Emory & The Dynamics

Little is known about Emory & The Dynamics apart from that they released 3 singles on William Bell's short-lived (1969/70) Atlanta based label Peachtree.  Emory Harris left the group after the second single and the group changed their name to The 4 Dynamics for their last outing on the label.  One of the members was named William Harris so I am guessing that he and Emory were brothers.

There has been some speculation that Emory may have been Emory Cloud who had previously recorded with The Combinations and then joined a group called The Classics (who didn't record) but were later renamed the Most Valuable Players (M.V.P.'s), by their manager Donn Clendenon (a World Series baseball MVP in 1969), who had a huge Northern Soul record 'Turning My Heartbeat Up' on Buddah.  However, at present this is just guess work, but would be nice to have it confirmed (or otherwise).

Emory & The Dynamics [1969] - It Sure Would Be Nice [Peachtree #107]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 6.5

Deep soul group harmony much loved by the lowrider scene.  This 45 is an example of demand from two scenes raising the value of this record as UK NS scene wants one side and lowrider scene wants the other.

Emory & The Dynamics [1969] - Let's Take A Look At Our Life [Peachtree #107]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.8

This is a pleasant skip-a-long Northern Soul dancer written by William Bell and Harold Beane.

Emory & The Dynamics [1969] - Pretty Little School Girl [Peachtree #P 120]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

Sweet soul group harmony bordering on crossover (but could probably only be played at progressive venues) but just the thing to play at Sunday sessions.  Written by William Bell & Harold Beane.

Emory & The Dynamics [1969] - A Love That's Real [Peachtree #P-120]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.0

Sheer class ... deep soul group harmony at it's finest and probably from a soul quality point of view my personal favourite by the group. Another written by William Bell & Harold Beane.

The 4 Dynamics [1970] - Things That A Lady Ain't Suppose To Do [Peachtree #P-129]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

Originally recorded in 1968 by Cynthia & The Imaginations as Hey Boy (I Love You).  Written by Timmy Shaw (stage name for Jake Hammond) & Ernest Burt and believed to have been recorded at Magic City on which they released an earlier 45.  

After the first 2 45's on Peachtree, Emory Harris left the group and they renamed themselves The 4 Dynamics and covered the Cynthia & The Imaginations track changing the title to Thing's That A Lady Ain't Supposed To Do. This is a very rare and highly sought after record.  It was reissued in UK by Grapevine in 2002.

Cytnthia & The Imaginations [1968] - Hey Boy I Love You [Blue Rock]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

The 4 Dynamics [1970] - That's What Girls Are Made For [Peachtree #P-129]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 5.0

This is a 1970 cover of The Detroit Spinners first hit on Tri-Phi written by Gwen Gordy & Harvey Fuqua (The Moonglows) from 1961.  Gwen Gordy was Berry Gordy's sister who married (and later divorced)  Harvey Fuqua. Tammi Terrell also recorded it in 1968 on Irresistible Tammi Terrell LP.

100% Pure Poison

100% Pure Poison were a group made up of American military personnel stationed in Zwiebruken, Germany during the early 70s. 

Members included Danny Leake, Jackie Beard, James Wells (Ian Levine 'protege' who recorded Am I Still The Same Man in 1976 one of Levine's first forays into tailor made Northern Soul), James Williams, Marvin Daniels (Left to join Chops and then Mutiny), Pie Harrison, Slide Beard.

They recorded an album in 1974 (UK only) from which 2 45s were released. Their best known 45 is if course the modern/NS dancer 'You Keep Coming Back' which was only released in UK & Germany. It got  reissued by Soul Brother Records in UK in 2001 backed with 'Windy C' (a psychedelic funk track)  not previously available on 45 (LP only).

Note that Discogs lists a track by them from 1972 Do Whatcha Do Pts 1 & 2 on Poison, however, this is not the same band according to Margie Harrison (the wife of Pie Harrison.

I was originally planning on just posting the deep soul cut 'Don't Let Your Pride, but as they only released 2 45s I've decided to feature all sides plus a bonus LP track which was reissued on 45.

100% Pure Poison [1974] - Don't Let Your Pride (Overcome Your Love) [DRL]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5

For the deep soul lovers, tucked away on the B side of 'Hole In My Shoes' on DRL from 1974.  This is a hard one to find on 45, only one ever sold on Discogs (VG £52 in 2018) and a VG- listed on Popsike sold for $188 (approx £150) in 2016), although it is also on their 'Coming Right At You' album from the same year.

100% Pure Poison [1974] - Hole In My Shoes [DRL]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8

The flip side is a 'grower', 70s funky/crossover which is becoming more vogue on the UK scene. 

100% Pure Poison [1974] - You Keep Coming Back [EMI International]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6

A 'modern' Northern Soul dancer which sells for quite big money these days. At time of writing (Mar 2020) there are 2 for sale on Discogs for £175-£200.  Even the Soul Brother 2001 reissue sells for up to £40.

100% Pure Poison [1974] - (And When I Said) I Love You [EMI International]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.2

Sweet soul ballad flips side to 'Coming Right At You'

100% Pure Poison [2001] - Windy C [Soul Brother]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.5

A psychedelic funk track reissued from 1974 LP on the flip to Soul Brother reissue of Coming Right At You.