Soul Strutter: Moses Smith

I still believe that it is not known who Moses Smith was and there are only two records listed from him. The only thing known is that he won a singing contest at The Uptown theatre in Philadelpha and as a result was signed by Gilda Woods to her fledgling Dionn label. She had earlier signed Brenda & The Tabulations to the label where they released their debut 'Dry Your Eyes' in Dec. 1966.

Woods was the wife of local radio DJ Georgie Woods ('the man with the goods') on WHAT-AM & WDAS) and they organised the talent shows at the Uptown theatre.

Discography

1968 - The Girl Across The Street / Hey Love (I Wanna' Thank You) [Dionn #508]

1970 - Keep On Striving' / Come On, Let Me Love You [Cotillion #45-44075]

2002 - Try My Love / Try My Love (Inst) [Jamie #4019]

1968 - The Girl Across The Street [Dionn #508]

1968 - Hey Love (I Wanna' Thank You) [Dionn #508]

1970 - Keep On Striving' [Cotillion #45-44075]

A good double-sider from Moses Smith which apparently Ian Levine started playing 'Come On, Let Me Love You' at the Mecca at the same time as his better remembered 'The Girl Across The Street' 1968 outing on Dionn was being hammered by Richard Searling at the Casino. It's the other 'crossover' side I prefer 'Keep On Stiving' which wouldn't have got a look in back in the 70s.

1970 - Come On, Let Me Love You [Cotillion 45-44075]

2002 - Try My Love [Jamie #4019]

A brilliant, previously unknown, 'proper Northern' track by him 'Try My Love' was released on 'The Northern Side Of Philly Soul' [Jamie #4019] in 2002. Apparently it was recorded at the same session as 'Girl Across The Street' but stayed in the can until 2002.

It was also issued on 7" single with a look-alike Dionn label in 2002 with 'The Girl Across The Street' on the other side. I guess that it must be a legit reissue via Jamie/Guyden as this is now fetching 3 figures (£100-£150).