True Movement

After almost 26 years of neglect, True Movement finally got some recognition. Britain's Goldmine/Soul Supply Records included their wistful ballad "What a Lovely Way to Meet" on the Essential Sweet Soul Collection. Also, a new compilation CD, Soul Sounds Cleveland, features four digitally enhanced selections by True Movement among its 14 tracks. Created by Arthur Hayes in 1974, the original lineup of Cleveland, OH, natives consisted of Hayes, William Thomas, Phillip Coghill, Ernest Mims, and Wayne Harris. Hayes -- a crime victim -- was tragically murdered; distraught over Hayes' death, Harris quit. Suddenly a trio, Levell "Sonny" Cochran and John Cofer came in as replacements. Emulating the Temptations, the Chi-Lites, the Intruders, the Dramatics, and others, they started pleasing crowds all over Northeast, Ohio, and Western Pennsylvania. Entrepreneur Leonard Jackson loved their showmanship and gave them the opportunity to record for his Miyistic Insight label. However, personnel changes continued to hinder them. Sonny left to solo before the first recording session, but recruited Kenny "Keino" Redd to take his place. (Sonny cut "Ghetto Boy" on Miyistic Insight in 1974.) Thomas joined Kinsman Dazz and stayed for two albums on 20th Century Fox Records. Kinsman Dazz evolved into the Dazz Band on Motown sans Thomas. Unable to keep a fifth member, True Movement recorded as a quartet in 1974 and waxed arguably the prettiest soul floater in C-Town's history, "What a Lovely Way to Meet." It sold locally but never broke out, enjoying its greatest popularity in merry old England where it was a prime bootleg item. A second release, "Depression," stalled, and they called it quits. In 1982, as Avatarr, they tried again with "So Glad I Found You," a lilting, falsetto ballad on Miyistic Insight Records. After Avatarr, Sonny and Keino worked the clubs and cabarets as a duo. Coghill joined the Sound Band in 1990, then Masterpiece with Keino and Larry Hancock. Hancock recorded with the Intertains on Uptown, and S.O.U.L. on Musicor Records. Masterpiece disbanded in 1993 when Coghill hooked up with Ronnie Love and the Drifters. ~ Andrew Hamilton