Mike James Kirkland


Mike James Kirkland is an American R&B singer. He began his recording career in 1965, as leader of Mike & The Censations, a quartet which included his brother Robert, their sister and her husband. He was also half of the duo Bo and Ruth on Claridge Records who achieved a U.K. Top 20 single with their release of "You're Gonna Get Next To Me" in the summer of 1977.

Biography

Mike James Kirkland grew up singing gospel and doo wop in Mississippi in a local gospel act, The Seven Seals, with his two brothers, Walter and Robert. He becan his recording career as leader of the group Mike & The Censations in 1965. After the Censations folded, Kirkland and his brother Robert moved to California where they started a record label, Bryan Records, so they could release love songs and soul music that Kirkland was working on. They released two albums, Hang on in There and Doin' it Right, following the style and social comment of artists like Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield. In 1975, Kirland began issuing solo recordings under the name Bo Kirkand. Also a Bo, he recorded an album as a part of duo with Ruth Davis.
The reputation of the albums slowly grew and spread over the following years, culminating with reissues in the '90s by Luv N Haight.
In 2010, John Legend released an album that includes a cover of one of Kirkland's songs, "Hang On In There."

Discography

Albums:
Singles: