Fantastic Epics [197?] - Lets Get Together [Kelton 121-245]

Not much known about the Fantastic Epics.  I believe that they were Chicago based. 

All release except the 45 credited to Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics were Aries Productions which was a Chicago record company run by James Mack who worked at Brunswick and arranged most of Tyrone Davis' releases. Aries owned Kelton which released only 3 known/listed 45s. Most releases on the Aries main label were by Shelley Fisher and Tenison Stephens.

Fun And Funk was written by Brooks, Harris and Martin Luther Dumas Jr., the latter was with Crystal Winds and Rasputin's Stash, both Chicago funk bands in the 70s/80s. The other Tories side was written by Robert Lee Thurston and Vince Willis, both Chicago writers, and Willis was also a member of Rasputin's Stash and, interestingly, played keyboards on Bobby Hutton's Piece Of The Action album.  I wonder whether there's a connection between Rasputin's Stash and Fantastic Epics?

Fantastic Epics [197?] - Lets Get Together [Kelton 121-245]

A great slab of 70s Northern Soul written by Leon Triplett one half of The Triplett Twins with (twin?) brother Levi (although apparently another release states Triplett Twins).  They also wrote Ernie Hines - Electrified Love on We Produce in 1971.

Fantastic Epics [197?] - We Do It All Up In Here [Kelton 121-246]

Early 70s street funk/rap.

Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics [1966] - You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone [Tip Top 2013]

A driving Northern Soul thumper.

Jimmy Burns recorded a Northern Soul classic 'I Really Love You' on Erica in 1965 which is still pretty rare and would cost 4 figures if you managed to find one.  The song was written by Robert Lee Newsome who also recorded it under the alias Bobby James on Karol with an instrumental version on the flip, which I believe is even rarer than the Jimmy Burns 45.  Newsome also wrote and sang with the Chicago 60s group The Vontastics as Bobby Newsome.  I have created a post with different versions of the song.

Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics [1966] - It Use To Be [Tip Top 2013]

A deep and soulful Northern Soul stroller just above beat ballad pace.

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Fun And Funk Part II [Tories T-1001]

Funk

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Fun And Funk Part III [Tories T-1001]

Psychedelic funk

Fantastic Epics [1969] - I Won't Forget'cha Brother [Tories T-1002]

Funk

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Fun And Funk Part II [Tories T-1002]

Same as Tories T-1001 above.

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Fun And Funk Part I [Tories T-1004]

No sound clip available

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Fun And Funk Part II [Tories T-1004]

Same as Tories T-1001 above