The World's Rarest Soul Record Pt. 2 ... yes that one!

'That' record ... again  ... the saga continues!

I was going to change the title from rarest to most expensive to be more accurate, as there are some records nearly as rare (Don Gardner, The Inspirations, Joseph Webster, Andantes to name a few), some arguably rarer, where in some cases only one copy is know to exist.  I decided to keep it the same as the original post from 2009. On 14th Sep 2009 I posted an article outlining the history of Frank Wilson's - Do I Love You 45 on Soul S-35109 (which has almost 10,000 views) which sold to an unnamed collector in Humberside for £25,742 in May 2009, after having been previously bought by Edinburgh DJ/Collector Kenny Burrell for £15,000 from Tim Brown who sold the copy bought from Martin Koppel who acquired it from Ron Murphy (a collector and engineer at Motown) who bought it from the ARP pressing plant.

The sold copy signed by Frank Wilson in 2001

On 1st Aug 2020 it was sold again via John Manship, on behalf of the previous buyer, to Lee Jeffries, the son of DJ / Record Dealer Steve Jeffries, for an alleged, staggering £100,000!  Lee has done very well for himself by building a bottling business from scratch and running Sonic Wax records and becoming a multi-millionaire at the age of 38. In the same fortnight he bought a Ferrari 488 and got married.  I hope he doesn't mind me saying, from humble beginnings as I've visited Steve's home many years ago to buy records. No doubt there will be the 'knockers' claiming that he must be mad, but when Kenny Burrell bought the record back in 1999 for a 'snip' at £15,000 the same people were probably saying the same thing.  Who knows if it can appreciate any more in value, but if he's worth millions, does he care?  I wish him well.

I wasn't going to post the track, but John Manship uploaded a video of the 'actual' 45 being played (in July 2020), so how often are you ever likely to see this?  It may well get removed so view it while you can.

Test Pressing

In Nov. 2017 a previously unknown test pressing was discovered. There had been another allegedly found a few years earlier in 2014 which was dismissed on Soul Source as a counterfeit.

The test pressing was discovered by Denise & Dan Zieja, who own Melodies & Memories music store in Eastpointe, Michigan, in a collection that they had bought some years earlier.

The Test Pressing

Denise got in touch with UK record dealer Pete Smith for advice on selling the record and Pete started a thread on Soul Source in Nov 2017.  It is a very long thread (that goes off topic in places) but well worth reading as is packed with information on the pressing process, matrix numbers and stamp marks, if you are that way inclined. Much respect to the informed contributors.

There is a recording of the actual test pressing posted on Soul Source by Pete Smith on 7th Dec 2017 (if it's still there ... it was at the time of this post).

There was a feature in Record Collector Mag on 5th Jan 2018 titled 'Franky goes for dollars, good!' covering the background of how the disc was acquired by the couple.

The record was bought by Detroit musician Jack White of The White Stripes for an undisclosed sum, but 'rumoured' to be $75,000 on or around 6th Feb 2018.  White also owns Third Man Records who reissued it on purple vinyl for Record Store Day 2018. They stated that it would also be issued on black vinyl in future. I don't know if that ever happened.

Denise & Dan Zieja with Jack White and Test Pressing

Denise Zieja posted this notice: Frank Wilson Test Press Stays in Detroit - Jack White & Record Store Day News on Soul Source on 30th Mar 2018 informing members of the Record Store Day 45.

If you want to read the full 'definitive' story about the record then Andy Rix published it on Soul Source in 2012, but it was written before these two further developments, i.e. the discovery of the test pressing and the latest sale of the signed Kenny Burrell copy to Lee Jeffries.

To conclude the story so far, there are 2 known copies of Soul S-35109 white promos, the one above and the copy still owned by Tim Brown (below) which allegedly has an edge warp, and now there is one known copy of a test pressing. It has been suggested, without any evidence, that Berry Gordy has a copy, but I suspect that it is only speculation.  There may possibly be other 'undisclosed' copies in private collections, but the current view is that only 6 were ever pressed and that all but 2 were destroyed, but then no one knew until 2018 that the test press existed!  Watch this space as perhaps news that this one has sold for £100k may entice another out of a collection if it exists?

