Soul Strutter

NS517 Elbie Parker [1966] - Please Keep Away From Me [Veep 1246]

2011-03-19T22:05:00.000Z

517 Elbie Parker [1966] - Please Keep Away From Me [Veep 1246]

Artist:	Elbie Parker
A:	Please Keep Away From Me
B:	Lucky Guy
Format:	45
Country:	US
Label:	Veep
Label Discography:	Label Discography
Cat No:	1246
Year:	1966
Value:	$500-$700
Value Link:	$700
Artist Biography:	Artist Biography
Artist Discography:	Artist Discography

Played at Stafford.

Hexagonal shaped labels pressed at ""Monarch"" los Angeles and the other version is from ""Shelly Products"" New York

517 Elbie Parker [1966] - Please Keep Away From Me [Veep 1246]

NS518 Joanie Sommers [1965] - Don’t Pity Me [WB 5629]

2011-03-19T22:02:00.000Z

518 Joanie Sommers [1965] - Don’t Pity Me [WB 5629]

Artist:	Joanie Sommers
A:	Don’t Pity Me
B:	My Block
Format:	45
Country:	US
Label:	WB
Label Discography:	Label Discography
Cat No:	5629
Year:	1965
Value:	$571
Value Link:	$571
Artist Biography:	Joannie Sommers Biography
Artist Discography:	Joannie Sommers Discography

A white demo sold recently (7 Jan 2011) for $571

My Block was co-written by Jimmy Radcliffe with Bert Berns and Carl Spencer and also previously recorded by Clyde McPhatter on 'Songs Of The Big City' LP and by The Chiffons as The Pennies on Rust (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chiffons)

Joanie Sommers [1965] - Don’t Pity Me [Live]

Joannie Sommers - Never Throw Your Dreams Away [Columbia 45-423567]

Joannie Sommers - Call Me

NS519 Benny Spellman [1962] - Fortune Teller [Minit / London 644 / 45-HLP 9570]

2011-03-19T21:51:00.000Z

519 Benny Spellman [1962] - Fortune Teller [Minit / London 644 / 45-HLP 9570]

Artist:	Benny Spellman
A:	Fortune Teller
B:	Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
Format:	45
Country:	US
Label:	Minit / London
Label Discography:	Label Discography
Cat No:	644 / 45-HLP 9570
Year:	1962
Value:	?
Value Link:	$?
Artist Biography:	Benny Spellman Bio
Artist Discography:	Artist Discography

Hailing from New Orleans, Benny Spellman was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame on 11th July 2009

Louisiana Music Hall of Fame
lmhof Induction 2009
Benny Spellman

Benny suffered a major stroke in the early 1990s and remains under care today.

This frenetic, cajun-spiced beat draws with the almost-erratic piano line and vocal (with Allen Toussaint in the background) wind their way into your head in spite of no easy or central hook in the song. Fortune Teller was covered by The Rolling Stones, The Throb and The Who did a live version.

Lipstick Traces was the official A side which was covered many times but most notabley by The O'Jays on their Comin' Through LP on Imperial in 1965.

01 - Fortune Teller
02 - Stickin' Witcha Baby
03 - In The Night
04 - Every Now And Then
05 - 'Tain't It The Truth
06 - Life Is Too Short
07 - You Don't Love Me No More
08 - Talk About Love
09 - I Feel Good
10 - Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette)
11 - I'll Never Leave You
12 - It's For You
13 - Word Game
14 - You Got To Get It
15 - Anywhere You Go
16 - 10-4 (Calling All Cars)

519 Benny Spellman [1962] - Fortune Teller [Minit / London 644 / 45-HLP 9570]

Benny Spellman [1962] - Lipstick Traces (On A Cigarette) [Minit 644]

Rolling Stones - Fortune Teller

The Throb - Fortune Teller

From obscure origins as a Sydney-based surf-instrumental band, The Throb emerged in 1965 and briefly shot to national prominence. Despite its short tenure, the group left no doubt about its punkish potential and they have been immortalised on record by two superb singles, their snarling ""garage-punk"" version of ""Fortune Teller"", which smashed its way to the top of the national charts in early 1966, and their group arrangement of the old English folk song, ""Black (Is The Colour Of My True Love's Hair)"", a slashing, snarling piece of proto-gothic wonderment. (Source: Milesago, great site on early Australian bands).

The Throb consisted of John Bell (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Denny Burgess (bass, vocals), Peter Figures (drums) and Marty Van Wynk (lead guitar).

The Who - Fortune Teller (Studio version)

The Who - Fortune Teller (Live)

The Who - Fortune Teller (Live in Leeds)

NS520 Ellusions [1965] - You Didn't Have To Leave [Lamon 2004]

2011-03-19T21:48:00.000Z

520 Ellusions [1965] - You Didn't Have To Leave [Lamon 2004]

Artist:	Ellusions
A:	You Didn't Have To Leave
B:	You Wouldn't Understand (Official A Side)
Format:	45
Country:	US
Label:	Lamon
Label Discography:	Label Discography
Cat No:	2004
Year:	1965
Value:	£36
Value Link:	Value
Artist Biography:	Artist Biography
Artist Discography:	Artist Discography

I can find no information about Ellusions. Lamon records was established in 1962 in South Carolina, later moving to Nashville and is still in existence today. The label specialises in bluegrass and country. It would appear that the Ellusions were a 60s white garage band.

The official A side is in fact 'You Wouldn't Understand' which starts off really slowly in a doo wop vein and then turns into a more mid-tempo groove in more of a crossover flavour. (poor quality YouTube clip below - I may have to dig out my 45 and rip it for a better sample). 'You Didn't Have To Leave' is a more obvious Northern dancer.

It used to be quite rare but a box of them was turned up in the 80s which brought the price down. It has also been bootlegged on styrene, the original being vinyl.

Lamon Records.com

Lamon Records @ Wikipedia

520 Ellusions [1965] - You Didn't Have To Leave [Lamon 2004]

Ellusions [196-] - You Wouldn't Understand [Lamon 2003]

NS521 J.J. Barnes [1970] - Sweet Sherry [UK Contempo CS.2048]

2011-03-19T20:50:00.000Z

521 J.J. Barnes [1970] - Sweet Sherry [UK Contempo CS.2048]

b/w:	Chains Of Love
Format:	45
Label:	UK Contempo
Cat No:	CS.2048
Year:	1970
Value:	£10

Sweet Sherry was the third of four recordings by Barnes at Groovesville (555). The Originals are on backing vocals. Apparently it was never officially released. It found release in the UK on Blues & Soul's Contempo label in 1970.

Biography @ Soul Train

J.J. Barnes' "Baby Please Come Back Home" (June 1967) jammed all over the Midwest, East Coast, South, and west of the Mississippi River. This was the 11th single and the sixth recording company (Groovesville) of Barnes' career.

Barnes co-wrote most of his recordings; "Baby Please Come Back Home" was co-written with Don Davis, a guitarist, songwriter, producer, music publisher, and record label owner. Barnes sang the lyrics with so much pain that the single went to number nine on Billboard's R&B chart. Unofficially, it was number one at inner city skating rinks -- skaters loved rolling to its cool, slinky, mercurial rhythm and pinging accents.

James Jay Barnes, born November 30, 1943, in Detroit, MI, had more than 25 single releases after his big hit, but none duplicated its captivating aura, sales, or chart position. Barnes' gospel background (the Halo Gospel Singers) isn't apparent on his recordings; he came along at a time in Detroit when the city's blues and R&B bases were strong.

His style emulated Southern soul singers; the session players in Detroit in the early '60s were R&B players and gave Barnes' records a Southern feel. Other Detroit singers with a similar sound include Joe Stubbs, Steve Mancha, Darrell Banks, Sammy Ward, and Lee Rogers. In 1960, when he was 17, Barnes cut his first single, "My Love Came Tumbling Down" b/w "Won't You Let Me Know," for Kable Records, which did nothing but add "recording artist" to Barnes' resum‚. This was not a title to take lightly -- a few spins on the radio enabled an artist to jack their price up at the neighborhood club. No longer was he, J.J. Barnes, appearing Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights; now J.J. Barnes, the recording artist, was appearing live and in person. Mickay Records issued four singles by Barnes; the first, "Just One More Time" (1963), is sought after by Northern soul fanatics. Scepter Records realized its potential and plucked it for national distribution, but the sales never amounted to much. "These Chains of Love," "Teenage Queen," and "So Far Away" -- all released in 1963 and 1964 -- were good efforts that few heard. He cut one record for Ring Records in 1964, "Poor Unfortunate Me" b/w "She Ain't Ready." Ric-Tic Records issued Barnes' seventh record and followed it with three more, debuting with "Please Let Me In" in 1965; like many of Barnes' recordings it had a pronounced, four-on-the-floor beat -- the beat that defined the early Northern soul sound. Initially, if a tune didn't have that beat, it wasn't played in Northern England's popular dance clubs. Inner-city teens hated the beat (it wasn't cool to dance to) and R&B disc jockeys rarely played these tunes. Still, his Ric-Tic debut sold better than previous singles. "Real Humdinger," its successor, charted at number 20 on the R&B chart and number 60 on the pop chart, but, despite these numbers, wasn't played in some cities, mainly because of its hokey beat. An update of the Beatles' "Day Tripper" became his most successful record at the time. Barnes' smooth interpretation of the British rocker received substantial play in many urban cities. With Edwin Starr (lead) and Steve Mancha, Barnes hit with "I'll Love You Forever" as the Holidays. The record was a complete fluke -- the trio just happened to be around when producer Don Davis got an itch to cut the tune. They never toured as the Holidays, Davis recruited other singers for that. "Say It" b/w "Deeper in Love" didn't stand a chance because Ed Wingate was in the process of selling Ric Tic/Golden World Records lock, stock, and barrel to Motown. Barnes wasn't happy being Motown's property, neither was his ex-Ric-Tic bud, Edwin Starr.

Motown never released anything by Barnes, the company was more interested in his songwriting abilities and released at least two songs co-written by Barnes: "Show Me the Way" by Martha & the Vandellas (October 1967) and "Don't Make Hurting Me a Habit" by the Marvelettes (December 1968).

Motown released Barnes from his contract and he hooked up with Don Davis again, scoring the first time on Groovesville Records with "Baby Please Come Back Home." Its successor, "Now That I Got You Back" b/w "Forgive Me" (1967), a stomper and a pleader, threw a rod at number 44. The third, "Sweet Sherry," with the Originals harmonizing behind Barnes, didn't sell despite its immense charm. Then came "Easy Living" b/w "I've Lost You," with backing vocals by the Holidays, on the Groove City label, which sank upon release.

A stint on Revilot Records resulted in four singles, including "Our Love Is in the Pocket," a popular Northern soul song. Barnes co-wrote his final Revilot single, "So Called Friends" (1969), with George Clinton (Parliament) and two unknown brothers by the last name of Taylor. Buddah, Volt, Leo, Magic Touch, Perception, and Invasion Records issued Barnes' next five releases from 1969 to 1973. None hit, but "Snowflakes," the Volt release, was later acclaimed by some Britishers.

Perception issued the first J.J. Barnes album, Born Again, in 1973; the Perception sides didn't compare to earlier recordings, nor did what followed.

Old friend Edwin Starr moved to England and became very popular; remembering Barnes, Starr arranged for his old buddy to come over and do a series of shows with him. This proved to be a lucrative move, as Barnes signed a deal with Contempo Records, a U.K. label, in the mid-'70s. Contempo cranked out seven undistinguished singles and an album, Sara Smile, for Barnes.

He debuted on Contempo with "To an Early Grave," cut a remake of Hall & Oates' "Sara Smile," and tried to popularize an inner city dance tune, "The Errol Flynn." He released at least five more records -- including "Think I Got a Good Chance" on Organic, an update of Carl Carlton's "Competition Ain't Nothing" on Inferno in 1984, an attempt to recapture the magic of Frank Wilson's Motown release (which was ignored in the U.S.A.) "Do I Love You (Deed I Do)" on Inferno in 1985, and two on Motor City.

Albums include Rare Stamps on Volt Records, which features cuts by Barnes, Steve Mancha, and Darrell Banks; he also recorded an album on Motor City Records entitled Try It One More Time. A virtual nobody in the States, Barnes is one of Northern soul's most beloved artists. A janissary of soul fans worldwide love him, but at home his sister, Ortheia Barnes, is more known. Ortheia Barnes never had a hit, but once hosted a radio show in Detroit on WCHB every Wednesday called Ortheia's Special Touch; she's fondly remembered by witnesses of her electrifying live performances.

~Andrew Hamilton

NS522 Steve Flanagan [1967] - I've Arrived [Era 3154]

2011-01-08T19:21:00.003Z

522 Steve Flanagan [1967] - I've Arrived [Era 3186]

b/w:	I Need To Be Loved So Bad (Official A Side)
Format:	45
Label:	Era
Cat No:	3186 / 3154
Year:	1967 / 1965
Value:	$400-$500

I've arrived was also issued a a flip side to Era 3154 - You Don't Need A Crown by Jewel Akens which I have seen for sale for £80.

