Frederick Hymes III [1971] - Time Ain't Gonna Do Me No Favor [Fab Vegas LRSV-ST-4526]

This is a 'monster' crossover tune and one of the best discoveries of modern times.  It was discovered by Mark 'Butch' Dobson in Pittsburgh in 1997 who brought it back to UK and played it (covered up as The Delacardos) at The 100 Club.  Keb Darge also got a copy and plugged it. It wasn't until a few years later in 2000 after other top DJs (e.g. Arthur Fenn) found copies that it went big. [2] There is an ongoing discussion regarding the 45 and its variants. The most plausible story behind it is that it is believed that the record was a private/self press that Hymes sold at his live shows and hence was never 'officially' released as such.  It is alleged that it was later re-pressed by Hymes on a lighter label with the address rubber-stamped under 'Side 1' which is regarded as a 2nd press.  There also appears to be a yellow label, on which it is alleged that the vinyl is see-through when put up to a bright light. It is disputed that the yellow issue may be a later pressing or even a bootleg.  There are several threads on SoulSource debating the legitimacy of the various issues.  The 'original' copy found by Butch was the orange label one.

Someone on Soul Source found and posted this Billboard magazine clip from March 1971 as there were claims that the record was on a tape of unreleased material and was only released circa 2000.

Tonny Hymes & The Soul People [196?] - Time Ain't Gonna Do Me No Favor [Azbill AZ-109]

This version was known before the Frederick Hymes III version surfaced.  It is a much slower ballad version. The flip side 'Jeannie' is said to be uptempo R&B / crossover, but I've never heard it.  Experts on Soul Source claim that there are only 3 known copies.  I only found one listed on Popsike which sold for £156 (a snip for such a rarity) in June 2007. Apparently Bob Abrahamian 'eventually' got hold of the one listed on Popsike which was previously owned by DJ Andy Dyson.  Tim Brown (Anglo American) had 2 copies, one he sold to a collector and the other was auctioned. [1]

Apparently Gary Capes (whilst he was with Grapevine) contacted Frederick Hymes with a view to releasing the Fab Vegas track and he confirmed that both versions were by him and that the Tonny Hymes version was the original, but he was not interested in releasing the tracks.  He was working as a hunting guide at the time (around 2003). [1]

This record is not listed anywhere apart from the Popsike entry mentioned above (and only 2 releases for label are listed 101 & 111). The label was based in Las Vegas and owned by A.J. 'Doc' Azbill who wrote the first 2 sides  on the label (registered in 1963/64) for Wanieta Vess (AZ-101).  The other listed release is a gospel record.  There is a comment on 45Cat with an extract from Las Vegas Sun newspaper in May 1962 that A.J. Azbill also had a business called Nu-Way Dental (fixing dentures).