Double Exposure

Double Exposure burst onto the disco landscape as an immediate hit in 1976, while standing out as one of the period’s most experienced vocal ensembles due to their deep grounding in classic R&B. Originally called United Image, the Philadelphians helped establish Salsoul Records via their striking debut single “Ten Percent.” Walter Gibbons’ remix turned the track into the first commercially issued 12-inch single and sent it to number two on Billboard’s disco chart. Featured alongside later club favorites “My Love Is Free” and “Everyman” on the album also titled Ten Percent, the song marked the start of three LPs the quartet cut under production from MFSB co-founder Norman Harris and other leading figures from the Philly scene. After completing those Salsoul projects, the group issued a 1981 single on the smaller Gold Coast imprint and resurfaced in 2009 with “Soul Rece$$ion,” continuing to perform regularly into the 2020s.

Childhood companions who first harmonized in church choirs, Leonard “Butch” Davis, Joe Harris, Charles Whittington, and Jimmy Williams organized United Image in 1961. They toured the chitlin circuit throughout the 1960s; after adding Ron Aikens and connecting with disc jockey and producer LeBaron Taylor, they recorded the Volt single “Love’s Creeping Up on Me” backed with “I’ll Keep Coming Back” in 1971. Plans for a full album alongside Bunny Sigler, Allan Felder, and Norman Harris collapsed when Stax’s CBS distribution agreement dissolved. The ensemble recovered in 1974 with the independently released “The African Bump,” produced by Jesse James. Norman Harris then arranged an audition at the fledgling Salsoul Records, securing a contract and linking the singers with Harris, production partners Ron Baker and Earl Young, and numerous other Philadelphia soul veterans.

The original four singers adopted the name Double Exposure and launched their career in 1976 with Norman Harris’ production of “Ten Percent,” written by Allan Felder and T.G. Conway. Club DJ Walter Gibbons’ extended remix made the song the first commercially released 12-inch single; it reached number two on Billboard’s disco chart, crossed over to peak at number 63 R&B and number 54 pop, and anchored the 1976 LP Ten Percent. That album also carried the charting singles “My Love Is Free” (number 15 disco, number 44 R&B) and “Everyman” (number eight disco, number 84 R&B) while registering on both the pop and R&B album charts. Norman Harris, Ron Kersey, and Ron Tyson handled Fourplay, the 1978 follow-up that included a version of “Newsy Neighbors,” first recorded by First Choice, which came close to the pop chart. The third and final Salsoul album, Locker Room, produced by Kersey, Bunny Sigler, Ron Baker, and Bruce Hawes, yielded the number 33 R&B single “I Got the Hots for Ya,” which performed comparably on the disco chart.

After satisfying their Salsoul contract and departing the label in 1980, the singers largely took day jobs, though Jimmy Williams briefly sang with the Trammps. They returned in 1981 with “After All This Time” on Chicago’s Gold Coast label. Williams issued a solo Salsoul single in 1983 and a second, lower-profile single in 1987. Double Exposure continued occasional performances with varying lineups over subsequent decades, recording only once more for the 2009 release “Soul Rece$$ion.” Jimmy Williams passed away in 2016; Charles Whittington died seven years later. The remaining original members, Leonard “Butch” Davis and Joe Harris, have continued to lead the group.