Tramaine

Description

Tramaine is the solo debut album by the American contemporary gospel singer Tramaine Hawkins, released on Light Records in February 1980, distributed by Elektra/Asylum Records. The album was recorded by Phil Edwards at Wally Heider Studios in San Francisco, California; with Walter Hawkins producing. Hawkins also wrote all the songs.

Trivia: Tramaine got her start as a teenager in 1968 performing with the Edwin Hawkins Singers during the homemade recording session that produced the crossover smash “Oh Happy Day“, the biggest-selling gospel single to date. In the early ’70s, she married Walter Hawkins, Edwin’s Brother.

Tramaine Hawkins is part of a family that is undeniably loaded with talent. She is the wife of Walter Hawkins, one of the most popular black gospel artists in the country today. (It was Walter’s brother, Edwin, who charted «Oh Happy Day» in the late sixties.)

Although Walter’s contribution to this album (Tramaine’s first) is enormous – he produced, arranged, mixed and wrote all of the tunes – it is Tramaine’s vocal prowess that makes the LP really live.

It is likely that many who can only appreciate white gospel will find the album “too black.” True, many of the vocal and instrumental riffs are indigenous to traditional black gospel, but much of the album is indicative of the sophistication with which contemporary black music is being produced these days. The Hawkin’s have not strayed far from their roots, but have found a groove which is sure to widen their appeal. [CCM, May 1980]

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/classic-gold-tramaine/305494322)

LP tracklist:

Side One
A1. “Look At Me” – 4:54
A2. “Lord I Try” – 3:14
A3. “I’ll Be With Him” – 4:43
A4. “Holy One” – 6:22

Side Two
B1. “Call Me” – 3:19
B2. “Highway” – 5:14
B3. “When You Pray” – 3:04
B4. “Will You Be There” – 4:55

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Light Records. Later re-issued on CD.