Gigi & The Charmaines [2021] - I Don't Wanna Lose Him [Kent Select #CITY 073]

A superb, previously unissued Columbia recording from 1966.  It was released on a Kent compilation CD (CDCHD 1135) in 2006 and subsequently was pressed on a giveaway 6Ts 27th Anniversay single the same year. So, this is the first time commercially available on a 7" from 26 Feb 2021.

Another unissued 1968 Epic track is on the flip: Walter Jackson 'Forget The Girl' which Kent released on an expanded edition of his 'Speak Her Name' in 2007, originally released on Okeh in 1966 and the album that gave us his classic 'It's An Uphill Climb To The Bottom'.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Kent Select
Cat No:	CITY 073
Year:	2021 (1966)
Key:	N/A
BPM:	143
Value:	£10.68

Kenny Carlton [1968] - Lost And Found [Blue Rock #B-4054]

'Proper' Northern Soul on Chicago's Blue Rock from Kenny Carlton from the pen of Van McCoy. This was played pre-Wigan days at Hanley & the Mecca.  In all my years I've never heard it played out so must be pretty rare or just forgotten about?

The flip side is a version of Major Lance's 'Wait Till I Get You In My Arms' also written by Van McCoy.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Blue Rock
Cat No:	B-4054
Year:	1969
Key:	N/A
BPM:	126
Value:	£600-£700 (approx.)

Sssence [1979] - What Love Has Joined Together / If You Want Me [Lance #LR 302] PLUS Discography

This is a superb version of the Smokey Robinson & Bobby Rogers song recorded by several Motown artists such as Mary Wells (1963), The Temptations (1965) Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1970), Syreeta (1972) and a previously unreleased version by Barbara McNair surfaced in 2004.  Queen Lafifah recorded it in 2007 and Dobby Dobson in 1970. 

Sssence were a West Chicago group who started out as The Turbulations who i believe became The Age Of Bronze, both groups had a single release on Guava (the only two releases on the label).  They then became Essence who released a single on Ronn followed by  four on Epic. Their final release was this release on Lance around 1979.

The original Essence group members were Marzette 'Slim' Griffith, Marcus Robinson (Alexander?), Fred Smith, Anthony 'Butch' Redmond, and Bob Taber.  By the time they became Sssence they had lost two members Anthony 'Butch' Redmond, and Bob Taber.

There is no date for this release but I would guess it's very late 70s (i.e. 1979) or possibly early 80s.

Sssence [1979] - If You Want Me [Lance #LR 302]

Discography

The Turbulations

Out of Marshall High on Chicago's west side The "Original" Turbulations were Thomas Griffith (Marzette's older brother), Willie  Lawson, Donald Wright, Michael McElroy & Anthony Redmond.

1969 - I'm In Love / Everything Seems To Change [Guava #101]

A: Sweet Soul Harmony

B: ?

The Age Of Bronze 

1970 - I'm Gonna Love You / Everything Seems To Change [Guava #G-102]

A: Northern Soul

A: ?

Essence

1973 - Black Reflections / Broken Promises [RONN 70]

A: Funk

B: Sweet Soul

1975 - Sweet Fools / Ride The Music [Epic #8-50133]

A: Deep Soul ballad

B: ?

1976 - Lovin' You Comes Naturally / I Got The Chicago Blues [Epic #8-50202]

A: Skip-A-Long Chicago stroller

B: 70s Modern Soul with a bit of a Philly feel.

1976 - I Ain't Much, But I'm All I Got / Brother John [Epic #8-50293]

A: ?

B: ?

1977 - Relax, It's Just Like Dancin' / Standin' Here With My Love Wide Open [Epic #8-50377]

A: Sweet Soul ballad

B: 70s Soul/Funk

Sssence

1979 - What Love Has Joined Together / If You Want Me [Lance #LR 302]

A: Modern Soul

B: Modern Soul

Aretha Franklin [1970] - Oh No Not My Baby [Atlantic (UK) #2099-044]

A great 'crossover' version of the Goffin & King classic from The Queen, first released by Maxine Brown in 1964 with Dee Dee Warwick on the harmonies.  

