The Detroit Emeralds

Biography

The Detroit Emeralds are an American R&B/soul vocal group, best known in the early 1970s. They enjoyed a run of successful records in the decade, including their 1973 transatlantic hit single, "Feel the Need in Me".

Career

"The Emeralds" were formed as a vocal harmony group in Little Rock, Arkansas, and originally composed of four brothers, Ivory (September 14, 1941 – September 13, 2014), Abrim (January 12, 1945 – July 6, 1982), Cleophus and Raymond Tilmon. After Cleophus and Raymond left, the remaining Tilmon brothers were joined by childhood friend, James Mitchell. Moving to Detroit, Michigan, and expanding their name to the Detroit Emeralds, the trio had their first R&B chart success on Ric-Tic Records, with "Show Time" in 1968.
In 1970, they joined another Detroit-based label, Westbound Records. When touring in Memphis, Tennessee, they recorded some demo tracks at the Hi recording studios, run by top producer Willie Mitchell, to which they added vocals and strings back in Detroit. This approach worked and brought them another hit, "If I Lose Your Love", which was followed by a run of successes including "Do Me Right×Do Me Right31 January 1971 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Do Me Right2:512Wear This Ring (With Love)3:143Long Live The King3:304What You Gonna Do About Me3:185You Can't Take This Love For You, From Me3:156Just Now And Then3:227Lee2:488If I Lose Your Love3:149I Can't See Myself (Doing Without You)3:2010Holding On2:3911Admit Your Love Is Gone3:14", "You Want It, You Got It×You Want It, You Got ItFebruary 1972 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1You Want It, You Got It2:56A2There’s a Love for Me Somewhere2:23A3I’ll Never Sail the Sea Again3:34A4Take My Love3:37B1Feel the Need in Me3:37B2I’ve Got to Move3:01B3Baby Let Me Take You (in My Arms)3:46B4I Bet You Get the One You Love2:09B5Till You Decide to Come Home2:43", and "Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)×Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)1972 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracksABaby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)3:46BI’ll Never Sail the Sea Again3:34" which all made the US R&B top 10, while the latter also reached number 24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 pop chart in 1972.
The song for which they are now best remembered, "Feel the Need in Me", reached number 22 US R&B in 1973, and a new longer version four years later also charted. The original track made the top five in the UK Singles Chart in 1973. The later production also made the UK chart in 1977 (number 12). "You Want It You Got It" was re-released in the UK as a follow-up to the initial "Feel the Need in Me", also reaching the UK top 20 in 1973. Abrim Tilmon wrote all of their hits, while also arranging and producing the tracks. The horns and strings were arranged by the Grammy award-winning arranger, Johnny Allen. The horns and strings were recorded in Detroit with Carl Austin as concertmaster and Johnny Trudell leading the horns.
By 1974, the group was falling apart and, at one point, two outfits were using the name. Abe Tilmon formed one new group using the Detroit Emeralds' name, while James Mitchell, along with Marvin Willis, wrote for another group, the Floaters – Paul Mitchell of the Floaters being James's brother. James Mitchell, Ivory Tilmon and Marvin Willis continued touring as the Detroit Emeralds and stayed active on the oldies and cabaret circuit for some years.
Abrim Tilmon died on July 6, 1982, at the age of 37, in his Southfield, Michigan, home of a heart attack. It was said a reunion of the group was being planned at the time. He was survived by his wife Janyce, son Steve, and daughter Cathy.
In 2019, the Detroit Emeralds was reformed by the group's founding member James Mitchell Jr. along with new members LaVel Jackson, Eddie Cameron and Dewayne Loc Lomax. They released a new single titled "Call Me, I'm Ready" in May 2019. In August 2021, they released the single "Victory". In November 2021, they released another single titled "Face 2 Face". In October 2022, they released another single titled "In My Life".

Compilation albums

Abe, James and Ivory (1973, Westbound)
Greatest Hits (1998, Westbound)