A short introduction to The Free Movement
The R&B group The Free Movement’s career was fleeting, highlighted by their only two singles – their first which was a Top 10 pop hit “I’ve Found Someone of My Own” and “The Harder I Try (The Bluer I Get)”. Their debut album was released on Columbia in 1971 which contains the two singles. Despite good performance of their second single “The Harder I Try (The Bluer I Get)” on the charts, they group weren’t able to chart again.
The formation of The Free Movement, and their first and biggest hit “I’ve Found Someone of My Own”
The Free Movement were a short-lived R&B group formed in Los Angeles, California in 1970. The Free Movement consisted of: Godoy Colbert (who was once with Pilgrim Travelers and The Pharaohs), Josephine Brown (ex-member of The Five Bells Of Joy), Cheryl Conley, Jennifer Gates and Adrian Jefferson and his brother Claude. If the group’s sound reminds you of someone else, the Free Movement does sound closely like the 5th Dimension.
As soon as the group formed, they started to cut demos before they were signed to Decca in 1971. Their first single, also released that same year, was “I’ve Found Someone of My Own” which was written by Frank Robinson.
In the 24th week after its initial release, “I’ve Found Someone of My Own” found itself at the #5 position on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971. It also reached its peak position at #20 on the R&B singles chart, and #7 on the adult contemporary singles chart that same year.
The following year, “I’ve Found Someone of My Own” was covered by country artist Cal Smith, who made it a #4 hit on the Billboard country chart.
Last charting single with “The Harder I Try (The Bluer I Get)”
In 1972, the Free Movement switched to Columbia Records, where they released their eponymous debut album (which eventually landed at #167 on the Billboard 200, and #26 on the R&B albums chart). Some sources, though, say that the title of their first album was I’ve Found Someone of My Own, which landed on the same chart positions.
The Free Movement followed the success of their first single with another one, the heartbreaking ballad “The Harder I Try (The Bluer I Get)” which was also written by Frank Robinson. It was only a minor hit on both pop and R&B charts (at #50 and #49 respectively) but it was a big adult contemporary smash, reaching at #6.
The Free Movement also released another single, a cover of Stephen Stills’ “Love the One You’re With.” However, after “The Harder I Try” the group wasn’t able to chart any longer.
In 1985 a compilation album was issued, entitled The Free Movement: Golden Classics.