Soul Strutter: 04/06/20

This was a huge tune on the Northern Soul scene late 70s. What a pedigree as both sides were co-written by 2 of the O'Jays, Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, along with Bobby Dukes. The top side was also released by Rock 'N Co. in 1976 on AMG.

Imperial Wonders [1972] - Turned Around Over You [Solid Foundation LBM 101]

70s sweet soul group harmony

Rock 'N Co. [1976] - You Live Only Once [AMG 6040-21]

You Live Only Once was also recorded by Rock 'N Co. in 1976

Rock 'N Co. [1976] - What We Gonna Do Girl [AMG 6040-21]

Four Wonders [1974] - Just Looking For My Love [Solid Foundation B 160001]

Four Wonders [1974] - Just Looking For My Love [Solid Foundation B 160001]

Smooth 70s modern soul on Solid Foundation out of Cleveland Ohio. Solid Foundation released 7 45s between 1972-74 by 6 different artists (although there are gaps in the Cat. No.s so perhaps there are others not listed?).

I wonder (no pun) whether the Imperial Wonders and Four Wonders are the same group? The Imperial Wonders in 1972 were originally 5 members so perhaps they lost a member and renamed the band Four Wonders. Complete speculation on my part.

There is a short bio for the Imperial Wonders at All Music which doesn't mention this, and in fact states that 2 of the 5 members of Imperial Wonders went on to join a band named Truth.

Curiously, as you may see on the label, it was claimed that the track was from LP 'I Can't Get Over You' with the catalogue number ESS102. It isn't listed anywhere so assume that the label folded before it was released. Interestingly though, the writers of these 2 sides, Eddie McGhee & John Brinson, wrote a song called 'I Can't Get Over You' which was recorded by The Dramatics in 1976, perhaps this was going to be the title track of the album? It's a great deep soul cut so I've tagged it to the end of this post.

Four Wonders [1974] - Haven't We Been Good For Each Other [Solid Foundation B 160001]

70's sweet soul group harmony.

The Dramatics [1976] - I Can't Get Over You [ABC AB-12258]

Superb deep soul cut which was written by Eddie McGhee and John Brinson (and Floyd Fleshman) and may have been scheduled for the Four Wonders album that never materialised?

Eboney Essence versus Jean Battle

Interestingly whilst intending to only post Eboney Essence I have discovered that this 45 is a 'response' to Jean Battle's 'I've Got To Come In' c/w 'Unwanted Woman' released in 1971 on Clintone.

Eboney Essence [1976] - Let Me In [Goodie Train GT-061]

Modern soul classic from the pen of Sam Dees on a small LA based 70s label which features one-off 45s from many obscure artists.

Eboney Essence [1976] - Unsatisfied Man [Goodie Train GT-061]

Deep soul from the songbook of Sam Dees.

Jean Battle [1971] - I've Got To Come In [Clintone CT-004]

Jean Battle [1971] - Unwanted Woman [Clintone CT-004]

Earl White [2011] - If You Don't Know [Cool Ruckus]

Mixing it up a bit. Following the previous post for Earl White Jr., I came across this track by a different Earl White released in 2011.

Earl White Jr. / Rochelle Rabouin - Cygnet

Earl White Jr. [1977] - Very Special Girl [Cygnet 102B]

A one-off 45 for artist and only 2 listed for the Bossier City, Louisiana label. This is a modern soul classic from 1977. The value of this seems to have soared from a few hundred to 4 figures.

Earl White Jr. [1977] - Never Fall In Love Again [Cygnet 102A]

Soulful ballad/stepper.

Earl White [2016] - One In A Million You [Love in Las Vegas]

Whilst digging around I came across this video of 'an' Earl White singing the Sam Dees song 'One In A Million You' (which was a 1980 hit for Larry Graham (Graham Central Station)) in Las Vegas in 2016. I 'wonder' if it's the same Earl White, 40 years after he recorded the 45 on Cygnet?

