Mike & The Censations - The Best Of ...

Mike (Michael James Kirkland) & The Censations released 4 45s on Highland (the first was also released on Bryan) and then then went on to record 3 45s on Revue.

Mike James Kirkland then went solo from 1971-1973 releasing his seminal album Hang On In There in 1972 and Doin' It Right in 1973 on Bryan. He released a 45 on Zay in 1971 before joining Bryan where in addition to the 2 albums he released around 5 45s.  There is another 45 by him  with 2 tracks from Doin' It album on Yazoo which seems odd as the album was on Bryan and no other releases on Yazoo - perhaps a bootleg?

He then hooked up with Ruth Davis in the mid 70s as Bo Kirkland & Ruth Davis with whom he released around 7 45s and an album on Claridge between  1975-77.

This post is focused on his time with Mike & The Censations. At the end of the post I've included 3 previously unreleased tracks only available on 2011 Don't Sell Your Soul album on Luv N' Haight attributed to Mike James Kirkland

Mike & The Censations [1965] - Victim Of Circumstance [Bryan #1001/Highland #1175]

Mike & The Censations [1967] - There's Nothing I Can Do About It [Highland 1181]

Soultsrutter's Rating: 9.4

Sublime group soul harmony / crossover.

This was reissued last year on Luv n' Haight and there are still some available on BandCamp on vinyl or digital.

Mike & The Censations [1967] - Don't Mess With Me [Highland 1181]

Soultsrutter's Rating: 7.5

Fairly ordinary Northern Soul dancer which is quite good but doesn't set my world on fire.

Mike & The Censations [1968] - Be Mine Forever [Highland #1186]

Mike & The Censations [1968] - I Need Your Lovin' [Highland #1186]

Mike & The Censations [1968] - Don't Sell Your Soul [Highland #1189]

Mike & The Censations [1968] - Baby What're You Gonna Do [Highland #1189]

Mike & The Censations [1969] - You're Living A Lie [Revue R 11401]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.8

Very similar to There's Nothing I Can Do About It 

Mike & The Censations [1969] - Shopping For Love [Revue R-11056]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.8

Deep soul group harmony / lowrider

Now heres 3 tracks previously unreleased until issued in 2011 by Luv N' Haight on 'Don't Sell Your Soul' album available digitally from BandCamp long with all Mike & The Censations tracks.

Here's a link to a playlist on YT with all tracks on album.

Mike James Kirkland [2011] - I Need Your Love [Love N' Haight LH CD/LP 064]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4

Modern soul dancer

Mike James Kirkland [2011] - Love Is Back [Love N' Haight LH CD/LP 064]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.6

Deep soul ballad

Mike James Kirkland [2011] - Whirling Around [Love N' Haight LH CD/LP 064]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.7

Modern soul stepper

Gene Middleton & The Funk Factory [1973] - No One To Love Me [Funk Factory CO 5506]

Discography

1965 - You Can Get It Now / A Man Will Do Anything [Soul Town 1]

1967 - Stop - Where Are You / You Need Love [D and B DB 102]

1967 - When A Boy Becomes A Man / You Need Love [D and B DB 103]

1973 - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You / No One To Love Me [Funk Factory CO 5006]

197? - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You / No One To Love Me [Andee 002]

NOTES

Soul Town and D and B were Tampa based labels owned by Charles Fuller and these were their only releases.  The Rare Breed backed Middleton on the first 2 singles.

The Funk Factory 45 is the only release on the label and there is nothing on the label to give a clue as to its location.  Given the backing band is called Funk Factory and limited info on label I wonder if this was self-released.

45Cat states that the Andee release is a reissue/bootleg but gives no year.  All the releases on Andee appear to have been previously issued (apart from a few) and are mostly from different artists which hints at it being a reissue label (legit or otherwise).  Its location is odd also - a PO box in Opa-locka, Florida which today has a population of only 15,000.

A bit more info on Gene Middleton can be found at John Ridley's excellent SirShambling

Gene Middleton & The Funk Factory [1973] - No One To Love Me [Funk Factory CO 5506] 

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.7

A record I've owned for many years that still hasn't had its day, but the with change in tempo over recent years, perhaps its time is coming and it's well overdue as I have always thought that this was a class record.  A posting by John Manship a few years ago stated it was 'hugely in-demand'. It was reissued on the somewhat dubious looking Andeee label (legit?)

