Bobby Thurston's first album released on Mainline in 1978 is highly sought after on original as it sank without trace on release. It has been reissued twice in the UK in 1988 and 2001 due to demand from the modern soul scene.
He had a UK Top 10 hit with 'Check Out The Groove' in March 1980 (his only UK hit). The UK release had his version of Billy Stewart's 'Sittin' In The Park' on the flip whilst the US release had 'I Want Your Body'.
Bobby Thurston [1980] - Sittin' In The Park [Epic S EPC 8348]
As a bonus I've included his first 45 on Mainline which got a national release on Avco.
Bobby Thurston [1975] - You Got Talent [Mainline DM 4589 B]
Bobby Thurston [1975] - This Can't Be Happening To Me [Mainline DM 4589 B]
Bobby Thurston [1981] - The Very Last Drop [Epic A 13 1331]
From his 1981 album 'The Main Attraction' but only got UK release as a single (on both 7" & 12").
Bobby Thurston [1978] - Sweetest Piece Of The Pie [Mainline 12747]
Here's the full album. I've embedded the best tracks and provided links to the others.
The last few posts have been mega so here's a few quick-fire posts.
What appears to be a one-off 45 for Ray Hines, although there seem to be 2 issues on what I presume to be a self-release on his own label RNH.
R-8971 was issued in 1970 (black lettering) and another release on R&H-11073 (silver lettering). Both have 'Why Don't You Give Me A Try' which is the in-demand side, but R-8971 has 'You Got Me Running' and R&H-11073 has 'Is It Something You Got ' which is a cover of the Tyrone Davis' 1969 track on Dakar.
Prices on Popsike are all over the place but the R-8971 release sold in 2017 for £700.
Ray Hines [1970] - Why Don't You Give Me A Try [RNH R-8971 / R&H-11073]
Ray Hines [1970] - Is It Something You Got [R&H-11073]
A few days ago I posted some tracks from Bridge - Crying For Love album. All tracks were written by Paul Tillman Smith. Whilst exploring these I came across a recent (2017) album from him called A Beautiful Heart. On further investigation, in addition to being in Vitamin E and Bridge, I discovered that he was also a member of a group called Park Place who released 2 albums 'The Invisible Man' 2002 produced by Tillman Smith and Norman Connors and 'Steps' 2011 produced by Tillman Smith. There's also another titled Bed Ballads The Songs Of Paul Tillman Smith. It would appear that Tillman Smith wrote most of the tracks. Many of the tracks on his solo album also appear to be re-recordings of tracks previously recorded by Vitamin E, Bridge and Park Place.
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - April Fool [Chump Change]
Feat. Tootie Williams
May as well start with this track but kicking myself ... as I should have posted this yesterday ... April Fool!
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - Crying For Love [Chump Change]
Originally recorded by Bridge on Crying For Love. This is a smoother, more laid back version. It was also recorded by Park Place on The Invisible Man in 2002.
Park Place [2002] - Crying For Love [Chump Change CC 00013]
This sounds like it is the same version from 'The Invisible Man' but no credits on listing.
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - The Newsroom [Chump Change]
Feat. Bonnie Boyer & Skyler Jett
Originally recorded by Vitamin E on Sharing
Vitamin E [1977] - The Newsroom [Buddah BDS 5690]
Original version from Vitamin E - Sharing
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - Splashing [Chump Change]
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - Soft Eyes [Chump Change]
Feat. Donnie Williams
Another nice neo soul stepper.
Paul Tillman Smith [2017] - Out There In SpaceEyes [Chump Change]
Feat. Donnie Williams
I had to double check the track listing on this one as Donnie Williams sounds so much like Stevie Wonder on this track.
Park Place [2011] - Someday We'll All Be Free [Chump Change CCR-1129-7]
A great version of the Donny Hathaway classic. Not sure who the lead singer is on this track (guessing Donnie Williams)
Paul Tillman Smith [2013] - Listen [Chump Change]
Feat. Michael Cheadle
From Bed Ballads a song originally recorded for Norman Connors - This Is Your Life album featuring James Roberson and then by Bridge with lead vocals by Freddie Hughes. This track features Michael Cheadle.
A bit of digging around and I came across (what I believe is) his profile on LinkedIn. I think he was a member of Future Perfect which had a website but which is now offline.
Paul Tillman Smith [2013] - Higher Power [Chump Change]
Feat. Tootie Williams
Donnie Williams & Park Place [2007] - Higher Power [Chump Change]
Today I'll just let the stats speak for themselves.
The UK media today seems to be in a 'hysteria' about the lack of testing. A few points worth considering:
I do not believe that testing is the 'silver bullet' that the media seem to be trying to make it.
1/ The time for testing has passed - we 'should' have been testing before the lockdown to identify those infected and contact trace all those they have been in contact with and isolate all those infected INSTEAD of locking down the whole country - but that ship has well and truly sailed.
2/ The key argument is to test NHS staff who are self-isolating owing to a member of their household who may be infected. If there is someone infected in their household then they would need to self-solate for 14 days and then the NHS member may be tested and then if not positive they can return to work.
3/ There is absolutely no point testing everyone as otherwise we would need to test everyone everyday that hasn't tested positive, as just because they didn't test positive today doesn't mean they won't test positive another day.
4/ The anti-body test that shows whether you have already had the virus a/ is not ready yet and b/ requires someone to have been infected at least 28 days ago - so may not be particularly useful unless this pandemic runs for months.
5/ The real time for testing is in a couple of weeks when hopefully the effect of lockdown reduces new cases. Then we need to do what we should have done in point 1 so that only those infected are isolated and not the whole population and we can gradually get back to normal by a/ anti-gen testing and contact tracing and isolating those infected and b/ anti-body testing and allowing those infected and recovered to carry on as normal.
I believe that by the middle of next week (17/18 days after lockdown) we should start to see new cases subside (as is happening in Italy). The real risk once cases reduce is that the lockdown is removed and a new batch of infections start and we go through another cycle. China locked down for a full 2 months so we should expect the same and then be very cautious afterwards.
