Last year I did a feature on
The Village (Soul) Choir, so it came as a nice surprise to discover yesterday that the next
release on Izipho Soul is a double header of two great in-demand tunes from
them. The limited edition 7" is released on Friday (29 Oct 2021) and is available to pre-order in either transparent red or black vinyl from Izipho Soul website.
"Sweet Hot Lips" was originally released on 12" in 1976 on N.Y.C. Street Sound. It was
written and produced by Sir Charles Matthews. The Izipho Soul release is the full 12" version.
A long time favourite of mine is "All Purpose Love" which is an album only track from their second album "Street Opera With A Blues Waltz" (on SCM Ringer Records and Tapes), and again written by Sir Charles Matthews who has claimed that the album was never
officially released (and he should know as it's his label as SCM are his initials) hence the high value of between £400 median and £700
max selling prices on Discogs.
The Village Choir consisted of Charles Matthews, Clip Hightower, Deloris
Ragsdale, Lee McDonald and Margaret Berry.
Lee McDonald, born Cleveland Parker, released several solo singles in the late 70s/early 80s including another UK modern soul favourite "I'll Do Anything For You" in 1981 along with "We've Only Just Begun" both from his debut album "Sweet
Magic" and both sides were reissued by Soul Brother records in 2002 on
7"single. He sadly passed away in Feb 2018. Ron Foster, who was his
manager, producer, writer and friend has been on a mission to gain wider
recognition of his exceptional talent through various independent record
label releases.
Ron Foster released an album by Lee McDonald in 2003 titled "Sweet Magic (Plus 7)" which you can listen to here which contains fifteen superb modern soul tunes.
NOTE: Izipho Soul have made best endeavours to contact the copyright owner and
all proceeds from this release will go to Lee's widow and have stated that they will not take any profit from this sale of this release.
At this juncture it is opportune to thank and congratulate Patrick Biggerstaff who has brought us some wonderful releases this year including the great double sider from Alexander Morris "Isn't She A Pretty Girl" / "Love's Knocking", the Rena Scott single, Cornell CC Carter album plus two 45s from it and now this superb double-sider from The Village Choir along with a vinyl release of Down To Earth's "Still Ridin' High" album in the pipeline for early next year.
| Rating: | 9 |
| Genre/Style: | Modern Soul |
| Format: | Single |
| Media: | 7" |
| Label: | Izipho Soul |
| Cat No: | ZP69 |
| Date: | 29/10/2021 |
| Value: | £13 |
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