Mystic Merlin were from New York.
The original line-up consisted of:
Clyde Bullard (bass)
Barry Roark Strutt (sax / keyboards)
Leslie Dorsey (keyboards / lead and background vocals)
Jerry Anderson (guitars / background vocals)
Keith Gonzales (lead vocals / harmonica)
Sly Randolph (drums / percussion / background vocals)
and Betty Brown (lead and background vocals).
Mystic Merlin were originally a novelty act incorporating magic into their live shows before being taken seriously on the soul / dance scene.
The group were, originally known as Mystic Merlin's Magic Band.
mystic merlin - 1980
They then became, simply, Mystic Merlin and in 1980 they signed with Capitol and released the, Charles Kipps produced, album 'Mystic Merlin'.
It featured the dance classic 'Just Can't Give You Up', a U.K. Top 20 single (the acappella from which was utilized by the U.K. group Life On Earth on their single 'Can't Give You Up').
sixty thrills a minute - 1981
A second album, entitled 'Sixty Thrills A Minute' followed in 1981.
Recorded in Hollywood, the album featured the original line-up with further artistic input from Paulinho Da Costa, Jim Gilstrap, Bill Champlin, Cheryl Lynn, Gene Page, Charles Veal and Ernie Watts amongst others.
full moon - 1982
After that release they added Freddle Jackson to the group, and he sang on their third Capitol album, 'Full Moon'.
The album included 'Mr Magician', popular among U.K. soul / dance fans.
The song 'Your Love' was penned by Freddie Jackson and Barry Strutt and was originally titled 'Don't Let Your Love (Love Without A Meaning)'.
It was written in the attic of Clyde Bullard's home in the Bronx.
Incidentally, Clyde's uncle is Bill Withers.
Mystic Merlin continued to record after the departure of Freddie Jackson for a successful solo career.
In 1990, they recorded a single entitled 'Dream Lover' which was released on TAPE.
They have also recorded under the name of Storm (not to be confused with the same group who recorded 'Can't Nobody Love Me Like You').
In the aftermath of the September 11th disaster, Clyde Bullard and Barry Strutt wrote a song entitled 'Standing Tall', which was performed at a rememberance service for that day.
Barry Strutt is an attorney today, although he still writes with Clyde and is in touch with Jerry Anderson.
Sadly, Leslie Dorsey was killed driving a gypsy cab.
Leslie was a classically trained singer, and sang on streets corners as part of a Black barbershop quartet.
freddie jackson (far left)
mystic merlin images by courtesy of barry strutt and john holman
keith gonzales, barry strutt and clyde bullard 2004
clyde bullard and barry strutt 2004
barry strutt in the studio with blind engineer dave blake 2005
clyde bullard and barry strutt 2005
magic from back in the day!
Albums:
Mystic Merlin (Capitol 1980)
Sixty Thrills A Minute (Capitol 1981)
Full Moon (Capitol 1982)
Dream Lover (TAPE 1990)
mystic merlin 1990
