The Decisions [2021] - We're In Love / I Love You [Soul-Direction #SD-005]

The latest, and fifth, 45 release on Alan Kitchener's Soul-Direction label is set for release later this month. It's from a group known to Northern Soul followers for their "I Can't Forget About You" and for several sides to sweet soul lovers / lowriders, even though they only released five singles it total.

The Decisions were a group of school friends from S.H. Archer High School, Atlanta, GA who graduated in 1965. The group consisted of Hildred Thomason (deceased), Fred White, Henry Little, Howard Simpson and Harvey Poole, although Poole left later to join the U.S. Military. They formed their own label 'York' in the late 60s, on which they released two singles in 1969 before joining Sussex in the early 70s where they released three more singles, two in 1971 and another in 1972.

After leaving Sussex three of the members, which included Fred White, formed Unity who released just one single on Apex (Newark) in 1973. It was the only release for both group and label.

Their Northern Soul favourite "I Can't Forget About You", written by group member Fred White, was issued as the B side of both 1971 Sussex singles and also gained a UK release on the second issue which has kept the price down.

The two tracks being released by Soul-Direction are from an almost lost master tape of tracks recorded in 1968 and would have been a possible release for the bands own York label. The tapes were sent to an L.A. music executive in 1968 by the group but were never returned. Alan has somehow got his hands on them and made them available for the first time, released on limited edition vinyl 7" 45 only. Click on label images to pre-order.

Discography

1969 - Really Do Love You / Do I Love Her [York #158]

A: Crossover / Sweet Soul Harmony

B: Crossover

Both sides written by Fred White

1969 - Color Me Blue / Somebody [York #159]

A: Sweet Soul

B: Crossover

Both sides written by Fred White

1971 - It's Love That Really Counts / I Can't Forget About You [Sussex #214]

A: Sweet Soul

B: Northern Soul

A side was a Bacharach & David song, the B side written by Fred White with both sides arranged & produced by Dennis Coffey & Mike Theodore.

1971 - You Look Like An Angel / I Can't Forget About You [Sussex #218]

A: Sweet Soul

B: Northern Soul

Both sides written by Fred White and arranged & produced by Dennis Coffey & Mike Theodore.

1972 - Do You Love Me / Stop Playing Around [Sussex #238]

A: Mid-tempo

B: Crossover

Both sides written by Fred White and co-written and produced by Michael Stokes. There's an excellent Michael Stokes bio over at Soul Walking who was only 17 at the time of this release.

Unity

1973 - We Can Make It / Too Young [Apex #AP-483]

A: Sweet Soul Harmony

B: Crossover

Both sides written by Fred White

2021 - We're In Love / I Love You [Soul-Direction #SD-005]

A: Crossover

B: Sweet Soul Harmony

Both sides again written by group member Fred White.

Details

Rating:	8.3
Genre/Style:	Crossover / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul-Direction
Cat No:	SD-005
Year:	07/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£15