Tuesday, 1 December 2020

Northern Soul Rarities

In the Frank Wilson post the other day I mentioned a few other rare records so thought it worthwhile posting these for anyone not familiar with them.

Don Gardner [1969] - Cheatin' Kind [Sedgrick #3001]

Only a handful of known copies exist. John Manship sold one back around 2007/8 to a buyer in Australia (for something in the region of £8k) and 'tragically' it was run over by a Fed-ex truck.  Manship refunded the buyer and I believe he framed the smashed 45!


Here's a clip of Manship's framed, broken copy 37 secs in. Some other interesting memorabilia in video.

The Inspirations [1967] - No One Else Can Take Your Place [Breakthrough #1001]

The B side on it is blank with a white label, I believe, but never seen one!


Note, it was re-recorded on Breakthrough in 1977 and re-credited as Charles Diamond & The Inspirations. 

Joseph Webster [1968] - My Love Is So Strong [Crow #C 21]

Not many dates are available for the Crow releases except C37 1969 & C43 1970. It looks like the numbering system was shared with Flaming Arrow and C19 released in 1968 so this  would suggest that this was probably released around 1968.


The Andantes [1964] - (Like A) Nightmare [V.I.P. #25006]

Along with The Funk Brothers, The Andantes were Motown's key backing musicians who never saw the limelight. This is their second and last release in 1964. Their first was on MAH's in 1960 with Billy Kent. It was their only release on Motown, believed by many, released by Berry Gordy only to 'placate' them.

UK Soul Chart, 30th Nov 2020

The latest UK Soul Chart as of 30th Nov 2020. Links to new releases. Check link UK Soul Chart for previous entries.

01 (7) SouLutions - Stop What You're Doing
02 (1) True Music Group - True Soul Vol. 1 (Album)
03 (3) Shaila Prospere - Under My Skin (Album)
04 (15) Dave Mascall Feat. Hannah White - Gotta Trust In Love
05 (3) Patrick McLean - One Heart One Beat (Album)
06 (8) The Brit Funk Association ft Chris Amoo - Smilin' (Mixes)
07 (6) Richard Alexander Davis ft Don E-Just - Call (Mixes)
08 (4) Jarrod Lawson - Be The Change (Album)

09 (NE) CJ's Connection - Tell Her
Released on 22nd Nov 2020.


10 (NE) Adika Pongo Feat. James D Train Williams - Touch My Heart
According to their Facebook page has been available since 9th Oct 202.


11 (10) Super db - Open Line To Me
12 (13) Jack Tyson Charles - Something
13 (11) Regi Myrix presents Nia Simmons - Relax
14 (5) Emeli Sande - More Of You (Mixes)
15 (9) Take Three - 1.2.3 (Three Steps To Your Heart)
16 (30) Los Charly's Orchestra Feat. Xantone Blacq - Fly Away (Seamus Haji Mixes)

17 (NE) Bradd Marquis - Always / Thrill Is Gone

Info on Brad Marquis can be found at his website.


Southern soul stepper.


18 (17) The Regime - Never Gonna Stop / Deuzy Vibe
19 (12) Clauds - Identity (Album)
20 (20) Stone Paxton - Happy People
21 (16) Kim Tavar - Isaiah

22 (NE) The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B - It's Been So Long (Album)

Only available via GeorgeBMusic.com


23 (22) Light of the World - Jazz Funk Power (Album)

24 (NE) H'Atina - Authentically Me (Album)

Link to album playlist. I had a quick skim through it and am afraid to say that none of the tracks did anything for me and they all sound very much the same ... bland!


25 (19) AC Soul Soul Symphony / Dave Lee- Feat. Billy Valentine - Manhattan Skyline / Power Of The Mind

26 (RE) Devon Gilfillian - What's Going On (Album)

27 (NE) Binky Womack - You're My One and Only

Curtis 'Blinky' Womack is son of Curtis and nephew to Bobby.  He was featured as Record of the Month in June 2020 for 'When You're Young' on Soul Tracks.  His current single has elements of his uncle but doesn't set these ears alight.  A fairly pedestrian southern soul style plodder which just doesn't doesn't go anywhere.


28 (23) Debra Debs - Seven (Album)

29 (NE) Ingram Street - Paint The Town (Album)

Link is to whole album playlist.
Perhaps I'm not in the mood today, but nothing special on this album either.  The only tracks that do anything for me are Friend Zone and Here 2 Stay, the rest, especially the first track, R.S.V.P. seem contrived or simply bland and weak.


30 (21) Daryl Anders Agapesoul Feat. Tommy Sims - Bulletproof