The second 7" vinyl release from Soul Direction is from a little known
group of studio musicians called The 4 Masters with "Pretty One" / "Hearsay".
They also went under different names such as The Swinging Phillies (Deluxe Records), The Mohawks (Val-ue and Mutual
Records) and supposedly the Rockmasters and did some work for Frank
Bendinelli and Leroy Lovett.
A couple, of names provided by Frank for Soul Direction jump off the page,
one Leon Huff on piano and Joe Renzetti on guitar who both played on
sessions for Cameo Parkway. Trumpeter Wilmer Wise has credits on recordings
by Sonny Stitt, Dave Newman, Weather Report, Stanley Clarke amongst others.
Saxophonist Bob Brown performed with Lovett (who was a jazz pianist) in Lee
Lovett Quartet and drummer Pete Cozzi was member of The George Young Revue.
The other members that Frank recalls are Morgan Frisby (baritone sax) and Stanley Gaines
(bass).
Bendellini recalls that song's co-writer on "Pretty "One", Phil Hurtt,
performed lead vocals on the song (remember his "Giving It Back" from
1978?). The lead on "Hearsay" was the other co-writer of "Pretty One", Fred Andrew Smith who had some other songs he'd
co-written with Hurtt recorded by Philly acts The Honey Bees and Ann
Byers on Academy (New York) in the mid 60s.
The two sides on this release are previously unreleased recordings from 27 Feb 1965 at Sound Plus
Studios which later became known as the renowned Sigma Sound Studios the
home of Philadelphia International Records.
UPDATE: Thanks to Yves Lambert who has left a comment stating that "Hearsay" featured on a Goldmine Soul Supply compilation "The Northern Soul of Philadelphia" in 2000 as J.T. Parker & The 4 Masters. That puts a new spin on things, as who's J.T. Parker? A bit of further digging uncovers a single by him on Academy in 1965, so there's the connection. I wonder if it's an alias for Fred Andrew Smith? Incidentally a 4 track EP "If You Want To Hold On" which includes one side of the Academy single along with another three sides, presumably unreleased as not listed, was reissued digitally in 2016 by Benn-X Records. The original 45 is pretty rare as it sells for up to nearly $6k (Popsike) which is probably why I've never heard it before as not many will own it. Note that it has been bootlegged hence why you will see cheaper ones around.
He also recorded and Johnny Parker "You Sure Look Good" and "Love Is Gone" which are both included on the Goldmine compilation and the digital EP. Several of the other Academy sides by The Honey Bees and Ann Byers are also included on the the Goldmine compilation.
The single is available to pre-order now from
Soul Direction for release in mid Feb.
Explicit: | N |
Genre/Style: | Northern Soul |
Format: | Single |
Media: | 7" Vinyl |
Label: | Soul Direction |
Cat No: | SD014 |
Date: | 27/01/2023 |
Key/BPM: | N/A |
Price: | £15 |
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2 comments:
The single "Hearsay" also appeared in 2000 on a Goldmine GSCD127 compilation "The Northern Soul Of Philadelphia" featuring J.T. Parker & The 4 Masters.
Yves
Thanks Yves .. update the post
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