Squeeze” being championed by inspirational DJ Colin Curtis in the hallowed halls of Blackpool Mecca, a timeless classic that never fails to bring a smile to the listening audiences faces even to this current day.

Returning to the here and now, following Soul Junction’s introduction to Kevin Gomes and already being involved in a licensing deal with Melomega Music it was agreed to license both of the unissued ‘Crystal Motion’ songs from their respective owners and pair them together for a long overdue 45 release. With ’Crystal Motion’s’ “You’re My Main Squeeze” cult and anthemic status being forever assured with Northern/Modern Soul devotees we’d like to think this long overdue discovery and release of these two slightly differing Sweet Soul offerings will garner and enhance the group’s wider appeal with the growing aficionados of the Chicano, Group Harmony and Lowrider genres, Enjoy.

Listeners of Mick O’Donnell’s popular “Soul Discovery” Radio Show may already be familiar with “There’ll Be Another” with Mick having championed a raw demo take of the song in his past broadcasts.

Words By: David Welding
With acknowledgements to Kevin Gomes.
Photographs courtesy of Kevin Gomes.