I've come across another couple of Paprika Soul cover versions. These guys are currently in the UK Soul Chart with Standing Right There, but last year released their version of Kool & The Gang's classic Summer Madness (sampled by Will Smith's altar ego DJ Jazzy Jeff & Fresh Prince - Summertime in 1991).
Cover version of Lowrell (Simon) jazz funk classic Mellow Mellow Right On which first came out on their debut self-titled album in 1991, which was reissued in 2001 and is also on Song Birds promo CD from 2018.
Just reissued on Sonic Wax in 2020 is this ultra rare quality modern soul tune by Doc Peabody from 1973. Written and produced by R. Little (Tony Little Sr.). The B side is an instrumental version.
This track lay dormant until the mid noughties as it was relatively unknown because only a few copies are known to exist, needless to say if you ever find one it's likely to cost well into 4 figures. The last one to sell listed on Popsike went for $7,167 in Oct 2019. A story on Soul Source suggest some lucky SOB found one for $3!
There is nothing else listed for Doc Peabody, so this is a one-off unless of course this was a pseudonym.
The Sonic Was reissue is single sided only and limited to 300 copies - I wonder how 'legitimate' this release is, it claims to be a MCPS paid reissue.
As it's so rare, I was surprised to find a sound clip on YouTube - thanks to David Pinches for posting it.
Doc Peabody [1973] - Here Without You Part 2 [Both Sides #466]
Whilst looking for info on Doc Peabody I came across this reworking/remix by
Mr Fish on Soundcloud.
I remember buying this wonderful latin jazz track by Tania Maria when it came out. I can't put my hand on my copy at the moment, but
their only appears to be 2 releases, a Brazilian promo 7" from 1983 (which I
doubt mine is) and a German 12" from 1985 - which doesn't ring a bell, so I'll
need to hunt it down. It was big on the Jazz Funk circuit back in the
day and one that you seldom here. It seems to be getting hard to find as
only 5 currently for sale on Discogs for around the £50 mark. I was
reminded of it from doing the Paprika Soul post as they have covered in on
their Club Mixes CD.
If you've never heard this then hopefully it will blow you away. Superb
latin jazz.
Paprika Soul [2018] - Club Mixes [Alan Barnes Productions #ABPPSS6]
Following the previous post for their Trippin' On Your Love, reminded me of
another cover they did of Gloria Scott's Modern Soul classic "(A Case) Of Too Much Love Makin'" which was on their 2002 album Into The Light (CD only unless you
get the Japanese vinyl issue) they released in 2002. It also came out on 12"
and was reissued on Song Birds promo only CD album on Alan Barnes
Productions ABPPSS (only 50 copies), which seems to be a compilation of
songs from Into The Light 2002 and Paprika Soul from 1991.
Lisa Stansfield [1993] - Too Much Love Makin' [Arista
#74321172311]
Lisa Stansfield did a version on her 1993 album 'Son Natural',
predominantly released on CD but a 2 vinyl issue was released in
Europe. I don't think it ever escaped on a single.
Gloria Scott [1974] - (A Case) Of Too Much Love Makin' [Casablanca #NB 9002
/ NB-001]
I think I'm right in saying that this was never originally released as a 45
except in Australia, which now sells for large sums (currently £700-£800 on
Discogs but 45Cat lists a value of £962 based on an auctioned one in 2019).
It's a track from her only album 'What Am I Gonna Do' on Casablanca released
in 1974. Six of the 8 tracks were written by Tom Brock including this
one. The album is considerable cheaper than the Australian 45!
Kim Weston [1996] - A Case Of Too Much Love Makin' [Motor City #30359
90012]
From a 1996 compilation by Ian Levine's Motorcity label which also got pressed on a white label 7".
Well this was a surprise! This one 'sneaked' out in June this year from Paprika Soul and is an updated cover of The Staples, Trippin' On Your Love.
This tune was hammered late 90s/early noughties on Northern/Modern soul dancefloors by A Way Of Life and also by Arthur Miles. Both were released in 1990 but I think A Way Of Life was first as it reached the UK Chart #55 in Apr 1990, the flip side of Miles' version entered UK chart in Dec 1990.
Kenny Thomas then had a go at it in 1993 and got it to #17 in UK Charts around Sep 1993.
Paprika Soul is Andrew Spiller and Alan Barnes formed in 1992 in UK.
The Staples Feat. Mavis Staples [1981] - Trippin' On Your Love [Stax #MPS 8511]
Originally released as album track only on The Staples Feat. Mavis Staples - This Time Around on Stax in 1981 and has been a long time Modern Soul spin which may explain why the later releases were picked up on.
It was issued on a Kent Select 45 (CITY 067) in Nov 2019 with The Temprees - That's Why I Love you on the flip.
I don't know why on the Kent label it's credited to Phillip Mitchell as on the album, and all other releases, it's credited to (Michael) Smith, (Linda) Rice. PS I think the Discogs writer link is incorrect.
A Way Of Life [1990] - Trippin' On Your Love [Eternal # YZ464T]
The only release (listed) by them. The record company must have believed in this release as a promotional video was recorded for it.
Arthur Miles [1990] - Trippin' On Your Love [New Music#NMX 310]
It was released with 'Helping Hand' on the flip (which also got spins) which entered UK chart in Dec 1990 reaching #87, which perhaps confirms that A Way Of Life was released before it. I think Miles was an American based in Italy as it came out first on Italian label New Music
Kenny Thomas [1993] - Trippin' On Your Love [Cooltempo #COOL 277]
London blue-eyed singer Kenny Thomas had 8 Top 40 hits in the UK between 1990-95 and this was his 4 highest chart entry at #17. He hit with another couple of covers, The Gap Band's Outstanding was his first hit in 1990 reaching #12 and Force MDs Tender Love in 1991 reaching #26.
