Soul Strutter: 04/27/20

Monday, 27 April 2020

Jimmie Raye - Discography

Jimmie Raye is best known in UK for Northern Soul classic stomper Philly Dog Around The World on Kim Kimbrough's KKC label from 1966, but he recorded many other quality records and some special deep soul tunes.

There is a very detailed biography on JimmieRaye.com website.

Discography

1963 - Hey Let's Dance / Forgive Me [Satan 101]
1964 - You Don't Want My Love / I Kept On Walkin' [Niagra DI 185]
1964 - Look At Me Girl (Crying) / I Tried [Tuff 401]

1966 - Philadelphia Dawg / Walked On, Stepped On , Stomped On [KKC RP-001]

1966 - Philly Dog Around The World / I Just Can't It No More [KKC S-002]
1967 - You Must Be Losing Your Mind / For The Sake Of Love [Garrison 3008]
1967 - That'll Get It / It's Written All Over your Face [Moon Shot MS 6078]
1972 - A Time In The Life Of Our Love (Part 1) / A Time In The Life Of Our Love (Part 2) [Spanway]
1973 - For The Sake Of Love / Any Day Now [Beautiful Sounds 0001]
1976 - Soul Thing / That Girl (Of Mine) [Asante]
1976 - Nuku Penda / Danser Et Chanter [Asante]
1978 - Deep In Your Love / Spread Love [Asante JR ASW 0001]
1979 - Love Caravan / Love Is Gone [CRC CRC-40141]
Jimmie Raye & The Revelations
1980 - Stand Up America / Stand Up America (Inst) [WMJR 009]

NOTES
Any Day now is listed by Craig Moerer and A Time In The Life Of Our Love on Spanway is mentioned in Jimmie's bio, but I've not been able to find any label scans or sound clips. If anyone can help with these please leave a comment.

Love Carvan and Love Is Gone feature in Hactor Babenco's 1981 movie 'Pixote'.

Albums

1976 - The Soul Thing (click link for YouTube Playlist)

Reissued by relaunched Tuff label which Jamie (Jimmie) Raye is V.P.

1976 - Mfalme - Let Your Soul Fly Away

The same tracks as The Soul Thing but aimed at African market.
Mfalme is the Swahili name for Jimmie Raye.

1980 - The Lover

2003 - Mr. Soulsepctacuar [Rootsraider ]

I think this was only available direct from Jimmie Raye's website.

2003 - Pledging My Love [Rootraider ]

I think this was only available direct from Jimmie Raye's website.
This CD has same tracks as Sexy so probably reissued as Sexy in 2018..

2018 - Sexy (click link for YouTube Playlist)

Issued in 2018 by relaunched Tuff label which Jamie (Jimmie) Raye is V.P.
NB Same tracks as Pledging My Love but in different order.

2018 - Northern Soul Legend

Issued in 2018 by relaunched Tuff label which Jamie (Jimmie) Raye is V.P.

Featured 45s

Jimmie Raye [1966] - Philly Dog Around The World [KKC S-002]

Arranged by Sticks Evans who got Bernard 'Pretty' Purdie to play drums and Ashford & Simpson to do backing vocals.

Jimmie Raye [1966] - Just Can't Take No More [KKC S-002]

Mid-tempo deep Northern Soul

Jimmie Raye [1967] - You Must Be Losing Your Mind [Garrison 3008]

Across the board appeal for this Deep Soul / Beat Ballad. You'd have to look very hard to find a better deep soul record than this!

SoulStrutters' Rating: 9.85

Released on 2 labels: Garrison in 1967 and reissued on JRE (his own label Jimmie Raye Enterprises) in 1970. The Garrison 45 only turns up on white promos so may have never been released. A great double-sider with this deep soul cut on A side and Northern Soul dancer on flip.

Discogs claims that Garrison was owned by Winford 'Johnny' Terry who sang with the Drifters between 1963-65 and states it's a Texas label. Terry was married to Brian & Eddie Holland's sister from Detroit. He owned Empire records in Detroit which only released Just Brothers (Frank & Jimmy Bryant who were later joined by Willie Kendrick in 1969) - Things Will Be Better / She Broke His Heart in 1967. The Just Brothers released Carlena / She Broke His Heart on Garrison also in 1967. Terry co-wrote 'Things Will Get Better Tomorrow' with Frank & Jimmy Bryant, and wrote 'Sliced Tomatoes' which was first released on Lupine in 1965. I'm not sure if this is the same Lupine label which released the early Supremes records when the were The Primettes and The Falcons (Wilson Pickett), if so it is the only one with a blue label (most, if not all, of the others are white) and with the tree logo - none of the others I've seen has this logo.