Jewel Akens Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

This is a 'strange' record. It obviously has the 'right beat', however to my ears this sounds like 'Rawhide' and is a cross between a rock and country & western tune and also sounds like a show tune from the very early 60s. This pre-65 sound is what seems be termed 'Popcorn' these days. As you can probably detect not really my kinda soul.

It was first issued in 1965 as a B side for Jewel Akens and Flanagan released it in 1967, again as a B side.

I'd stick my neck out and guess that this is a white country & western artist.

I've never heard this played out, but apparently it was a Stafford sound in 90s. It sounds like it 'could' be a Ked Darge discovery as Keb loves this early 60s stuff. Incidentally I first met Keb when he was a 'slip of a lad' at 18 in Aberdeen when we used to frequent the Center City Soul Club in 1976 with regular excursions to Dundee, Edinburgh and Wigan.

Era was also the label for Billy Watkins 'The Ice Man'. The label ran from 1955 until 1970. It was Steve Flanagan's only release on the label as with Billy Watkins. Jewel Akens, however, had 9 releases between 1964 and 1969.

Era 45 Discography @ Global Dog

Jewel Akens [1966] - My First Lonely Night [Era 3164]

Unfortunately I can't find a clip of Aken's version of 'I've Arrived' so have selected this instead.

NS523 Marv Johnson [1966] - I Miss You Baby [Gordy G-7051]

2011-01-08T18:45:00.000Z

523 Marv Johnson [1966] - I Miss You Baby [Gordy G-7051]

b/w:	Just The Way You Are
Format:	45
Label:	Gordy
Cat No:	G-7051
Year:	1966
Value:	£20

Marvin Earl Johnson recorded the first 45 on Tamla in 1959 'Come To Me'. He had his greatest success in the early 60s (released on United Artists) and ceased recording for Motown in 1968 but continued to work for them in sales.

He is another Detroit artist who joined up with Ian Levine and re-recorded 60s hits and new material in the 90s. He died from a stroke in 1993 age the age of 54.

His finest bour on the Northern scene was 'I Miss You Baby' issued on Gordy in 1966 but not picked up on until much later. It was issued in the UK as the flip to 'I'll Pick A Rose For My Rose' in 1969.

Marv Johnson 45 Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Tamla Discography @ soulfulkindmusic

Gordy Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Marv Johnson [1966] - You Got The Love I Love [Gordy]

Another of my favourite Marv Johnson tracks issued on Gordy as the flip to I'll Pick A Rose For My Rose' is ' You Got The Love I Need' produced by Frank Wilson.

Marv Johnson 1967] - Save My Love For A Rainy Day [Unissued]

Marv recorded Save My Love For A Rainy Day (a big tune on the scene for The Van Dykes (Gordy) also done by Undisputed Truth) in October 1967, it was out on the shelf, where it stayed until 2002, when it was included in A Cellarful Of Soul compilation.

Marv Johnson [1969] - So Glad You Chose Me [Tamla Motown TMG 737]

NS524 John Leach [1965] - Put That Women Down [Lawn L-256-P]

2011-01-08T17:48:00.000Z

524 John Leach [1965] - Put That Women Down [Lawn L-256-P]

b/w:	Love Don't Turn
Format:	45
Label:	Lawn
Cat No:	L-256-P
Year:	1966
Value:	$750-$1150

Lawn was a subsidiary of Swan records of which this was the penultimate release in 1965. This sounds very blue-eyed to these ears but nevertheless this was a monster all-nighter tune in the late 70s. Scanning through the Lawn roster, other notable 'Northern' acts include Modern Red Caps, Billy Harner and Larry Clinton ('She's' Wanted In Three States') all of whom I believe also to be white acts, so perhaps this was a 'white' offshoot of Swan records?

'Put That Woman Down' and the flip side were written by General Norman Johnson (Chairman Of The Board) and is reminiscent of the style put out by The Showmen ('Our Love Will Grow') of which he was a member ansd who also recorded for Swan.

Lawn Discography @ GlobalDog

Released in the UK on Destiny in 1979 owing to huge demand.

NS525 Danny Monday [1966] - Baby, Without You [Modern 1033]

2011-01-08T17:46:00.000Z

525 Danny Monday [1966] - Baby, Without You [Modern 1033]

b/w:	Good Taste Of Love
Format:	45
Label:	Label
Cat No:	Cat No
Year:	1966
Value:	$2035

Pretty rare blue-eyed soul from Danny Monday and one of the rarest singles released on Modern. Originals don't crop up very often and the price reflects this. Beware of bootlegs issued in the mid 70s as white demos with black writing, the originals have red writing which is easily identifiably different from the bootleg. I have included images of both.

It is believed that Danny Monday is white, however you can not tell from the soulful flip side, which I actually prefer and is perfect for today's scene but would have been far too slow in the heyday of Northern Soul. Check out the youTube clip below. The topside is a stomper.

Yet again, unfortunately, nothing known about the artist.

Good Taste Of Love

NS526 Marvin Holmes & Justice [1974] - You'd Better Keep Her [Brown Door MH-6567]

2011-01-08T17:45:00.000Z

526 Marvin Holmes & Justice [1974] - You'd Better Keep Her [Brown Door MH-6567]

b/w:	Kwami
Format:	45
Label:	Brown Door
Cat No:	MH-6576
Year:	1974
Value:	£40

Marvin Holmes was one of the major movers and shakers of Bay area soul and funk through the 60s and 70s, recording with the Uptights, Justice, and under his own name. He recorded 45s for a number of different labels including Revue, Brown Door, Uni, Kon-Kord, and Boola Boola.

'You Better Keep Her' is a 70s shuffler first played at Blackpool Mecca from initial release. The track was taken from their second LP on Brown Door 'Honor Thy Father', the first being 'Summer of '73'.

He also recorded an album 'Ooh Ooh The Dragon & Other Monsters' as Marvin Holmes & The Uptights in 1969 on Uni.

NS527 Jimmy Ruffin [196?] - He Who Picks A Rose [Soul Unreleased]

2011-01-08T16:49:00.001Z

527 Jimmy Ruffin [196?] - He Who Picks A Rose [Soul Unreleased]

b/w:	?
Format:	45
Label:	Soul
Cat No:	S-20661
Year:	196?
Value:	£10

Originally recorded, but unreleased, by Jimmy Ruffin (on Soul?) and later released by Edwin Starr on Gordy and appeared on his '25 Miles' LP. The Carstairs recorded a version on Okeh.

Jimmy is the elder brother of ex Temptation David Ruffin. 'He Who Picks A Rose' featured on The Temptations' 1968 'I Wish It Would Rain' LP. He is best known for his 1966 Motown hit 'What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted' which was originally written for The (Detroit) Spinners. He was never able to repeat it's success and was more popular in the UK than US. He left Motown in 1974, had a hit on Chess / Polydor with 'Tell Me What You Want' and another on RSO 'Hold On To Love' 1980 and eventually moved to the UK in the 80s.

This track is available on a white label Soul reissue (bootleg?) or on Jimmy Ruffin The Motown Anthology CD released in 2004.

Biography

Jimmy Ruffin Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Edwin Starr - He Who Picks A Rose [Gordy]

Carstairs - He Who Picks A Rose [Okeh]

The Carstairs performing The Salvadors 'Stick By Me Baby' live @ Blackpool Mecca 1998

NS528 The Brooks Brothers [196?] - Looking For A Woman [Tay 501]

2011-01-08T16:10:00.001Z

528 The Brooks Brothers [196?] - Looking For A Woman [Tay 501]

b/w:	Unknown
Format:	45
Label:	Tay / Kingy
Cat No:	501 / 47-8.11.56
Year:	196?
Value:	£1500

Very similar to 'I Can't Get No Satisfaction'. I can find no information on Brooks Brothers. There was a white duo called Brook Brothers who also recorded in the 60s but I don't think it's the same duo that recorded this track.

Originally released on Tay 501-A. The only copy I have found on eBay sold in May 2005 for £1,500. It was reissued (bootlegged?) on Kingy 81156 around 2004.

NS529 Lorraine Chandler [1966] - I Can't Hold On [RCA Victor 47-8980]

2011-01-08T15:34:00.001Z

529 Lorraine Chandler [1966] - I Can't Hold On [RCA Victor 47-8980]

b/w:	She Don't Want You
Format:	45
Label:	RCA Victor
Cat No:	47-8980
Year:	1966
Value:	$150-$200

Motor City soul singer, songwriter, and producer Lorraine Chandler was born and bred in Detroit, she met songwriter and producer Jack Ashford, previously known for his own percussion work with the Funk Brothers, and together they penned 'I'm Gone', a 1966 single for singer Eddie Parker.

After collaborating on the O'Jays' 'I'll Never Forget You', Ashford convinced Chandler to sign on full-time with his fledgling Pied Piper Productions not only as a writer but also as a performer. Her first single, Ashford and Mike Terry's 'What Can I Do', appeared on Jo Armstead's Giant label in 1966, becoming a smash in Detroit and Chicago. RCA then picked up the song for national distribution, soon followed by Chandler's sophomore effort, 'I Can't Hold' On. RCA also cut a production deal with Pied Piper that resulted in a series of Chandler-authored singles for the likes of the Cavaliers, the Metros, and Willie Kendrick. While in Chicago for an RCA-funded session, she also cut her third solo single, 1967's 'I Can't Change'. That same year, Chandler also recorded an unreleased version of the title theme to the James Bond film 'You Only Live Twice'. (Nancy Sinatra's rendition was instead present over the opening credits.)

OOTP Bootleg

In addition to the RCA deal, Pied Piper negotiated a similar production agreement with Kapp, forcing Chandler to focus her time and energy behind the scenes. For singer Freddy Butler, she penned the singles 'I Fell in Love' and 'There Was a Time', and for the Hesitations she authored the hits 'Soul Superman', 'Wait a Minute,' and 'Clap Your Hands'. In 1968 she and Ashford attempted to go it alone, founding their own Ashford label. The venture would yield just one single before going bankrupt, but what a single: Eddie Parker's 'Love You Baby 'was a flop upon its initial release, but enjoyed new life in the 1970s thanks to its massive popularity among the DJs and clubgoers populating Britain's Northern soul revival scene. Chandler and Ashford then resumed their careers as writers and producers for hire -- the former's compositions of note include:

The Sepias 1968 'Tell Me You're Mine',

Billy Sha-Rae 1969 'Do It',

Sandra Richardson 1971 Buddah label release 'The Ring',

Baby Washington 1973 'I've Got to Break Away',

Ray Gant & the Arabian 'Don't Leave Me Baby'

When Ashford relocated from Detroit to Los Angeles in 1976, Chandler was left in limbo, and did not resurface until 1980, when she co-produced Parker's 'The Old, the New, the Blues 'LP, even headlining a pair of duets. During the mid-'80s, British record exec Ady Croasdell unearthed a cache of unissued Pied Piper productions in the RCA vaults, among them Lorraine Chandler's 'You Only Live Twice' - when issued on vinyl, the song became a cult hit, inspiring the singer to cross the Atlantic to sing live at a Northern soul weekender. In the decades to follow, Chandler has been a staple of the Northern soul touring circuit, with her original singles reissued on CD to much renewed interest.

Taken from TheSoulGuy

Ian Levine re-recording 90s

NS530 The Trammps [1975] - Hold Back The Night [Buddah 507]

2011-01-08T14:15:00.000Z

530 The Trammps [1975] - Hold Back The Night [Buddah 507]

b/w:	Tom's Song
Format:	45
Label:	Buddah
Cat No:	507/ BDS 437 (UK)
Year:	1975
Value:	£5

This track should need no introduction as it crossed over onto the pop charts, however it was played as a new release on the Northern scene (probably starting life at the Blackpool Mecca) and 'dutifully' dropped as soon as it became 'popular' with pop audiences. The Trammps are probably most famous for 'Disco Inferno' which was featured in in the movie Saturday Night Fever and subsequently went on to become a worldwide hit in the summer of 1977. 'Disco Inferno and 'Hold Back The Night' were their biggest hits followed by 'That's Where The Happy People Go' and 'Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart'.

An instrumental version of Hold Back The Night was titled 'Scrub Board' and was released in the UK as a 45 on the B side of '60 Minute Man' BDA 321 from 1972.

The flip side 'Tom's Song' is a mellow philly instrumental.

The Trammps started their career as The Volcanos on Arctic releasing 'Baby' in 1965. 'Storm Warning' (with 'Baby' re-released on the flip) from the same year later became popular on the scene as did '(Its Against )The Laws Of Love'. They recorded 6 45s on Arctic. and 2 on Harthon. They also recorded as The Body Motions. They changed their name to The Trammps in 1972 releasing 'Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart'.

Trammps Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Volcanos Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Arctic Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

1992 Remake By Ian Levine featuring Jimmy Williams (from Double Exposure) on lead vocals who replaced Jimmy Ellis in 1982 when he retired, along with the remaining original members of the group going back to when they were The Volcanos.

