The Swiss Movement [2021] - The Swiss Movement [Happy Tunes] plus Discography (Full Album)

I believe that this has been previously released in 2018 by Vinyl Gems but it looks like it is being pushed again (perhaps by a different label) as it has been available via Happy Tunes (German company Autarc Media GmbH) since 21 Mar 2021. As far as I can tell all tracks (except one - see below) are previously unreleased from the 70s.

I'm going to also take this opportunity to post their full discography below.

The Swiss Movement originated in New Orleans and found themselves moving to Detroit. They released only five singles between 1971 and 1974 (the first four on RCA Victor and the final one on Casablanca) and one album in 1973. Only one 45 saw a release in the UK in 1973, which was a combination of two US B sides Bring Back Your Love / If You Need Somebody To Love.

Another single (One In A Million / I Wish Our Love Would Last Forever) was released in 1978 on a New Orleans label Gold which eventally got a release via Grapevine in the UK in 2002. 'I Wish Our Love Would Last Forever' is the only track on the album that has previously been issued.

Whilst it's great gaining access to lots of music digitally, I've said it before and I'lll say again, it is irritating that no information is given about the origin of the music, no publicity, no sleeve notes ... nada!

Their 1973 album cover shows four members (who according to Discogs are Ronald Williams, Herbert Clifton, John Hodges and Arthur Booker, Jr., but a later publicity photo (and the sleeve of the latest album) shows only three. Arthur Booker, Jr. went on to join Louisiana Purchase who released four singles and an album on New Orleans label Basin Street in the 80s, and a one-off single on Chicago's Kelli-Arts.

The lead track on this new album 'I Think I'm Falling In Love' is a superb 70s modern soul dancer, the sort that tends to get broken in modern room and then crosses over to the main room in time. 'Trying To Win Your Love' is another 70s dancer. 'Grown Up Fairy Tales' is a sweet soul ballad. 'I Wish Our Love Would Last Forever' sounds like something the Detriot Spinners could have recorded and must have been in-demand at some point for it to be reissued by Grapevine, but I actually prefer 'I Think I'm Falling In Love' and 'Trying To Win Your Love'.

Not included on this album, but there were some good tunes on their 1973 album not released as singles 'Come Around Here' and 'The Grass Is Greener' in particular. Note that 'The Grass Is Greener' is available on 7" for the first time on 13 Feb 2021 via Ekim Kaidoz, it's on Mango Hill website. I'll post it separately as there's a killer lowider on the flip Soul Superiors - Trust In Me Baby which I have vague recollections of posting some time ago but can't find it, so maybe not.

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	70s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Happy Tunes
Cat No:	None
Year:	29/03/2021
Key:	1A
BPM:	100
Value:	£7.92

Discography

Albums

1973 - It's Time For The Swiss Movement [RCA Victor #APL1-0212]

A1 - Take A Chance On A Sure Thing

A2 - Take Me Back Again

A3 - Bring Back Your Love

#A4 - If You Need Me

#A5 - Come Around Here

A6 - Keep On Loving You

B1 - This Moment (I Just Want It To Last Forever)

B2 - If You Need Somebody To Love

#B3 - Come On Sunday

#B4 - The Grass Is Greener

B5 - Take Some Time

# = album only

Singles

1971 - This Moment (I Just Want It To Last Forever) / Bring Back Your Love [RCA Victor #48-1008]

A: Mid-tempo sweet soul

B: Mid-tempo 70s modern soul

1972 - Take A Chance On A Sure Thing / Take A Chance On A Sure Thing (Instr.) [RCA Victor #74-0699]

A: Crossover

B: Instrumental of A side

1973 - Keep On Loving You / Take Me Back Again [RCA Victor #74-0921]

A: Deep n sweet soul ballad

B: Sweet soul ballad

1973 - Take Some Time / If You Need Somebody To Love [RCA Victor #APBO-0092]

A: Sweet soul ballad

B: ?

1974 - Try Something / A Change Is Got To Come [Casablanca #NB 805]

A: Modern Soul - their only charting sibgle reaching #72 R&B in Nov 1974

B: ?

1978 - One In A Million / I Wish Our Love Would Last Forever [Gold #GR-02]

A: Sweet soul ballad

B: 70s modern soul