This one is fairly 'under the radar' as it only got a UK 45 release but did feature on her 1970 'Spirit In The Dark' album.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Atlantic (UK)
Cat No:	2099-044
Year:	1970
Key:	5A
BPM:	90
Value:	£50-£65 (approx.)

Lenny Williams [1978] - 'Cause I Love You [ABC (UK) #ABC 4239]

It's almost inconceivable to believe that this deep soul gem was never released as a single in the US, it was only on the flip side to 'Midnight Girl' on a UK 7". It was taken from the 1978 'Spark Of Love' album produced by Frank Wilson.

Details

Rating:	9.5
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	ABC (UK)
Cat No:	ABC 4239
Year:	1978
Key:	3A
BPM:	65
Value:	£20-£30 (approx.)

Hyla Parker [1974] - Joe [Cheri #C-501]

Another release on the Cheri label. It's a nice crossover tune from Hyla Parker.  Both sides were written by Ted Daryll (Theodore Meister) who may be known to NS crowd as he wrote Melba Moore/Bobby Fuller Four 'Magic Touch'.

She released another single on Vanguard in 1976 which was her version of the White Plains pop hit 'My Baby Loves Lovin' with the same flip side as the Cheri release 'Quiet Tunes' a MORish ballad. 

Her voice sounds quite similar to Dionne Warwick to me.

Barbara Hall [1975] - Drop My Heart Off At The Door / You Brought It On Yourself [Innovation II #IV-9162]

A superb double-sider by Barabara Hall from 1975. The flip side has the modern soul tune 'You Brought It On Yourself' written by Sam Dees which I think first got played at Blackpool Mecca.  Flip it over for a killer deep soul cut written by Frederick Knight and Sam Dees.  This side was also recorded the same year by Ben E. King and appears be only a UK & German release on 45 on the flip to 'Happiness Is Where You Find It', it was also on his 'Supernatural' album.

This was her only single to receive a UK release.

Barbara Hall came from Atlanta, GA, and her sister Sandra is a blues singer. She released just six singles, three on Atlanta based Tuska label, in late 60s/early 70s, and the featured 45 was her second and last release on Innovation II. Her final single was released seven years later in 1982 on Debut as 12" which I believe is a version of Etta James' 'Tell Mama' written by Clarence Carter.

Discogs states that she was earlier known as Jessie Mae who released two singles on DRA in 1962, the first of which ('Don't Freeze On Me') is an R&B rocker which has been bootlegged.

She passed away in Nov 2006.

Barbara Hall [1975] - Drop My Heart Off At The Door [Innovation II #IV-9162]

Barbara Hall [1975] - You Brought It On Yourself [Innovation II #IV-9162]

Bernie Moore [1970] - Hurt Worse / Oh No [SSI #1003-5]

A good double-sider from Bernie Moore. The top side is a beautiful self-written mid-tempo/crossover tune with another more funky crossover tune on the flip written by ex Funk Brother Joe Hunter.

This is one of only five listed releases for S.S.I. Moore released three singles prior to this one which appears to be his last.

Discography

1966 - .I'll Never Begin To Forget / Forty-Five RPM's [Burdett #1911]

A: Northern Soul 

B: R&B/Popcorn

1966 - I Wanna Be Loved To Death / That's The Way It Goes [Burdett #1914]

A: Northern Soul

B: Doo-wop style ballad

1968 - I'm Still A Lonely Soldier / Which Way To Turn [Lark #103]

A: Deep soul ballad about Vietnam war

B: Northern Soul

1970 - Hurt Worse / Oh No [SSI #1003-5]

A: Crossover

B: Crossover

Bernie Moore [1970] - Hurt Worse [SSI #1003-5]

Bernie Moore [1970] - Oh No [SSI #1003-5]

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/7"/12"/LP
Label:	Label
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Key:	1A
BPM:	100
Value:	£1

Vera Powell [1976] - I Didn't Know How Happy I Could Be [Cheri #CHE-506]

A classy deep soul ballad from Vera Powell which appears to be her only release and the final release of only around eight 45s on Cheri in 1976.  Most of these 45s are collectable ranging from deep soul, crossover and funk. Probably the best known release was from Rare Pleasure with 'Let Me Down Easy'.

