| Martha High | |
| Background: | solo_singer |
| Birth Place: | Victoria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Origin: | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Genre: | Soul, R&B, funk |
| Associated Acts: | The Jewels, James Brown |
| Website: | www.facebook.com/originalfunkydiva/ |
Martha High (born Martha Harvin in 1945, Victoria, Virginia[1]) is an American vocalist.
Harvin grew up in Washington, D.C., attending Roosevelt High School and singing in Trinity AME Zion Church. She began singing in The Four Jewels (whose members attended the same church and school) after the departure of Carrie Mingo. After Martha joined the group, they changed their name simply to The Jewels and released their best-known hit, "Opportunity". After a follow-up single, "But I Do" b/w "Smokey Joe", flopped, they were dropped from Dimension Records.
The Jewels went on tour with James Brown in 1964, with a demanding nightly schedule. They visited the studios of Motown Records on the Detroit leg of the tour, hoping to record, but the building was closed that day. They did record two singles while they toured with Brown, but after a year and a half with Brown the group split up. Not ready to leave the tour, Harvin asked Brown if she could stay. Brown agreed, but he required her name change from Harvin to the stage name High.[2] She continued singing with Brown for the next 30-plus years. Among her appearances with Brown are on the track "Summertime" and on the Original Funky Divas album.
High also recorded a self-titled disco album in 1979, released on Salsoul Records. In January 2000, she stopped performing with Brown and went on tour with Maceo Parker.
In 2004, High teamed up with the Soulpower organization, which is also behind the comebacks of Soul artists like Marva Whitney, Lyn Collins, Bobby Byrd, Gwen McCrae and RAMP. During her collaboration with Soulpower, High performed all across Europe and even performed in Africa, backed by the Soulpower Allstars. In February 2005, High embarked on the "James Brown's Funky Divas Tour" in Europe, sharing the stage with her friend Lyn Collins.
In 2016, High released her solo album on Blind Faith Records, with 11 original tunes produced and recorded by Italian soul man Luca Sapio and his crew.
In 2017, High recorded a single titled "We are one" with DJ Toner, released on Enlace Funk (Spain). Fred Thomas (The J.B.´s musician) also collaborated playing bass.
In 2021, High recorded an album titled "Got My Senses Back" with Grey and the Hit Me Band, released on Only One Records with 9 tracks arranged, produced and recorded by Michael Edell.
| No. | Song titles (Artist) | Label and no. | Release | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Georgy Girl" b/w "Try Me" | People 611 | 1972 | 7" | |
| 2 | "Take Me Higher And Groove Me" (James Brown) b/w Summertime (Martha And James) | Polydor 14433 | 1977 | 7" | |
| 3 | "Spank Georgia Disco" Parts 1&2 (as Martha And The Lazers) | Polydor 14498 | 1978 | 7" | |
| 4 | "He's My Ding Dong Man" b/w "Wallflower" | Salsoul 2097 | 1979 | 7" | |
| 5 | "Showdown" b/w "He's My Ding Dong Man" | Salsoul 2110 | 1979 | 7" | |
| 6 | "He's My Ding Dong Man" b/w "Wallflower" | Salsoul 306 | 1979 | 12" | |
| 7 | "Showdown" b/w "He's My Ding Dong Man" | Salsoul 317 | 1979 | 12" | |
| 8 | "The Big Payback" | Diaspora Connections | 2007 | CD | |
| 9 | "The Shakedown (Say Yeah)" b/w "Dragging Me Down" (as Speedometer ft. Martha High) | Freestyle 7072 | Feb. 2012 | 7" | |
| 10 | "I'd Rather Go Blind" b/w "No More Heartaches" (as Martha High & Speedometer) | Freestyle 7074 | Sept. 2012 | 7" | |
| 11 | "We are one" (as Martha High & DJ Toner) | Enlace Funk EF-67 | 2017 | 7" |
"This Is My Story" and "Something's Got A Hold On Me" by The Jewels
"This Is My Story" by The Jewels
"Summertime" by Martha And James
"Later For Dancing" (duet with James Brown)