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Tuesday 5 May 2020

The Ledgends - Discography


The Ledgends were a Chicago group which included Carl McPhan and Curtis McCormick (who were co-writers on Gotta Let You Go and Something To Remember You By) and Lamar Greer, Carsie Lee Dees and Lenny O'Dell. They released 3 45s all in 1970.  Their first 45 was issued twice on Locket and Commonwealth United.
Their sides were produced by established producers Johnny Cameron and Clarence Johnson.

Carl McPhan stated the following in a YouTube comment
"Thank you for your comment I totally agree it's sad to know at that time there were powers that literally kept true talent from being exposed! There are three other "The Legends " records like this called "something to remember you by" Gotta let you go" and " Fear Not" also here on you tube on Red Balloon Records I don't know where Locket Record version came from. Thank you and enjoy."
This is contrary to the opinion on SoulSource which claims that the Locket issue was the original local release which was then distributed nationally on Commonwealth United.  If Locket was the first local release surely he would remember?  This was the only release on the label.


Discography

1970 - Gotta Let Go / Fear Not [Commonwealth United C-3014]
1970 - Gotta Let Go / Fear Not [Locket L 756]
1970 - Something To Remember You By / Gotta Let Go [Red Balloon RB-01]
1970 - A Fool For You / Fear Not [Red Balloon RB-03]

As you can see they only actually recorded 4 sides Gotta Let Go, Fear Not, Something To Remember You By and A Fool For You.

Curtis McCormick wrote a few other songs which were recorded by Billy Stewart - What Have I Done, The Lovelites who recorded a version of Gotta Let You Go, Who You Gonna Hurt Now and I've Got Love, The Symphonics - When I Grow Old / Guilty (a storming NS tune), The Softiques - Bashful (I'm That Kinda Girl) / Two Kinds Of Boys, The Notations - Gonna Get Ready / Trying My Best To Find Her


The Ledgends [1970] - Gotta Let Go [Commonwealth United C-3014]

Sweet soul group harmony

Sampled by Freddie Gibbs & Madlib in 2014 on Deeper.



The Ledgends [1970] - Fear Not [Commonwealth United C-3014]

Northern Soul/Crossover



The Ledgends [1970] - Something To Remember You By [Red Balloon RB-01]

Sweet soul group harmony / Crossover


The Ledgends [1970] - Gotta Let Go [Red Balloon RB-01]

Sound clip above


The Ledgends [1970] - A Fool For You [Red Balloon RB-03]

Sweet soul group harmony

This was covered by The Jack Moves in 2010 and sampled by Heather Victoria - What I Need  in 2011, Ah-Na, AG & Enonymous - Love To Hate (Prod by Madlib) in 2012 and Madlib Love/Hate (Inst) in 2010 on Low Budget High Fi Music album.

Owing to different (simpler) label design to RB-01 above, some thought that this may be a bootleg (see SoulSource discussion) but general consensus is that it's legit.

It has never sold on Discogs and I can only find one on Popsike which sold for £218 in Nov 2007 so guess it must be pretty rare.

No label scan available.




The Ledgends [1970] - Fear Not [Red Balloon RB-03]

Sound clip above




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