Tim Brown's copy

Chuck Wood [1967] - Seven Days Too Long [Roulette #R-4754]

I haven't posted any 'proper Northern' for some time, to so let's correct this with an extremely well known track as it was released on flip side to Wigan's Chosen Few - Footsee on Pye Disco Demand in 1975 peaking at #9 in UK Chart and was in Kev Robert's (original) Northern Soul Top 500 book at #10.

Is this the same Chuck Wood?

Originally released on US Roulette in July 1967, it had already seen 2 previous UK releases on Big T in 1967 and Mojo 1971 prior to the 1975 release), but is there a better 'archetypal' Northern Soul record? If you had to explain to anyone what Northern Soul was then just tell them to listen to this. It has everything ... the beat, the vocals, the melody, the breaks, the hook, the horns, the angst, the energy, how was this never a commercial hit?

Seven Days Too Long

Soul Shing-A-Ling

The identity of Chuck Wood has always been a bit of a mystery and only a couple of releases were made by him, the 45 above and I've Got My Lovelight Shining / Baby You Win also on Roulette Feb. 1968. There is country singer with the same name, active at the same time, who is often confused as the same artist in discographies. It is generally considered by several highly respected UK soul connoisseurs (in a thread on Soul Source) to be J.R. Bailey, as he co-wrote the track with Vernon Harrell and also co-wrote and produced the follow up  I've Got My Lovelight Shining / Baby You Win. In fact 45Cat lists both Chuck Wood 45s under J.R. Bailey, which seem to slot right into his Discography seamlessly between 1966-1969. Perhaps he recorded as a pseudonym as he was still contracted to Columbia, but then he used his real name for writer/producer credits?

J.R. (James Ralph) Bailey was a member of The Cadillacs, he joined the group in 1956 aged 19, leaving around 1963 to join The Jive Five, but returned to The Cadillacs in 1970. He also wrote and recorded solo.  He co-wrote Main Ingredient's hit 'Everybody Plays The Fool' with Ken Williams and also wrote their 'Let Me Prove My Love To You' which I posted a few days ago which was sampled for Alicia Keys' - You Don't Know My Name.

He also had several tracks played on the Modern Soul scene, the best known probably being 'Love Won't Wear Off (As The Years Wear On)'  along with 'Love, Love, Love'  (also recorded by Donny Hathaway), 'Just You Me 'n' You'  (also recorded by Eramus Hall) and 'The Eyes Don't Know The Feeling' in 1976.  His final recording was 'I'm Still In Love With You' on Spring in 1984.  He passed in Sep. 1985 aged only 48. 

Carlton Jumel Smith [2019] - This is What Love Looks Like! [Timmion #TR 425]

A 2019 release on Finland's Timmion label with a real 70s crossover feel taken from his 1634 Lexington Avenue album.

Paprika Soul ... once again!

I've come across another couple of Paprika Soul cover versions.  These guys are currently in the UK Soul Chart with Standing Right There, but last year released their version of Kool & The Gang's classic Summer Madness (sampled by Will Smith's altar ego DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince - Summertime in 1991).

Paprika Soul [2019] - Summer Madness EP [Alan Barnes Productions # ABP PR22]

Paprika Soul [1991] - Paprika Soul [Baseline #BASL005CD]

Cover version of Lowrell (Simon) jazz funk classic Mellow Mellow Right On which first came out on their debut self-titled album in 1991, which was reissued in 2001 and is also on Song Birds promo CD from 2018.

Doc Peabody [1973] - Here Without You [Both Sides #466]

Just reissued on Sonic Wax in 2020 is this ultra rare quality modern soul tune by Doc Peabody from 1973. Written and produced by R. Little (Tony Little Sr.). The B side is an instrumental version.  