I'm not convinced that a/ he owned Garrison (as I've read that it was owned by Pete Garrison) "Pete Garrison released "You Must Be Losing Your Mind" b/w "For The Sake Of
Love." After a few weeks the Garrison record was well distributed down the east coast." from Jimmie Raye's biography on his website.
an b/ if he did it was it really in in Texas?

Terry's other claim to fame is that he co-wrote 'Please, Please, Please' with James Brown.

Jimmie Raye [1967] - For The Sake Of Love [Garrison 3008]

Northern Soul

Jimmie Raye [1967] - That'll Get It [Moon Shot MS 6078]

Funky Northern Soul dancer that wouldn't have been played back in the day but is ripe for the picking these days. A funky/crossover number.

Moon Shot was subsidiary of Calla (Roulette). The Shirelles are on backing vocals on both sides.

Jimmie Raye [1967] - It's Written All Over Your Face [Moon Shot MS 6078]

Deep & gritty Soul perfect fo Sunday soul sessions. Highly recommended.

Jimmie Raye [1976] - That Girl (Of Mine) [Asante]

Deep & Sweet Soul - another great performance. Boy he could really sing on these deep numbers.

Jimmie Raye [1978] - Deep In Your Love [Asante]

Late 70s Modern Soul

Anna Raye [196?] - Will You Love My Child / Will You Be There [Quality Sound QS-02]

Discography

1967 - I've Got Love / Annas Thang [Lock L-724]

196? - Will You Love My Child / Will You be There [Quality Sound QS-02]

Anna Raye [196?] - Will You Love My Child [Quality Sound QS-02]

Crossover

There's that name again C.B. (Christopher Bertrand) Allen (member of Shades Of Brown) on writing credits (writer of songs for Jimmy Burns, Denise Chandler, Lovelites etc.).

I can find only one other release on the label QS-01 by Gene Riley - Been So Long. On that one it refers to Ed Cody who ran/worked at Stereosonic Studios, Chicago so deduce that he may have owned this label and it's from Chicago. It also refers to The Keymasters who produced 45s for The Lovelites on Lovelite and Ralph Johnson (ex Impressions) on Master Key.

Produced by Johnny Cameron and co-written by William Bagsby, names also associated with The Keymasters so almost certainly a Chicago recording.

Master Key Publishing also produced Northern Soul favourites such as Lovelites/Keanya Collins - Love Bandit, Lovelites - My Conscience, Jimmy Burns - I Really Love You.

Anna Raye [196?] - Will You Be There [Quality Sound QS-02]

Soul Group Harmony / Crossover

Jean Wells - Discography

Not a full discography, rather a showcase of Jean Wells' best recordings.

She was born in 1952 in Florida but moved to Philadelphia where she recorded a couple of 45s for local Quaker Town label in 1965 (both produced by Charles Earland who may have owned the label as all 4 listed releases were Earland related) before being signed to ABC-Paramount for just one 45. Another 2 releases followed in 1966, a very rare 45 on Phila - Jean Wells, Charles Earland & The Bulters (probably a misspelling of Butlers) which was also released on Emerson (New York) billed as Jean Wells, and one on Eastern. She was then signed to Calla label owned and run by Nathan 'Big Nat' McCalla (but backed by Morris Levy owner of Roulette)* and proceeded to release 8 45s and an album 'World, Here Comes Jean Wells'. Her career started to diminish in 70s and she had only 5 releases on almost as many labels - Canyon, Law-Ton, TEC and 2 on Sunshine Recordings with a 5 track album also released on Sunshine Recordings.

* Story of demise of Nate McCalla at hands of Morris Levy

Discography

1965 - Song Of The Bells / Share Your Love [Quaker Town 1023]

1965 - If He's A Good Man / Welcome Home [Quaker Town 1026]

1965 - Don't Come Running To Me / The Jean Wells Trio - Little Boots [ABC-Paramount 45-10745]

1966 - I Know That She Loves Me / All This Madness [Phila PH 1835]

1966 - I Know That She Loves Me / All This Madness [Emerson EM 2107]

1966 - If You Ever Loved Someone / Hello Baby, Goodbye Too [Eastern 610]

1967 - After Loving You / Putting The Best On The Outside [Calla C-128]

1967 - I'm In Your Corner / I Feel Good [Calla C-137]

1967 - Have A Little Mercy / With My Love And What You've Got (We Could Turn The World Around) [Calla C-143]

1968 - Sit Down And Cry / Can You Feel It [Calla C-147]

1968 - Try Me And See / The Best Thing For You Baby [Calla C-150]

1968 - Ease Away A Little Bit At A Time / With My Love And What You've Got (We Could Turn The World Around) [Calla C-152]

1968 - What Have I Got To Lose / Broomstick Horse Cowboy [Calla C-157]

1969 - Keep Your Mouth Shut (And Your Eyes Open) / Our Sweet Love Turned Bitter [Calla C-159]

