Soul Strutter: 07/12/22

Tuesday, 12 July 2022

Fantastic Epics [1969] - Let's Get Together [Kelton #121-245]

The standard of new releases so far this week has been very poor hence there has been nothing new posted as yet.

Rather than posting pretty mediocre product for the sake of it because it's new, I'll take the opportunity of posting some quality vintage material that I don't think has been posted here previously.

It appears the The Fantastic Epics began recording in 1966 with their first single on Tip Top billed as Jimmy Burns & The Fantastic Epics. Jimmy Burns was a blues singer who had a monster northern soul tune "I Really Love You" recorded earlier in 1965 on Erica which got a 1979 reissue on John Anderson's Grapevine label due to it's popularity in the mid/late 70s.

The group released another three singles on Tories in 1969, however they consisted of various versions of "Fun And Funk" along with just one other song "I Won't Forget'cha Brother".

The track featured here is "Let's Get Together" which has been a popular sound on Northern Soul dancefloors for far too many years to remember. Discogs doesn't date it and 45Cat has it dated 1966, but it sounds later to these ears and there is a comment suggesting it may be 1968 but even that doesn't really correspond with it's sound compared to the two Torie's funk outings. Kelton was a Chicago label that released only three singles, one is dated 1969, this one 1966 and the third 1971 and I would guess that this may be more from the latter era as it sounds more late 60/early 70s to me and the flip is one of those late 60s street funk style tunes.They consistently sell for in excess of £100 and up to £225 on Discogs.

Another clue is that the song was written by one of The Triplett Twins, Leon Triplett, who were active from 1970.

All their recordings were on Chicago labels so I would presume that is where they were from, or at least based.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Kelton
Cat No:	121-245
Date:	1969?
Price:	£100-£225 (approx.)

The Fantastic Four [1969] - Best Of The Fantastic Four [Soul #SS 717]

It's becoming a bit like 'Haircut 100 day' on here today i.e. "Fantastic Day" which may be lost on younger or foreign visitors, they were an 80s pop group who had a #9 pop hit in the UK with a song of that name in 1982.

As they say, 'in for a penny, in for a pound'" and as it is very poor on the new release front, I'll continue the Fantastic theme with a compilation from The Fantastic Four.

They were founded in 1965 and released their first single "Girl Have Pity" on Ric-Tic in 1966. Their second single "Can't Stop Looking For My Baby" was scheduled for release on Ric-Tic 113 as part 1 and part 2 before it but remained unreleased until afterwards with a different cat.no. and different B side.

Incidentally "Girl Have Pity" was also recorded, but unreleased (officially), by The Carstairs at the same sessions as "It Really Hurts Me Girl" around 1973, probably owing to Cartairs member Cleveland Horn being previously a member of Fantastic Four, but it doesn't sound like he did the lead vocals on Fantastic Four's original. Also, Red Coach label owner Gene Redd Jr.'s father co-wrote the song with, believe it or not, George Clinton and two others. It appeared years later on a 1993 compilation CD "Old School Harmony Volume 1", which I believe may have been the the source of a vinyl bootleg on South Union. Hayley Records also issued a previously unreleased version by Steve Mancha in 2014. I actually think I prefer, the slower and deeper Carstairs version, a desert island disc for sure, what an incredible vocal performance, how on God's earth did this never get an official release? Perhaps Redd was pre-occupied with managing and producing Kool & The Gang at the time? I said it the other day and will say it again ... they simply don't make them like this anymore!

The Fantastic Four released ten singles in total for Ric-Tic (five of them registering on R&B chart and three on Hot 100) before the label was acquired by Motown where they released just three singles on the Soul imprint prior to leaving for Westbound in 1973. The first couple of singles were on the Eastbound subsidiary in 1973-74 before the switched to the main label in 1975 where they remained until 1978 releasing five albums and around seven or eight singles, of which six entered the R&B chart. So, it would seem Berry Gordy missed a trick with these guys, although Motown did release a compilation "Best Of The Fantastic Four" in 1969 (included below) which includes many of their sides released on Ric-Tic.

Ian Levine latched onto them in 1992 and they released an album on his Motorcity label of mainly synthesised covers on some Northern Soul favourites which didn't really do them any favours!