This track lay dormant until the mid noughties as it was relatively unknown because only a few copies are known to exist, needless to say if you ever find one it's likely to cost well into 4 figures. The last one to sell listed on Popsike went for $7,167 in Oct 2019.  A story on Soul Source suggest some lucky SOB found one for $3!

There is nothing else listed for Doc Peabody, so this is a one-off unless of course this was a pseudonym.

The Sonic Was reissue is single sided only and limited to 300 copies - I wonder how 'legitimate' this release is, it claims to be a MCPS paid reissue.

As it's so rare, I was surprised to find a sound clip on YouTube - thanks to David Pinches for posting it.

Doc Peabody [1973] - Here Without You Part 2 [Both Sides #466]

Whilst looking for info on Doc Peabody I came across this reworking/remix by Mr Fish on Soundcloud.

Tania Maria [1985] - Come With Me [Bellaphone #120 07.158]

I remember buying this wonderful latin jazz track by Tania Maria when it came out. I can't put my hand on my copy at the moment, but their only appears to be 2 releases, a Brazilian promo 7" from 1983 (which I doubt mine is) and a German 12" from 1985 - which doesn't ring a bell, so I'll need to hunt it down.  It was big on the Jazz Funk circuit back in the day and one that you seldom here.  It seems to be getting hard to find as only 5 currently for sale on Discogs for around the £50 mark.  I was reminded of it from doing the Paprika Soul post as they have covered in on their Club Mixes CD.

If you've never heard this then hopefully it will blow you away.  Superb latin jazz.

Paprika Soul [2018] - Club Mixes [Alan Barnes Productions #ABPPSS6]

Paprika Soul [2002] - Too Much Love Makin' [Baseline #BASL008CD]

Following the previous post for their Trippin' On Your Love, reminded me of another cover they did of Gloria Scott's Modern Soul classic "(A Case) Of Too Much Love Makin'" which was on  their 2002 album Into The Light (CD only unless you get the Japanese vinyl issue) they released in 2002. It also came out on 12" and was reissued on Song Birds promo only CD album on Alan Barnes Productions ABPPSS (only 50 copies), which seems to be a compilation of songs from Into The Light 2002 and Paprika Soul from 1991.

Lisa Stansfield [1993] - Too Much Love Makin' [Arista #74321172311]

Lisa Stansfield did a version on her 1993 album 'Son Natural', predominantly released on CD but a 2 vinyl issue was released in Europe.  I don't think it ever escaped on a single.

Gloria Scott [1974] - (A Case) Of Too Much Love Makin' [Casablanca #NB 9002 / NB-001]

I think I'm right in saying that this was never originally released as a 45 except in Australia, which now sells for large sums (currently £700-£800 on Discogs but 45Cat lists a value of £962 based on an auctioned one in 2019). It's a track from her only album 'What Am I Gonna Do' on Casablanca released in 1974.  Six of the 8 tracks were written by Tom Brock including this one. The album is considerable cheaper than the Australian 45!

Kim Weston [1996] - A Case Of Too Much Love Makin' [Motor City #30359 90012] 

From a 1996 compilation by Ian Levine's Motorcity label which also got pressed on a white label 7".

Paprika Soul [2020] - Trippin' On Your Love [Alan Barnes Productions #ABPS7CD]

Well this was a surprise! This one 'sneaked' out in June this year from Paprika Soul and is an updated cover of The Staples, Trippin' On Your Love.

This tune was hammered late 90s/early noughties on Northern/Modern soul dancefloors by A Way Of Life and also by Arthur Miles.  Both were released in 1990 but I think A Way Of Life was first as it reached the UK Chart #55 in Apr 1990, the flip side of Miles' version entered UK chart in Dec 1990.

Kenny Thomas then had a go at it in 1993 and got it to #17 in UK Charts around Sep 1993.

Paprika Soul is Andrew Spiller and Alan Barnes formed in 1992 in UK.