Rochelle Rabouin [1977] - This Is My Year [Cygnet 101A]

The first release on the Cygnet label and reissued in 2019 on Discs For Fun and Love (UK). This side is modern soul bordering on disco.

This side is written by Earl White

Rochelle Rabouin [1977] - Keep This In Mind [Cygnet 101B]

The B side is a soulful and mellow ballad co-written by Earl White and Rochelle Rabouin.

(Bobbi & Michi) The Sound Of Soul

According to a comment on YouTube by her granddaughter, Michi was Nancy Martinez. The only Nancy Martinez I can find is a Canadian singer born in 1960, active in 80s/90s so definitely not her. Other than that I know, and can find, nothing about this duo who recorded 2 45s for Jubilee subsidiary Josie in 1966 and 1967.

(Bobbi & Michi) The Sound Of Soul [1966] - Hey Girl I Still Love Him [Josie 45-962]

(Bobbi & Michi) The Sound Of Soul [1966] - Love Is Such A Funny Thing [Josie 45-962]

(Bobbi & Michi) The Sound Of Soul [1967] - Stranger In Paradise [Josie 45-972]

(Bobbi & Michi) The Sound Of Soul [1967] - Wrapped Up Tight [Josie 45-972]

Chris Bartley & Vando - Discography

Chris Bartley is probably best know for 'The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven' which got to #10 in US R&B charts in 1967 and #37 on Billboard Hot 100. He released an album on the back of the single's success on Vando (a subsidiary of Cameo Parkway).

Vando started in 1967 and was run by Van McCoy and Douglas 'Jocko' Henderson (a Philly radio DJ) and released 7 45s, 5 of which were by Bartley (the other 2 were Art Robins and Tony Talent), and one album by Bartley before it closed in 1968.

Chris Bartley released 5 45s on Vando, 2 on Buddah, 1 on Musicor and had 2 release in UK, one on Dave Godin's Right On! and a 12" on Edinburgh's Move records in 1988 which consisted of 4 tracks all previously released on 45s. Unsurprisingly, almost all of his material was written by Van McCoy.

In the 70s he joined The Ray Alexander Technique who released an album and 2 45s and later joined The Ad Libs. Bartley died in 2009 aged 62 with kidney failure.

As most of Vando's output was by Bartley, I have also included the only other 2 releases at the bottom of the post so that this post also provides a complete discography for Van McCoy's Vando label. It also includes the complete output for The Ray Alexander Technique who Bartley was a member of.

NOTE: There are about 3 tracks for which I can't find a sound clip so if anyone would like to provide an mp3 for them then please leave a comment.

Chris Bartley [1967] - The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven [Vando DV-101]

The Presidents [1971] - The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven [Sussex SUX 217]

As a bonus, here's a version by The Presidents, which is pretty faithful to the original.

Papa Bear & The Cubs [1975] - Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven [SMA A-1002]

Although not a cover version, I think that this track 'borrows' heavily ... what do you think?

A rare record as apparently only 200 were pressed and the masters were destroyed in a fire.

Chris Bartley [1967] - Love Me Baby [Vando DV-101]

Chris Bartley [1967] - Baby It's Wonderful [Vando VAN 3000]

Chris Bartley [1967] - I'll Be Loving You [Vando VAN 3000]

Sweet soul ballad

Chris Bartley [1967] - You Get Next To My Heart [Vando VAN 3002]

Chris Bartley [1967] - For You [Vando VAN 3002]

Chris Bartley [1968] - Truer Words Were Never Spoken [Vando 14.000]

Chris Bartley [1968] - This Feeling You Give Me [Vando 14.000]

Chris Bartley [1968] - I Found A Goodie [Vando 14.001]

Chris Bartley [1968] - Be Mine Forever [Vando 14.001]

Chris Bartley [1969] - Baby I'm Yours [Buddah BDA 93]

Chris Bartley [1969] - I'll Take The Blame [Buddah BDA 93]

Chris Bartley [1969] - (My Baby's) One Wonderful Girl [Buddah BDA 115]

No sound clip available. If anyone can provide a mp3 please leave a comment. Thanks.

