The Escorts

The Escorts, also known as The Legendary Escorts, were an American R&B group formed in Rahway State Prison in 1970. While incarcerated at Trenton State Prison in 1968, founding member Reginald "Prophet" Haynes began practicing Doo-Wop, singing with fellow prisoners. In 1970, after members of the group were transferred to Rahway State Prison, they first performed as The Escorts at a prison talent show, where they caught the attention of Motown producer George Kerr. The original members of the group were Reginald "Prophet" Haynes, Lawrence Franklin, Robert Arrington, William Dugger, Stephen Carter, Frank Heard and Marion Murphy. In 1973, Kerr returned to Rahway with a mobile recording unit, resulting in The Escorts' debut album, "All We Need is Another Chance," followed by "Three Down, Four to Go" (1974). The Escorts have been sampled by hip hop artists including J. Dilla and Public Enemy. They are the subject of Corbett Jones' 2017 documentary film, All We Need Is Another Chance (2017), and a version of the group has continued to tour as The Legendary Escorts. Jill Scott used the track from "Look Over Your Shoulder" for her song "Family Reunion" on her 2004 album "Beautifully Human." In 2021, the album "The Escorts-The Helva Records Session," was remastered and released by Herschel Dwellingham's Helva Records and Jeff Freundlich's Fervor Records. Mr. Dwellingham, with his collaborator Harley Hackett, wrote, arranged and produced the original songs.