The song was co-written by William Bell.

Hit And Run Records #2 - Quality Crossover, Modern & Northern Soul Dancers

Back in mid Feb I posted a link to Steve Pumb's Hit & Run podcast. He's just posted the second installment.

This is his introduction:

"Welcome to the second of a series of mixes combining the best of the 'Hit & Run' Record Label's 45 releases. The second mix contains the killer Crossover Soul, Modern Soul & Northern Soul dancers from the last 14 x 45 releases (2020 up to March 2021). The third mix will contain the quality Deep Soul, Sweet Soul, Group Soul & Southern Soul sides from ALL 26 releases (up to March 2021) For more info, including buying any of these 45's, please search 'Hit & Run' on facebook. Enjoy"

Tracklist:

1/ HR 1516 - The Delreys Incorporated ‎- Destination Unknown

Released in 192 on Tampete

2/ HR 1513 - Richard Caiton - I'm Gonna Love You More

Previously unreleased from 1973

3/ HR 1526 - Brenda Varner - Don't Give Up On Me

Previously unreleased until it appeared on 1989 Charly compilation Tear Stained Soul

4/ HR 1522 - Coco & Ben - See The World (As It Is)

1979 45 on Earth World

5/ HR 1515 - George Jackson - I Want That Love Back

Previously on 1993 Mardi Gras compilation Mississippi Burnin’ Blues

6/ HR 1525 - Otis Clay - Nothing To Look Forward To

1979 P-Vine compilation The Beginning Got To Find A Way

7/ HR 1518 - Bernard Drake - I've Been Untrue

Ultra rare on 1960s' La Louisianne big sound for Butch and Arthur Fenn

8/ HR 1524 - Johnnie Mae Matthews - My Destination (It True Love)

1963 45 Northern Records

9/ HR 1517 - Jo Jo Benson - You're Losing Me

Previously unreleased until it appeared on CD in 2015 South Texas Rhythm ’n' Soul Revue 2 

10/ HR 1520 - Bill Brandon - All I Need Is You

Unreleased until the 1989 Charly compilation Rare Soul From Alabama. The South Camp/Quinvy CD

11/ HR 1519 - Syl Johnson - Starting Tomorrow

Unreleased Twinight recording which was to be included on an unreleased 1981 Shama LP, cut in Hollywood with Darryl Carter.

12/ HR 1518 - Bernard Drake - The Natural Thing

Ultra rare on 1960s' La Louisianne

13/ HR 1524 - Johnnie Mae Matthews - I Have No Choice

1967 45 on Big Hit

14/ HR 1514 - Don Varner - When It's Over

Unreleased Muscle Shoals recording released on 1989 Charly compilation Tear Stained Soul

15/ - Syl Johnson - Try My Love Again

Previously unreleased until released by Numero in 2011 as part of the Syl 45s box-set.

16/ HR 1521 - Marvin Smith - Heartache Comin' On

Previously unreleased from mid 70s.

17 HR 1513 - Richard Caiton - Got To Get Across To You

Previously unreleased from 1972

18/ HR 1525 - Otis Clay - I Lost Someone (Alternate Unreleased Take)

Unreleased One-Derful masters from 1966 eventually released on a 1990 P-Vine compilation Got To Find A Way. An alternate take which was previoulsy unissued appeard on the master tape.

19/ HR1522 - Coco & Ben - Good Feelin'

1979 45 on Earth World