If you are not sure what crossover is/means then this is IT.  The ultimate crossover record in my book, you would hard pressed to find a better example of crossover heaven than this. Get this while you can as when this takes off the price will soar. At time of writing only a handful for sale on Discogs and all (bar one) only VG condition or less. One is graded NM (£60) but states heavy WOL both sides - so how can it be graded NM?

My only complaint with this record is that it's only 2:05 long ... far too short as it finishes too soon.

Gene Middleton & The Funk Factory [1973] - Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You [Funk Factory CO 5506] 

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.4

The flip (official A side) is a deep soul version of Wilson Pickett's 1970 hit Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You.  I have to confess I'm not a great lover of this style of southern soul as it's a bit too raw, earthy and bluesy.

Qunestine Strong [1973] - One Hundred Years From Now [Raina 45-101]

Raina is a Phoenix label so it comes a no surprise that the song is written by Pete James, Eddie (Edgar) Campbell and Ernie Johnson (Eddie & Ernie) also from Phoenix.

This appears to be her only release and was reissued on Truth & Soul in 2013 with an instrumental version on the flip.

Raina issued 4 45s between 1973-74 100-102 (1973), 201 (1974) and then seemed to start again in 1982-84.

Raina 100 was an instrumental version of One Hundred Years From Now by Lawrence Carroll's People Band (featured on the Truth & Soul reissue). Lawrence Carroll seemed to be involved in most of the Raina releases so I'm guessing that perhaps he had a stake in the label along with P. Shell (Carroll Shell Productions).

It also transpires that prior to this Carroll was a drummer for Motown between 1965-71.  A photo on Discogs shows him behind the drums for Hamilton Bohannon which makes sense as Bohannon worked with Stevie Wonder from 1965-67 and then was responsible for arranging Motown's live acts before Motown relocated to LA.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4

Rare crossover.

Lawrence Carroll's People Band  [1973] - One Hundred Years From Now [Raina 45-100]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.5

Instrumental version.

Ernie Johnson [1967] - These Very Tender Moments [Artco 104]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.5

I am unable to find a sound file for the flip side 'Very Tender Moments', but as it was written by Eddie & Ernie, I have posted Ernie Johnson's version recorded in 1967 on Arto 104. The sound clip shows it on Ever-Soul 'incorrectly' credited to Eddie & Ernie which is a reissue and I can only hear one voice on here which is Ernie Johnson's.

Deep soul

Gene Townsel

As far as I am aware this is his complete 'secular' output.

Albums
1978 - Time Wounds All Heels [Dobre DR-1054]

45s
197? - There's No Use Hiding / I'm Walking Away [Balance Town BTM 138]
197? - Mr. Boon Tang / Can't Stop A Poor Man Makin' Love [Ah-La-Vi RI-3160]


Gene Townsel was the grandson of a Baptist preacher and got a degree in choral music from Florida A&M university and then performed in churches and teaching music.  He turned to secular music and worked as a session musician backing many artists such as Ray Charles, Lou Rawls and Dusty Springfield.  This led him to record his first album Time Wounds All Heels in 1975 at Ray Charles' Tangerine studios (although not released until 1978) which has become a rare collector's item. The label states recorded at Gold Star but Gene confirms that it was recorded at Tangerine but possibly pressed at Gold Star hence the 'mistake'.  Clydene Jackson (I Need Your Love), who was a friend of Gene's appeared on the album on 'There's No Use Hiding' and 'Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast'.

According to an interview with Gene, unbeknown to him at the time, Dobre was a shelter company for Expression Sound Inc. and when the album started becoming successful in LA it scared Dobre/Expression as the album was not supposed to make money! It is rare because very few were pressed because Dobre never wanted it to be successful from the outset

After this disappointment with recording, Gene concentrated on live performances in the 80s. He left secular music and ran a rehearsal studio in LA for 20 years before returning to Florida in the late 90s where he started a church supply company and founded his own preaching ministry.

Source RD Francis

Two killer tracks from his highly regarded and sought after solitary album 'Time Wounds All Heels' released on Dobre in 1978.  It was thought that these tracks were never released on 45 but copies have turned up on Balance Town.  Some seem to think that they were released a long time after the album by Gene himself.  I have found a few on Popsike and they have been selling recently sell for around £600-£650.

Gene confirms that he licensed the tracks to Gary Dennis at Crazy Beat in 2005 for both sides to be issued on the first release on Crazy Beat label (CB 001), but he does not know who was behind the Balance Town release and claims that he still has the master tapes ... so go figure?  Another highly regarded DJ/collector/soul aficionado Steve Guarnori recalls that he bought the 45 around 1997/98.  No one at present seems to know for sure whether the Balance Town release is legit or a bootleg but going by the prices many must believe that is legit.

