Twice As Nice: 2 CD Set

Grammy-nominated soul crooner Freddie Jackson dominated the urban music scene for years, scoring a jaw-dropping 11 Number One singles on the Billboard charts, including such era-defining classics as “Rock Me Tonight (For Old Times’ Sake),” “Tasty Love,” “Nice ‘n’ Slow” and “Love Me Down.” Growing up in Harlem just a few blocks from the legendary Apollo Theater, Freddie split his time between singing in church and attending concerts by the likes of Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye. “All those guys worked so hard, they’d leave their sweat on the stage,” he declares. “There was no lip-syncing; it was all about giving people their money’s worth, which was a lesson I took to heart. I was able to study those guys, see what they were doing, and then I’d be up in my bedroom with my little tape player and my mother would think I was listening to James Cleveland … when I was actually listening to Sam Cooke!” Freddie’s vocal talents soon led him to gigs singing background, both in the studio and on the road, for James Mtume, Evelyn “Champagne” King, Angela Bofill, and Harry Belafonte. “I got the fever for being on the road, and my gospel roots went right out the door,” he chuckles. A connection with Melba Moore ultimately led to management with Hush Productions, headed by hit makers Charles and Beau Huggins. This led to the chart-topping duet with Melba on “A Little Bit More”. This would be the first of many more hits to come. And just as he started, Freddie is once again being managed by Charles and Beau Huggins at Orpheus.