Hattie Littles

Hattie Littles was an American soul singer, best known for her 1963 single, "Your Wonderful Love," released on the Motown label.

Music career

Hattie began her singing career in gospel music shows and competitions. She was discovered by Motown producer Clarence Paul, who recruited her after she had won three talent shows at "Lee's Sensation Lounge." She was signed to Motown for four years, resulting in her recording ten singles. She never released a full album on that label.

After her contract expired, Littles left the music business and experienced stints of alcoholism and drug abuse.

She was rediscovered in the 1980s by British producer Ian Levine. Levine started Motorcity records, which was comprised of more than one hundred artists that previously recorded with Motown. The resulting album is available, and is entitled "The Very Best of Hattie Littles," and includes the stand-out tracks "Never Say Never," "Waiting for the Day," and "One Too Many Reasons."

Littles died in June 2000 of a heart attack.

Vocal style

Littles had a full, soulful, Gospel-tinged voice with a deep vibrato. Tracks on "The Very Best of Hattie Littles" feature short monologues or "raps", in the classical and bluesy style of Lou Rawls, James Brown, Bobby Blue Bland, and BB King.