The Staples Feat. Mavis Staples [1981] - Trippin' On Your Love [Stax #MPS 8511]

Originally released as album track only on The Staples Feat. Mavis Staples - This Time Around on Stax in 1981 and has been a long time Modern Soul spin which may explain why the later releases were picked up on.

It was issued on a Kent Select 45 (CITY 067) in Nov 2019 with The Temprees - That's Why I Love you on the flip.

I don't know why on the Kent label it's credited to Phillip Mitchell as on the album, and all other releases, it's credited to (Michael) Smith, (Linda) Rice. PS I think the Discogs writer link is incorrect.

A Way Of Life [1990] - Trippin' On Your Love [Eternal # YZ464T]

The only release (listed) by them. The record company must have believed in this release as a promotional video was recorded for it.

Arthur Miles [1990] - Trippin' On Your Love [New Music#NMX 310]

It was released with 'Helping Hand' on the flip (which also got spins) which entered UK chart in Dec 1990 reaching #87, which perhaps confirms that A Way Of Life was released before it.  I think Miles was an American based in Italy as it came out first on Italian label New Music

Kenny Thomas [1993] - Trippin' On Your Love [Cooltempo #COOL 277]

London blue-eyed singer Kenny Thomas had 8 Top 40 hits in the UK between 1990-95 and this was his 4 highest chart entry at #17. He hit with another couple of covers, The Gap Band's Outstanding was his first hit in 1990 reaching #12 and Force MDs Tender Love in 1991 reaching #26.

The Fascinations & Mayfield - Discography

Well this started off as a straightforward Discography for The Fascinations ... but the 'fascinating' thing is what I discovered doing it and the paths it led me down, so it as ended up being much bigger than originally intended, but hopefully you will find it interesting.

For example did you know that Martha Reeves was an original member of The Fascinations? I always 'assumed' that they were from Chicago because of the Mayfield connection, but they were from Detroit.  Shirley Walker aka Shirley Lawson was also an original member, which led to exploring her solo releases which, in turn,  led to a story regarding Dave Godin's (Blues & Soul writer) Soul City release and looking into the writers of one of her records which led down another path which linked to some well known Northern Soul records.

Also, as The Fascinations released the majority of singles on Mayfield, I thought I may as well complete the whole Mayfield discography which led to some background info on The Mayfield Singers from some of the original members. I noted that Guy Draper wrote and co-wrote many of the Mayfield releases but hadn't realised that he was one of the members of the group along with Leroy Hutson and Donny Hathaway! Anyway, enough of the preamble, all will be revealed below.

The Fascinations

Formed in 1960 by Shirley Walker (aka Lawson) and Martha Reeves, who recruited the Boswell sisters, Bernadine and  Joanne and Fern Bledsoe.   Reeves left later in 1960 leaving a quartet. They were introduced to Curtis Mayfield (after meeting Fred Cash & Sam Gooden of The Impressions) who got them signed to ABC Paramount where they released 2 45s in 1962 and 1963 which did nothing commercially so were released by ABC. They went back to their day jobs until Mayfield signed them to his new Mayfield label in 1966.  The Fascinations featured on 5 of the 7 Mayfield released until it folded in 1968, although, subsequently another 45 would appear on the Mayfield imprint (which was published by Buddah) in 1971 by Marvin Smith (former lead singer of The Artistics) - You're Really Something Sadie c/w Who Will Do Your Running Now which is a well respected NS favourite.

Mayfield Discography

ABC Paramount

Both released as The Fasinations

1962 - Mama Didn't Lie / Someone Like You [45-10387]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Alvin Williams

Mama Didn't Lie was a hit for Jan Bradley in 1963 which cut short The Fascination's version.

