Eddie Smith [196?] - I Didn't Realize / One Hundred Years [Mellotone MW10007]

Now here's a treat and one that most are unlikely to have ever heard!  Not listed anywhere, although I did find a scan of it on a Japanese site soulrarity.

Written by D.L. Jefferson, produced by Nat Meadows for Jefferson Recording Co., Marie Music. Meadows was a Chicago songwriter and producer and owned the Sonic label which released around 30 45s, many of which were gospel.

A copy was auctioned by John Manship in Dec 2014 and sold for £1,788.

This is what John had to say:

"Let’s not make any bones about it. This is the RAREST USA Northern Soul 45 we have listed this year!

A Chicago endangered species of the highest order - debuting these pages and possibly (although records only go back 15 years) our first copy in memory. Today we are unashamedly delighted to be able to offer this RAREST OF THE RARE mid-tempo excellence in truly immaculate condition.

So go google, to verify this discs extreme elusiveness.

Then click the soundfile to immerse yourself in a finely crafted real-deal Soul that very few can boast of owning! A magnificent tune that will pleasure those of you into both Soulful Crossover and legitimate Northern Soul; as those horns echo the streets of the Windy City but also remind you of the truly great mid-tempo rarities like Chuck Holliday, George Lemons, George Hobson etc. The stand alone male artist ,who clings onto not one commercial note during an on-his-knees delivery bristling with street-corner qualities.

UNICORN RARE!

Deep Soul aficionados check out the heartbreaking flip side, again dressed in all the above qualities."

The only other record on Mellotone (Mello Tone) is the great Billy McGregor - It's My Turn Now / The Great Creation MW 1000 from 1968.  I'm not entirely sure it's the same label (as different label design), but I strongly suspect it is as it is also produced by Nat Meadows for Marie Music.  Eddie Smith Cat. No. is MW10007 - so I wonder if there's some other gems on the label still to be unearthed?

There was an earlier label with identical label design to Mello Tone called Mello Way co-written and produced by Nat Meadows which released Buster Benton - That's The Reason / Hole In My Head that got a release on Twinight in 1969.  

Eddie Smith [196?] - I Didn't Realize [Mellotone MW10007]

Crossover

I would hazard a guess at release year 1968 given Billy McGregor came out that year.

Eddie Smith [196?] - One Hundred Years [Mellotone MW10007]

Deep Soul