R&B group originally known as the Soul Circulations. Member Aaron heard the El Domingos vocal quartet and was very impressed. He brought the group to their practice session in a hall on Cecil Avenue for manager Eugene Murphy to hear. The groups hit it off and ultimately combined to become the Circulations. Early vocalist Wallace was with group briefly after the new vocal quartet joined. Vocalists were Frankie McIntosh, Donell Johnson, Gary Sykes, and Larry Merrill who was later replaced with George Barton (ex-Mellow Tones). The band consisted of Roy Evans (lead guitar), Sam Evans (bass), Douglas (organ), and Bronco (drums).
The Circulations performed at talent shows at St. James Church Hall. They became a part of Operation Champ performing at various neighborhood festivals and events.
In 1972 manager Murphy decided that if the group had a hit record, they would be able to get better paying gigs. They decided to record two songs from their repertoire “Tell Me” (by the Ethics), and “Stop, Look and Listen” (by the Stylistics) and received permission from the original groups. Featuring leads by George Barton, the record didn’t become the number one hit, but it did open doors for the group and received airplay on local R&B stations WEBB and WWIN.
The Circulations maintained a busy performance schedule in the Baltimore area and throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Locally they were heard at the Famous Ballroom, Chanticleer, Carousel, Alcazar, James Brown Motor Inn… They performed at weddings, Proms (Northern, City, Lake Clifton, Eastern…). They shared stages with the Unifics, Vandals, Whatnauts, Jackson Five…
The group finally split up in the mid-70s. Even into the ‘00s Frankie continued to sing and record original music with his brother Ricky and other ex-members of the New Extensions.
197* Hess 3498 Stop Look and Listen / Tell Me
