I Let A Good Man Go / Little Love Affair

This single produced by Sepia Records, is the first record from Patrinell Staten. Patrinell Staten is the birth name (and stage name) of the Gospel and Soul singer and pastor better known as Pat Wright (1944-2022). Founder of Sepia Records, LaVera Clark (b. unknown) discovered Wright singing at a church and encouraged her to sing in different venues, stating that “the world needs to hear [a voice like yours].” With a four-octave range, Wright’s voice was indeed something special. With Clark’s support, Wright cut this single and performed with a Rhythm and Blues group that went by the name Patrinell and the Casanovas. After only three years singing with the band, Wright left in 1973 to pursue other interests.

Wright was born in Texas to a Baptist preacher and a schoolteacher. By the age of 14, Wright was leading the choir at her father’s church and knew she intended to carry on her father’s work. Wright moved to Seattle, Washington in 1964, where she would meet her husband and eventually make her permanent home. In 1973 Wright founded the Total Experience Gospel Choir. The group, led by Wright, gave performances across the country and throughout the world, as well as for Presidents Bill Clinton (b. 1946) and Barack Obama (b. 1961) and for the funeral of Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970). For her work in the community and with the Total Experience Gospel Choir, Wright is fondly known as Seattle’s “First Lady of Gospel.”