I found a signed copy on Popsike - so either the signature is a fake or Gene did know about it at some point but has forgotten?

Some info from thread on SoulSource

Gene Townsel [1978] - No Use Hiding [Balance Town BTM 138]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5

Superb Crossover/modern soul.

Gene Townsel [1978] - I'm Walking Away [Balance Town BTM 138]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.4

Equally good crossover/modern soul.

Gene Townsel [197?] - Mr. Boon Tang / Can't Stop A Poor Man Making Love [Ah-La-Vi R-3160]

His only other known 45 release is this one on Ah-La-Vi (the only release on the label).  This one also sells for big sums £600-£1000 but I notice that prices are falling so perhaps it was 'in-demand' a few years ago as one sold for £1110 in 2011!

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.6

Northern Soul / crossover, similar in tempo to the previous tracks but I would guess they are earlier.

Gene Townsel [197?] - Mr. Boon Tang / Can't Stop A Poor Man Makin' Love [Ah-La-Vi R-3160]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.6

Crossover track a bit funkier than his other tracks and sounds earlier certainly not as late as 1978 more 1973/4 to me but only guessing.

NB Both sides on this clip

Gene Townsell [1978] - Time Wounds All Heels [Dobre DR-1054]

The album has seen a reissue on CD in 2012 and is available via Amazon.  It was also reissued on Balance Town in 2003 so perhaps that's when the 45 was pressed?

01 - Time Wounds All Heels

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5

Sublime deep soul title track from the album.

02 - Chrissy

03 - I'm Walking Away 

04 - Hope She'll Be Happier 

05 - There's No Use Hiding 

06 - I'm Her Daddy / Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast 

07 - Color Me Black 

08 - The Impossible Dream

NB Opens YouTube link

Gerri Granger [1971] - I Go To Pieces (Everytime...) [Bell B-969]

Northern Soul classic that you just don't seem to hear out anymore.  I seem to recall that this became the unofficial four before eight as Russ Winstanley often played this before Tobi Legend's Time Will Pass You By.

For those that don't already know, the 'Three Before Eight' refers to the last 3 records played at the legendary Wigan Casino sessions before 8am when the all-nighter ended.

They were:

Tobi Legend [1968] - Time Will Pass You By [Mala 591]

Jimmy Radcliffe [1965] - Long After Tonight Is All Over [Musicor MU 1042]

Dean Parrish [1967]  - I'm On My Way [Laurie LR 3418]

According to a wiki article this was only released as a white promo and that Billboard magazine listed it for release in Feb 1971 but it was never released, yet both Discogs and 45Cat have label images for silver/black issues. As far as I know it wasn't bootlegged on Bell as it was reissued on Eric to satisfy demand.  Further investigation shows that there are a few on Popsike with the silver label and black writing (one has 'sample record not for sale' hand stamped) so I guess it either did get released or some issue copies escaped the pressing plant.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.3

Gerri Granger [1971] - Darling Take Me Back (I'm Sorry) [Bell B-969]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.2

Also recorded by Lenny Welch (1965), Ray Pollard (1965) and Cissy Houston (1972), Eddie Holman (1974) and possibly others.

Live version of the flip side. Just as an aside ... if this wasn't released I wonder why there would be live footage of her singing it if not to promote it .. or perhaps that was just it - a promotion appearance and then Bell decided to pull it?

Gloria Shannon [2008] - Tears (Are Gifts From Heaven) [Real Side RSR 112-45]

A Dallas recording (Houston Express)  from 1970 discovered in a batch of unmarked master tapes and issued by Real Side records in UK (RIP Francis T).  This has an 'across the board' appeal i.e. Northern Soul, Modern Soul, Crossover and Lowrider.  Surprisingly little known when I spun it out in the last couple of years.  It was released in 2008 (allegedly 300 white promos and 500 black issues) when I picked my copy up.  It now sells for 3 figures (up to £125).

This appears to be her only known recording ... unless of course she recorded by another name ... surely a talent like this must have made more recordings?  The label states 'The Unknown Soul Girl'. so perhaps the name Gloria Shannon may have been made up as this may have just been found on an unlabelled tape?  Anyone with further info please leave a comment.  Sadly Francis T is no longer with us to ask.  This also appears to be the last 45 released on Real Side.