Chris Bartley [1969] - I Know We Can Work It Out [Buddah BDA 115]

One if his finest recordings written once again by Van McCoy

Chris Bartley [1971] - A Man, A Woman [Musicor MU 1437]

Note that this sound clip contains both sides. Tomorrow Keeps Shining followed by A Man, A Woman @ 2:47.

Chris Bartley [1971] - Tomorrow Keep Shining [Musicor MU 1437]

Chris Bartley [1975] - I See Your Name [Right On! RO 105]

The 5th of 7 UK releases on Dave Godin's UK Right On! label. The flip side is an instrumental of A side.

Chris Bartley [1967] - The Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven [Vando 60,000]

Album released in 1967 on Vando based on success of the title track.

Gotta Tell Somebody (About My Baby) (NB poor sound quality also recorded by Tony Talent see below)

Sittin' Pretty

Baby It's Wonderful - see above

That's How Much I Love You

Hooked on You (also recorded by Tony Talent see below)

I'll Be Loving You - see above

Sweetest Thing This Side Of Heaven - see above

Sugar Baby

You Get Next To My Heart - see above

For You - see above

My Baby

Thanks For Loving Me

The Ray Alexander Technique Feat. Chris Bartley [197?] - I Am In Love With You [Lu Jun 2002]

No release date for this one-off 45 on Lu Jun. The Ray Alexander Technique recorded only one album in 1974 on Lu Jun 2001 so I would guess this was recorded around that time. The album sleeve notes states that Chris Bartley was the vocalist so assume that he was on all tracks on album, but the 2 sides on the 45 do not appear on the album.

No sound clip available. If anyone can provide an mp3 please leave a comment.

The Ray Alexander Technique Feat. Chris Bartley [197?] - I Wonder Why [Lu Jun 2002]

No sound clip available. If anyone can provide an mp3 please leave a comment.

The Ray Alexander Technique [1974] - Let's Talk [Lu Jun 2001]

Personally, I don't think this sounds like Chris Bartley on lead on this track, perhaps he didn't sing on all tracks?. The flip side is an instrumental of the A side (included in The Ray Alexander Technique album below).

The Ray Alexander Technique [1974] - Let's Talk [Lu Jun 2001]

The Ray Alexander Technique consisted of Raymond Jenkins (alka Alexander) (lead guitar), Douglas Wilkerson (Bass guitar), Ron Mack (drums), Holley 'Buzz' Jones (congas & percussion) and Chris Bartley.

The full album:

Let's Talk

Let's Talk (Inst)

My Special One

Taking The Long Way Home

My World

I Don't Bite

Wiser And Deeper

Save Me

Finally, to complete the Vando Discography, the only other 2 45s released that weren't recorded by Bartley.

Art Robins [1967] - I Can't Stand To See You Cry [Vando DV-102]

Great version of Jerry Butler's Beat ballad. Art Robins real name was Thearthur Robinson who called himself Arthur Robinson whilst with The Romancers and then The Ad Libs. He was lead vocalist on The Ad Libs - Human.

Art Robins [1967] - Fountain Of Love [Vando DV-102]

Tony Talent [1967] - Gotta Tell Somebody (About My Baby) [Vando 3001]

Storming Northern Soul also recorded by Chris Bartley on his album.

Little Tony Talent released 2 45s, this one and one in 1966 on Juggy Murray's Sue label. His real name was William Anthony Anderson who later recorded with The Coalitions.

Tony Talent [1967] - Hooked On You [Vando 3001]

This side was also recorded by Bartley on his album.

COVID-19 6th April 2020

Summary

For the first day US has had a lower number of new cases down almost 9,000 from previous day 25,316 v 34,196.

Spain has also seen a big reduction in new cases down 1,656 (5,478 v 7,134)

Italy had 489 fewer new cases and 156 fewer deaths.

Germany has now exceeded 100,000 cases but had 902 fewer new cases and 29 fewer deaths.