1963 - Tears In My Eyes / You Gonna Be Sorry [45-10443]

Composers: Bernadine Boswell / Curtis Mayfield

Mayfield

Name changed to The Fascinations

1966 - (Say It Isn't So) Say You'd Never Go / I'm So Lucky (He Loves Me) [7711]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Guy Draper

A: Skippy

B: Great Northern Soul

1967 - Girls Are Out To Get You / You'll Be Sorry [7714]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Curtis Mayfield, Guy Draper

A: Northern soul classic

B: Nice soul harmony

1967 - I'm In Love / I Can't Stay Away From You [M-7716]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Curtis Mayfield

A: Another 'skippy' Northern soul dancer

B: Deep Ballad

1967 - Hold On / Such A Fool [M-7718]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Curtis Mayfield

An unreleased track called 'Crazy (Keep Telling Me Baby)' was discovered on an acetate (by well known UK soul aficionado Tim Ashibende) and bootlegged on T.N.T. as Sherry Gibbs & The Hearts with 'I'm A Fool' on the flip side which is an alternate version of 'Such A fool.  'Crazy' has subsequently been issued by Outta Site on a UK 45 as the flip to 'Girls Are Out To Get You' in 2011.

1967 - Just Another Reason / O.K. For You [M-7719]

Composers: Curtis Mayfield / Curtis Mayfield

The Mayfield Singers

The Mayfield singers were students in Washington D.C. who were auditioned by Curtis Mayfield and the other two Impressions at the time, Fred Cash & Sam Gooden. Their original name was The Cavaliers - from the name of the apartment building on 16th Street where a couple of them lived.

The Cavaliers sang an Impressions song that Donny had re-arranged so uniquely that Curtis, Sam Gooden and Fred Cash did NOT recognize it for several bars!  They loved the group.

The group members were Guy Draper (California), Marshall Morrison (Tennessee) (the soulful second lead voice heard), Augustus Pearson (Omaha), Michael Hawkins (Washington DC) , Leroy Hutson (New Jersey) , Barbara Carter (Washington DC), Tommy Williams (Washington D.C.) and Donny Hathaway. 

Leroy Hutson became the lead singer for the Impressions when Curtis Mayfield went solo.

Tommy Williams was later 1st tenor for The Presidents, who recorded 5, 10, 15, 20 Years of Love. The Presidents also recorded in the 70's as Anacostia - named after the neighbourhood in Southeast, DC.

Mayfield signed them, changed their name to the Mayfield Singers and put them in the studio.

Acknowledgement:  I took a lot of the info above from comments left by group member Michael Hawkins in the linked YT clip - so it 'should' be accurate.

1966 - I've Been Trying / If

A: Great arrangement of The Impressions classic

B: Northern soul which has sections that sound like The Magnificent 7 theme!  Lo-Fi sound quality I'm afraid as only one i could find.

The above is the only 'official' release from them at the time, but several issue of previously unreleased tracks and bootlegs have appeared over the years.

???? - Don't Start None / Don't Start None (Inst) [Mayfield #7777]

This was discovered by Tony Rounce (Ace) on some Roulette tapes in the late 90s, who passed a copy to Ady Croasdel to play at 100 club. Ady gave copies to Butch and/or Keb Darge. It was 'dubiously' released on 45, Ady claims that it was 'nefariously' released on 45 by another record company i.e. not Ace/Kent who discovered it.

2011 - My Baby Changes Like The Weather / Don't Start None [OSV022]

This is a great tune written by Frank Wilson & Hal Davis originally released by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles on Going To A Go-Go album in 1965 and, as far as I'm aware, never saw a 45 release.

Another unreleased, version appeared on Cellarful Of Motown Vol. 4 CD in 2010 by The Vows, who had only one record released by Motown, Buttered Popcorn / Tell Me on V.I.P. in 1965.  Morris ('Too Darn Soulful') Chestnut was a member but the line-up changed so not sure if he's on this track, but it does sound like him.  There's a great thread on Soul Source about The Vows which covers Chestnut's further work with The Sound Masters and The Attractions.

Yet another version was discovered (or at least played) by Ian Levine in 2014 by Bobby Callender - My Baby Changes Like The Weather [Bamboo #101]. Bobby sounds very like a female singer on this track so I checked and can confirm he's male! ... am I even 'allowed' to say this in the woke world?

