The first 45 release on Canadian Kimberlite label which presses only 250 vinyl copies of its singles so they quickly sell out and become sought after so you need to be quick when new releases are announced.
The Estimations [2018] - Can't Do This To Me [Kimberlite KM 001]
Available for download only (vinyl sold out very quickly as only 250 pressed) from Kimberlite.
Neo Northern Soul. Vinyl copies are already selling between £140-£200 such is the demand for this on vinyl.
The Estimations [2018] - Let Me Go [Kimberlite KM 001]
Two superb deep soul cuts from Eddie Finley which appear to be his only 'known' releases and both came out on Dallas label Rapturea. Rapturea was run by Rev. Emmett J. Lee and, as you would imagine, the majority of release were gospel, in fact scanning through them I believe that they were all gospel except the 2 Eddie Finley releases. The label released an LP and around a dozen singles in the early 70s.
Discography
1970 - Eddie Finley - Sad Honored Night / The Creations Band - Heavy Hips [Rapurea HOS-100A]
1971 - Eddie Finlay & The Cincinatti Show Band - Treat Me Right Or Leave Me Alone / Clean Up Man [Rapturea 1521]
These 2 singles (for me) are the finest examples of deep soul you will find. Sad Honored Right I think came out first with a funky instrumental flip by The Creations Band. On Treat Me Right Or Leave Me Alone he is backed by The Cincinnati Show Band consisting of Bones Jones, Jimi Macon, Lawrence Leslie, Greg Ingram, Gary Humphrey and Ricky Sebastian. According to SirShambling CSB later became The Conspiracy releasing I Beieve (Our Love Has Gone Away) / The Real Thing on True Soul in 1973.
Eddie Finley [1970] - Sad Honored Night [Rapurea HOS-100A]
Wonderful deep soul from Dallas, Texas.
The Creations Band [1970] - Heavy Hips [Rapurea HOS-100B]
Funk instrumental No label scan available.
Eddie Finlay & The Cincinatti Show Band [1971] - Treat Me Right Or Leave Me Alone [Rapturea 1521]
Deep Soul It was released on a Now And Again compliation 'Loving On The Flipside' available (digital/CD only vinyl sold out) on BandCamp
Boyd Acetate
Eddie Finlay & The Cincinnati Show Band [1971] - Clean Up Man [Rapturea 1521]
This post highlights the best of General Crook featuring the soul sides, omitting the funky material. He released one self-titled album on Wand in 1974 and between 13-15 singles, the latter ones appeared on his own labels from 1978 to mid 80s. He was signed to Capitol, Down To Earth and Wand. After his period at Wand he focussed more on songwriting with Syl Johnson and Willie Clayton.
General Crook [1970] - (Turn On Your Lovelight) For Soul Satisfaction [Capitol 2492]
Northern Soul with a funky edge currently in vogue.
His first release.
General Crook [1970] - In The Warmth Of My Arms [Capitol 2492]
Deep soul / crossover
General Crook [1970] - When Love Leaves You Cryin' [Capitol 2720]
A Deep soul cut with his version of Hold On! I'm Comin on the A side.
General Crook [1970] - Till Then [Down To Earth 74]
Deep Soul / Crossover
Flip side to Do It For Me early 70s funky soul.
Written by Jimmy (James Leanard) Jones, a prolific writer, who worked with Mar-V-Lus/One-Derful! and Syl Johnson. He released several 45s himself, one being on Twnight and 3 of the 4 45s released on the short-lived Deke label owned by Deke Atkins. The best must be Ain't Nothin Wrong With Making Love The First Night on Conchillo in 1976
Down To Earth was a Chicago label owned by Walter & Burgess Gardner. They also owned Lamarr (released 3 45s, 2 by The Star-Tells and one by The Esquires) and More Soul (mainly an outlet for the house band for all 3 labels The Soul Crusaders).
Down To Earth's first release was the NS classic by The Dushons - You Better Think It Over which was actually a reissue of their 1965 release on Golden Gate. It was written by Burgess Gardner and Chuck Bernard as was their only release that was a big favourite mid 70s at most NS venues. The label only released 10 45s 1 by Dushons, 2 by The Chymes/Chimes, 4 by General Crook and 1 each by The Impalas, Danny Bell, Kings Of Soul. Unfortunately most of Crooks other output on Down To Earth was funky stuff not appropriate for this blog.
