A CD only compilation, "Atlanta Hotbed of 70s Soul", was released at the end of March. It consists of many previously unreleased 70s Atlanta recordings from
Michael Thevis' short-lived group of labels, GRC, Aware and
Hotlanta.
Much of the material was left unreleased when the labels folded after
Thevis was arrested and imprisoned for eight years in 1974 for transportation
of pornographic material and conspiracy to commit arson. He was later also
charged for murder via information received from a prison informant who was
released on parole. Thevis escaped from prison in 1978 and the informer was
found shot dead for which Thevis was captured, charged and imprisoned for
life for two murders, the informant's and the original murder committed
in1970. He died in prison in 2013 aged 82. You can read about his sordid story HERE.
Thankfully the tapes have been preserved with many tracks already having
been issued. This latest batch of tape discoveries contains many songs
written by Sam Dees.
With 24 tracks we don't propose to discuss each in detail (as you can listen
to sound samples below) but a few are worth highlighting.
The pièce de résistance is the opening track and the original recording of
"Con Me" by Miss Louistine (Burnett) (who was married to Tee Fletcher) which was
later recorded by The Paragons on Buddah in 1975 (we own the record but
sadly only a single sided promo with the modern soul dancer "Oh Lovin' You"
on both sides, needless to say the issue with "Con Me" is valued considerably
more). Dees also recorded the song (presumably originally as a demo) on the
Kent CD "The Heritage Of A Black Man" (1998). Another Miss Louistine
recorded Sam Dees song is also included, "Extra Extra", which was released as the 100 Club anniversary single last
year.
Along with the two above, our highlighted tracks include: Alpaca Phase III
"Paper Man" (released on a Deep Soul 45) & "Someone To Run To" (released on 45 by Sean Hampsey's Diggin Deep label in 2020), The Steppers "Keep On Walking", Joe Hinton "Depend On Me", Lorraine Johnson "Can I Hold You To It?" and a new version to us of a song recorded by Nancy Wilson on Capitol in
1974 "There'll Always Be Forever" by Lomita Johnson. Johnson was a founding member of Side Effect but was
replaced by Helen Lowe (aka Helen Baylor). It is thought that perhaps she
recorded the song as a demo for Nancy Wilson or possibly that it was
withdrawn when Wilson decided to recorded it.
The CD is available (complete with a comprehensive 20 page booklet) direct from Ace Records or from record dealers. Vinyl copies also available from Ace Records.
Click on image below for link to where you can buy from.
01 - Miss Louistine - Con Me
02 - Alpaca Phase III - Paper Man
03 - Deep Velvet - Is There Someone Else
04 - Kenneth Wright - The Souls Of Black Folks
05 - Joe Hinton - Grant Me One More Day
06 - The Steppers - Keep On Walking
07 - Dorothy Norwood - Time Is Winding Up
08 - Jean Battle - Love Making
09 - Miss Louistine - Extra-Extra
10 - Deep Velvet - I'm Tired Of Dreaming
11 - Joe Hinton - Depend On Me
12 - Kenneth Wright - Me And Jen
13 - Joe Graham - What Am I To Do
14 - Shirlean Fant - Sure Could Do With Some You
15 - Alpaca Phase III - Someone To Run To
16 - Lorraine Johnson - Can I Hold You To It?
17 - Lorraine Johnson - When Will I Stop Loving You
18 - Dee Ervin - I Need Me Some More Of You
19 - Joe Hinton - Shouldn't I Be Given The Right To Be Wrong
20 - King Hannibal - Fight Fire With Fire
21 - The Surprise Sisters - Talk's Cheap
22 - Joe Graham - Loneliness Hurts Just A Little Bit
23 - Lomita Johnson - There'll Always Be Forever
24 - Dee Clark - My Peaceful Forest
| Rating: | 8.6 |
| Explicit: | N |
| Genre/Style: | 70s Soul |
| Format: | Album / Compilation |
| Media: | CD |
| Label: | Kent |
| Cat No: | CDKEND 518 |
| Date: | 29/03/2024 |
| Price: | £11.70 |
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1 comment:
Another great Kent achievement regarding 70's soul.
To be appreciated by fans.
Yves
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