Scrub Board ('Hold Back The Night' Instrumental)

Tom's Song

NS531 The Fiestas [1965] - Think Smart [Old Town 1178]

2011-01-08T14:13:00.000Z

531 The Fiestas [1965] - Think Smart [Old Town 1178]

b/w:	Anna
Format:	45
Label:	Old Town
Cat No:	1178
Year:	1965
Value:	$400

The Fiestas were Tommy Bullock, Eddie Morris, Sam Ingalls and Preston Lane, although there were various line-up changes in their history from 1958 - 1978, these were the core members. Bobby Moore was part of the line-up in 1960.

Their doo wop background is evident on this release with some nice soul harmonies to that requisite on the fours driving Northern beat .

The Fiestas Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

NS532 Jr. Walker & The All Stars [1974] - I Ain't Going Nowhere [Tamla Motown TMG 894]

2011-01-08T14:08:00.000Z

532 Jr. Walker & The All Stars [1974] - I Ain't Going Nowhere [Tamla Motown TMG 894]

b/w:	Gotta Hold On To This Feeling (Official A Side)
Format:	45
Label:	Tamla Motown
Cat No:	TMG 894
Year:	1974
Value:	£10

Junior Walker is the stage name for Autry DeWalt Mixon Jr. born 14th June 1931 died 23rd Nov 1995.

He formed 'Rhythm Rockers' band with some friends in the 50s and was discovered by Johnny Bristol in 1961 who introduced him to Harvey Fuqua and signed to his label. It was whilst with Fuqua that the band changed their name to Junior Walker & the All Stars. Fuqua's label was acquired by Berry Gordy and hence they joined Motown's Soul label.

'I Ain' t Going Nowhere' was the flip to 'Gotta Hold On To This Feeling' and as such got picked up by the Northern scene. It was not released as a 45 in the US. 'Gotta Hold On To This Feeling' was released on Soul 35070 in 1970 with 'Clinging To The Thought That She's Coming Back' on the flip.

'I Ain't Going Nowhere' was written by Gloria Jones and Pam Sawyer . Jones was to later release her version of it on EMI in the UK in 1976 (see below). Gloria Jones married T-Rex's Marc Bolan which brought her to the UK. She recorded, the now legendary,'Tainted Love' on Champion in 1965 which was later made famous worldwide by Soft Cell in 1982 with their new wave version.

Biography

UK Tamla Motown Discography @ VinylNet

Soul Discography @ Global Dog

Gloria Jones

NS533 Edwin Starr [1965] - Backstreet [Ric Tic RT 107]

2011-01-08T13:21:00.000Z

533 Edwin Starr [1965] - Backstreet [Ric Tic RT 107]

b/w:	Back Street Instrumental
Format:	45
Label:	Ric-Tic
Cat No:	RT-107
Year:	1965
Value:	£0

The late Charles Hatcher aka Edwin Starr with his second release on the legendary Detroit Ric-Tic label, later bought by Motown (the first being Agent Double-O-Soul RT-103). This is archetypal Northern Soul. It simply has everything, every ingredient that was required, Detroit and Motown connection, the beat, the vocals, the breaks. A dancefloor favourite and still sounds good today.

Edwin Starr Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Ric-Tic Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

103 - Edwin Starr - Agent Double-O-Soul / Instrumental - 1965

107 - Edwin Starr - Backstreet / Instrumental - 1966

109 - Edwin Starr - I Have Faith In You / Stop Her On Sight - 1966

114 - Edwin Starr - Headline News / Harlem - 1966

118 - Edwin Starr - Girls Are Getting Prettier / It's My Turn Now - 1966

120 - Edwin Starr - My Kind Of Woman / You're My Mellow – 1966

Edwin Starr should need no introduction and there must be plenty of info on the web, so just enjoy one of his finest moments. The other killer track from him (for me) is 'Time' which will be featured in a future post.

I saw Edwin around 1975 at one of the US Air Force bases in Suffolk (can't remember now whether it was Lakenheath or Mildenhall (the latter I think)) and then again at St Ives all-nighter in 1976 and my copy of this record was autographed by him.

Owing to his popularity on these shores, Edwin moved over to the UK to live in the 70s and later joined up with Blackpool Mecca DJ turned record producer / label owner Ian Levine and wrote and recorded many tuens with Ian on his Motor City label.

Live in studio re-recording 'Back Street' in 1990 for Ian Levine's Motor City label.

This is what Ian wrote about 'The Man':

'This was originally Edwin's second release on the Ric-Tic label, and one of his all time beloved Northern Soul classics, and we recut it in the 1990s and filmed him doing it in my old studio in Chiswick. The late great Mister Charles Hatcher, more commonly known as Edwin Starr, was one of the greatest artists in the history of soul music. While we were doing Motorcity, I wrote over a hundred songs with him, and I find it so hard to accept that he's no longer with us, that sometimes I almost want to pick up the phone to him, and have to stop myself. Someone like Edwin was so full of life and vigour and vitality, that it's easy to think he'll always be around, and that much harder to accept that he truly is gone. But never, NEVER, forgotten. We released six singles of Edwin's on the Motorcity label, and recorded about fifty songs in the end, and it's one hundred percent true to say that he really cared very deeply about what we were trying to do with Motorcity, and indeed, was our greatest ambassador for it, ceaselessly championing it everywhere he went. A true gentleman and a true friend. This song was one of his earliest releases originally, back in 1965 on the legendary Ric-Tic label, from out of Detroit, which got absorbed by Motown, and this became a record that over the decades, people cared about very passionately.'

Check out Ian's You Tube channel for more great artists and info.

NS534 Terry Callier [1972] - Ordinary Joe [Cadet CA 5692]

2011-01-08T13:15:00.001Z

534 Terry Callier [1972] - Ordinary Joe [Cadet CA 5692]

b/w:	Golden Circle Of Your Love
Format:	45
Label:	Cadet
Cat No:	CA 5692
Year:	1972
Value:	£0

Taken from his 1972 album 'Occasional Rain'. This was a huge tune which still gets plays today. Jerry Butler also did a version on his 1970 album 'You And Me' (see below).

The first time I heard Terry Callier was back in the mid/late 80s on Steve Aggasild's Soul City Show on North Sound Radio in Aberdeen. It was 'Sign Of The Times' from his 1978 'Turn You To Love' LP. Apparently this track was used by DJ Frankie Crocker (who had a Northern hit with 'Ton Of Dynamite' as Frankie 'Loveman' Crocker) and became Callier's only chart hit (#78 R&B in 1979). At the time I felt it was a bit 'folky' and African for my taste.

Callier hailed from Chicago and was friends with some of Chicago's greats Curtis Mayfield, Jerry Butler and Major Lance. He debuted with 'Look At Me Now'.

He released 3 critically acclaimed albums 'Occasional Rain' 1972, 'What Color Is Love ' and 'I Just Can't Help Myself' 1974 for Cadet but were not successful commercially and he was released from Cadet. He released another 2 albums on Elektra 'Fire On Ice' 1977 and 'Turn You To Love' 1978.

He continued to perform until 1983 when he retired from music. In the late 80s his music was 'discovered' by DJ's in the UK.

He returned to music and started recording again in the late 90s and has released 5 albums since 1998.

Biography

Cadet 45 Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Callier only release 3 45s on Cadet, all of them have been played and in demand on the Northern scene.

5623 - Terry Callier - Look At Me Now / / You Goin ' Miss Your Candy Man – 1968

5692 - Terry Callier - Ordinary Joe / Golden Circle Of Your Love – 1972

5697 - Terry Callier - I Just Can't Help Myself / Get Closer To You – 1973

Some of the 'heavy weights' who also recorded for Cadet included Ramsey Lewis, Etta James, The Dells and Marlena Shaw.

Jerry Butler Version

NS535 Dalton Boys [1965] - I've Been Cheated [V.I.P. 25025]

2011-01-07T00:07:00.000Z

535 Dalton Boys [1965] - I've Been Cheated [V.I.P. 25025]

b/w:	Take My Hand / Something's Bothering You
Format:	45
Label:	V.I.P. / OOTP
Cat No:	25025 / 039
Year:	1965
Value:	£0

Originally released on Motown's V.I.P. imprint and became a huge sound (at The Torch I believe) resulting in bootlegging on OOTP (Out Of The Past) in the early/mid 70's for the UK Northern Soul scene. OOTP issued quite a number of bootleg pressings to cash in on demand.

Intrigued as to who The Dalton Boys were I did some digging around Soulful Detroit archives and discovered the following.

Bob Babbitt (one of The Funk Brothers) was a member of The Dalton Boys at Motown but NOT the same group that recorded these tracks as they did no recording. The members were Bob Babbitt, Marcus Terry, Dave Sandy and Vern Parker. Marcus Terry left and was replaced by a singing drummer called George (surname unknown). Later Bob Babbit left the group.

The Dalton Boys who recorded on V.I.P. started as a whitefolk group. They were brothers Dan, Jack and Wally Dalton. Their father owned a funeral home in Dearborn, Warren & Schaefer.

The brothers appeared on ABC TV's Hootenany, Mike Douglas, etc. They worked the folk circuit in NYC, San Fran, LA and Cleveland where they operated their own club for a while. Dan Dalton joined a group called The Back Porch Majority, sort of a New Christy Minstrals reserve team. Jack and Wally brought their folk act back to Detroit and played all over the area as well as Windsor, where they resided. After the folk/comedy faze died out, Jack and a buddy named Gary Montgomery formed a rock version of The Dalton Boys and recorded 'I've Been Cheated' which received heavy rotation on most of the Detroit stations, and as such, was a minor local hit. They were the first white group signed by Motown.

Jack Dalton and Gary Montgomery moved to CA and created a new group called Colours which was signed and received substantial acclaim, but after two albums they disbanded. Interestingly enough, their drummer's name was Jimmy Keltner and the bass player was Carl Radle - both of whom went on to much bigger things. Keltner played with George Harrison, Eric Clapton among others.

Jack Dalton moved back to Detroit area and did solo gigs for a number of years, as well as recording 'Lots'. He also was featured in The Red Garter Band all over town. He's still in the business and as I understand it, is still recording.

Wally Dalton moved to LA and worked as a writer for Barner Miller, Mork & Mindy, It's a Living and was head writer for Laverne & Shirley. He's now living in Seattle where he still writes and acts in a variety of TV and MOW episodes.

Take My Hand

Something’s Bothering You

NS536 Johnny Honeycutt [196?] - I'm Coming Over [Triode 111]

2011-01-06T23:07:00.000Z

536 Johnny Honeycutt [196?] - I'm Coming Over [Triode 111]

b/w:	If You Love Me
Format:	45
Label:	Triode
Cat No:	111
Year:	196?
Value:	£1551

Johnny Honeycutt is yet another mystery artist to me. I have discovered that he is white although not obvious from this recording. A driving RnB beater from I would guess around 1964 but may be a year either side.

This record has only ever appeared on eBay once. Here are the vendor's (www.raresoul45.co.uk) comments when it was listed in June 2009:

DESCRIPTION - FIRST TIME THIS RECORD HAS EVER APPEARED ON EBAY THAT JUST SHOWS HOW TRULY RARE THIS IS, A TRUE HOLY GRAIL RECORD WITH ONLY A HANDFUL OF KNOWN COPIES IN EXISTENCE THIS IS A VERY RARE OPPOTINITY FOR ANY COLLECTOR OR DJ TO FINALLY ADD THIS NORTHERN SOUL TROPHY TO THERE COLLECTION THIS WONT COME ALONG AGAIN IN A HURRY

The record was reissued on Triode 1001 to meet demand. One of these will cost you around £40.

A couple of other of his recordings can be found at:

Ben The Balladeer

Johnny Honeycutt - Advice On Man's Love Life [Fury-415'74]

Johnny Honeycutt - A Woman And A Man's Love Life [New Life N-7275]

NS537 The Twans [196?] - I Can't See Him Again [Dade 1903]

2011-01-06T22:46:00.000Z

537 The Twans [196?] - I Can't See Him Again [Dade 1903]

b/w:	Darling Tell Me Why
Format:	45
Label:	Dade
Cat No:	1903
Year:	196?
Value:	$1626

Discovered by Blackpool Mecca DJ Ian Levine on one of his regular US trips to Miami in 1975, this became a massive sound at Wigan Casino in 1977. A typical mid 60s girlie group sound so popular at the time which sounded great in big all-nighter halls. I'm not sure of the year it was issued but would guess around 1964/65.

The Twans are a mystery and I don't know if they ever released anything else. According to Jeff Lemlich (author of 'Savage Lost' a 416 page book covering the music scene in Miami in the 60s) in a comment in response to Colin Dilnot's article, The Twans were one of many Miami girl groups of the 60s and one of the singers replaced Annette Snell ('It's All Over Now' Epic) as lead singer of The Fabulettes ('The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall' fame). You can read more about Annette Snell here.

The record itself is ultra rare the last copy selling on eBay for a wopping $1525 in April 2010, only 3 or 4 original copies have been auctioned on eBay.

Written by Brad Shapiro and Steve Alaimo and issued on Henry Stone's Dade label, this is the most elusive record to find on the label. According to Jeff Lemlich this is the only Miami girl group record that he does not own and he has never been able to find it despite living in Miami all his life!