1969 - Keep Your Mouth Shut (And Your Eyes Open) / I Couldn't Love You More Than I Do Now [Volare V 1001

1970 - Somebody's Been Lovin' You (But It Ain't Been Me) / He Ain't Doin' Bad [Canyon C-39]

1972 - Drown In My Own Tears / What Have I Got To Lose [Calla C-185]

1972 - Keep On Doin' It / I Can't Get Over Losing You [Law-Ton 1557]

1979 - I Just Can't Stop Dancing / I Just Can't Stop Dancing (Inst) [TEC 760]

1980 - Love Is Just A Word / Sweetness [Sunshine Recordings SG 801]

1981 - Last Chance To Love / Last Chance To Love (Edit) [Sunshine Recordings SG 806]

1968 - World, Here Comes Jean Wells [Calla CS 1103]

Her debut album on Calla from 1968. All tracks appeared on Calla 45s (above).

Have A Little Mercy [Calla C-143]
Drown In My Own Tears [Calla C-185]
Broomstick Horse Cowboy [Calla C-157]
What Have I Got To Lose [Calla C-157/C185]
After Loving You [Calla C-120]
Our Sweet Love Turned Bitter [Calla C-159]
Try Me And See [Calla C-150]
Sit Down And Cry [Calla C-147]
I Feel Good [Calla C-137]
Ease Away A Little Bit At A Time [Calla C-152]

1981 - Number One [Sunshine Recordings SG-5001]

A 'comeback' album from 1981.

Number One

Last Chance To Love [SG 806]

Sugarman

Love Is Just A Word [SG 801]

Sweetness [SG 801]

1994 - Soul On Soul (Deluxe Edition) {BBE BBE189]

A CD containing all of her Calla recordings plus unreleased material. Originally released on Kent CDKEND 113 (21 tracks) with 3 Additional unreleased tracks (24 tracks) not on Kent CD.

Links to tracks not included above i.e. all previously unreleased

If You've Ever Loved Someone
Take Time To Make Time For Me
Roll Up Your Sleeves, Come Out Lovin' (Winner Takes All)
I Want To Live
Daddy Reconsider
Ordinary Woman

My Top 5

Links have been included above to all tracks I am able to find so will limit the next section to my personal favourite 4 tracks.

The following 5 are recommended:

Sit Down And Cry - Deep Soul

Can You Feel It - Northern Soul

Keep Your Mouth Shut (And Your Eyes Open) - Funky Northern Soul
He Ain't Doin' Bad - flavours of Otis Redding's Too Hard To Handle - Northern Soul
Love Is Just A Word - Modern Soul

Jean Wells [1968] - What Have I Got To Lose [Calla C-157]

Crossover

This has been one of my favourite crossover tunes for a couple of decades. Vastly underrated in my opinion playing second fiddle to With My Love And What You Got favoured by the Northern Soul devotees, which is a good tune but nowhere near as soulful as this side.

Also came out in 1972 to flip of Drown In My Own Tears Calla C-185

Jean Wells [1968] - With My Love And What You've Got (We Could Turn The World Around) [Calla C-143-B & C-152-B]

Northern Soul

Released as flip side twice.

Jean Wells [1968] - The Best Thing For You Baby [Calla C-150]

Northern Soul

Jean Wells [1965] - Don't Come Running To Me [ABC Paramount 45-10745]

Northern Soul

Song written by Billy Jackson and Jimmy Wisner also recorded by Madeline Bell in 1966 on Philips (UK) BF 1501 and Sissie (Cissy) Houston in 1967 on Kapp K-815.

Jean Wells [1967] - Have A Little Mercy [Calla C-143]

Deep Soul

Jeannie Reynolds - Discography

A discography of a tragic artist who took her own, and her 2 children's lives in 1980. Shirley Jean Reynolds was the younger sister of L.J. (Larry James) Reynolds (The Dramatics). She recorded her first 45 in 1969/70 on Mainstream in a recording session with her brother.

Jeannie Reynolds is probably best known for her album 'Cherries, Bananas & Other Fine Things' which was released on Casablanca in 1976 which spawned 'The Fruit Song'. One of her finest recordings 'I Don't Want To Be Second Best' came from her follow-up album 'One Wish' in 1977 from which there were no 45 releases.

She released only 9/10 45s, 6/7 as Jeannie Reynolds (Chess, Cadet Concept and 4 on Casablanca) and 3 earlier ones under the names Jeany Reynolds (Mainstream), Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Letts (Washington), and Shirley Jean & The Relations (People). Two of the Casablanca 45s were released before she recorded her first album and none of the 4 tracks appear on either Casablanca album.