I have read comments that the backing track was from an intended soundtrack that Berry Gordy commissioned at United Sound Studios, Detroit 1972/73 arranged by Mike Terry with Funk Brothers & Detroit Symphony Orchestra but it was never released and that apparently it is still in the vaults.  No one knows who recorded the vocals.

Some further info from Roger Banks last year who listed one of six original 10" acetate cuts of this for sale. He played it a Wilton, Bretby & Lea Manor (Albrighton) late 90s early noughties to a muted response.  He states that it is an obscure tape find - so I guess Gloria Shannon IS a made up name as original artist is unknown.  I have heard someone suggest that it may be Gloria Scott, who was originally from Texas but she moved to San Francisco where she met Sly Stewart (Stone) and cut a 45 as Gloria Scott & The Tonettes in 1964 and later in 1965 she joined The Ikettes so I doubt that it is her, although the vocals do sound similar.

Digging around a bit more and this was originally posted on Real Side's website:

"Imagine our surprise when, after listening to what felt like hours of run-of-the-mill rock 'n' roll and country music, we heard the opening bars of this magnificent mid tempo Northern Soul gem!

Nothing is known about this sublime masterpiece other than it was recorded a circa 1970 and has been collecting dust ever since. The master tape box gives little away, other than a Dallas, Texas address and it is unlikely that, after more than three decades, the mystery will ever be solved.

In 2004 Real Side Records cut 10 collectors acetates and the record picked up plays around the country courtesy of top DJs Tim Brown, Ginger Taylor and Roger Banks. Since being in circulation rumours have been rife about the song and it hs been suggested that the mysterious Gloria is in fact Gladys Knight?

Let's just enjoy it for what it is - the best undiscovered Soul record in decades!"

There is thread discussing it on SoulSource

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.8

Gloria Shannon [2008] - Shine My Lovelight [Real Side RSR 112-45]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.75

Nice crossover track on the flip, probably overshadowed by quality of A side? ... but still a damn good side.

Eddie Parker [1966] - I'm Gone [Awake 502] plus....

Probably one of the finest stompers ever to grace the turntables on the Northern Soul scene is Eddie Parker's "I'm Gone".  Still an extremely rare record on original vinyl on Awake.  

Written by Jack Ashford (Funk Brothers drummer) and Ermastine Lewis (Lorraine Chandler) and released on Jack Ashford's Detroit Awake label (which only released 3 45s). This is a holy grail Northern Soul 45, selling for 4 figures. Only a handful have been listed on Popsike and the one on the Manship clip below (which was owned by Eddie Parker himself) had a latest bid of £6,224 in 2013.

Inevitably, due to its popularity, it was bootlegged on a green Awake label (probably around 1977) which does not include the 'Best In Soul Sounds' banner of the original and is very easy to spot as the font used is different as well. Also, the original is vinyl with moulded label and boot is styrene with stick on label.  Another interesting fact pointed out on SoulSource is that apparently the intro on the bootleg is truncated by a second (as are The Hesitations Soul Superman CD reissues - see below).

As good as all the other versions are, for me Eddie Parker's cannot be topped.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.5

Here's a 1999 re-recording and video clip done by Ian Levine for his 'The Strange World Of Northern Soul' videos.  Ian claims that this was championed by Tony Jebb at the Blackpool Mecca in 1971/72.  It was played heavily at Wigan Casino around 1977 ... so I don't know whether it took off or not at the Mecca originally, but recall it being huge in 1977/78 when it was eventually bootlegged.

A few other versions have since surfaced, The Hesitations "That's The Way Love Is" which uses same backing but completely different lyrics from their 1967 "Soul Superman" album on Kapp (there is also an instrumental version) and BillySha-rae's 1971 version on Spectrum which it is claimed was played at Bletsoe all-nighters early 70s in Bedfordshire long before Eddie Parker's version was discovered at Wigan Casino mid 70s. A cover (vocal and Instrumental) was done by Eldridge Gravy in 2011 released by Emerald City Soul Club.

The Hesitations [1967] - That's The Way Love Is [Kapp KS-3525]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9

Available on album only until reissued by Xclusive UK on a lookalike Stateside promo 45 in 90s / early noughties. Xclusive also reissued the "Soul Superman" album on CD in 1997 (which Goldmine Soul Supply had already issued i.e.  a reissue of a reissue!!!).

Here's a clip of The Hesitations performing it live at Prestatyn Soul Weekeder 20th March 2010.