You can hear the flip side Darling Tell Me Why over at InDangerousRhythms.

NS538 The Trends [1967] - Thanks For A Little Loving [ABC 10993]

2011-01-06T22:10:00.000Z

538 The Trends [1967] - Thanks For A Little Loving [ABC 10993]

b/w:	I Never Know How Good I Have It
Format:	45
Label:	ABC
Cat No:	10993
Year:	1967
Value:	$300-$800

Played at Stafford around 1985 covered up as Freddie Gorman. This is a great mid-tempo typical 60s (Motownesque) dancer.

The Trends were from Chicago's west side and consisted of Eddie Dunn, Emmett Garner Jr., Ralph O'Neill and Jerome Johnson.

They cut 2 45s on Smash in 1964 before moving to ABC where they released 7 45s between 1965-68. Unfortunately they never had a national hit.

Emmett Garner Jr. released a solo single Maxell in 1970.

The Trends 45 Discography @ soulfulkindmusic

Both sides of their follow up to the featured 45 i.e. Soul Clap / Big Parade is still available over at Derek's Daily 45s

Dance With Me Baby [Smash S-1914]

No One There [ABC]

That's How I Like It [ABC]

NS539 Bobby Womack [1981] - So Many Sides Of You [Motown TMG 1267]

2011-01-06T21:50:00.000Z

539 Bobby Womack [1981] - So Many Sides Of You [Motown TMG 1267]

b/w:	?
Format:	45
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	TMG 1267
Year:	1981
Value:	£20

Taken from The Poet album. It would appear that this was only released as a single in the UK on Motown. Great crossover Northern / Modern tune.

Bobby Womack is one of the truly great soul men and although he has been recording since the early 60s and has had 45 entries on the R&B charts, I don't believe that he has truly recieved the wider recognition that his talent deserves outside of soul circles. It is a travesty that only one of his singles ('Looking For A Love' #10 a 1974 remake of his first R&B hit in 1962 recorded with The Valentinos) has made the Top 10 nationally and only 18 of the other 45 have made the national charts only 2 of which made Top 40.

'Looking For A Love' and 'Woman's Gotta Have It' (a Modern Soul favourite) both made #1 in R&B charts in 1974 and 1972 resepectively.

His other high notes are:
'Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much' from So Many Rivers LP in 1985
'That's The Way I Feel About Cha'
'Nobody Wants You When You're Down And Out'

Full R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the Soul Man as he has never sold out and to highlight the quality of his music I have listed a few of my favourite Womack tracks which barely scratch the surface as these are 45 A sides without delving into B sides and album tracks. If you are a lover of real soul music I defy you not to like every single track listed here!

What Is This
Harry Hippie
Across 110th Street
You're Welcome To Stop On By
Check it Out
Daylight
Home Is Where The Heart Is (Northern & Modern Soul classic)
Trust Your Heart
How Could You Break My Heart
If You Think You're Lonely Now
Where Do We Go From Here
Love Has Finally Come At Last with Patti LaBelle
Tell Me Why
Ain't Nothing Like The Loving We Got with Shirley Brown

Bobby Womack 45 Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

NS540 Bunny Sigler [1967] - Follow Your Heart [Parkway 6001]

2011-01-06T21:22:00.001Z

540 Bunny Sigler [1967] - Follow Your Heart [Parkway 6001]

b/w:	Can You Dig It
Format:	45
Label:	Parkway
Cat No:	6001
Year:	1967
Value:	£0

A huge tune from The Twisted Wheel era. Fairly easy to find a copy at around £25.

Walter Sigler was born on March 27, 1941 in Philadelphia, one of 8 children. Apparently, he got the nickname 'Bunny' from his mother when he was an infant because he was born with a fully grown front tooth and she commented that he looked just like a bunny rabbit, an alternative story is that it came from the Easter bunny because he was born around Easter. He is also known as 'Mr. Emotion'.

His early years were spent singing gospel, although his true desire was to become a professional basketball player which was ended when when he injured his leg.

Sigler first recorded for the V-Tone, Hi-Lo and Bee in 1959 and subsequently recorded for Craig, Bamboo, Decca, Parkway and Neptune in the 60s, Philadelphia International and Gold Mind in the 70s and Sugar Hill, Jersey Connection and Star Island in the 80s.

In his teens he sang with various doo wop groups like the Opals. He recorded for various local labels singing, playing guitar and piano in nightclubs where he was spotted by Leon Huff who introduced him to producers John Medara and Dave White (Len Barry's '123') who then signed him to a deal that lead to the release of his first album, 'Let the Good Times Roll & Feels So Good' on Cameo Parkway. The first single, 'Girl Don't Make Me Wait', received both R&B and pop airplay ans was a huge tune on the UKs Northern Soul scene. The title track (originally a hit for Shirley & Lee) was the second single and was making a respectable showing on the R&B/pop charts (number 20 R&B and number 22 pop) when Cameo Parkway suddenly folded.

Sigler then started writing songs for Gamble & Huff Productions which became Philadelphia International Records in 1970. He co-wrote 'Sunshine' with Phil Hurrt which was released as a follow-up single to the O'Jays' million-selling 'Back Stabbers' as well as 'When the World Is at Peace' and 'Who Am I' which appeared on the Backstabbers album.

He also wrote 'You Got Your Hooks in Me' and co-wrote 'Don't You Call Me Brother' with Kenny Gamble for The O'Jays' follow-up album, 'Ship Ahoy' and continued to write, produce, play and sing on many PIR productions.

In 1972 Sigler was given approval to cut tracks on himself and brought into the studio TNJs (T for Trenton, NJ for New Jersey) and their backing band Instant Funk. His first single was the 'Regina' and another single was a remake of Bobby Lewis' 'Tossin' and Turnin' gave Sigler his first chart hit (number 38 R&B) since 'Let the Good Times Roll'.

PIR issued two albums by Sigler in 1974, 'That's How Long I'll Be Loving You' which featured a remake of the O'Jays' 'Love Train' and 'Keep Smilin'. 'My Music' was issued in 1976 which contained 'Somebody Loves You' an Opal's tribute, 'Just Let Me Love You Tonight'. This album featured the Instant Funk rhythm section.

Sigler worked with a number of acts as a writer and/or producer, including the Whispers, Ecstacy, Passion and Pain, and Carl Carlton and cut tracks for artists on Curtis

Mayfield's Curtom label, including Mayfield himself ('Trippin' Out'). He also made a duet album with Barbara Mason.

In 1976, Sigler got Instant Funk an album deal with Gamble & Huff's TSOP label, 'Get Down on the Philly Jump' which featured clubs hits for the title track and 'It Ain't Reggae (But It Sho Is Funky)'.

In 1978, Sigler switched to Gold Mind (started by MFSB guitarist Norman harris) bringing along Instant Funk and scoring a top 10 R&B hit single with 'Let Me Party With You (Party, Party, Party)' with his first release and an album of the same name was a smash in disco clubs. When Goldmind folded, all of its acts were transferred to Salsoul. Sigler and Instant Funk worked with many acts on Salsoul such as Loleatta Holloway, Double Exposure, and First Choice.

In the early '80s, when Salsoul folded, Sigler continued to write and produce, hitting with 'Somebody Loves You Baby', a million-seller for Patti Labelle, and taking Shirley Jones to number one R&B with 'Do You Get Enough Love' in August of 1986.

Bunny Sigler 45 Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Studio Albums

1967 - Let The Good Times Roll And Feel So Good (Parkway PS-50,000)

1974 - That's How Long I'll Be Loving You (Philadelphia International)

1975 - Keep Smilin (Philadelphia International)

1976 - My Music (Philadelphia International)

1977 - Locked In This Position (with Barbara Mason)

1977 - Let Me Party With You (Gold Mind)

1979 - I've Always Wanted To Sing...Not Just Write Songs (Gold Mind)

1980 - Let It Snow (Sal-Soul)

2003 - Let Me Love You Tonight (Grapevine Records)

2008 - The Lord's Prayer (101 Distribution)

Compilation Albums

1996 - The Best of Bunny Sigler: Sweeter Than the Berry (Sony/Legacy)

1998 - Bunny Sigler (Sony Special Products)

2006 - The Best of Philly Soul - Vol. 2 (That Philly Sound)

NS541 Jackie Wilson [1967] - I Don't Want To Lose You [Brunswick 55309]

2011-01-04T23:03:00.000Z

541 Jackie Wilson [1967] - I Don't Want To Lose You [Brunswick 55309]

b/w:	Just Be Sincere
Format:	45
Label:	Brunswick
Cat No:	55309
Year:	1967
Value:	$100-$250 Bell Boys

Jackie Wilson in his Brunswick years (for me) could virtually do no wrong. This is superb Chicago soul from the golden period kicking off with a mute horn (which then features throughout the 2:20 minutes) and then in comes Jackie's so soulful and distinctive vocals. Co written by Carl Sims and the orchestra led by Gerald Sims, this track was featured on 'Whispers (Gettin' Louder)' LP. On the flip is 'Just Be Sincere'. This is about the best double sider you could ever find. neither fared particulary well on Billboard at the time and hence were picked up on in the North of England and became Northern Soul classics.

Jackie Wilson Discography @ Wikipedia

It was covered by the Bell Boys, who I would guess were latin going by their names. Their version was popular on the scene probably because it was a speeded up version. The slightly off-key vocals and brash horns and 'stripped down' version add to its attraction.

The Bell Boys in 1966 consisted of Sam Marcitulio (guitar), Pat Safara (guitar), Vic Rangle (bass), Joe Merando (drums)). Lenny Rock (lead vocals) joined in 1967. In 1969 they added a brass section and Tony Castnza (saxophone), John Lambo (saxophone), Jim Jackson (trombone), Tom Hunt (trumpet) joined.

It seems that they only recorded 'I Don't Want To Lose You' but it was issued 3 times, all on Jamar (based in Akron Ohio) but initially as 101 with an instrumental version on flip, then on 101 with 'I Got A Feeling' on flip. It finally came out on 31968729 with The Woman I Love on the flipside.

Bell Boys Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Just Be Sincere

Bell Boys

NS542 Danny Woods [1965] - You Had Me Fooled [Correc-Tone 1052]

2011-01-04T22:57:00.001Z

542 Danny Woods [1965] - You Had Me Fooled [Correc-Tone 1052]

b/w:	My Love Will Never Be The Same
Format:	45
Label:	Correc-Tone
Cat No:	1052
Year:	1965
Value:	$500

This is an 'evergreen' early 60s Detroit RnB dancer with all the right ingredients for an all-nighter.

Correc-tone was one of the early influencial Detroit independent labels. Unfortunately there were only 11 releases before it folded owing to cash flow problems. Many of the artists are well known and loved in Northern Soul circles such as Wilson Pickett (who had the first release on the label 501), Yvonne Vernee (featured earlier in the NS600 series) and Danny Woods all having solitary releases and Theresa Lindsay who would issue 3 45s on the label. Read all about Correc-Tone @ SoulfulDetroit

Correc-Tone Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Danny Woods would later go on to join Chairman Of the Board on Invictus after Holland Dozier Holland left Motown in 1967 teaming up with General (Norman) Johnson, Eddie Curtis and Harrison Kennedy. General Johnson had previously been lead singer with The Showmen who had a moster on the scene with 'Our Love Will Grow'.

Danny released a solo LP 'Aries' on Invicus in 1972. The stand-out tracks are his solo version of 'Working On A Building Of Love', 'Roller Coaster' and 'Two Can Be As Lonely As One'.

Two Can Be As Lonely As One

NS544 The Belles [1966] - Don't Pretend [Mirwood]

2011-01-04T22:56:00.003Z

544 The Belles [1966] - Don't Pretend [Mirwood 5505]

b/w:	Words Can't Explain
Format:	45
Label:	Mirwood
Cat No:	5505
Year:	1966
Value:	£?

This is archetypal Northern Soul. If anyone wanted to know what Northern Soul sounded like then this would be the template. Even though Mirwood was based in Hollywood, LA, California, this sound could have easily been mistaken for Detroit.

Having said that though it is hardly surprising because even though in 1966 the official line-up was Sherlie Matthews, Debra Dion, Rose Mary Bailey, Patricia McElroy, apparently the recording of the track was undertaken by Matthews along with Brenda & Patrice Holloway (Josie & The Pussycats) both of course Detroit artists alledgedly signed under fake names as Brenda was already signed to Motown. It was re-issued (bootlegged?) on Simon Soussan's 'Soul Fox' label to meet demand in the 70s.

It was also issued in the U.K. on Blues & Soul's Contemporaries label, which was for re-issues.

It was their only 'official' release on Mirwood, Another track entitled 'Let Me Do It' surfaced and was released as The Belles by Simon Soussan on Soul Fox, however it was original titled 'I Wanna Do Everything For You Baby' and was unreleased until 1990 CD on Goldmine in UK.

The Belles Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Mirwood Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

The following article was copied from The Soul Guy website. I would have linked to it but it is no longer online.