Tony Foxx

To complete the Mayfield Discography the remaining release is:

1967 - Because / E.S.P. [M-7715]

Two deep soul cuts, E.S.P. was released a year later as a B side on Calla.

That concludes the Mayfield Discography, but here's one for member Shirley Lawson.

Shirley Lawson

1965 - So Much To Me / Sad Sad Day [Enterprise # E-5040]

A: This has a Curtis Mayfield feel about it although not written by him, but Harry Gates.

B: Early 60s almost doo wop ish

Co-written by Anthony Wilson and Dale Warren.  Wilson also had a hand in writing Tommy Rodgers Pass The Word, I Lost A Good Thing for Gwen Owens on Velgo as well as producing her NS classic Just Say You're Wanted (And Needed) and Two Plus Two - I'm Sure / Look Around), Sandy Hollis - I'm Tempted (on which, although uncredited, a duet with Sonny Monro (Carlis McKinley Monroe) of The Falcons - who did a modern take on Darrell Banks classic Open The Door To Your Heart in 1975 on Epic) / Tables Have Turned, Ortheia Barnes - Take My Heart And Soul , Ponderosa Twins + One - Bitter With The Sweet.

 

Warren co-wrote Ronnie & Robyn - Sidra's Theme and Gigi & The Charmaines - Guilty / Girl Crazy was arranger on dozens of 45s including the following:  

Chuck Jackson - Good Things Come To Those Who Wait [Wand]

Betty Lavette - Let Me Down Easy [Calla]

Ja Neen Henry - Baby Boy [Blue Rock] - originally by Juanita Williams

Theresa Lindsey - It's Love [Correc-tone]

Deon Jackson - Love Makes The World Go Around [Carla]

Les Chansonettes - Deeper [Shrine]

The Falcons - I Can't Help It / Standing On Guard [Big Wheel]

The Cairos - Don't Fight It / Stop Overlooking Me [Shrine]

Art Posey - No More Heartaches [Scope]

I'll stop there as there are so many others. If interested further, then I suggest you explore Dale Warren's output.

1966 - The Star / One More Chance [Back Beat 567]

Another example of such a great double-sided Northern Soul record would be hard to find. £250-£350 might get you a copy. It was also scheduled for issue on Dave Godin's short-lived Soul City label in 1968 but was withdrawn as there was a dispute with Island who who were responsible for Back Beat licensing in UK, but some were sold before they were withdrawn which explains why they are so rare on UK Soul City fetching as much or more than the original Back Beat issues.

Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly - The Best Of...

I think I'm right in saying that the music of Frankie Beverly & Maze seemed to be more popular in the UK in the 80s than US.   They seemed to be 'adopted' by the UK Soul Weekender scene 'back in the day' where many of their tunes became weekender anthems.

Consequently they had 7 singles which entered the UK Chart. The track that probably comes to most people's mind is their classic Joy And Pain, which was never actually released as an A side in US!

Before I go into the band, Frankie Beverly was active before this in the 60s. Born Howard Beverly in 1946 in Philadelphia. He changed his name after his early influence from Frankie Lymon. He recorded with Philly group The Silhouettes (who had a hit with 'Get A Job' in 1957) at the age of 12. Still a teenager he formed The Blenders, I don't think that any material was recorded by them. 

In 1963 he formed The Butlers.  The group consisted of Frankie Beverly, Jack 'Sonny' Nicholson, Joe Collins, John Fitch, and Talmadge Conway.  They recorded several 45s for a number of different labels between 1964-69, Liberty Bell - 'She Tried To Kiss Me (All I Could Do Is Run)' (a frantic NS dancer) / 'The Sun's Message' (Doo-wop ballad) and Phila - 'Butlers Theme' (NS instrumental) / 'Laugh, Laugh, Laugh' (a nice NS dancer which I have to confess not hearing before) as The Butlers and then changing their name to Frank Beverly & The Butlers for a release on Sassy for his classic Northern soul favourite 'If That's What You Wanted' and the wonderful 'Love (Your Pain Grows Deep)', although one of the issues had 'This Is Just A 'B' Side' as the flip. This is a sought after item as it was withheld from release as the record was picked up by Gamble for release, however, the producer (Billy Jackson) released them in the 70s. The Gamble 45 commands a higher price tag, perhaps because of the Sassy 45's availability in 70s. This record has been bootlegged several times on O.O.T.P. (Out Of The Past) a renowned label for bootlegs in 70s and Liberty Bell in 1973, and got an official UK release on Neil Rushton's Inferno label in 1979.