Those good fellows at Kent released "The Lost Motown Album" on CD in 2015 which contained twelve track originally intended for an album titled "How Sweet It Is" along with an additional thirteen bonus tracks. Many of these tracks were previously unreleased. Ace/Kent commented on the sleeve notes that the album title may have been a suggestion that Motown's intention was to utilise lead singer 'Sweet' James Epps as a solo artist and discard the group.

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Motown
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Vinyl / Digital
Label:	Soul / Universal
Cat No:	None
Date:	1969
Key/BPM:	1A/100
Price:	£15-£25 (approx.) / £8.99

The Fantastics [1965] - Hi Note [Copa #8007 / Sound Stage 7 #45-2548]

Continuing The Fantastics theme, "High Note" is the first single from the Houston based group released initially on Houston, TX, label Copa in 1965 and then gaining wider distribution via Sound Stage 7.

The song was written by group member Willie Pernell as a tribute to The Impressions and features Jethro Caldwell on lead vocals. It may explain my comment in last post re. having a Chicago mid sixties swing sound to the "Have A Little Faith". The flip side "That One" also has that Chicago mid 60s vibe.

Pernell later joined Archie Bell & The Drells which may explain why these guys didn't release more records as all three are pretty darn good! I suspect that after his departure the group disbanded?

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	60s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Copa / Sound Stage 7
Cat No:	8007 / 45-2548
Date:	1965
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£200-£250 (approx.) / £175 (approx.)

The Fantastics [1970] - Where There's A Will There's A Way [Impresario #IPPI 124]

The final single release by The Fantastics who were a quartet from Houston, TX, consisting of Jethro Caldwell, Willie Parnell, Eddie Webb and Bobby Williams.

Their third single, "Me And You" was posted earlier.

Their last listed single, "Where There's A Will (There's A Way)", was released on Texas (Houston?) label Impresario and is a superb crossover tune which is fetching four figures. Only one has ever sold on Discogs in 2018 for £1,200 and a promo is currently listed for just over £2k ($2,500)!

There are only a handful of singles released by Impresario and those listed with dates are from 1971, so as the cat. no. for this one is lower, I would guess that it was released 1970?

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Impresario
Cat No:	IPPI 124
Date:	1970
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£2k (Approx.)

The Fantastics [1966] - Me And You / Have A Little Faith [Sound Stage 7 #45-2565]

I'm not deliberately trying to confuse you, honest, but the last post by a different group with the same name reminded me of this superb Northern Soul tune released in 1966 on Sound Stage 7. (ignore the Spanish guitar intro as it turns into a driving 60's dancer)

The Fantastics were a quartet from Houston, TX, and consisted of Jethro Caldwell, Willie Parnell, Eddie Webb and Bobby Williams.

"Me And You" was their third single of four and second on Sound Stage 7, although the first two were the same songs, originally released on local Copa label and then again on Sound Stage 7. Discogs has another listed for them but I'm pretty sure it's not the same band as it's a Spanish instrumental.

The official A side (going by matrix nos.) is "Have A Little Faith" which has a bit of a swing like many Chicago tunes of the time.

Their last listed single is "Where There's A Will (There's A Way)" on Impresario which is a great crossover tune and is a pricey item with only one ever selling on Discogs in 2018 for £1,200 and a promo currently listed for just over £2k ($2,500)!

There are only a handful of singles released by Impresario which was another Texas label, probably Houston?. The ones that are dated are from 1971, and the cat. no. on this is lower, so possibly released 1970? I'll post it separately.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sound Stage 7
Cat No:	45-2565
Date:	1966
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£200-£250 (approx.)

The Velours / The Fantastics [1967/1970] - I'm Gonna Change / Ask The Lonely [MGM /Deram]

This post has a tenuous link to Alice Clark post the other day as The Fantastics hail from the same stomping ground, the Bedford-Stuyvesant district of Brooklyn, NYC, where she came from.

Those on the ball will know that The Fantastics, whilst based in the UK in the late 60s/70s, started out in the 50s as a doo-wop group, The Velours, who recorded one of my favourite Northern Soul records as a youth, "I'm Gonna Change" in 1967. The group at this point in their history consisted of three original members Jerome Ramos, Donald Haywoode, John Cheatdom (who had not recorded since 1961 taking time out pick up their missed education reforming in 1966) and the addition of new member Richard Pitts. The popularity of the song gained it a UK reissue in 1977. Most US copies are yellow promos but there does appear to be a black issue but these seem to be few and far between so I'm not sure whether the single actually received a full issue? If you go by the matrix numbers, although it always seems to be listed as the A side (as it is the sought after side), I think it was actually the official B side.