Multiple Gold Record Producer And Singer-Songwriter Sherlie Matthews
In Conversation With Rob Jones

Sherlie Matthews started performing as a soloist in church at the age of two. At age four, she began harmonizing, singing alto parts in vocal duets with her 2 year old sister. Sherlie's grandmother, who was an accomplished musician/composer, recognized their musical talents and was Sherlie's first piano/voice teacher and mentor. She provided piano accompaniment for Sherlie and her sister for many, many years at various local venues, tea parties, weddings, church services, concerts, etc. From her early nurturing Sherlie continued to develop natural abilities for all phases of the performing arts, through school, college, community and professional workshops.

Sherlie's acting career began in elementary school plays, where she was encouraged by teachers to pursue drama as a vocation. While attending Jefferson High School, she starred in several drama productions, was a principal soloist with the school choir and participated in student leadership and athletics while maintaining scholarship excellence. Sherlie continued this same pattern throughout her Los Angeles City College years through Graduation from UCLA.

At the age of 10 yrs Sherlie began setting bible verses to music to help children learn bible texts and has written and arranged over 500 songs, both secular and sacred, three children's musical-comedies, two movie themes, and several commercials, along with innumerable vocal arrangements. Many of her works are currently being performed internationally on recordings, television, internet, radio, and in churches and schools.

After earning a living for several years as a Medical Social Worker, Sherlie embarked on an illustrious career in the music industry, barely reflected by her abundant resume. Writing, singing and producing for Mirwood Records, Sherlie created most of their early hits for artists: Jackie Lee, The Olympics, Bobby Garrett, The Mirettes, The Belles and Bob & Earl.
Frank Wilson, an intimate friend, who was a producer/writer with Motown Records, enhanced Sherlie's professional career when he introduced her to that record company in December,1964. Soon thereafter, she was signed as a singer/songwriter/producer.

Sherlie performed onstage with Diana Ross and Lionel Richie and the Commodores and wrote and produced recordings for: The Jackson Five, The Supremes, Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye, Martha & The Vandellas, The Four Tops, The Blackerries (Venetta Fields, Clydie King and Me), The Celebration and Stacie Johnson. She also collaborated with former boyfriend, songwriter/producer, Deke Richards, on many of the above projects.

Sherlie Matthews' voice has become a familiar sound as a result of her work in voice-overs, commercials and as backup for many popular recording artists. Several of the songs you might be familiar with are "Stayin' Alive" with the BeeGees, "With A Little Help From My Friends" with Joe Cocker, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered" with Stevie Wonder, "Touch Me In The Morning," with Diana Ross, The "Aja" album with Steely Dan, "Take Me In Your Arms (Rock Me a Little While)" and "I Been Workin' On You" with The Doobie Brothers, "The Bitch Is Back" with Elton John and "Sweet Home Alabama" with Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Sherlie lived and worked in Australia from 1984 through 1988. While there, she worked with Venetta Fields and Chong Lim in three groups,'Yu En,' 'Venetta's Taxi,' and 'The Gospel Jubilee.' During this time, she formed and recorded an 8-member group of children called, BABE. Currently, two members of that group are, Danielle de Niese, an acclaimed opera star (now residing in America) and Murray Golding, a successful Australian singer/model. She toured that country as a background singer with pop star Tim Finn," also 'Skunk' Baxter and "My Old School" band. Sherlie also shared the stage with her co-singers, Tony Faeshe and Robert Price, in the group, The Hi Tones.

Returning to the USA, when her family's situation demanded her full time help, Sherlie completed a three year course at UCLA, earning a degree in Computer Graphics/Animation and has just finished directing, writing and arranging songs for a children's choir, "Out Of The Mouth Of Babes." Currently, she is sole producer, singer and arranger on her just released CD "We Come As One" which she describes as '10 sacred songs gone bad.'

With her sister Sherlie wrote and produced eleven sacred songs for the CD, "A Fuzzy Ball Of Fur" featuring a children's choir, A Band Of Angels.

Sherlie Matthews wrote, arranged and produced a selection of sacred originals for the female octet The Circle Of Love. This harmonious group performs both a'cappella and to accompanied music.

How did you first get involved with the Mirwood label?

My friend, the arranger, James Carmichael introduced me to the label. He was working for them at the time. I started as a background singer and advanced to writing and producing.

Do you have any particulary fond memories of your time there?

I was so naive at the time...all of my experiences were fond. It wasn't until afterward that I discovered that I had been, and still am being, cheated out of royalties. That aside, working with Bob & Earl and the Holloway sisters were the happiest of times. I love singing and creating music, so that atmosphere was very pleasant.

You wrote many songs for various Mirwood artists including Anything You Want, Any Way You Want It (Jackie Lee) You're Everything (Jackie Lee) The Neighborhood (Jackie Lee) Baby Do The Philly Dog (The Olympics) We Go Together (Pretty Baby) (The Olympics) Same Old Thing (The Olympics) Mine Exclusively (The Olympics) Don't Pretend (The Belles) Cupid's Got A Hold On Me (The Belles) Words Can't Explain (The Belles) I Wanna Do Everything For You Baby (The Belles) He's Alright With Me (The Mirettes) Now That I've Found You Baby (The Mirettes) Keep It Coming (Bobby Garrett) I Can't Get Away (Bobby Garrett) Big Brother (Bobby Garrett) My Little Girl (Bobby Garrett/Sherlie Matthews) Oh My Darlin' (Jackie Lee) The Shotgun And The Duck( Jackie Lee) Your Personality (Jackie Lee) - do you recall what your inspirations were for any of these songs and where they were actually written?

"Baby Do The Philly Dog" and "The Shotgun And The Duck" were written precisely for dance tunes. "Your Personality" was a concept/novelty tune. The rest of my songs were based upon my own true life experiences.

For some time now, I've been curious about an old photograph I saw of Bill Cosby at the Mirwood studio - did he have any involvement in any recording sessions?

Bill Cosby was a friend of Fred Smith's at the time. Delores Hall and I sang background on his one and only vocal solo album. Other than that, he had no involvement in any of the recording sessions that I worked on.

There is conflicting information regarding the original members of the Belles, with whom you recorded - some sources list the band members as Sherlie Matthews, Debra Dion, Rose Mary Bailey and Patricia McElroy, while others say Sherlie Matthews, Brenda and Patrice Holloway. Could you tell us which line-up sang what?

Sherlie Matthews, Brenda and Patrice Holloway were the original Belles. Because of contractual conflicts their names could not be used.

Were there any other Belles recordings which never made it to release?

Probably, but you'd have to contact Charlie Cronander, Fred Smith's widow to get an answer to that question. We sang on so many Mirwood Recordings...it's hard to keep track.

Do you have any particular favorites among your Mirwood compositions?

"Oh My Darlin" "Baby Do The Philly Dog" "My Little Girl" "Big Brother" (recorded by Bobby Garrett) "Cupid's Got A Hold On Me" and "Same Old Thing"

Could you tell us the story of My Sugar Baby - there still seems to be some confusion as to whether or not the release that surfaced back in 1975 is an authentic Sherlie Matthews recording.
This is my original song and my original recording, however the sound has been sped up...the background voices are me and the Holloways. In that unnatural register it was hard to recognize my own voice. However, after our interview I listened to a version of the original on a CD that Venetta Fields sent to me years ago and yes, that is my voice singing the lead.

After leaving Mirwood, you were introduced to the Motown Record Company by Frank Wilson, what were your experiences like there?

Unbelievable! I sang background with my group, the blackberries, whom I named after Berry Gordy. We not only recorded an album which was never released, but we sang background for every West Coast recording artist for the label. I also wrote songs for and produced albums for The Jackson Five, Diana Ross & The Supremes, The Four Tops, Lionel Richie And The Commodores and many others. I also toured and performed onstage with Diana Ross and also with Lionel Richie.

Which have been your most memorable stage performances and why?

TV series regular singer with The Red Skelton Show. The weekly series was fast moving, we had to learn several songs for each show then perform them during the weekly telecast. It was a lot of hard work, but fun. I enjoyed this series more than the many stage performances with vocal artists.

Which artists have you most enjoyed working with?

Red Skelton, Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolage, Linda Ronstadt, Burt Bacharach, Joe Cocker, Lena Horne, Paul McCartney & Wings, Ella Fitzgerald, Chicago, Steely Dan, Seals And Croft. In Australia, Hi Tones, Tim Finn, Jeff (Skunk) Baxter And My Old School and Venetta's Taxi.

Could you describe a day in the life of Sherlie Matthews?

I awake between 4am and 7am, drink lot of fresh water, fresh orange juice, stretch then go out for a brisk mile walk, return and feed my dog, eat a large breakfast (I'm vegetarian, so breakfast is the largest meal of the day), go to my computer, answer emails, check my websites, embark upon my daily schedule which on any given day may consist of rehearsals, meetings and recordings. I always find time to write the latest installment of a novel that I've almost completed.I get into my music, write, arrange, record or listen to the latest song that I'm working on. In my spare time...usually when I'm bored with my daily grind, I also make movies of favorite pictures from the net and synchronize them to music for my own enjoyment. Every morning and evening I spend time reading. I usually fall into bed between 11pm and 2am.

Could you tell us about A Band Of Angels and Circle Of Love

Click here for A Band Of Angels: http://cdbaby.com/cd/abandofangels Likewise, for The Circle Of Love, click here: http://cdbaby.com/cd/circleoflove and here: http://sherliematthews.com/music.html

Do you have any plans to return to the UK?

Absolutely, yes. I also have plans to perform with my new Gospel group in Italy, Australia, Sweden, Japan and China so far...

You have a new solo CD set for release soon, is there anything you can tell us about this at the moment?

My new solo CD, "We Come As One" (10 sacred songs gone bad) has just been released. My cover label features a comically drawn self-portrait. I'm offering the public, raw renditions of 10 original sacred songs. I call it "the worst CD you've ever heard," because the sing-worthy songs were recorded over the years in my home studios, with obvious flaws. CDBaby is handling the distribution. http://cdbaby.com/cd/wecomeasone (this website will be functioning in a few days - CDBaby is setting up.)

NS543 Martha Starr [1965] - Love Is The Only Solution [Thelma 112]

2011-01-04T22:56:00.001Z

543 Martha Starr [1965] - Love Is The Only Solution [Thelma]

b/w:	I'm Lonely
Format:	45
Label:	Thelma
Cat No:	112
Year:	1965
Value:	£?

Martha Starr had the final 3 consecutive releases on Detroit's now legendary Thelma label. This release along with 111 'No Part Time Love For Me' have been huge sounds on the scene over the years.

111 - Martha Star - No Part Time Love For Me / It's Too Bad Baby
112 - Martha Star - Love Is The Only Solution / I'm Lonely
113 - Martha Star - I Wanna Be Your Girl / Sweet Louie

The mainstay on the label was Emanuel Laskey who had no fewer than 7 of the label's 24 releases. Other notable acts on the label included Joe Matthews ('Ain't Nothing You Can Do' fame), Rose Batiste and Will Hatcher.

Thelma Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Martha Starr [1965]- It's Too Bad Baby [Thelma 111]

Martha Starr [] - Sweet Temptation [Charay C-35]

Played by Butch in early 90s covered up as Tobi Lark. This is quality mid-tempo / crossover 'right up my street'!

It turns out that 'Sweet Temptation' was also recorded on Charay by Cressa Watson who also recorded as Carolyn Sullivan on Philips. I think this version just edges it for me over Martha Starr's !

Cresa Watson [] - You're No Good [Charay C-90]

The thing is when you start browsing around You Tube is that it leads you in sorts of directions. Having liked the Cressa Watson's Sweet Temptation it lead me down another path ...

Cresa Watson [] - Dead []

This track appeard on Funk Spectrum III compilation
The plot thickens ... she also recorded this as Carolyn Sullivan AND apparently Ede Robin also recorded it. It was written by Moses Dillard (featured in an earlier post) and there's the connection with Ede Robin who recorded the vocal version of Dillards' Sons Of Moses - 'Soul Symphony', the vocal being named 'There Must Be A Love Somewhere'.

Lydia Pense (of Cold Blood) along with Tower of Power covered this tune on an album called 'Lights Out San Francisco' that goes on for 7:11 min.

Carolyn Sullivan [] - Dead [Philips]

Ede Robin [] - Dead []

NS545 International G.T.O.'s [1966] - I Love My Baby [Rojac 45-1007]

2011-01-04T22:55:00.001Z

545 International G.T.O.'s [1966] - I Love My Baby [Rojac 45-1007]

b/w:	It's Been Raining In My Heart (Official A Side)
Format:	45
Label:	Rojac
Cat No:	45-1007
Year:	1966
Value:	£200

Written and produced by Freddie Briggs and Jack Taylor. This is a highly regarded stomper on the scene from the, up until now, elusive International G.T.O.s.

The following information was culled from comments from Tommy Lockhart in response to the You Tube video of The International GTOs.

The GTO means 'Gran Trismo Orgettos' which is latin.

'The International GTO"s were baritone, Willie Powell, 2nd tenor,Tunde Aleem (then Arthur Allen), 1st tenor Norman Dade and lead, Tommy Lockhart. They recorded between 1963-65. They were also known as the Master Four who recorded for Jet Set 'It's Not The End' (doo wop).'

