Lyn Collins (12 June 1948 – 13 March 2005) (real name: Gloria
Lavern Collins) was an African American soul singer best known for
working with James Brown in the 1970s. Contrary to some reports, she
is not related to Bootsy Collins, nor Catfish Collins.
Born in Abilene, Texas, U.S.A., she began her recording career aged 14. Her
biggest solo hit was the James Brown-produced gospel-style song "Think
(About It)", from her 1972 album of the same name on People Records. The
song contains 5 breaks which have been widely sampled in hip-hop and drum and
bass, most famously, the "Woo! Yeah!" and "It takes two to make
a thing go right" loops in Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock's It Takes Two which
is composed almost completely from samples of Think including a few lines of
Collins' vocals. Furthermore, it was used in the early sociocritical eurodance
classic I Can't Stand It by Twenty 4 Seven. Another album followed in 1975
Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me by Now. After the release of this album,
she returned to performing mainly as a back-up vocalist.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Collins attempted a comeback as a dance/club
diva, recording the house single "Shout" for Belgium's ARS label.
In 1993, Collins' profile was given a boost by female dancehall singer Patra,
who invited Collins to perform on her hit remake of "Think (About It)";
partly due to the resulting interest, her two official albums were reissued
in England and the Netherlands. Collins continued to tour and perform, most
notably at the European Jazz/Funk Festival (in both 1998 and 1999) and the
Montreux Jazz Festival.
In February 2005, Collins embarked on her first ever solo tour. For three
weeks, she performed in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The tour was produced by the Soulpower organization. Shortly after returning
from her European tour, Collins died aged 56 in Pasadena, California, of cardiac
arrhythmia.
In 2006, Paris based Hi&Fly Records released a live album titled "Mama
Feelgood", which included recordings from her European tour and some interview
clips. This release was produced by German-born DJ Pari, who has also produced
for Marva Whitney and who has managed Collin's last tour. An official anthology
CD, also called "Mama Feelgood", was released on Universal Music
that same year.
[edit] Trivia
In October 2004, "Rock Me Again And Again" and "Think (About
It)" featured on the Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas soundtrack, playing
on fictional radio station Master Sounds 98.3.
"Rock Me Again And Again" was covered by synth band The Human League
on their 1984 album Hysteria.