Discography

Jeany Reynolds

1970 - Please Don't Set Me Free / Down On Me [Mainstream 718]

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets

1971 - Don't Mess Around / People Make The World [Washington 1001]

Shirley Jean & The Relations

1971 - People Make The World A Better Place /If I Had A Man Like You [People PE 601A]

Jeanie Reynolds

1974 - I Know He'll Be Back Someday / You Ain't The Only Man (God Created) [Chess CH 2150]

1974 - Without Your Love (I'm Nothing But A Drop Of Water In The Ocean) /Same [Cadet Concept]

1975 - The Phones Been Jumping All Day / Unwanted Company [Casablanca NB 834]

1975 - Lay Some Lovin' On Me / Love Don't Come Easy For Me Now [Casablanca NB 846]

1976 - Hit And Run / I've Still Got My Pride [Casablanca NB 866]

1976 - Hit And Run / The Fruit Song [Casablanca NB 876]

1978 - I'm Hooked On You / ? [Casablanca NB 911]

NB Soulfulkindamusic lists I'm Hooked On You as being released in 1978 on Casablanca 911 but I have not found it listed or for sale anywhere - could it have been withdrawn?

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets [1971] - Don't Mess Around [Washington 1001]

A double helping of deep soul. Jeanie Reynolds was only 16 (born 1954) when she cut this single and the Re-Leets were two young girls 10 and 12. This track was written by her and is the only release on Washington records from Detroit. Arranged by Fiery Bursey and produced by Ben Washington, presumably the label owner.

Recorded at Gold Soul studio (formerly Terra Firma) with John Glover (piano), two of The Funk Brothers (Bob Babbitt (bass) Johnny Griffith (hammond)), George McGregor (drums), Bill Smith (guitar), Horns (?). Chuck Overton was Ben Washington's producer. Master was cut at Danny Dallas' Sound Patterns studio. Credit to Ron Murphy (who was the sound engineer on 45) from Soulful Detroit forum.

Jeannie Reynolds & The Re-Leets [1971] - People Make The World [Washington 1001]

Jeany Reynolds [1970] - Please Don't Set Me Free [Mainstream 718]

Flip side is a funky number Down On Me

Jeany Reynolds [1970] - Down On Me [Mainstream 718]

Funky Northern Soul

This is a cover of a traditional freedom song from 1920s recorded by Big Brother & The The Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin in 1967 also on Mainstream. Janis Joplin got arranger credits on BB&THC 45 and curiously and incorrectly Janis Joplin was given writer credit on JR version. The flip side of BB&THC is 'Call On Me' which was also released on Mainstream 717 by L.J. Reynolds at the same session when Jeannie cut Down On Me and they have consecutive Cat. No.s.

Shirley Jean & The Relations [1971] - People Make The World A Better Place [People PE 601A]

I'm a little confused with this one as the group is called Shirley Jean & The Relations and I'm not entirely sure whether Jean refers to Jeannie Reynolds or it is Shirley (Jean) Womack (wife of Friendly Womack - Bobby's brother) credited as Shirley Jean? This side was written by Jeannie Reynolds credited as Jean Reynolds and, to make things even more confusing, this is the same song as was recorded on Washington where it was credited to R. Jackson.

I believe that L.J. Reynolds was one of the Relations.

Also recorded by Lyn Collins on People PE 626 in 1973.

Shirley Jean & The Relations [1971] - If I Had A Man Like You [People PE 601B]

A funky / bluesy track

Jeanie Reynolds [1974] - I Know He'll Be Back Someday [Chess CH 2150]

A southern soul style mid-tempo tune

Jeanie Reynolds [1974] - You Ain't The Only Man (God Created) [Chess CH 2150]

Mid-paced southern style Northern Soul / Crossover beater.

Jeannie Reynolds [1974] - Without Your Love (I'm Nothing But A Drop Of Water In The Ocean) [Cadet Concept]

Here's an obscure one that I don't think ever got a release and is only available on same-sided (Mono/Stereo) promo. It's not even listed on Discogs only 45Cat. A nice deep soul cut.

It wasn't on YouTube so I've uploaded it to my channel (SoulStrutter)

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - The Phones Been Jumping All Day [Casablanca NB 834]

This was her biggest hit reaching #10 US R&B, which is a sad reflection on her work as there were many other much better tracks she released, as for me, as this is a fairly average. In fact the flip is far superior.

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - Unwanted Company [Casablanca NB 834]

Modern Soul stepper
Should have been the A side as far superior track that stands the test of time.

Jeannie Reynolds [1975] - Lay Some Lovin' On Me [Casablanca NB 846]

Southern Soul - this track 'annoyingly' reminds me of someone else which I can't place. Ann Peebles / Betty Swann perhaps? Got it ... Margie Joseph recorded a track called Come Lay Some Loving On Me in 1973 ... but a different song!