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Sunday 8 October 2023

Eugene Smiley feat. The Essence of Love [2023] - Yes It's You [Miles Away Records #MA004]


We are both surprised and delighted that this 1978 modern soul gem, "Yes It's You" by Eugene Smiley feat. The Essence of Love has been given a digital reissue. It's pretty hard to find now on vinyl (and priced accordingly!) as who would want to part with it?

It seems to be digital only, with no word of a vinyl release at present even though the cover image is of a vinyl copy. .. which 'must' surely be coming?

Eugene Smiley owned the Kansa City, MO, label K-City with Keith Montgomery and only this single and one other billed as just The Essence of Love were produced, the latter only on a same sided promo.

Smiley was a member of a Kansa City group The Mist who performed at a gig by the visiting Chi-Lites. Smiley met Eugene Record and as a result the group were invited to audition for Brunswick and got signed to Dakar. They changed their name to The Visitors and their first record was released on Bashie in 1968 followed by two on Dakar (1968/70) and a fourth on Dispo in 1971. Their only recording as The Mist was on Twinight in 1971. Mel Britt, who recorded the Northern Soul classic "She'll Come Running Back", was an early member of the group.

Smiley, now aged 79, is still active and released an album "Who Am I" in Aug 2020 and published a 200 page book "Straight From The Soul: The Life & Legacy of Eugene Smiley Sr." in Aug '21

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


Details
Rating: 8.9
Explicit: N
Genre/Style: Modern Soul / Reissue
Format: Single
Media: Digital
Label: Miles Away Records
Cat No: MA004
Date: 06/10/2023
Key/BPM: 10B/136
Price: £1
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