The Supreme Florence Ballard

The Supreme Florence Ballard is a 2001 release by Universal Music Group's Spectrum Music. The release compiles the 1968 ABC Records solo recordings of Florence Ballard with four Motown tracks she recorded lead vocals for whilst in The Supremes. The ABC Records album, originally titled You Don't Have To, was shelved and bootlegged heavily preceding the compilation's release.

Following Ballard's exit from The Supremes, executives of ABC Records expressed interest in signing her but insisted they would not until she settled with Motown. On July 27, 1967, Ballard met with Motown vice president Michael Roshkind, who offered her a release to sign which stipulated that Ballard could not use The Supremes name in any way despite her choosing the name for the group when they initially signed with the record label. Furthermore, the agreement prevented Ballard from receiving any future royalties from Motown, offering her $15,000 paid in yearly installments of $2,500 for the next six years for her rights to The Supremes name and any royalties accrued. Ballard said of this, "In other words, you're nothing". Ballard also recounted that Roshkind had told her "if you don't sign the paper, Berry Gordy won't have anything else to do with you", to which Ballard responded, "I told Michael Roshkind I really didn't give a damn whether Berry Gordy had anything to do with me or not Then I started crying and I signed the paper. I didn't even finish reading it." Despite this initial offering, Ballard's final settlement was a one time payment of $139,804, which was received by her attorney Leonard Baun. Ballard however, never received this and after numerous unsuccessful attempts between 1968 1969 to seek justice, Ballard contracted a law firm who filed suit in 1970 against Baun's law firm for "gross negligence, malpractice and breach of fiduciary duties and obligations".

In the issue dated 9 December 1967, Cashbox reported Ballard had signed with ABC Records, who immediately scheduled recording sessions, with plans to rush the release of her debut single, produced by George Kerr. Billboard also reported on 23 December 1967. Ballard later told Benjaminson that "The company released the record, but they just wouldn't push it." Benjaminson wrote, 'This is the kind of situation in which an experienced business manager was needed, and there is no question that one could have been found to take the post from Flo's husband', expressing that 'Tommy Chapman was out of his depth in this role' as 'any seasoned manager would have dealt swiftly with a record company that underpublicized Florence Ballard'. Andrew Hamilton of Allmusic commented, 'this is Ballards's first solo record. Jeers to ABC Records' sales and promotion departments for a poor effort, as it should have done better by name recognition alone.' Benjaminson quoted Katherine Anderson of The Marvelettes as saying though Tommy was "very nice", he "was always there when there was money to be made". In 1969, Ballard told Ebony that her singles for ABC "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)" and "Love Ain't Love" were "flops just plain flops", but also that she was working on new material and had recorded parts of her first solo album, expressing: "Buttered Popcorn", described in the Motown Encyclopedia as 'a gritty, double entendre laden novelty item', was shortly released as a single before being withdrawn for a 'crisper' re recorded master. It is the only single by The Supremes featuring lead vocals by Ballard. "Ain't That Good News" is a cover recorded for The Supremes' tribute album, We Remember Sam Cooke (1965). Kevin Winkler for Huffington Post wrote, 'The album’s biggest surprise is its last cut, “(Ain’t That) Good News,” featuring a lead vocal by Flo whose gospel fervor fairly jumps out of the headphones.' Winkler also noted, the recording is one 'that made Supremes fans grieve that Flo got so few opportunities to show off her powerful voice.'

Ballard appeared on the Swingin' Time music variety show on June 13, 1968 for host Robin Seymour on CKLW TV Channel 9. In September, 1968, Ballard joined Bill Cosby in a performance at the Ambassador Theatre, Chicago after receiving an enthusiastic public response when she rode in the annual Bud Billiken Parade in August, with husband Tommy Chapman and comedian Godfrey Cambridge. Following the release of "Love Ain't Love" in October, Ballard's husband and manager, Tommy Chapman, drove to radio stations and record stores with boxes of Ballard's records, leaving copies along the way, to little avail. ABC cancelled the album, You Don't Have To, and declined the option to renew Ballard's contract for a second year. Ballard was informed whilst having contractions, hours before the birth of her twin daughters, Michelle and Nicole. On January 19, 1969, Ballard performed a show at Yorktown High School in Arlington County, Virginia, alongside Wilson Pickett. In the early 1960s, as one of The Primettes, Ballard had recorded backing vocals on the Pickett song "Let Me Boy Your Boy". On January 20, 1969, Ballard performed at President Nixon's inauguration party.

Stevie Chick of The Guardian, listed "Buttered Popcorn" as one of the best 10 Supremes songs. Chick expressed that Ballard was 'A bold, big voiced belter' and described the song as 'A piece of raw, ribald soul lacking the polish that gilded their [The Supremes'] later hits'. Also, 'Ballard growls salaciously on Buttered Popcorn that her boyfriend “likes it greasy, and sticky, and salty, and gooey”, a knowingly saucy performance that somehow escaped the interference of Motown’s infamous Quality Control department.' Similarly, Bonnie Stiernberg of Paste wrote 'the innuendo laced track is not unlike buttered popcorn — salty, fluffy, and oh so good'. Contemporary reviews of "Buttered Popcorn" include a B+ from Cashbox, whilst music columnist Wayne Harada in The Honolulu Advertiser called the song 'A novelty' which 'merits attention'. "Buttered Popcorn" received much airplay in Detroit and neighbouring cities, but failed to chart — as did all of the group's singles until "Let Me Go the Right Way" charted in December 1962. In the issue dated May 4, 1968, Cashbox called "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)", a 'firm step forward in the solo race by former Supreme Florence Ballard' with 'cute lyrical appeal'. On June 3, 1968, "It Doesn't Matter How I Say It (It's What I Say That Matters)" appeared at number 18 on WKLR 99.9 FM's chart. In the issue dated July 13, 1968, Cashbox published, 'Ex Supreme Florence Ballard gets into her own bag on a fine double sided effort. Slight nod to "It Doesn't Matter" for its freshness. Could be a big one.' In the issue dated October 19, 1968, Cashbox listed "Love Ain't Love" in its Picks of the Week, writing, 'Though the lyrics have an often told love message, the manner in which they are presented should turn Florence Ballard into a new star on the solo scene. Former Supreme "Flo" has a brilliant time on this moving dance track with the power to break wide open on both pop and blues fronts. Expect national action.' Billboard, wrote in the issue dated 2 November 1968, 'Miss Ballard, formerly of The Supremes, makes a powerful bid for solo chart honors with a pulsating Van McCoy rhythm entry' and in the 16 November issue Ed Hochs wrote the song was 'makin' noise'.