April Stevens -- Wake Up And Love Me

After April heard a rather tribal sounding track called “Safari“ on brother Nino’s 5th Ave. Sax album, she was inspired to write a set of lyrics to match and to record the song as her solo vocal. She ended up with “Sleep Baby Sleep,“ a somewhat controversial (again!!) tale of a 34 year old vixen hovering over her sleeping 21 year old lover. “They can say it’s not right“ chirped April...“but they don’t hold you at night.“ Retitled “Wake Up And Love Me,“ the R & B flavored production was recorded, and “April“ (no Stevens) inched into the Hot 100 in June 1974 . This recording was a top ten hit in Detroit, but would stay only in the bottom 8 of Billboard’s Hot 100 for 4 weeks, peaking at #93. Produced by Nino and Jeff Barry.