Checkmates Ltdは1969年にフィル・スペクター制作の「Black Pearl」で大ヒット。ソニー・チャールズが率いるこのグループは、1982年にソロ活動を始め「Put It In a Magazine」をリリース。‘All Alone By The Telephone’はポリドールからの唯一のシングルで、1976年に地域ヒット。H.B. Barnumによるミッドテンポのダンサーで、2-Stepやモダンソウルシーンでも人気。オリジナル盤は約£150で取引されており、Barnumが後にJB Binghamのバージョンも制作したが、こちらも需要が高まっている。

A1. All Alone By The Telephone
B1. Body Language

Checkmates Ltd had a massive US hit with the Phil Spector produced track ‘Black Pearl’ in 1969. The group led by singer Sonny Charles had many different line ups and recorded for many labels until 1982 when he went solo and recorded his classic hit ‘Put It In a Magazine”. ‘All Alone By The Telephone’ was their only single on Polydor and was a regional hit in 1976. It is a really nicely produced and orchestrated mid tempo dancer written and produced by H.B.Barnum, which is popular on both the 2-Step and Modern Soul scenes.  Mint Original copies now sell for around £150. Barnum also produced a version of the song by JB Bingham later in ’76 which is also now in demand.