The 4 Masters [2023] - Pretty One & Hearsay [Soul Direction #SD014]

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.

Details

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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