Soul Strutter: George E. Smith

Friday, 8 May 2020

George E. Smith - Discography

I can find very little info about George Smith (which is hampered by his common name!). However, according to an article in Billboard Aug 1965 (clip below) promoting his Turntable 45, it states that hew was lead singer with the 'new' Ink Spots.

I can only find 5 45s (one of which appears to be promo only). The classic 'Don't Find Me Guilty' was issued twice, first(?) on Bojo and then on Conclave. However, his other Bojo release is listed on 45Cat with a release date of 1984, when it was clearly recorded earlier. This may be attributed to the fact that he released an album 'I'm Only Human' on Bojo in 1984. Was Bojo his own label (as only his material was released on it), and did he reissue 'Don't Find Me Guilty' on Bojo making it in fact the 2nd and not 1st issue? Manship states that Bojo was 1st issue. A Christmas album 'A Christmas Lullaby' followed in 1986.

Discography

45s

1964 - Pretty Little Girl / Born Again [Laurie LR3263]

1965 - I've Had It / When Love Turns To Pity [Turntable TT-713]

1969 - Human / Don't Find Me Guilty [Conclave RR 340]

1969 - If She Walked Into My Life Today / Out Of This World [Bojo 1000]

1974 - Can You Talk? / Can You Talk? [Mosaic MDJ 19003]

Albums

1984 - I'm Only Human [Bojo M300]

1986 - A Christmas Lullaby [Bojo BJP 9300]

George Smith [1964] - Pretty Little Girl [Laurie LR3263]

Popcorn written by George Smith.

George Smith [1964] - Born Again [Laurie LR3263]

Doo-Wop Ballad

George Smith [1965] - I've Had It [Turntable TT-713]

Northern Soul Mid-Tempo

Turntable was a 60s soul/R&B label based in New York which released around 7 45s. Sam Goody was a major stockholder and Sylvia Langler was V.P.. Many of the sides issued were composed by and/or produced/arranged by Robert Banks (MIghty Good Way).

Accroding to the clip below from Billboard, George Smith was the lead singer with the 'new' Ink Spots.

Here's a clipping from Billboard 14 Aug 1965 (page 8).

George Smith [1965] - When Love Turns To Pity [Turntable TT-713]

Ballad

George E. Smith [1969] - Don't Find Me Guilty [Conclave RR 340]

Superb Deep Soul Beat Ballad

Conclave label was owned by Nat Badger (co-writer with Rosemarie McCoy) who died shortly after this 45 was recorded. Badger's wife arranged for Smith and Jimmy Willis to take over the label but it does not seem that any further material was released.