T.F.O. [2021] - Happy Family / Let Love Come Right On In [Soul Intention #SI008]

A new release from Soul Intention (run by Phil Dick) is this re-recording of a 1981 single by Detroit band T.F.O. Apparently T.F.O. stands for The Floaters Orchestra as they were the backing band for The Floaters who in turn were formed by two former members of The Detroit Emeralds James Mitchell and Marvin Willis. It follows the label's recent success with the 'lost' GarciaWalker&Durrell album "Praying For The Rain" and the 12" release of several remixes of the Beloyd cover by them.

Both sides of T.F.O.s 1981 release on Venture were re-recorded in Detroit late 2020 by original band members led by drummer Ronnie Nelson, vocalist Esther Todd and Greg Mathis along with Detroit 'legends' (in rare soul circles) Spyder Turner, Pat Lewis, Carolyn Crawford, Willie Kendrick.

As far as I am aware T.F.O. released just three singles between 1979 and 1986. Their first consisted of two boogie/funk tracks "All The Way" / "I Come Here To Party" which sound a little ahead of their time for 1979, originally released on Three G's Productions before being picked up by Venture. Then came "Happy Family" / "Let Love Come Right On In" in 1981 again on Venture. Their final single in 1986 was the only release on Rivertown (which looks like it may have been a subsidiary of Wheelsville and was produced by Edwin Starr's (aka Charles Hatcher) cousin Will Hatcher who owned the company) which had one of those horrendous mid 80s synthesised tracks on the top side ("Friend Of Mine") but a pleasant ballad on the flip "There Goes My Heart".

I'm not sure whether I caught a 'dodgy' promo copy or not but the mastering on "Let's Come Right On In" in particular needs re-addressing as it sounds like it was recorded in a public toilet! Sorry guys but it's the truth! If it came to me on a 45 in this 'quality' it would be going straight back! A 'rip' of the original version is included below for comparison.

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Original (from personal collection)

Details

Rating:	8.2
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul Intention
Cat No:	None
Date:	08/10/2021
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£11