The first time I heard Amy Winehouse, I was immediately reminded of this 45 I had of a female duo called “Barbara and Brenda”. Her voice, singing style and even her songs were all similar to (and not as good as) this record.

Barbara and Brenda were a niece & aunt duo consisting of Barbara and Brenda Gaskins (although they are also sometimes referred to as cousins). They recorded a string of singles on Heidi and Dynamo Records, and this one, according to Mr. Google, was their first release (on Avanti). And what a song! This record has followed me to every DJ night I’ve played at in the last 15 years and has always consistently been a hit on the dance floor, even though it’s most certainly not in mint condition. And I am not lying when I say that I’ve been asked now and again by some confused young’uns which Amy Winehouse single this was.

Brenda quit the music biz early on but Barbara later married, changed her name to Barbara Roy and became the singer and songwriter for Roulette label’s soul band Ecstasy, Passion and Pain.

In 1986, the lovely lady had a dance hit called “Gotta See you Tonight“.

And of course, this was the single’s cover photo:

Enjoy!

Barbara and Brenda – Let’s Get Together (1963, Avanti)