Mel & Tim [2021] - Mel & Tim [Concord Music Group] (Full Album)

Mel & Tim have a special place in my memory as it was one of the first records I bought as a youth cutting my teeth on soul (and still own to this day) with their "Backfield In Motion" (1969). You never hear it played anymore and sits right in the 'beach' category nowadays but got plays on the Northern Soul scene 'in the day'. It was their biggest chart success reaching #3 R&B and #10 billboard hot 100 but did nothing in the UK, hence being picked up on by the UK NS scene.

Mel & Tim were cousins Mel Hardin and Tim McPherson from Holly Springs, Mississippi. They were discovered by Gene Chandler after they moved to Chicago. "Backfield In Motion" was one of several (around seven)  singles they released on Chicago label Bamboo (owned by Hardin's mother Yolanda) in the late 60s before they were signed to the legendary Stax label. They recorded two albums at Stax, "Starting All Over Again" (1972) and "Mel & Tim" (1973). 

The latter has just been digitally reissued in the US (3 Sep 2021).  It contains a few of tracks of interest to the UK rare soul scene i.e. "Keep The Faith" which, had it had a faster tempo, would probably have cult status to the NS scene as 'Keep The Faith' was a term adopted by it in the 70s, but it's still a wonderful mid-tempo, soulful,  crossover style tune. The others being their version of the Phillip Mitchell song "It's Those Little Things That Count" also recorded by him, The Artistics and John Edwards (lead singer with The Spinners) all previously in 1972 and the up-tempo "Forever And A Day". There is a cover of The Staples Singers "Yes We Can" which is the only song on the album not written by Phillip Mitchell, Allen Toussaint penned it. Another outstanding cut is the soulful ballad "That's The Way I Want To Live My Life". All highlighted tracks also saw release on Stax 45s, except "Keep The Faith" which is album only. "Forever And A Day" was paired with "That's The Way I Want To Live My Life" on 45 and is well worth picking up if you find one but prices are rising, a near mint copy is currently one on sale on Discogs for £85.

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Reissue
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Concord Music Group (Stax Reissue)
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/09/2021
Value:	$5.99