France had significantly lower new cases 4,902 (2,886 v 7,788) and 535 fewer deaths.

The UK bucks the trend and saw the highest number of new cases to date by a significant number (1,453) 5,903 5 Apr v 4,450 on 3 Apr. It is inevitable that the predicted 50,000 cases will be exceeded tomorrow, which puts UK on exactly the same trajectory as Italy.

I find it difficult to comprehend that after 2 weeks of lockdown that we are still seeing new cases increase at the highest rate so far. That's a 33% increase in cases from the previous highest number on 3 Apr. If the incubation period is on average 5 to 7 days then that means people are still getting infected well into the lockdown. WHO states that the incubation period can be anywhere between 1-14 days but that the average is 5 days.

It is concerning that whilst every other major western country has seen new cases decline the UK has seen its worst day! Could this be the peak? Let's hope so.

Comparing UK stats against Italy:

Italy locked down on 9 Mar (7,375 cases) and peaked on 21 Mar (53,578 cases) i.e. 12 days later before new cases started to decline.

UK locked down on 24 Mar (6,650 cases) 12 days later is 4 Apr (latest figures are for 5 Apr i.e. 13 days 47,806). I suspect that we will have another high day today taking figures over 50,000 perhaps to just over 53,000 and then let's hope that this is UK peak and we start to see new cases decline. Having said that though there has still not been less that 4,000 new cases per day in Italy for 15 consecutive days after their peak of 6,556 on 21 Mar (and 7 of those days they were over 5,000), so I'm afraid that there is still a long way to go. It makes you wonder what China is doing to keep new cases around 50 per day since 1 Mar? (1,682 new cases in 36 days)

Latest stats from Worldometers.

Latest v previous day increase/decrease

Country	New Cases 5 Apr	New Cases 4 Apr	New Case Increase	Deaths 5 Apr	Deaths 4 Apr	Death Increase
IT	4,316	4,805	-489	525	681	-156
ES	5,478	6,969	-1,491	694	749	-55
DE	4,031	4,933	-902	140	169	-29
FR	2,886	7,788	-4,902	518	1053	-535
UK	5,903	3,735	2,168	621	708	-87
US	25,316	34,196	-8,880	1,164	1060	104

Latest v previous day - actuals

Daily	05-Apr				04-Apr
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	4,316	128,948	15,887	12.3%	124,632	15,362	12.3%
ES	5,478	131,646	12,641	9.6%	126,168	11,947	9.5%
DE	4,031	100,123	1,584	1.6%	96,092	1,444	1.5%
FR	2,886	92,839	8,078	8.7%	89,953	7,560	8.4%
UK	5,903	47,806	4,934	10.3%	41,903	4,313	10.3%
US	25,316	336,673	9,616	2.9%	311,357	8,452	2.7%

Latest v one week ago - actuals

Weekly	05-Apr				29-Mar
Country	New Cases	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%	Total Cases	No. Deaths	Death Rate%
IT	4,316	128,948	15,887	12.3%	97,689	10,779	11.0%
ES	5,478	131,646	12,641	9.6%	80,110	6,803	8.5%
DE	4,031	100,123	1,584	1.6%	62,435	541	0.9%
FR	2,886	92,839	8,078	8.7%	40,174	2,606	6.5%
UK	5,903	47,806	4,934	10.3%	19,522	1,228	6.3%
US	25,316	336,673	9,616	2.9%	143,491	2,583	1.8%

Latest v one week ago - percentage rate of increase

	Daily		Weekly
Country	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate Increase Factor	Total Cases Increase Factor	Death Rate Increase Factor
IT	103.5%	100.0%	132.0%	111.7%
ES	104.3%	101.4%	164.3%	113.1%
DE	104.2%	105.3%	160.4%	182.6%
FR	103.2%	103.5%	231.1%	134.1%
UK	114.1%	100.3%	244.9%	164.1%
US	108.1%	105.2%	234.6%	158.7%