'Willie Powell has since passed. Tunde and his brother are a successful songwriting and producers in the field, Norman travels throughout the world in the gospel field and Tommy sings with the Sheps (an acapella vocal group) and the Legendary Teenagers (with the existing members of Frankie Lyman's group). '

Rojac Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

1007 - International G.T.O's - It's Been Raining In My Heart / I Love My Baby - 1966
130 - Master Four -The Mojo Man / It's Not The End - 1969

Other notable releases:

112 - Big Maybelle - Ninety-Six Tears / That's Life - 1966

118 - Big Maybelle - I Can't Wait Any Longer /Quittin' Time - 1968

Master Four [1963] - It's Not The End [Tay-ster 6012]

NS546 Jimmy Robins [1966] - I Can't Please You [Jerhart 207]

2011-01-04T22:55:00.000Z

546 Jimmy Robins [1966] - I Can't Please You [Jerhart 207]

b/w:	I Made It Over
Format:	45
Label:	Impression / Jerhart / UK President
Cat No:	108 / 207-A / PT 118
Year:	1966
Value:	$40 US Issue - £100 UK issue

Jimmy Robins was born as James Ray Robbins on 31st July 1934 in Texas and recorded about 14 45s between 1958 and 1972 under several pseudonyms such as Robbin Ray, James Robins, Jimmy Robins, Jimmy 'Preacherman 'Robins and finally in a duo Patrizia and Jimmy, recording for labels such as Combo in 50s, Federal, Jerhart (the featured track is his first of 2 45s on the label which was originally issued on Impression 108), 20th Century, Kent, Tangerine in 60s, Convoy and Ala in 70s.

I Can't Please You is a gritty, driving 60s RnB dancer which appear to be the staple of today's Northern Soul scene. Unusually for a Northern record this one made 21 in the US Billboard charts in 1967 which would suggest that there are quite a number of copies still in circulation.

An informative article on Jimmy Robins may be found over at: Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven.

The Impression label release is the rarest, it is much rarer than the U.K President issue. Impression label copies very rarely come up for sale and are usually demos. Apparently the issue copies had their labels reversed and were withdrawn for this reason which probably explains their scarcity.

NS547 The Just Brothers [1971] - Carlena [Garrison 3003]

2011-01-04T22:45:00.001Z

547 The Just Brothers [1971] - Carlena [Garrison 3003]

b/w:	She Broke His Heart
Format:	45
Label:	Garrison
Cat No:	3003
Year:	1971
Value:	$2850

Detroit, Steve Mancha and Mike Terry! A good pedigree for any Northern Soul tune and this one doesn't disappoint. From the price tag you can detect that this one is pretty rare and hard to find.

The Just Brothers were brothers Jimmy and Frank Bryant and several session musicians. Their instrumental song "Sliced Tomatoes" was a Northern dancefloor hit in 1972 that was later sampled in Fatboy Slim's "The Rockafeller Skank."

Frank Bryant became a session musician in the mid-60s in his hometown Detroit while his brother Jimmie was completing military service. His early credits included the bassline on Gino Washington's "Gino Is a Coward" and vocals on J.J. Barnes' "Lonely No More" at Mickay's Records. Frank also co-wrote J.J.'s "Deeper in Love", and Steve Mancha's "Let's Party."

After Jimmie's return, the Bryant Brothers were recruited into a session group for Winifred Terry of the Drifters by the group's drummer Richard Allen. The session was intended to record a song called "Honey" and a "B" side. The musical tracks were completed when the hired vocalist was deemed unfit to record the song. Frank took the opportunity to point out his and Jimmi's vocal talent. Convinced by Frank, Terry agreed to give them a stab at recording the two songs. At the subsequent session Bryant Brothers sang on "Honey" and their songs "Things Will Get Better" and "She Broke His Heart."

The track recorded to be the "B" side was titled "Sliced Tomatoes" and released in 1965 backed with "Things Will Get Better" on the Lupine label. Later that year a pairing of "She Broke His Heart" and "Things Will Get Better" was released on Terry's Empire Record Label. "Carlena" was released on Terry's Garrison label. None of the tracks were successful and the Bryant Brothers returned to session work.

In 1969 with new member Willie Kendrick, the Just Brothers negotiated a deal at Johnny Nash's Jomada label. They recorded one unreleased track before being kicked off the label. Their track was later redone by a white vocalist. Terry helped out the group again organizing the re-release of "Sliced Tomatoes" on the Music Merchant label in 1972. The Just Brothers recorded two new tracks "Tears Ago" and "You've Got The Love To Make Me Over" for the Pied Piper label originally meant for an uncompleted album. These ended up backing "Sliced Tomatoes" on its single releases.

The Bryant Brothers later fronted a local group named the Firebirds. Jimmy Bryant died in 1996.

NS548 The Elgins [1966] - Heaven Must Have Sent You [V.I.P. VP 25037]

2011-01-04T22:45:00.000Z

548 The Elgins [1966] - Heaven Must Have Sent You [V.I.P. 25037]

b/w:	Stay In My Lonely Arms
Format:	45
Label:	V.I.P.
Cat No:	25037
Year:	1966
Value:	£Cheap

Probably one of my all-time favourite Motown sounds. This to me is just the epitome of soulful pop music. This one got into my brain in the early 70s when I was discovering soul music and it got a (posthumous?) release in the UK and has held an affection place in my heart ever since. Diana Ross & The Supremes also did a version and I have included a couple of different versions that I have found on You Tube below. The most famous of these being Bonnie Pointer's version in 1979 and a live performance from Glasgow's Lulu..

Lyrics:

I've cried through many endless nights
Just holding my pillow tight
Then you came into my lonely days
With your tender love and sweet ways
Now I don't know where you come from baby
Don't know where you been now baby
Heaven must have sent you into my arms
Now in the morning when I awake
There's a smile upon my face
You touch my heart with gladness
Wiped away all of my sadness
Oh so long I've needed love right near me
A soft voice to cheer me
Heaven must have sent you baby into my life
Ooh it's heaven in your arms
It's the sweetness of your charms
Makes me love you more each day
In your arms I wanna stay
Wanna thank you for the joy you've brought me
Thank you for the things you taught me
Thank you for holding me close
When I needed you the most
Now I don't know much about you baby
But I know I can't live without you
Heaven must have sent you honey
To love only me
It's heaven in your arms
It's the sweetness of your charms
Makes me love you more each day
In your arms I wanna stay

V.I.P. Discography @ GlobalDog

Bonnie Pointer

Lulu

NS549 Larry Williams & Johnny Watson [1967] - A Quitter Never Wins [Okeh 4-7274]

2011-01-04T22:44:00.001Z

549 Larry Williams & Johnny Watson [1967] - A Quitter Never Wins [Okeh 4-7274]

b/w:	Mercy Mercy Mercy
Format:	45
Label:	Okeh
Cat No:	4-7274
Year:	1967
Value:	£30

A great mid 60s stomper on the legendary Okeh label from Larry Williams and Johnnny 'Guitar' Watson. Featured on the classsic 'Two For The Price Of One' album. Originally played at The Torch.

Okeh 45 Discography @ Global Dog

It was issued on Columbia in the UK in 1967.

The above demo sold for £117 in May 2006

NS550 Lew Kirton [1978] - Heaven In The Afternoon [Alston 3743]

2011-01-04T22:44:00.000Z

550 Lew Kirton [1978] - Heaven In The Afternoon [Alston 3743]

b/w:	Heaven In The Afternoon (Inst)
Format:	45 / 12
Label:	Alston / TK
Cat No:	3743 / 103
Year:	1978
Value:	$40-$100

Lew Kirton hails from Barbados, West Indies where at 13 he had a number one single called 'What About You'. He later moved to Canada and became lead singer with The Missing Links. In 1969 he moved to the US and became drummer for The Same & Dave Revue . In 1972 he accepted an 'invitation' to become the lead singer with The Invitations and was lead on the modern soul favourite 'They Say The Girl's Crazy' on Silver Blue. He turned solo in the late 70s and 'Heaven In The Afternoon' became a favourite in both Modern and Northern rooms and is still a floorfiller today. He later also recorded 'It's Where You're Coming From' for B. Baker's Chocolate Company on T.K.

He recorded 2 albums in the 80s; 'Just Arrived' Alston 1980 which included in demand tracks 'Something Special' and 'NYC' and 'Talk To Me' Believe In A Dream records (CBS) 1983. It is rather confusing as Just Arrived has also been repackaged a number of times as 'Heaven In The Afternoon' with slightly different track listings.

He released 'Don't Wanna Wait' on Tweedside (US) MCA (UK) in 1986 but was was inactive during the returning in 2004 with 'Forever' on Dac-Bag Productions.

'So Into You' Tweedside 27/10/10

NS551 Charles Johnson [1980] - Never Had A Love So Good [Alston ALSX 3751]

2010-12-18T18:09:00.001Z

551 Charles Johnson [1980] - Never Had A Love So Good [Alston ALSX 3751 B]

b/w:	Baby I Cried, Cried, Cried (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Alston
Cat No:	ALSX 3751-B / Reissue 3743
Year:	1980
Value:	$450-$600

Our first foray into some modern soul, leaping from the mid 60s to 1980 for this track by Charles Johnson on Alston. This is a trmendous piece of soul music with a great deep soul flip (which is the official A side).

Both tracks were written and produced by Horace Straws and Nathaniel Dean who turn up on a number of other interesting records e.g. Snoopy Dean - Lady, Lady, Lady; David Hudson / Paulette Reeves - Let Me Wrap You In My Love.

Other tracks include:

Charles Johnson [1975] - I Betcha Don't Know / Instr. [Mighty Mo 902]
Is a very rare sweet soul ballad produced by J.R. bailey and Ken Williams which much rarer than the Alston 45.

Charles Johnson [1980] - Baby I Cried, Cried, Cried [Alston ALSX 3751-A]

Charles Johnson [1980] - Good Good Lovin' [Dash 5065]

I can't find any further information on Charles Johnson. The only 3 records I've managed to find all come from the Miami area on TK based labels between 1975 and 1980. There is a Charles Johnson & The Revivers gospel group. I'm not sure if it's the same Charles Johnson who has turned to gospel or maybe always was a gospel singer who recorded a couple on secular tracks?

Charles Johnson [1980] - I Cried, Cried, Cried [Alston 3743]

Charles Johnson [1980] - Good Good Lovin' [Dash 5065]

NS552 The Construction [1978] - Hey Little Way Out Girl [UK Grapevine GRP 112]

2010-12-18T15:48:00.000Z

552 The Construction [196?] - Hey Little Way Out Girl [UK Grapevine GRP 112]

b/w:	My Heart Would Sing (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	SYNC6 / Grapevine
Cat No:	S-924-B / GRP 112
Year:	196? / 1978
Value:	$760

Confused? Let me explain. Released in the UK in 1978 on Grapevine as Del Capris owing to huge demand. This was in fact a Richard Searling (Wigan Casino) cover up of The Construction (a white band) on the tiny New York label Sync6. This record is extremely rare. I have only seen 4 come up for sale in the last 6 years. The Del Capris had already had a Northern’hit’with ‘Hey Little Girl” on Ronjerdon and then Kama Sutra, hence the cover up name was born.

Theres a great article on Grapevine done by Pete Smith over at Planet Records

NS553 Jay D Martin [196?] - By Yourself [Tower 403]

2010-12-18T15:12:00.001Z

553 Jay D Martin [196?] - By Yourself [Tower 403]

b/w:	Hold On To Your Heart
Format:	45
Label:	Tower
Cat No:	403
Year:	196?
Value:	$191

Very little known about Jay. D Martin. I believe that this is a white demo only as I've never seen an issue. It sells for between $100-$200 (£45-£85) so it's not 'that' rare. It was reissued (legitimately or otherwise) to satisfy demand in the mid 70s when this record was huge all over the UK.

It sounds distinctly blue-eyed (almost country) to these ears but was a very popular stomper in its day. I wonder if this is the same artist? JD Martin

Read about Huey Meaux - The Crazy Cajun

NS554 The Magnificents [1965] - My Heart Is Calling [Dee Gee 3008 A]

2010-12-18T02:51:00.006Z

554 The Magnificents [1965] - My Heart Is Calling [Dee Gee 3008 A]

b/w:	On Main Street
Format:	45
Label:	Dee Gee
Cat No:	3008 A
Year:	1965
Value:	£?

In 1965, Thurman 'Ray' Ramsey put together a Magnificents group that included Richard Dixon and Clarence Jasper (both formerly of the Dukays), and James Pleasant. They did appearances (including some TV shows), and recorded a couple of sides for the Detriot-based Dee Gee label.

A full biography for The Magnificents by Marv Goldberg here.

