Chris Bartley was an American R&B singer from Harlem, New York, active primarily during the 1960s. His smooth, soulful style was best showcased in his biggest hit, "The Sweetest Thing This Side of Heaven", which reached the top 10 on Billboard's R&B chart in 1967. Bartley worked closely with producer Van McCoy, whose sophisticated arrangements significantly shaped his sound. Despite a relatively brief career, Bartley's distinctive vocal technique left a lasting mark on the soul and R&B genres.