Yvonne Baker and The Sensations: Let Me In - The Complete Collection (1955-1968)

The Sensations, a quartet from Philadelphia, PA, were one of the first groups of the rock and roll era with an all male background and a female lead. They formed in Philadelphia in 1954, with Yvonne Mills lead, Tommy Wicks tenor, Alphonso Howell bass, and one other forgotten member. In 1955, the unique makeup of the group caught the attention of Atlantic Records and the Sensations began a three year association with Atlantic's Atco subsidiary. They had a couple of R&B chart entries on the label between 1955 and 1956, but that was all. After the three-year Atco contract expired, the group decided to disband as Yvonne became Mrs. Yvonne Baker and started raising a family. In 1961, Howell, feeling that vocal groups were once again in demand, convinced Baker to re-form the Sensations. Tenor Richard Curtain and baritone Sam Armstrong were added and new manager Kae Williams arranged a record deal with Chess Record's Argo subsidiary. The Sensations recorded ‘Music, Music, Music’ which reached #54 Pop and #12 R&B in the summer of 1961. It was their first R&B hit in five years and first Pop hit ever. Later that year, the Sensations came out with ‘Let Me In’, which became their biggest hit reaching #2 Pop and #2 R&B in early 1962. As so often happens after a major hit, the Sensations couldn't record any follow up hits to sustain their momentum. ‘That's My Desire’ made it to #69 in 1962 and there were two more Argo releases along with several on William's own Junior label. But nothing could bring the group back. Yvonne Baker latter attempted a solo career, recording a number of cuts that sustain longstanding cult status among Northern Soul aficionados; I added four of these, ‘I Can’t Change’ and ‘You Didn’t Say a Word’ from 1966 and ‘A Woman Needs A Man’ and ‘My Baby Needs Me’, from 1968, as bonus tracks. As far as I know this is The Sensations’ most comprehensive collection ever released: 32 tracks including all of her Arco, Argo & Junior hits, plus numerous rarities. http://www.history-of-rock.com/

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