The song was also recoded the same year on "New Gold Hits" album by The 4 Seasons which I believe was the original given that it was written by two friends and part-time members of the group, Angelo 'Cubby' Cifelli and Mike Petrillo a songwriter and saxophonist who played on some sessions. It was bootlegged on a Smash 7" in the 70s, it was never officially released as a single.

The 4 Seasons version is a bit faster at 166 BPM v Velours 154 BPM which is possibly why it seemed to be preferred by the amphetamine fueled dance floor, although more likely it was easier to find

Not long after releasing the single on MGM them moved to the UK in 1968 to perform as The Fabulous Temptations and then The Fantastic Temptations singing Temptations covers until dropping Temptations from the name. They had a UK pop chart top 10 hit in 1971 with "Something Old Something New". Prior to that in 1970 they recorded a cover of Four Tops "Ask The Lonely" on the flip side to "Waiting Round For Heartache".

They recorded around fourteen singles as The Fantastics up to 1976.

Soulfeenix Feat. Monday Michiru [2009] - Brazilian Love Affair [Xtrasolar Records] (Full EP)

Just why this is being posted will become evident shortly as Monday Michiru released a new album on Friday. This track, of course, is a cover of George Duke's jazz funk classic "Brazilian Love Affair" (1980) and is one of those rare covers that actually adds something, in my view at least, to the original. I guess it's been given a bit of soulful house vibe.

It comes in three version the original mix, sax version and acappela with an additional track "Vulture Funk". It was also issued in May 2009 with a set of five additional remixes, not posted as they are targeted at the club scene.

Included is a video live version by George Duke feat. Gabriela Anders which was released on "Casino Lights '99" 2x CD in 2000.

Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Jazz Funk / Cover Version
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	Xtrasolar Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	04/03/2009
Key/BPM:	8B/127
Price:	£2.76

Roger Williams [2022- 07-10] - Brews And Soul [Melodic Distraction Radio]

A one-off live broadcast on Sunday 10 Jul 2020 by Roger Williams guesting on The Tuff Soul Club slot on Melodic Distraction Radio, Liverpool.

He played a two hour set of all mainly 70s album tracks. I managed to catch all of it except for the first four tracks and can highly recommend it, in fact I cherry picked a few to post on Sunday.

The show is also available on Podomatic where you can download it, to listen offline.

Playlist:

Heaven & Hell Orchestra – Whatcha Gonna Do (LP: Nocturna OST)

Tommy Stewart – Riding High (LP: Tommy Stewart)

Rance Allen Group – I Know A Man Who Can (LP: Brothers)

Eddie Kendricks – I’m In Need Of Love (LP: Love Keys)

J.R. Bailey – Stella By Starlight (LP: Love & Conversation)

Norman Connors feat. Eleanore Mills – Butterfly (LP: This Is Your Life)

Caroline Crawford – A Nice Feeling (LP: My Name Is Caroline)

Charles Drain – What You Don’t Know (LP: Dependable)

Willie Hutch – I’m Gonna Stay (LP: The Mark Of The Beast)

G.C. Cameron – Let’s Stay Together (LP: You’re What’s Missing In My Life)

Rudy Love And The Love Family – All I Can Say (LP: This Song Is For You)

L.T.D. – Love To The World (LP: Love To The World)

Bobbi Humphrey – New York Times (LP: Satin Doll)

Spice – The Last Time (LP: Let There Be Spice)

Newban – Magic Lady (LP: Newban)

Alice Clark – It Takes Too Long To Learn To Live Alone (LP: Alice Clark)

Delores Hall – Sha La Bandit (LP: Hall-Mark)

Loleatta Holloway – I Can’t Help Myself (LP: Cry To Me)

Zulema – You’re So Empty (LP: RSVP)

The New York Community Choir – Help (LP: The Gathering)

Sir John Roberts feat. Lady Patience – I Believe In Fate (LP: Sophisticated Funk Orchestra)

Fats Gaines Band feat. Zorina – For Your Love (LP: Fats Gaines Band presents Zorina)

Wilson Pickett – I Want You (LP: I Want You)

Ronnie Dyson – I Want To Be Where You Are (LP: Love In All Flavours)

The Notation – There I Go (LP: Notations)

The Love Unlimited Orchestra presents Webster Lewis – Dreams (LP: Welcome Aboard)