Tuesday, 21 March 2023

VA [2023] - Shrine Northern - The 60s Rarest Dance Label [Kent #KENT 526]


A few years ago we posted a feature and full discography for the Shrine label set up by Eddie Singleton and Berry Gordy's ex wife Raynoma Mayberry who joined by her brother Mike Ossman. 

The label had it's trials and tribulations mainly, it is alleged, from Berry Gordy who didn't want the label becoming successful and competing with Motown. He exerted pressure on radio stations, record shops and distributors not to play or stock Shrine records. The label inevitably went bust in 1966 as sales were limited. 

The story doesn't end there as the unsold stock was stored in an office in Washington D.C. owned by Singleton which, when sold, the stock was destroyed. Other remaining stock was stored in a warehouse which was burnt down during the civil right riots in 1968. This has resulted in a scarcity of singles in circulation which has been ripe for the Northern Soul scene to exploit. 

Ace Records, having previously released Shrine material (i.e. "Shrine (The Rarest Soul Label)"  [CDKEND 160 (1998)] and "Shrine - The Rarest Soul Label, Volume 2"  [CDKEND 190 (2002)]) has just bought the Shrine label and all Eddie Singleton's independent productions and to celebrate is releasing a vinyl only album "Shrine Northern - The 60s Rarest Dance Label" on 28 Apr '23 which selects the more Northern Soul oriented tracks from the previous two CD compilations.

Side 1
01 - Eddie Daye & The 4 Bars - Guess Who Loves You
02 - The Cautions - No Other Way
03 - Bobby Reed - Baby Don't Leave Me
04 - Les Chansonettes - Don't Let Him Hurt You
05 - The D C Blossoms - Hey Boy
06 - The Prophets - If I Had (One Gold Piece)
07 - Shirley Edwards - Dream My Heart

Side 2
01 - The Cairos - Stop Overlooking Me
02 - The Enjoyables - Shame
03 - J.D. Bryant - I Won't Be Coming Back
04 - The Counts - My Only Love
05 - Little Bobby Parker - I Won' t Believe It Till I See It
06 - Leroy Taylor & The Four Kays - Takin' My Time
07 - Ray Pollard - This Time (I'm Gonna Be True)


None seem to be available digitally (on Spotify at least) so to give you a taste of one of the most desirable, Shirley Edwards "Dream My Heart" is included from YouTube below.

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

Details
Rating: -
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Northern Soul
Format: Album / Compilation
Media: Vinyl
Label: Kent
Cat No: KENT 526
Date: 28/04/2023
Price: £15.80
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