VA [2021] - Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities Volume 7 [Kent #CDKEND #498]

The latest in the Kent series of 'Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities' (Volume 7) was released 17 Feb 2021.

It contains nine previously unissued tracks. Here's the track listing with links to any that have been released. 

NB: Title link for YT sound and Cat. No. link for Discogs.

01 - Carolyn Crawford [2019] - Ready Or Not Here Comes Love [Kent #6T-35]

Previously unreleased recording from 1971 until it was issued on the 6Ts 40th anniversay singe in 2019

02 - Kim Weston - It Takes A Lotta Teardrops

Previously Unreleased

03 - Melvin Hicks & The Versatiles - The Intruder

Previously Unreleased - It was thought to be acetate only but is in fact a missing number on an, as yet undisclosed, collectable label.

Here's another released on Deep Soul, 'I'm Just Passing Time' interestingly co-written by Ray Dahrouge

04 - The Lovers - She's Supreme

Previously Unreleased Acetate only

05 - Isaiah Smith - Why Would You Blow It 

Previously Unreleased

Originally recorded by Claude Huey

Claude Huey [1968] - Why Would You Blow It [Galaxy #768]

06 - Rocky Gil & The Bishops [1968] - It's Not The End [Teardrop #3181]

07 - Harvey Scales & The Seven Sounds [2020] - It's Midnight [Numero Group]

Released in 2020 by Numero Group on compilation "Twistin'" as 'Midnight Before We Meet'.

08 - Little Nicky Soul [1964] - You Said [Shee #SR-01]

09 - The Esquires [1968] - You Don't Care [Knight Owl #K-4500]

Originally released on a 1968 compilation 'Badger A-Go-Go' which has been reissued by Numero Group.

10 - Brothers Of Soul - I Need Your Love

Galaxy Previously Unreleased

11 - Joe Buckner & Major IV - I Wish I Knew

Previously Unreleased

I'm pretty sure this is the same song as recorded by The Ballads in 1975 as 'Butterfy' on Music City featuring the pipes of Freddie Hughes, and again as 'Butterfli' on Balja the same year which was a different mix.

The Ballads [1975] - 'Butterfy' [Music City #MC-45-897]

12 - The Family Brick [2019] - I'll Fly To Your Open Arms [Kent #KENT519]

Previously Unreleased

Originally recorded by Jack Ashford on his 1977 album 'Hotel Sheet'. This version was released in 2019 on 'Jack Ashford's Just Productions' CD on Kent.

Jack Ashford [1977] - I'll Fly To Your Open Arms [Magic Disc #MD-116]

13 - Ray Gant & The Arabian Knights [1971] - I Need A True Love [Jay-Walking #JW-014]

Another version of Eddie Parker's original from 1971 who released it twice on flip to 'Cryin' Clown' on Triple 'B' and then the flip to the deep soul classic 'But If You Must Go' on MAMs in 1976.

14 - Joe Hicks [1968] - Don't It Make You Feel Funky [AGC #001]

A Northern Soul classic

15 - John Wesley & The Four Tees [1965] - Love Is Such A Funny Thing [Melic #4195]

Also released by Williams & Watson's on their 1967 album 'Two For The Price Of One'.

Larry Williams & Johnny Watson [1967] - Love Is Such A Funny Thing [Okeh #OKS 14112]

16 - The Hesitations [1967] - Soul Kind Of Love [Kapp #K-810]

Promo only on 45 but was released on their 'Soul Superman' album in 1967.

17 - Joe Douglas [196?] - Crazy Things [Playhouse #P-1000]

18 - Cats 'n' Mouse - Love In My Heart

Previously Unreleased

They release one 45 on Buck Ram's Antler label. This is a version of The Oracles:

The Oracles [1967] - Love In My Heart [OM-1967] which has another superb Northern Soul track on the flip 'I Ain't Got Time'.

19 - The Performers [2011] - Farewell Goodbye My Love (Edit) [Omnivore #OVLP-38]

Released on a 2011 compilation 'The Music City Sessions Volume 3: Soul Show' by  Omnivore.

20 - Major Lance [1971] - Girl, Come On Home [Volt #VOA 4069]

21 - Jean Battle [1971] - I've Got To Come In [Clintone #CT-005]

Written by Sam Dees and also released in 1976 by Eboney Essence as 'Let Me In'

Eboney Essence [1976] - Let Me In [Goodie Train #GT-061]

22 - The Lyrics [1966] - So Glad [GNP Crescendo #GNP 381]

23 - The Perfections [1969] - The Right To Cry [AGC #3]

Another on AGC, one of only 5 releases on the label (and the rarest). Two of the releases were from Joe Hicks who released 'Funky' twice with different flip sides.

Originally recorded by Lenny Welch in 1967

Lenny Welch [1967] - The Right To Cry [Kapp #K-808]

Marian Love [1967 - The Right To Cry [Capitol #2032]

Erma Franklin [1968] - The Right To Cry [Shout S-234]

Sandie Shaw [1968] - The Right To Cry [Pye #NPL 18232]

Released on album 'The Sandie Shaw Supplement'

Lynne Randell [1968] - The Right To Cry [ABC #11112] 

(hands up those who think this sounds like Lulu?)

24 - The Exits [1967] - Under The Street Lamp [Gemini #1004]