It's often been said whatever happened to Alyson Williams? Well an update is on the cards I think and it's safe to say - nothing. She has been on the DL (down low) but not completely out. Ever since her debut set Raw in 1989 which featured hits like the soothing ballad 'Just Call My Name', 'I Need Your Lovin' and 'Raw', there's been few outings from this songstress (she had a release called 'Alyson Williams' five years later that never really saw the light of day on radio).

Alyson was born in Harlem, NY, her father a swing band leader and her mother a dancer turned nurse. Initially she started out as a dancer at the age of 4 and even so much as went on to win a dance scholarship to Marymount Manhattan College but soon realized her talent lies in her voice rather than her feet.

Then at the young age of 20, Alyson interned as the receptionist for the legendary Commodores, which led to a job as the personal assistant to the band's celebrated manager, Benny Ashburn. It was here that Alyson really began to shine as well as doing session work for the Commodores she also worked with R&B diva Melba Moore, Whodini and Evelyn “Champagne” King but it was her teaming up with rap pioneer Kurtis Blow, that really paid off for her as she was credited in recruiting R&B acts like Audrey Wheeler and Joycelyn Brown for his harmonies.

Getting that kind of attention got Alyson noticed and in the early 80s she was asked to join the group High Fashion which featured a then unknown Melissa Morgan (remember her, she had hits with a remake of Prince's 'Do Me Baby' and Fools Paradise). She recorded two albums with the group and it led to her desiring a solo career. She then signed with Def Jam a label known mostly for it's rap acts and made history in the process as she became the first R&B artist to be signed on Russell Simmons' label and the rest is 'Raw'

Her latest effort features a nice little gem called 'Got to Give A Lil' Bit' that's not found on the domestic album but on the Japanese version. The song is a shining example of Alyson's measure as a singer with smooth vocals from the veteran singer with very nice production in tow from jazz pianist Marcus Johnson. Alyson finds her way around the quite well seeing that she hasn't put out any new material for almost a decade and delivers a stellar performance throughout.

The album called 'It's About Time' has been out for a while and does have its moments including a remake of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes 'Holding back the Years' that's nicely done so why not discover Alyson all over again - a TY-D Pick.

Listen to Alyson Williams - 'Got to give a lil' bit'

Sir TY