Probably one of the best double-siders you could buy. Coupled with the Modern
Soul classic 'If You Want A Love Affair' is this wonderful deep soul cut.
Jesse James [1975] - I Never Meant To Love Her [20th Century TC 2201]
The deep soul vocals twinned with the 70s production makes this a very special
record which you should expect to pay upwards of £100 for a copy in decent
condition.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5
Jesse James [1975] - If You Want A Love Affair [20th Century TC
2201]
An evergreen favourite on the Modern Soul scene for years.
If you have never heard this before then be prepared for a treat. A wonderful slice of Deep Soul from around 1969/70. Reminiscent of Garland Green's Jealous Kinda Fella (but that might just be because of the word jealous!).
James Dee is one James Dudley who also recorded under the name Jimmy Dee. It is believed that he recorded approx 9 45s and a very rare live album 'A Memorial Salute To Sam Cooke' on his own Hear Me label apparently recorded only 2 days after Sam Cooke's death.
Northern Soul hero J.J. Barnes with one of his best ever records. Released on Volt after leaving Revilot and one his last 60s recordings. I believe that this was played on the Modern Soul scene first and would be classed as a crossover sound.
This record is quite sought after. I don't think it is particularly rare as it was released on a major label, but they don't come up for sale that regularly as owners don't want to sell it. A copy would probably cost you between £100-£150 these days.
For those not familiar with the term 'crossover', in brief, it relates to records released between around 1967-1974 that did not fit the 'formula' for Northern Soul nor Modern Soul as they were too slow i.e. not typical dancers. It is the period between 'on the four' Motown beat and Disco when a lot of black music was going funky and the style of soul music was changing. In the late 80s/early 90s quality soul music that would otherwise not have been played on the UK soul scene began to be played and were classed as 'crossover'. Personally I love this genre as the records tend to be far more soulful.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5
L.V. Johnson [1997] - I Got To Get Rid Of You [Stardust URS 119]
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.8
Cover version of J.J. Barnes song. I think this was released late 90s early noughties, but that's only a guess as I think that's around the time I bought my copy. I believe that it was the first release of a previously unreleased track. It was issued by Goldmine Soul Supply on 45 in 1997(but only as a promo - perhaps a licensing dispute?) - I seem to recall that the Canadian Stardust release came first (?).
OK, we're now more or less up to date with new releases from the last few months, so time to look at some quality oldies - in this instance a few deep soul offerings. This track was only previously available via the original 1976 pressing on MAM/Miko with 'I Need A True Love' on the flip and would set you back around £2,000 ... if you could even find one!
Eddie Parker [1976] - But If You Must Go [MAM 803]
SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5
Eddie Parker [1976] - I Need A True Love [MAM 803]
This side was previously released on Triple 'B' (and also Googa-Mooga in France) with 'Crying Clown' on the flip in 1968. It is thought that the 1976 release is a slightly different version ... but personally I can't tell much difference.
SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.2
Those lovely people at Ace/Kent in the UK included 'But If I Must Go' in their Jack Ashford: Just Productions 24 track compilation CD in 2016.
They then issued it on their Deep Soul imprint on vinyl 45, flipped with the wonderful Debbie Taylor & The Hesitations - 'All That I Have'.
Debbie Taylor & The Hesitations - [2016] - All That I Have [Deep Soul 03]
This track lay unissued until 2005 when it first appeared on Kent compilation 'GWP-NYC-TBC' compilation'. I note that it was co-written by Larry Saunders, an underrated artist who released some quality sides of his own which I am sure to feature at some point.
From the middle of last year (2019) comes a soulful jazz stepper from saxophonist Fostina Dixon with Jeff Murrell on vocal duty. Taken from her Vertical Alignment album.
Mamas Gun is a London based blue-eyed soul band who I have only just 'discovered' through their latest release by Legere on vinyl 45 'This Is The Day'.
I have since discovered that they have been around since 2009 and have released 4 albums:
Soulful house with gospel flavas by Toronto based jazz band Four80East featuring the vocals of CeCe Penistion. This is the extended and beefed up Joey Negro Redemption Mix.
There are several other mixes of this track (Original, AtomBong, Future, Torontama Tribal) but trust me, this is by far the best mix.
This album has been featuring in many soul charts recently so had to check it out and what an album! If you like your soul on the jazzy side then this is for you. I've embedded the 3 best tracks and provided YouTube links to the remaining tracks.
I've no idea who GLOW is I assume the producers as each track feature a different artist.
01 - Best Of Me Feat. Dave Love
SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.95
Superb opening track featuring Dave Love (Now I wonder? ... is it 'the' Dave Love who did Colalined Baby? ... I somehow doubt it ... more likely to be the guy who released 'Waiting Room' album in 2019.
I'm not 100% sure that I have the right Mary Joyner but if I do she is the daughter of the US sprinter Florence Griffith Joyner (aka FloJo). She appeared in season 7 of America's Got Talent in 2012.
She has released a couple of singles already this year
2020 - Observin' - a light-weight R&B/Hip-Hop number
I have no words today ... after viewing media and social media reports of, what are now termed, COVIDIOTS - people who seem to think they know better than all the experts and governments, who think they are invincible. All I can do is show some images of what some people in the UK and around the world seem to understand as social distancing.
Here are the hoards queuing at supermarket check-out thinking they are more likely to starve to death than catch COVID-19. Totally selfish and ignorant people clearing supermarket shelves and infecting each other in the process.
The UK government has tried the 'softly softly' approach and it seems that many are not taking heed so I predict that it will inevitably take more draconian steps in the coming days. ... and the first people to complain will be the COVIDIOTS who have brought it on themselves and the rest of us!
UPDATE: 23rd March 2010 18:30 - UK Prime Minister to make announcement at 8:30 pm .... You can bet that he is going to announce further restrictions in light of COVIDIOTS!