Billy Sha-rae [1971] - I'm Gone [Spectrum 120]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4

A more funky-edged version. As stated above, Derek Smiley (DJ) claims that this was played at one of the earliest all-nighters at Bletsoe in Bedfordshire before the original Eddie Parker was discovered.

Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme [2011] - I'm Gone (Vocal & Instrumental) [Emerald City Soul Club ECSC 001]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 8.4

Eldridge Gravy & The Court Supreme is a 14 piece band from Seattle.  Emerald City Soul Club is also based in Seattle which will be celebrating their 15th anniversary in Nov this year (2020). I guess they had connections the band and arranged for them to record this cover?  If anyone knows more then please leave a comment.

Official Website

Hoagy Lands [1972] - Reminisce [Spectrum 129]

I briefly mentioned Hoagy Lands (Victor I. Hoagland Sr.) a couple of posts ago on the Ledisi post as he was the grandfather of Jaheim on which she dueted on Stay Together.  Well here is his killer deep soul cut on Spectrum from 1972.

Hoagy Lands was active from late 50s to mid 70s, recording several duets in 70s with Lily Fields. He died after heart surgery in Jan 2002 aged 65.

He is best known for his 1967 outing on Laurie - The Next In Line which is regarded as a Northern Soul classic.

SoulStrutter's Rating: 9.2

Hoagy Lands [1972] - Why Didn't You Let Me Know [Spectrum 129]

SoulStrutter's Rating: 7.6

I've also posted the flip side which is a half decent Northern Soul dancer which was also released earlier as A side on Spectrum 122.

COVID-19 25th March 2020

Not really much change on yesterday.  Thankfully Italy's new cases for the last 4 days have been lower than the previous 3 days, so let's all hope that this is a sign that virus infections are beginning to reduce and that the affect of the lockdown on 9th March is beginning to show results.

The sobering figure I learned today was that so far in UK only around 97,019 (source) people have been tested.  With 9,529 confirmed cases does it correlate that around 10% of those tested are infected?  If so, then with a population of 67.8 million that means potentially 6.78 million cases and a death rate of currently 5% we could be looking at almost 340,000 deaths!!!

NOTE These are NOT official figures just my own projections of worst case scenario based on current figures which could be completely skewed as 'obviously' those tested are presumably already showing potential symptoms - which is why they are tested.  The latest official estimate is that there may be 20,000 UK deaths.

A couple of days ago I posted a chart from John Burn-Murdoch from the Financial Times which mapped each country's trajectory.  Yesterday, again I was speculating on where UK was in relation to Italy.  Today's latest chart of deaths shows that Spain appears to be ahead (i.e. worse) than Italy and UK is slightly ahead and France virtually tracking Italy with Germany doing the same.

NB I have had to copy charts as no way to link them as moving twitter feed.  If author objects then leave comment and they will be removed.

Click to enlarge

Today's Trajectory Charts

Click to enlarge

Here is a breakdown of infections in UK by NHS region (source)

NHS Region	Total Cases
East of England	480
London	3,247
Midlands	1,296
North East and Yorkshire	698
North West	703
South East	876
South West	397

Here are today's stats from Worldometer .

25/03/2020
Daily	25-Mar				24 Mar (-1 Day)
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	5,210	74,386	7,503	10.1%	69,176	6,820	9.9%
ES	7,457	49,515	3,647	7.4%	42,058	2,991	7.1%
DE	4,332	37,323	206	0.6%	32,991	151	0.5%
FR	2,929	25,233	1,331	5.3%	22,304	1,100	4.9%
UK	1,452	9,529	465	4.9%	8,077	422	5.2%

Weekly	25-Mar				18 Mar (-1 Week)
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	5,210	74,386	7,503	10.1%	35,713	2,978	8.3%
ES	7,457	49,515	3,647	7.4%	14,769	638	4.3%
DE	4,332	37,323	206	0.6%	12,327	28	0.2%
FR	2,929	25,233	1,331	5.3%	9,134	264	2.9%
UK	1,452	9,529	465	4.9%	2,626	104	4.0%

	Daily		Weekly
Country	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate  Increase Factor	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate  Increase Factor
IT	107.5%	102.3%	208.3%	121.0%
ES	117.7%	103.6%	335.3%	170.5%
DE	113.1%	120.6%	302.8%	243.0%
FR	113.1%	107.0%	276.3%	182.5%
UK	118.0%	93.4%	362.9%	123.2%