Jocelyn Brown

Unless you've been living in a cave since the late '70s, you have heard Jocelyn Brown's voice at one point or another. As clichéd as it sounds, if the term "disco diva" appeared in a dictionary, a picture of Jocelyn Brown would most likely be placed next to its definition. Brown's immensely power-packed and impassioned voice has been the lead behind several definitive and timeless disco classics, and it has also been present in background roles on numerous others. Short-lived disco groups like Inner Life and Musique hit the upper reaches of the dance charts in large part due to Brown's contributions, and she has also had success as a solo performer. Producer Patrick Adams, an associate of Brown's during her time spent with Inner Life and Musique, has referred to Brown as one of the greatest vocalists he has ever known. After becoming familiar with the vocalist's scattered but rich discography, it's hard to disagree with that observation. It comes to no surprise after hearing Brown's voice to learn that her background is rooted in gospel. Born in 1950 in Kingston, SC, Brown grew up in a very musical and religious family. Several members of her family participated in church choirs and performed as minstrel singers, but it was her aunt, Barbara Roy (aka Barbara Gaskin) -- a member of disco group Ecstasy, Passion & Pain -- who helped inspire her to move on to secular music. Though Brown had been familiar with studio settings since the age of 14, she began working prolifically during the latter half of the '70s and set aside her aspiration to become a teacher. Session work with stateside groups like Machine, Kleeer, and Disco Tex & the Sex-O-Lettes was just as steady as work with international artists like Italy's Cerrone and Change. (During this period, the then-married...