Two more release came out on Fairmount with the name changed again to Frankie Beverly & The Butlers, She Kissed Me / Don't Cry Little Sad Boy and  'Because Of My Heart' another NS favourite, along with 'I Want To Feel I'm Wanted' which is a great mid-tempo tune that ought to get plays these days, but probably won't as the crazy thing is in 2013 this record sold for £24 but the last one to sell on Discogs sold for £1,800! Because My Heart / I Want To Feel I'm Wanted was also released on Rouser (with the same cat no as Fairmount) as The Butlers With Frankie Beverly.  Rouser was a Washington D.C. based label owned by Tommy Rouse with only 3 releases listed. I would 'guess' that this is a reissue. None have ever sold on Discogs so it must be pretty rare - apparently one sold on ebay in 2012 for $4,173! There is a topic on Soul Source about it, apparently it is a slightly different, edited, mix.  

A final release came out as The Butlers on Gamble She's Gone (Crossover/Ballad) / Love Is Good (Northern/Crossover) in 1969.

Beverly then formed a band in Philadelphia in 1970 under the name Raw Soul (I don't think it's the same band which had a funky instrumental track played on NS scene mid 70s called 'The Gig' on DPG (a label owned by Lenis Guess) who were from Norfolk, VA and were Lenis Guess's house band who also went under the name The 35th Street Gang).

Their first single was The "Raw Soul" With Frankie Beverly - You Left Me / Open Up, Your Heart recorded on the tiny Eldorado label in Philadelphia in 1969 and released 1970, co-written by Beverly, Charles Earland and Leon Fisher and co-produced by Beverly and Earland. Only one other 45 is listed for the label by Charles Earland's Erector Set an instrumental of Stevie Wonder's My Cheri Amour c/w Yes-Suh!. 

They followed this up with 3 singles as Frankie Beverly's Raw Soul on Gre-Gar, an RCA subsidiary which ran from 1967-72 and released an eclectic mix of artists of which theses are the only soul related ones I can see.

1971 - People In The Know / Understanding [71-0112]

People In The Know is a hard funk number written by Beverly and Understanding (poor quality sound clip) is another funky track, co-written by Beverly and Leon Fisher

1971 - Color Blind (Funk) / Mother Nature's Been Good To Us (Ballad) [71-0108]

Both sides co-written by Beverly and Leon Fisher

1972 - While I'm Alone / Tomorrow May Not Be Your Day [71-0115]

This is the raw original of While I'm Alone written by Beverly, the others side is a track written by Taj Mahal.

The line up was Franke Beverly, Kenny Young, Paul Lermen, McKinley 'Bug' Williams, Teddy White, Jerry Cohen, Roame Lowery, and Walter 'Sleepy' Watts.

Raw Soul moved to San Francisco and met Marvin Gaye and toured with him in 1976 as his opening act.  On Gaye's advice they changed their name to Maze.

I found some live footage of Raw Soul performing an unrecorded track (at the time but it was later released on Golden Time Of Day album in 1978) at Winterland in San Francisco in Feb 1975 called 'I Need You'. The video and audio quality is excellent.

... and here's another clip of Color Blind live

.. and another 'Song For My Mother'

To date, between 1977 and 1993,  they have released 8 studio albums and 2 live albums 'Live in New in Orleans' 1981 and 'Live in LA' 1986.