It would appear that The Four Tops recorded but never released the song. It is now available on Fourever Box Set

Levi Stubbs / Four Tops [] - My Heart Is Calling [Unreleased]

NS555 Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash & Wear Love [Gatur 1202 B]

2010-12-18T02:51:00.004Z

555 Lynn Varnado [1973] - Wash & Wear Love [Gatur 1202 B]

b/w:	Tell Me What's Worng With The Men (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Label
Cat No:	Cat No
Year:	1966
Value:	£2,000 Original £25 Reissue

First heard this at St. Ives in 1976 played by Tony Dellar and have loved it ever since. It has just got so much 'crossover' appeal. Northern, Modern, crossover, southern soul. It's a classic to my ears and still sounds as fresh today as when I first heard it and bought it nearly 35 years ago!

Lynn Vernado's real name is Allean Vernado.

This was taken from 'Wanted Records' in Aug 2010 where a copy sold for approx. $2,500:

Wash And Wear Love by Lynn Varnado. Mega Rare Northern Soul 45 on Gator #1202. A Miles Grayson production. Not only one of the rarest Los Angeles records but one of the rarest Northern Soul records out there. According to Miles Grayson he said that he handed out a few copies and ended up throwing the rest in the garbage. Even the ones he handed out he remembers some kids tossing them like frisbees. In other words, good luck finding an original copy of this LA rarity.

Second Hand Love

Stunning previously unreleased dancer produced by Clay McMurray. Written by Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

Staying Home Like A Woman

NS556 Yvonne Vernee [1964] - Just Like You Did Me [SonBert 5842]

2010-12-18T01:32:00.003Z

556 Yvonne Vernee [1964] - Just Like You Did Me [SonBert 5842]

b/w:	I'm In Love
Format:	45
Label:	SonBert
Cat No:	5842
Year:	1966
Value:	$3,200

Written by none other than Tony Clark(e) well know on the scene for the classics 'The Entertainer,' 'Landslide', 'They Call Me The Wrong Man' amongst others. This is great early Detroit from Yvonne Vernee who would later take over from Saundra Edwards as lead singer with The Elgins in 1968.

Some background from Ian Levine:

Yvonne Vernee Allen was the second lead singer of The Elgins, after Saundra Edwards left in 1968, and she has remained with the group for thirty nine years, right up to the present day. But before joining the Elgins, she recorded this song, "Just Like You Did Me", for tiny local Detroit label, Sonbert Records, and we re-recorded it with her many years later, for "The Strange World Of Northern Soul". When I managed to track down the Elgins to record for Motorcity, and get them to reunite again after so many years, the project I most wanted to do was to get them to re-record "Heaven Must Have Sent You", but in the style of Bonnie Pointer's wonderful disco classic of 1979. So that was the first project we did together. I always loved The Elgins. Along with The Velvelettes they were one of my favourite Motown groups. They were originally The Downbeats in 1962, with the three guys, Johnny Dawson, Norman McLean, and Duke Miller. They added a girl lead singer in 1965, Saundra Edwards, and recorded such classics as "Heaven Must Have Sent You" and "Put Yourself In My Place". In 1968 Saundra left and Yvonne Allen joined Motown and took over as lead singer. She recorded tons of stuff at Motown but they never released any more Elgins records. In 1972, "Heaven Must Have Sent You" was reissued in England and became a huge hit, and the group appeared at The Torch allnighter in Stoke On Trent, where I was DJing. I met all four of them, Yvonne, Johnny, Norman, and Duke. So then, seventeen years later, in 1989, I persuaded them to reform for my Motorcity project. Duke had died, so Johnny brought in Jimmy Charles, and together with Norman and Yvonne, The Elgins had a whole new lease of life. And now, in 2007, they're about to return to England for the first time in sixteen years, to appear at a big Northern Soul Weekender in Northampton. And long may they continue, always smart, sharp, and timeless.

~ Ian Levine

Levine Re-recording

Original

Special Treat ... LIVE! ... A Great performance on the English Riviera

Yvonne Vernee [] - It's Been A Long Time [SonBert SB 3475]

Yvonne Vernee [] - Your Touch [SonBert SB 3475]

Yvonne Vernee (The Elgins) [1968] - My Love For Your Love [Unreleased Motown]

NS557 Mickey Moonshine [1974] - Name It You Got It [UK Decca F 13555]

2010-12-18T00:46:00.001Z

557 Mickey Moonshine [1974] - Name It You Got It [UK Decca F 13555]

b/w:	Baby Blue
Format:	45
Label:	Decca
Cat No:	F 13555
Year:	1974
Value:	£10 (2nd Issue) £20 (1st Issue)

Now this artist is bit of a mystery. Claims are that it could be Alvin Stardust, Paul Nicholas (Just Good Friends actor), Chris Rainbow, Paul Curtis (claimed by Black Echoes magazine), Mickey Most etc. etc.

However after some research I have discovered that it may if fact be Ben Cross who appeared as Harold Abrahams in the 1981 film Chariots Of Fire along with Nigel Havers. Check the 'Other Professions' section at Wikipedia although it is not clear whether he wrote the song or sang it but I would guess both as the writer credits are Moonshine! Cross is on the left behind Nigel Havers in the photo below.

Ben Cross Biography

Now that the mystery is solved it doesn't really detract from the fact that this is obviously white, British pop music. To be fair you could say blue-eyed pop soul, but regardless of that it has very little to do with real soul music and is akin to the early 70s pop/soul put out by The Pearls and Polly Brown et al. However it did shake the dance floors for a while at the time but it would take a brave DJ to play this out now! Enough said.

NS558 The Gypsies [1965] - It's A Womans World [Old Town OT 1184]

2010-12-17T23:57:00.001Z

558 The Gypsies [1965] - It's A Womans World [Old Town OT 1184]

b/w:	They're Having A Party
Format:	45
Label:	Old Town
Cat No:	OT 1184
Year:	1966
Value:	£0

The Gypsies / Flirtations on Wiki

Lestine Johnson, Betty Pearce, Ernestine Pearce and Shirley Pearce

Lestine Johnson replaced by Viola Billups (Pearly Gates) in 1965

Betty Pearce left in 1968 leaving a trio

Loretta Noble replaced Viola Billups in 1972. Viola Billups embarked on a solo career as Vie and as Pearly Gates

In 1989 Viola Billups returns.

Discography

The Gypsies
1964 Hey There / Blue Bird - Old Town 1168
1965 Jerk It / Diamonds, Rubies, Gold And Fame - Old Town 1180
1965 It's A Woman's World (You Better Believe It) / They're Having A Party - Old Town 1184
1966 Oh I Wonder Why / Diamonds, Rubies, Gold And Fame - Old Town 1193
1966 Look For The One Who Loves You / Oh Girl - Caprice 8442

The Flirtations
1966 Change My Darkness Into Light / Natural Born Lover - Josie 956
1967 Stronger Than Her Love / Settle Down - Festival 705
1968 How Can You Tell Me/ Someone Out There - Parrott 40028
1968 Nothing But A Heartache / Christmas Time Is Here Again - Deram 85036
1968 Nothing But A Heartache / How Can You Tell Me - Deram 85038
1969 Need Your Loving / South Carolina - Deram 85048
1969 Keep On Searchin' / I Wanna Be There - Deram 85057
1969 Can't Stop Lovin' You/ Everybody Needs Somebody - Deram 85062
1970 Give Me Love, Love, Love / This Must Be The End Of The Line - Deram 7531
1971 Take Me In Your Arms And Love Me / Little Darling (I Need You) - Polydor 2058 167
1972 Hold On To Me Baby / Love A Little Longer - Polydor 15047
197? Why Didn't I Think of That - Mojo
197? Dirty Work - RCA
197? Mr. Universe - RCA
197? One Night of Love - RCA
1977 Earthquake
1977 Earthquake D&D 5501
1986 Read All About It - D&D 1267
1986 Get Up (Come On Over) - Fantasia FTA X 109
1989 Back On My Feet Again - Megatone Mt-169
2009 Roulette - Night Dance NDRCD 007

Jerk It

Diamonds, Rubies, Gold And Fame

NS559 Moses Dillard & The Dynamic Showmen [1964] - I'll Pay The Price [Mark V MV-20-66]

2010-12-17T21:34:00.003Z

559 Moses Dillard & The Dynamic Showmen [1964] - I'll Pay The Price [Mark V MV-20-66]

b/w:	They Don't Want Us Together (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Mark V
Cat No:	MV-20-66
Year:	1964
Value:	£0

Now this has certainly turned up a few surprises. I knew that Moses Dillard, Moses & Joshua Dillard (Joshua (Dillard) being a psedonym for James Moore) (My Elusive Dreams & Get Out Of My Heart - Mala 1967) and The Sons Of Moses (Soul Symphony - Coral 1968 which will be featured at 357) all had tunes played on the scene but not until I found their full discography over at soulfulkindamusic did I realise that they were involved with The Saturday Night Band who had a huge disco hit in 1978 with Come On And Dance. Nor that Peabo Bryson was a member of Moses Dillard & The Tex-Town Display in 1971.

The outing here is his very first secular release (he recorded with The Golden Wings a gospel quartet prior to this) on the flip of 'They Don't Want Is Together' on Mark V out of Carolina. 'They Don't Want Is Together' would also feature as the flip to Get Out Of My Heart on Mala in 1967. The track was first played by Russ Winstanly at Wigan Casino in Sep 1979 covered up as Eddie Jefferson - 'I Won't Think Twice'. For those new to the scene the policy of 'covering up' a record was to protect its identity so that DJs could retain exclusivity of a track for as long as possible before dealers and other DJs could discover its true identity. This practice was quite controversial because some claim that it was protecting DJs egos rather than promoting artists and the music, however, given that the records were already oldies it didn't really damage sales and was argued that it drew crowds to see DJs who had 'the sounds' ... even way back in the mid 70s Northern Soul pioneered the way for today's DJs!

Moses Dillard was apparently discovered by Otis Redding who liked his guitar playing style, and consequentally he played guitar on Fame recordings (such as Sweet Soul Music by Arthur Conley, and the rest of Conley's early Fame recordings such as Let's Go Steady and Whole Lotta Woman). He later moved to Papa Don Schroeder Productions (staying in Muscle Shoals), becoming Papa Don's vice president, and playing on records by James & Bobby Purify and Mighty Sam among others, released on Bell and Mala.

He also cut a nice crossover track in 1972 with Martha Starr (another legend on the scene) entitled Cheating, Teasing and Misleading on Shout 248 ... see below.

Moses Dillard [1964] - Pretty As A Picture MV-40-26]

Moses & Joshua Dillard [1967] - My Elusive Dreams [Mala 578]

Moses & Joshua Dillard [1967] - What's Better Than Love [Mala 578]

Moses & Joshua Dillard [1967] - Get Out Of My Heart [Mala 598]

This is superb ... one of my all time favs from The Twisted Wheel (Manchester) era.

Mose Dillard & The Tex-Town Display [1969] - Bring Your Dreams To Me

- the killer track from the LP Now featuring a young (and soulful) Peabo Bryson on vocals!

Moses Dillard & Martha Starr [1972] - Cheating, Teasing & Misleading [Shout 248]

NS560 Major Lance [1966] - Investigate [Okeh 4-7250]

2010-12-17T21:33:00.002Z

560 Major Lance [1966] - Investigate [Okeh 4-7250]

b/w:	Little Young Lover
Format:	45
Label:	Okeh
Cat No:	4-7250
Year:	1966
Value:	£40-£60 US Okeh / £100-£215 UK Columbia Demo

The first track from an absolute legend on the Northern Soul scene who cut so many sides in Chicago in the mid 60s - 18 of these on the also now legendary Okeh label between 1962 and 1968. Put the two together and you get this classic flipped with another corker 'Little Young Lover'.

After Okeh the Major went on to record with Dakar 1969 (3), Curtom 1970-71 (2), Volt 1971-72 (3), Playboy 1974-75 (2), Osiris 1975 (2), Columbia 1977 (1) and Soul 1978 (1). He was arrested for cocaine possession in 1978 and served a 3 year prison sentence. He cut only a further 3 45s in 1982 on Kat Family.

Prior to going solo, Major recorded with The Floats (which included Otis Leavill) and The Ideals between 1958 and 1961. Whilst his mid 60s output is popular I personally prefer some of his early 70s recordings especially on Volt. Not included in http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/mlance.htm discography, possibly because it was a UK only issue, is a great remake of 'Without A Doubt' on UK Warner Brothers.

Sadly Major Lance died in his sleep at home in his early 50s in 1994 almost blind from Glaucoma and having suffered a heart attack in 1987.

Investigate

Little Young Lover

NS561 Florence DeVore [1965] - Kiss Me Now (Don't Kiss Me Later) [Phi-Dan 5000]

2010-12-13T19:43:00.000Z

561 Florence DeVore [1965] - Kiss Me Now (Don't Kiss Me Later) [Phi-Dan 5000]

b/w:	We're Not Old Enough
Format:	45
Label:	Phi-Dan
cat No:	5000
Year:	1966
Value:	£75 for Issue

The song was wriiten and produced by Bobby Susser. After producing four singles in 1961 and 1962 with his childhood friend Paul Simon, for the group Tico and The Triumphs, which included Susser's first Billboard Hot 100 chart record "Motorcycle," on Amy Records, he concentrated on writing and producing rhythm and blues songs. In 1963, he wrote, produced, and sold the master recording of the song "Kiss Me Now" to Phil Spector. Though the song was not a big hit, it was the first release on Spector's new Philles Records subsidiary label, Phi-Dan Records, and received a good deal of interest within the music industry.

