Sweet Substitute is an English all girl trio, specializing in jazz and swing harmony recordings, including a cappella. They originated from

Bristol Bristol () is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, the most populous city in the region. Built around the River Avon, Bristol, River Avon, it is bordered by t ...

, England.

Founding

The trio were founded in 1975, when English folk musician Andy Leggett (see Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra) met singer Teri Penfold (his future wife) at a party and suggested that she should contact Angie Masterton and Eiri Thrasher to form a singing trio. Eiri left the group and was replaced by Sammi Brown (real name Chris Price). Their first album, ''Something Special'', became

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the List of most-listened-to radio programs, most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 14 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the sta ...

's album of the week when released in 1977. Shortly after they appeared on a UK radio show with

Geoff Love Geoffrey Love (4 September 1917 – 8 July 1991) was a prolific British arranger and composer of easy listening and pop versions of film themes, famous in the late 1950s under the stage name Manuel and the Music of the Mountains. Early years ...

and his Orchestra. They appeared on BBC TV's long running TV show, '' The Good Old Days''. They carried on recording swing type material in four more albums, despite Decca wanting them to change direction. Chris Price then decided to leave the trio with Kate McNab taking her place. In 1980, they began performing as guests on BBC radio shows with a new repertoire. After leaving

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis after his acquisition of a gramophone manufacturer, The Decca Gramophone Company. It set up an American subsidiary under the Decca name, which bec ...

they moved to

Black Lion Records Black Lion Records was a British jazz record company and record label, label based in London, England. Alan Bates founded Black Lion Records in 1968. The label had two series of releases, one for British jazz musicians and one for internation ...

and issued an album, ''Sophisticated Ladies'' (also issued as ''Sweet Substitute'' with different packaging) in 1981. The line-up on this album was Angie Masterton, Teri Leggett and Kate McNab. While touring with

Georgie Fame Georgie Fame (born Clive Powell; 26 June 1943) is an English R&B and jazz musician. Fame, who had a string of 1960s hits, is still performing, often working with contemporaries such as Alan Price, Van Morrison and Bill Wyman. Fame is the only B ...

, they were backed by guitarist Kit Morgan who is still backing Kate McNab today. Teri was later replaced by Suzi Knowler. Angie Masterton died in 1999.

Partial discography

Albums *''Something Special'' – 1977 –

- SKL 5276 *''

Sophisticated Ladies ''Sophisticated Ladies'' is a musical revue based on the music of Duke Ellington. The revue ran on Broadway in 1981–83, earning two awards and eight nominations at the 35th Tony Awards. Production ''Sophisticated Ladies'' opened on Broadway ...

'' – 1981 –

– BLM 51010 Singles *"I Give In" – 7” – 1978 – Decca - F 13820 *"Back in the World Again" – 7” – 1979 - Decca - F 13833 *"Take Me to the Mardi Gras" – 7” - 1980 – Logo – GO 393 (UK) *"Take Me to the Mardi Gras" – 7” – 1980 - AVES - INT 111.554 (Germany) *"Love For Sale" – 7” – 1983 – Polydor - 815 079-7

References

{{Authority control English vocal groups English jazz ensembles Musical groups established in 1975 Black Lion Records artists