Album Discography

1977 - Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly

1978 - Golden Time Of Day

1979 - Inspiration

1980 - Joy And Pain

1981 - Live In New Orleans

1983 - We Are One

1985 - Can't Stop The Love

1986 - Live In Los Angeles

1989 - Silky Soul

1993 - Back To Basics

From a chart perspective their biggest hits were Back In Stride and Can't Get Over You both of which topped the US R&B chart in 1985 and 1989 respectively.  Popwise in US they only had 4 entries in the Billboard Hot 100 Feel That Your Feelin' #67,Love Is The Key #80, Back In Stride c/w Joy And Pain #88, While I'm Alone #89.  As stated earlier they fared better in UK with 7 entries but only one reached top 40:

#Love Is The Key #88

We Are One #86

#Back In Stride #79

Too Many Games #36

I Wanna Be With You #55

Joy And Pain #57

#Can't Get Over You #89

I'm surprised that While I'm Alone isn't in the UK list, but I guess it's because it was one of their earlier recordings before they became better known in UK and was their first entry into US R&B chart in 1977.

It may seem perverse to some, but soul aficionados in UK (and elsewhere) are more interested in the records that didn't chart, B sides and album only tracks as these often contain undiscovered gems.  So let's explore some of those.

1977

Lady Of Magic - a nice mellow ballad / stepper.

Happy Feelin's - album track only 'Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly'

You  - album track 'Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly' but did come out in 1981 as b side to 'We Need Love To Live'

Look At California  - album track only 'Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly'

1978

Golden Time Of Day

I Wish You Well

I Need You - album track only 'Golden Time Of Day'

1979 

Lovely Inspiration album track only 'Inspiration'

Call On Me - B side to Timin' - a lovely smooth stepper

Woman Is A Wonder - album track only 'Inspiration' - mellow ballad/stepper

1980

I Want To Thank You - B side to Southern Girl

The Look In Your Eyes - superb UK weekender anthem that failed to chart except US R&B #29

1981

Family - B side to 'Running Away'

We Need Love To Live

Before I Let Go - another UK weekender anthem that failed to chart except US R&B #13. This had Joy & Pain on B side. Joy And Pain was only released as an A side in UK with Happy Feelin's taken from their first album on B side in 1981.  Before I Let Go was issued in UK with Golden Time Of Day on the B Side.

Changing Times - album track only 'Joy And Pain'

Happiness - album track only 'Joy And Pain' - a soulful ballad

1983

I Wanna To Thank You

1985

Can't Stop The Love - album only 'Can't Stop The Love '

1986

When You Love Someone - wonderful mellow ballad which highlights Frankie Beverly's silky smooth vocal abilities.

1989

Silky Soul

Somebody Else's Arms - album only 'Silky Soul'

Love's On The Run - a change of style with a synthesised bouncy stepper

Change Our Ways - album only 'Silky Soul'

1993

The Morning After

What Goes Up

Nobody Knows What You Feel Inside - album only 'Back To Basics'

Love Is  - album only 'Back To Basics' - another cool stepper

The Ripples [1971] - Cowgirls To Boys / Only Time Will Tell [Apache #AM 2005]

One for the Lowriders and lovers of sweet soul, a slowed down version of The Intruders Gamble & Huff classic from 1968 backed with another deep & sweet soul gem 'Only Time Will Tell'.

This appears to be their only release and there's only 4 releases listed for Apache label based in Chicago 2004,2005,2006 & 2007.

2004: Loleatta Holloway -  For Sentimental Reasons / Rainbow '71  2 deep soul cuts

2005: The Ripples - Cowgirls To Boys / Only Time Will Tell

2006: Von Fleming & The Country Raider - Teardrops / Wildwood Flower (from the name I suspect a country group?)

2007: James Phelps - The Look On Your Face  / You Were Made For Love crossover classic also recorded by Nate Evans and also John Edwards.

The Ripples [1971] - Cowgirls To Boys [Apache #AM 2005]

The Ripples [1971] - Only Time Will Tell [Apache #AM 2005]