Diamonds

RUBY WINTERS was born on 18th January 1942, in Louisville Kentucky and, as was the case for many African American performers, she began her singing career in church. She turned professional at the age of just sixteen – by which time she was already married with children. Her break came when she signed with Big Apple label Diamond Records and released her debut single in 1966, the emotive “In The Middle Of A Heartache, a radio hit in her home town on WAKY AM. The follow-up 45 “Make Love To Me” paired her with hit-maker Johnny Thunder and propelled the duo into the Billboard R&B Top 20. More Stateside hits followed and in the 1970s she found unexpected fame on the UK Northern Soul scene where she remains a much-loved figure. This exclusive vinyl compilation captures the pinnacle of Ruby’s career during her time with Diamond featuring some of her best work. As a singer with remarkable skill and taste, she collaborated with some of the finest producers of that era including Buddy Killen in Nashville and George Kerr in New York. The only lament lies in the fact that, if she had been able to work with these producers for a more extended period, it might have paved the way for her to become an even more significant star in her home country.