Lift his Hurt, a great example of Chicago crossover, has seen 5 different releases. Originally on Winner in 1970 which is a shorter and faster version, then in 1971 on Twinight, the same version then came out on Bandit in 1974 and again on The Chosen Few in 1975 by The Chosen Few, and finally it was reissued as Elvin Spencer on E.S.Cosy. A comment on Discogs (by respected soul aficionado Rod Dearlove - Voices From The Shadows) states that it was pressed from vinyl by Elvin Spencer (E.S.) in late 80s as master tapes were not available.
Elvin Spencer was originally from Memphis and moved to Chicago when he came out of the army in 1969. He joined The Chosen Few around 1974. Discogs lists a 12 track album 'Picking Up The Pieces' by him released in 1996, but other than that and the 3 tracks here on 5 different releases and 2 other 45s by The Chosen Few I can find no other material.
Elvin Spencer [1970] - Lift This Hurt [Winner W-0472]
This was the only release on Bill Meeks' Alteen subsidiary label.
Original version is shorter and faster than the later issue on Twinight.
Elvin Spencer [1970] - Don't Make This Dream Come True [Winner W-0472]
Superb deep soul / crossover track which makes the Winner version a 'winner' as you get this as well as the faster version of Life This Hurt.
Elvin Spencer [1971] - Lift This Hurt [Twinight 159]
Elvin Spencer [1971] - You've Been Unfair [Twinight 159]
Deep soul
Chosen Few [1974] - Lift This Hurt [Bandit RS 2521]
Although credited to Chosen Few this is in fact is exactly the same as the Twinight release by Elvin Spencer (who was now a member of Chosen Few) pressed from the master which Arrow Brown (Bandit's owner) obtained from Twinight. Chosen Few then left Bandit and reissued the tracks on their own The Chosen Few label in 1975. They also released another 45 on The Chosen Few label Rico Collins & The Chosen Few Since You've Been Gone/What's Gonna Happen To Me which was also issued on Soul Beat.
Chosen Few [1974] - You've Been Unfair [Bandit RS 2521]
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