The Escorts [2021] - The Helva Records Sessions [Helva Records] (Full Album)

An album by 70s vocal group The Escorts "The Helva Records Sessions" was released on Friday (10 Dec 2021). It is actually a re-titled reissue of their 1981 self-titled album released on New York label Knockout which was a Helva production with the addition of a new (unreleased?) track "Try The Fantasy" (thanks to Yves for pointing that out as I missed it!). I also noticed that the original six tracks appear to have been reissued on an album titled "Heart Of Gold" in 2008.

The Escorts are renowned for being a group of convicts (originally consisting of seven members) at Rahway State Prison, NJ, who were discovered by George Kerr when they did a concert whilst still in prison. He then went to the prison to record their debut album "All We Need Is Another Chance" live in 1973. It was followed up with "3 Down 4 To Go" in 1974.

They had a run of  six singles between 1973-74 on Alitihia (the first being a four track EP promo for their debut album) and then went quiet until 1981 when they released the album featured here which spawned two singles "Heart Of Gold" / "Sing A Happy Song" followed by "Make Me Over" / "Love Is Like A Dream". There was also a 12" with  long and  short versions of "Make Me Over". The only other release on the Knockout label appears to be a live album by James Brown "Live In New York".

Their last four singles on Alithia all charted on R&B chart with their biggest hit being a George Kerr and Larry Roberts penned song "Look Back Over Your Shoulder" in 1973 originally recorded by The Implements in 1967 but most will probably know the song from The O'Jays  1968 version. They also released four albums between 1973-1992. Full discography below.

George Kerr's name is legendary to lovers of rare soul music mainly for writing and production although he was also a performer starting out in a 50s doo-wop group named The Serenaders whose members included another Northern Soul legend Sydney Barnes and Timothy Wilson with Eddie Kendricks appearing with them on their V.I.P recording in 1964. His name is synonymous with so many Northern Soul tunes regarded as classics which to list them all would take another post but suffice to say that his songs were recorded by the likes of The O'Jays, Linda Jones, The Moments, The Whatnauts, Debbie Taylor, The Shirelles, Sandra Phillips, Troy Keyes, The High Keys, Alice Clark, Timothy Wilson, The Skull Snaps and many others.

Albums 

1973 - All We Need Is Another Chance [Alithia #AR-9104]

Full Album HERE

Intro: I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow (4:45)

By The Time I Get To Phoenix (3:45)

Little Green Apples (4:20)

All We Need (Is Another Chance) (6:40)

Look Over Your Shoulder (3:55)

I´m So Glad I Found You (3:50)

Ooh Baby, Baby (5:55)

1974 - 3 Down 4 To Go [Alithia #AR-9106]

Full Album HERE

Disrespect Can Wreck (4:00)

Let´s Make Love (3:15)

Corruption (2:45)

We´ve Gone Too Far To End It (3:35)

Brother (2:35)

I Only Have Eyes For You (3:35)

The Shoo Nough (2:45)

La La (Mean's I Love You) (3:25)

Within Without (2:20)

I Can´t Stand (3:15)

1981 - The Escorts [Knockout #KO-1500]

Full Album HERE

Make Me Over (7:08)

Heart Of Gold (5:49)

Sing A Happy Song (4:44)

(Gonna Ride This) Whirlwind (9:48)

Let Love Walk Into Your Heart (5:38)

Love Is Like A Dream (5:24)

1992 - Back To Love [Soul Vibes #SV LP 07]

Full Album HERE

Hands On You (4:50)

Hypnotized (4:10)

Somebody Loves (4:10)

The Next Best Thing (5:45)

Oon'o (5:50)

I Can Dream About You (5:20)

Theres A Love For Everyone (4:05)

Feeling Without Touching (5:10)

Sara Smile (3:10)

Superstition (5:55)

Singles

NB all singles are included in albums above

1973 -  A1: All We Need Is Another Chance / A2: Ooh, Baby Baby / B1: Look Over Your Shoulder / B2: By The Time I Get To Phoenix [Alithia #A-EP 01]

1973 - All We Need (Is Another Chance) (Short Version) / All We Need (Is Another Chance) (Long Version) [Alithia #AR-6048]

1973 - Look Over Your Shoulder / By The Time I Get To Phoenix [Alithia #AR-6052]

1973 - I'll Be Sweeter Tomorrow / I'm So Glad I Found You [Alithia #AR-6055]

1974 - Disrespect Can Wreck / All We Need (Is Another Chance) [Alithia #AR-6062]

1974 - Let's Make Love (At Home Sometime) / Within Without [Alithia #AR-6066]

1981 - Heart Of Gold / Sing A Happy Song [Knockout #10146]

1981 - Make Me Over / Love Is Like A Dream [Knockout #K-10145]

1981 - Make Me Over (Long Version) / Make Me Over (Short Version) [Knockout #KO-33101]

2021 - The Helva Records Sessions [Helva Records]