General Crook [1974] - The Best Years Of My Life [Wand WNDS 112607]
Superb mellow deep soul taken from eponymous (and only) album on Wand from 1974. It was released as a 45 in 1973 but with a shorter version (3:15). This is the full length 6:13 album version. The promo version had a 2:40 and 3:15 version. Thankfully they issued the longer version rather than the 2:40.
General Crook [1974] - If This World Were Mine [Wand WDS 697]
Deep Soul
A different take on the Marvin Gaye penned classic (album only)
General Crook [1974] - Tell Me What'cha Gonna Do (When You Want To Be Loved) [Wand WND 11270]
Flip Reality a funky number.
Modern Soul/Crossover that also featured on the album.
General Crook [1974] - Thanks But No Thanks [Wand WND 11281]
Crossover
Also on General Crook album.
General Crook [1974] - I'm Satisfied [Wand WND 11281]
Deep Soul
Also on General Crook album.
General Crook [1978] - Making You An Offer (That You Can't Refuse) [Turf And Surf ST 1939]
This tracks sounds very similar to The Best Years Of My Life. Did he remake it with a different title and lyrics? The only release on Turf And Surf (a Chicago label) and no writing credits but published by Germaine Music (which I believe was General Crook's publishing company as most releases are from him) and arranged and produced by Crook and executive producer Al Crook (his brother?). I suspect this was General Crook's own label.
General Crook [1974] - The Best Years Of My Life [Wand WDS 697]
I've been neglecting the 80s with recent posts. For many the 80s was a baron period for real soul music, but there were some quality releases, you just have to dig deeper.
I came across this 45 whilst looking for Ronnie McCain's song with the same title.
This appears to be the only release by artist and label. Emmanuel is Juan Emmanuel Amalbert, a jazz percussionist from Harlem. I've no idea who Tom or Ron are.
Both were recorded in New York late 60s - so could it be the same song as Ron McCain? Could Ron be Ron McCain? The writer credits on the 'Groove' side states J.B. (no publisher on label) but on Ron McCain side is J. Cullen & D. Stokes by CullDon Music so perhaps a different song. In any case it is worthy of a post.
Juan Amalbert recorded several jazz albums between 1960-1971 as member of Latin Jazz Quintet, one of its members was Tommy Derrick who 'may' be Tom in Tom - Emmanuel & Ron Experience?
The Tom - Emmanuel & Ron Experience [196?] - Why (The Knower) [Golden Three R-7000]
Crossover
The Tom - Emmanuel & Ron Experience [196?] - When You Lose Your Groove [Golden Three R-7000]
Ronnie McCain also recorded as Ronnie Forte who had a big NS tune "That Was Whiskey Talkin'" first played at Cleethorpes Pier / Winter Gardens in 1977.
NB 1007/1008 has a release date of 1964 so this could be 1964. SirShambling has this listed for him, but curiously Shock was a Memphis label, so perhaps he moved to New York not long after this (his first?) recording?
196? - Ronny McCain - When You Lose Your Groove / What Mama Didn't Teach You I Will [Smoker 90917]
NB No label scans or sound clips found, although it is listed on 45Cat
1966 - Ronnie Forte - That Was Whiskey Talkin' / Nervous Breakdown [Tarx 1011]
1969 - Ronnie McCain - This Time i'm Gone / Too Much Of A Good Thing [Triode T-116F]
Both Triode and Tarx were owned by Ben Smith. Ronnie McCain/Forte was a partner with Smith in Benron Productions which published both Tarx sides.
ES - has 2nd highest recovery rate after Germany at 79.09% and their active cases began to flatten but have turned upwards in the last few days with an increase in new cases reported.
IT - on day 42 of lockdown still continues to have 3,000+ new cases daily.
FR - lowest new cases since 17 Mar and lowest deaths since 29 Mar.
DE - shows greatest signs of controlling virus with active cases reducing from peak of 72,865 6 Apr to 53,100 (a reduction of 27.1% in 13 days) and recovery rate of 94.99% and lowest no. of deaths.
UK - lowest no. of deaths since 6 Apr, yet 2nd highest no. of new cases (5,850 v 5,903 5 Apr) almost 4 weeks (26 days) after lockdown.
The concerning trend is that UK looks like it now may be a day ahead of the IT trajectory as it took Italy 4 days to increase from 100,000 to 120,000 cases and UK has reached it in 3 days.
IT 30 Mar 101,739 - 3 Apr 119,827
UK 16 Apr 103,093 - 19 Apr 120,067
The next figure to watch then is 150,000 which took Italy 7/8 days to reach from 120,000. If UK rates continue at current rate of 5,000+ a day then the 150,000 figure will be reached within 6 days.
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