Ruby Andrews [1968] - Just Loving You [Zodia #Z-1010]

An anthemic tune which I'm sure I first heard played by ex Twisted Wheel DJ Brian Rae in 1975 and it was an oldie then (I believe that it may have been originally played at the Wheel, but happy to be corrected on that if anyone knows otherwise)! It seems to have been around forever and is still a floor packer when the needle is dropped on it 45+ years later, and quite rightly so.

Ruby Andrews (real name Stackhouse) debuted in 1965 with a single on Kellmac. She was a member of The Vondells (which included Lowrell 'Mellow Mellow' Simon and Jesse Dean who  both later were in The Lost Generation and Glenn Murdoch who later formed Mother's Finest with Joyce Kennedy) and apparently the record was actually by The Vondells but credited to Andrews. 

She then became the main artist on Ric Wiliams' Zodiac label from 1967 until its demise in 1973 (releasing around 14 of its 30 odd singles and both of it's only two albums) whereupon she moved to ABC in 1976 where she released 3 singles and an album. Releases after that were sporadic on different labels. Her biggest hit is 'Casonova (You're Playing Days Are Over)' in 1967 (R&B #9 Hot 100 #51) covered by Loleatta Holloway in 1975 and Coffee in 1980. 

'Just Loving You' was the flip side to 'The Love I Need' which was her next R&B chart entry reaching #48 in 1968. It was written (as were many of her other songs) by Fred Bridges, Robert Eaton and Richard Knight (aka The Brothers Of Soul). Knight was also one half of The Knight Brothers who recorded Temptation 'Bout To Get Me in 1965.

Another superb track by Ruby Andrews, again written by Bridges, Eaton & Knight and released just before 'Just Loving You' in 1968, is 'Wonderful Nite' also on Zodiac and was recorded a year later on Aquarius by 'Candace Love'.