Origins & Formation
Originally named The Emeralds, the group was founded in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the mid-1960s by the Tilmon brothers: Ivory, Abrim, Cleophus, and Raymond. As Cleophus and Raymond chose to stay with gospel music, Abrim and Ivory shifted to secular soul and added childhood friend James Mitchell Jr. to the lineup. The group soon moved to Detroit, rebranding themselves as The Detroit Emeralds and beginning to shape a distinctive blend of harmony-driven R&B.
Rise to Fame
Their first brush with success came in 1968 with the single Show Time, which broke into the U.S. R&B and pop charts. In 1970, a move to Westbound Records marked the start of their most successful era.
Key early hits included:
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“If I Lose Your Love”
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“Do Me Right” – A breakout hit that reached #7 on the R&B chart and entered the Billboard Hot 100
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“Wear This Ring (With Love)”
Their 1972 album You Want It, You Got It further elevated their status with:
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“You Want It, You Got It”
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“Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)”
These tracks showcased the group’s talent for crafting emotionally resonant soul music with catchy, sophisticated arrangements.
International Recognition
In 1973, The Detroit Emeralds released what would become their signature song: “Feel the Need in Me”. It became a smash in the UK, where it peaked at #4. A disco remix of the track in 1977 revived its popularity, bringing it back to the UK charts and introducing the group to a new generation of listeners.
That same year, “You Want It, You Got It” also charted in the UK, proving their transatlantic appeal.
Musical Style & Production
The Detroit Emeralds fused the raw emotion of Memphis soul with the polished production of Detroit. Their process often began with rhythm tracks laid down in Memphis, later enhanced with string and vocal overdubs in Detroit. This dual-city approach resulted in a smooth but dynamic sound. Many arrangements were handled by Grammy-winning arranger Johnny Allen, while Abrim Tilmon contributed heavily to songwriting and vocal direction.
Group Changes and Later Years
By 1974, the original group had split into two entities. Abrim Tilmon led one version of The Detroit Emeralds, while James Mitchell joined with new members to form a separate group, continuing to record and write music—including for other artists like The Floaters.
Although the group’s commercial success faded by the late 1970s, they briefly returned with a new lineup in 1977, spurred by the disco-era success of the reissued Feel the Need.
In 2019, the group was revived by James Mitchell Jr., joined by new members, and released a string of singles including Call Me, I’m Ready (2019), Victory (2021), Face 2 Face (2021), and In My Life (2022).
Discography Highlights
| Year | Album | Notable Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Show Time | “Show Time” |
| 1971 | Do Me Right | “Do Me Right”, “Wear This Ring (With Love)” |
| 1972 | You Want It, You Got It | “You Want It, You Got It”, “Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)”, “Feel the Need in Me” |
| 1973 | I’m in Love with You | “You’re Getting a Little Too Smart” |
| 1977 | Feel the Need | Disco remix of “Feel the Need in Me” |
Though they never reached the household-name status of some of their Motown peers, The Detroit Emeralds made a significant contribution to the R&B and soul music scenes of the 1970s. Their work exemplifies the elegance, emotion, and musicality that defined the era. Songs like “Feel the Need in Me” and “Do Me Right” remain timeless staples for soul music fans.
Their influence continues to echo in modern R&B and pop, and their catalog is often revisited by collectors, DJs, and new generations of music lovers exploring the roots of classic soul.