From 1965 through 1973 he wrote and produced songs for Florence DeVore, Sharon Redd, Lily Fields, Mamie Lee, Morgana King, Robert John, and Trini Lopez.

Phi-Dan release only 10 45s all in 1965. Other notable acts on Phi-Dan were The Lovelites, The Ikettes and Al DeLory (known on the scene for the instrumental 'Right On').

Phi-Dan Discography

Other 45s tracked down by Florence DeVore include: (The Yew releases were also written and produced by Bobby Susser):

Florence DeVore [1966] - The Guy Next Door / ?

Florence DeVore [1972] - He Doesn't Love You / He's Got The Money Bags [Yew 1009] $40

Florence DeVore [1972] - It take A Lot To Love You / Look Out [Yew 1011]

As a bonus I've included a few tracks by Lily Fields.

Lily Fields - Changes (Unreleased GWP)

Lily Fields [1976] - Love Has So Many Meanings [Sunburst SU 536]

Lily Fields [1973] - Pleasure Me [Spectrum SP-139-A]

NS562 Benzine [1965] - Village Of Tears [Parkway P-996-B]

2010-12-13T19:38:00.000Z

562 Benzine [1965] - Village Of Tears [Parkway P-996-B]

b/w:	What The Heck's The Hanky Panky (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Parkway
Cat No:	P-996-B
Year:	1967
Value:	$132 £305

Another group that is elusive. This is their only outing on Parkway and I can't find anything else by them or any further information apart from that they recorded this in 1965 as the flip to 'What The Heck's The Hanky Panky' Parkway P-996-B. They definately sound like a white pop band to me so perhaps someone in the Philly are may have heard of them?
I'm not sure when this was first played but it was spun at Wigan Casino around 1977/78 but could have been an oldie already by then? It's an atmospheric, a little off-key early / mid 60s almost garage type sound. It was pressed (bootlegged) to supply demand and you should be able to pick up the 'reissue' for no more than £10.

NS563 Norma Jenkins & The Dolls [1966] - The Airplane Song [Malteste MLT 107]

2010-12-13T19:03:00.000Z

563 Norma Jenkins & The Dolls [1966] - The Airplane Song [Malteste MLT 107]

b/w:	A Lover's Stand (official A side)
Format:	45
Label:	Maltese
Cat No:	MLT 107
Year:	1966
Value:	$835

Originals are styrene not vinly and marked in dead wax with: ZTSC121035. Bootlegs look pink not red.

Norma Jenkins had two releases in 1966 on Maltese with The Dolls 'This Is Our Day' / 'What's Next' MLT 100 followed up with 'A Lover's Stand' / 'The Airplane Song' MLT 107.

Maltese was owned by Bud Grandhoff and was based in New Jersey. Norma Jenkins was used to demo many of the Kerr-Barnes NY songs including the Motown version of 'Try Love (One More Time)', (recorded by The Sparkels on Old Town) which is unreleased. George Kerr co-wrote Edwin Starr's 'I Have Faith In You' but put his wife's name on the credit due to some contractual situation (note the publishing company is Maltese Music). He wrote 'The Airplane Song' as a direct result of a bad flight. According to soulfulkindamusic discography, The Airplane Song was also released on MLT 108 by The Young Men perhaps this was a demo version or a later withdrawn version ? 'This Is Our Day' by The Dolls was co-written by Alice Ossman.

Maltese Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Maltese Discography @ Global Dog

She went on to record a 45 for Carnival followed by a release with Troy Keyes on ABC in 1967. In 1973 she had 3 45s released on Jean, Kerr (another George Kerr label) and Alithia and released a duet with J. Ray on Alithia. She joined Desert Moon in 1976 and cut 2 45s and an album 'Patience Is A Virtue'. The first release on Desert Moon is her only showing in the U.S. R&B charts peaking at 92 in Feb 1976 with Gimme Some (Of Your Love) / It's All Over Now. The second Desert Moon 45 6401 was a cover version of 'Love Jones' with 'Can You Imagine That' on flip which got plays at Blackpool Mecca as a new release. My favourite cuts from the album include 'It's All Over Now' and 'I Did It For Real' included as You Tube clips below.

Norma Jenkins Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Norma Jenkins [1967] - Me Myself And I [Carnival CAR 528]

Norma Jenkins & Troy Keyes [1967] - A Good Love Gone Bad [ABC 11116]

Norma Jenkins [196?] - Try love (One More Time) [Unreleased Motown]

Norma Jenkins [1973] - Puzzle Man (Figure It Out If You Can) [Jean JR 730 A]

Norma Jenkins [1976] - It's All Over Now [Desert Moon DMS 6400 B]

Norma Jenkins [1976] - I Did It For Real [Desert Moon LP]

Norma Jenkins [1976] - Can You Imagine That [Desert Moon DMS 6401 B]

NS564 Bud Harper [1964] - Wherever You Were [Peacock 1932]

2010-12-13T15:35:00.000Z

564 Bud Harper [1964] - Wherever You Were [Peacock 1932]

b/w: Let It Rain

Format: 45
Label: Peacock

Cat No: 1932

Year: 1964

Value: $192

The first of two 45s from Bud Harper issued on the Peacock label between 1964 and 1965 that were played on the scene. 'Wherever You Are' is a perennial favourite which still gets plays out to this day especially with the emergence of more R&B flavoured sounds hitting the turntables in recent years.

There is a fabulous article on Peacock records by Dave Rimmer which includes a discography over at soulfulkindamusic Peacock

Peacock Discography @ Global Dog

The later release 'Mr. Soul' is in the same R&B vein. It gained a UK release in 1965 on Vocalion VP 9252 b/w 'Let Me Love You'.

Vouge Vocalion Discography

Bud had another release 'This Woman I Love' b/w 'Down The Aisle' on Texas label Sarg 196 Texas Soul Recordings
It sounds a lot earlier than his Peacock outings.

Bud Harper [] - This Woman I Love b/w Down The Aisle [Sarg 169]

Bud Harper [1964] - Let It Rain [Peacock 1932]

Bud Harper [1965] - Mr. Soul [Peacock 1939]

Bud Harper [1965] - Let Me Love You [Peacock 1939]

NS565 Little Eddie Taylor [1967] - I Had A Good Time [Peacock 1949]

2010-12-12T19:45:00.000Z

565 Little Eddie Taylor [1967] - I Had A Good Time [Peacock 1949]

b/w: Forgive One Mistake (official A side)

Label: Peacock

Cat No: 1949

Year: 1967

Value: £600

The rarest release on Peacock on the flip side of deep soul gem 'Forgive One Mistake'. This is a fairly ordinary mid 60s track that just happens to have the right beat for the Northern scene. It's not one that would set the world on fire to these ears!

There's a nice article about him over at Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven. According to the article Swammp Dog (Jerry Williams) claims Littel Eddie is Johnnie Taylor's brother but Johnnie wouldn't acknowledge him! You can also hear the A side 'Forgive One Mistake' and his only other known release from around 1963 'Just The Way You Are' which is a bluesy doo wop outing on Tropical 101 b/w 'The State Song'.

NS566 Margaret Mandolph [1965] - Something Beautiful [Planetary P-106]

2010-12-12T19:19:00.000Z

566 Margaret Mandolph [1965] - Something Beautiful [Planetary P-106]

b/w: I Wanna Make You Happy (official A side)

Label: Planetary

Cat No: P-106

Year: 1965

Value: $650

Planetary was a Los Angeles based label and Something Beautiful is the flip side of the the second of 2 45's issued by thirteen year old Margaret Mandolph on the Planetary label. Released in May of 1965 the A side of this dreamy piece of soulful, girl group pop would be in a chart war with a version by Jackie and Gayle on the Mainstream label. While neither charted, they have both grown in stature and are both highly sought after by Girl group music collectors. Dusty Springfield even recorded a version that was included on her 1965 LP entitled, 'OOOWEEE!'). The Margaret Mandolph version is by far the winner of the three. Produced and arranged by the talented David Gates, it has been written that if there is a record being played in heaven then this one is it.

It was the B side 'Something Beautiful' that interested Northern punters getting airplay in the mid 70s (circa 76) at the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes and then went national being played at all the top venues. It was covered by UK actress Adrienne Posta (appeared in To Sir With Love with Lulu) on Decca in 1966 and released on CD. To supply demand it was bootlegged in the mid 70s as a White Demo.

Margaret later toured Europe in "Hair", joined a jazz outfit called Love Joy and was quite well-known in the Oakland CA area, where she sang in musical plays written by her brother Bobby Mandolph who recorded for Vault in the early 60's and was a member of the group

Purple Olive.

Robert Mandolph Sr., played the keyboards for Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack, Lou Rawls and many others as a studio musician.

Margaret met David Gates (Bread) in 1963 and later cut the 2 Planetary singles produced by him. She also recorded a demo of Popsicles And Icicles which the record company released by The Murmaids.

Mandolphs History here

Margaret Mandolph [1965] - Something Beautiful [Planetary P-106]

Adrienne Posta [1966] - Something Beautiful [UK Decca F 12329]

Margaret Mandolph [1965] - I Wanna Make You Happy [Planetary P-106]

Margaret Mandolph [1964] - If You Ever Need Me [Planetary P-102]

$202.50

Margaret Mandolph [1964] - Silly Little Girl [Planetary P-102]

The Murmaids [1963] - Popsicles And Icicles

NS567 The Parliaments [1965] - Heart Trouble [Golden World GW-46]

2010-12-12T18:12:00.001Z

567 The Parliaments [1965] - Heart Trouble [Golden World GW-46]

b/w: That Was My Girl (official A side)

Label: Golden World

Cat No: GW-46

Year: 1965
Value: ?

George Clinton's Parliaments post doo-wop and pre funk era. This is classic mid 60s Detroit from the Golden_World stables.

Golden World Discography @ Global Dog

"Heart Trouble" was the third official release by the Detroit soul group The Parliaments. The single was released in 1965 by Golden World Records (GW-46). "Heart Trouble" was the only single that the Parliaments recorded for the label.

In 1965, the Parliaments' line up consisted of George Clinton, Grady Thomas, Ray Davis, Fuzzy Haskins, and Calvin Simon, a line-up that would remain intact until 1977.

"Heart Trouble" was later re-worked in 1973 under the title "You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure", featured on the Funkadelic album Cosmic Slop. Another version of the track was recorded approximately three years earlier, yet did not surface until the 2008 release of the CD "Toys". The b-side, "That Was My Girl" was remade in 1972 and was featured on America Eats Its Young.
~ Wikipedia

You Can't Miss What You Can't Measure:

NS569 Vala Regan & The Valarons [1966] - Fireman [Atco 45-6412]

2010-12-12T16:57:00.000Z

569 Vala Reegan & The Valarons [1966] - Fireman [Atco 45-6412]

b/w Living In The Past

Format 45

Label Atco / UK Atlantic

Cat No 45-6412 / 584009

Year 1966

Value £150

This appears to be the only known 45 by Vala Reegan & The Valarons and their identity is a mystery. This is a spectoresque outing from 1966.

John Manship describes it as follows in his Dec 2010 Rare Soul Auctions page:

'Breathtaking! A near perfect example of Red Atlantic’s most-valued 45 and this one is a DEMO! Two awesome Bob Crewe projects delivered by the the mysterious Vala Reegan and her team, make this head-turning offering so very much more than just a vision of beauty. This is the very pinnacle of collecting rare BRITISH vinyl!'
The comment relates to 'collectability'. This is not 'my cup of tea' and smacks of mid 60s blue-eyed pop music. A US Atco copy was listed for £150 and an Atco demo offered for sale at £180.

A recent auction of a red Atlantic UK copy made £822 and a current acution on eBay with 2 days left has a current bid of £400 ... watch this space. Personally I wouldn't give £5 for it! ... but that's just my opinion.

The flip 'Living' In The Past' was also recorded in 1966 by Barbara Banks on Veep 1247 as the official A side to the classic 'River Of Tears' co-written with Gary Knight who also co-wrote 'Living In The Past'.

NS568 Barbara Lynn [1971] - Take Your Love And Run [Atlantic 45-2812]

2010-12-12T16:16:00.000Z

568 Barbara Lynn [1971] - Take Your Love And Run [Atlantic 45-2812]

b/w (Until Then) I'll Suffer (official A side)

Format 45

Label Atlantic

Cat No 45-2812

Value £15

On the flip side to '(Until Then) I'll Suffer' on Atlantic, 'Take The Love And Run' is a Motownesque outing by Barbara Lynn picked up on by the Northern scene. It's not too difficult to find or expensive as the A side was a hit. plenty has been written about Barbara Lynn on the net so check out Barbara Lynn @ Wikipedia

Barbara Lynn Discography @ soulfulkindamusic

Barbara Lynn Discography @ Soul Of The Net