Little Tommy [2024] - Baby Can't You See [Sound Of Soul]

A hugely in-demand record on the Northern Soul scene, which commands over four figures if you manage to track one, down as only one has ever sold on Discogs but there are plenty of sales listed on Popsike, has been reissued digitally today.

The song in question is "Baby Can't You See", the B side of Little Tommy's second, and last, release on August Moon's (aka Alexander Randolph) Richmond, VA, based Sound Of Soul label in 1965. 

The song also featured on the "Free Angela" compilation released by Golden Triangle in 1971. The compilation was produced by Moon under another alias, Dickie Diamond, along with Larry Saunders (the estranged father of Ledisi) and was released to raise money for political activist Angela Davis' legal defence.

Little Tommy is William Tyrone Thomas, also from Richmond, VA, who later recorded a self-titled album, and two singles from it, as Wolfmoon on Fungus in the early 70s produced by Jerry Williams Jr. aka Swamp Dogg.  We've always had a bit of a soft spot for "God Bless" which was written by Jerry Williams Jr.

He then went on to become the band leader of another Richmond, VA, group, The Whole Darn Family, who recorded an album and four singles all on Moon's Sound International label in 1976. The group released a version of his first single, a deep soul song, "I'm Hurt" as a flip side on two of the singles. The group also recorded a 12" instrumental, "Seven Minutes Of Funk", which has been sampled by many (no fewer than 50+) hip-hop artists including Grandmaster Flash on "Superappin'". More recently by Busta Rhymes on "Luxury Life" on "Blockbusta" in Nov last year.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sound Of Soul
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/02/2024
Key/BPM:	7A/129
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Frankie Karl & The Chevrons [2023] - You Should'o Held On (Just A Little Tighter) / Boy Next Door [CAZIO]

Perhaps a coincidence that this has been reissued on 1 Sep with the Wigan Casino 50th anniversary looming, or not, but Frankie Karl & The Chevrons "You Should'o Held On" was a 'monster' sound there in the late 70s broken by Searling. He covered it up as The Showmen which was a good cover up as they have a similar sound. However, don't overlook the flip "Boy Next Door" which is probably the preferred tune for these day's tastes which we'd describe as a 'floater'.

It was also released as a white promo as The 7th Avenue Aviators on Congress in Dec 1965 but the the Philtown issue of Frankie Karl & The Chevrons was the original thought to be Sep 1965. The recordings are similar but not identical as the Philltown issue has a different intro and mix. Presumably a different mix was farmed out but no idea why the group name was changed? We'll post both and see if you can 'spot the difference' as it's not obvious. 

Both fetch four figures (£2k-£3k) but the Philltown release (which has several label variants) is probably the harder one to find with the red issue possibly the rarest. There isn't even a label scan for it on Discogs or 45Cat, but we found a couple, one with a stamped promo on it and another autographed, apparently their is another alternate red label design. Note the difference in the title: "You Should Have Held On" rather than "You Should'o Held On".

Frankie C. (Carl?) Springs was born in 1945 and formed a gospel choir COGIC Singers, with Gloria Jones and Billy Preston as well as Edna Wright (aka Sandy Wynns the sister of Darlene Love), Andrae Crouch and Sandra 'Blinky' Williams. This release was his first recording. He was a member of The Tripps who released just one single on Victoria in 1967. In 1968 he cut a disc on Gene Dozier's D.C. Sound "Don't Be Afraid (Do As I Say)" as Frankie Karl & The Dreams, a lowrider favourite. It was reasonably successful and was picked up by Bell for distribution. He released a few more solo singles, one on In'Sight (which 45Cat dates as Sep 1967 but two of the other four listed are 1970), one for Liberty in 1970 and, what appears to be is final release on, Gordy in 1976.

Karl helped form The Chevrons along with Richard Prince (aka LaLa), Kenneth Calvert and Herbert 'Herbie' Holmes whilst serving in the US Air Force after which he returned to L.A. and was a member of the cast of Hair in the late 60s. He died in 2008 aged 63.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Lowrider
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	CAZIO
Cat No:	None
Date:	01/09/2023
Key/BPM:	2B/131 / 7B/119
Price:	£1.29

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Baby Bash, Cota & The Vibes [2023] - The Entertainer [Trejo’s Music Group]

Pleasantly surprised to see this crop up today. Baby Bash released a very good album "Souldies Nation" at the end of last year  which must have got lost in the festive mix as it was released on 23 Dec.

He's back, but instead of with The Bashtones, teams up with Cota and The Vibes on a cover of one of only two R&B hits achieved by Tony Clarke  who had an #10 R&B hit (#31 Hot 100) with "The Entertainer" in 1965. It has been a evergreen on the Northern Soul scene being reissued along with "Landslide" in the UK in 1974.

The supporting video is literally just hot of the press, being published an hour ago and, whilst Baby Bash takes lead billing, it appears to be Cota doing most of the lead vocals.

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

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist. 

Details

Rating:	8.1
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / 60s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Trejo’s Music Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	17/02/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/102
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

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

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Wayne Cochran [1965/1966] - Harlem Shuffle / I'm In Trouble

"Not many people know this" but long before 'The Donald' became leader of the free world he performed under the alias Wayne Cochran in the 60s!

Cochran was from Thomaston, GA, and known as "The White Knight Of Soul", and certainly knew how to put on a show, just watch the two videos below, one a cover of Bob & Earl's "Harlem Shuffle" he recorded in 1965 and the other "Goin' Back To Miami" the A side of a record that got spins on the Northern Soul scene in the mid 70s "I'm In Trouble" from 1966.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Fantastics [1965] - Hi Note [Copa #8007 / Sound Stage 7 #45-2548]

Continuing The Fantastics theme, "High Note" is the first single from the Houston based group released initially on Houston, TX, label Copa in 1965 and then gaining wider distribution via Sound Stage 7.

The song was written by group member Willie Pernell as a tribute to The Impressions and features Jethro Caldwell on lead vocals. It may explain my comment in last post re. having a Chicago mid sixties swing sound to the "Have A Little Faith". The flip side "That One" also has that Chicago mid 60s vibe.

Pernell later joined Archie Bell & The Drells which may explain why these guys didn't release more records as all three are pretty darn good! I suspect that after his departure the group disbanded?

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	60s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Copa / Sound Stage 7
Cat No:	8007 / 45-2548
Date:	1965
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£200-£250 (approx.) / £175 (approx.)

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Garnet Mimms [2022] - Looking For You / As Long As I Have You [Outta Sight #SEV009]

The first of two new 7" vinyl reissues on Outta Sight which must be aimed at new Northern Soul collectors as anyone who's been into NS for any length of time must surely have these in their collections already in some format?

A stalwart tune from the very early days of The Twisted Wheel is this evergreen from Garnet Mimms with "Looking For You" paired with another track off the 1966 "Warm And Soulful" album on United Artists, "As Long As I Have You". Both were also released as singles before the album release in 1966 (Discogs is a year out as 45Cat lists "Looking For You" as Oct 1965) and neither charted not even on the R&B chart.

I nearly spat out my coffee when I looked up the value of "As Long As I Have You" as they have sold on Discogs for 4 figures with a top price of nearly £1,300, with "Looking For You" weighing in with a top price of a 'measly' £200. The former was only ever released as a single in France which would explain why it never charted in US.

Click on images to be taken to Outta Sight website to order.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Outta Sight
Cat No:	SEV009
Date:	03/2022
Key/BPM:	6B/119 / 7A/88
Value:	£12

June Adams [1965] - The Human Race [Roulette #R-4660]

This week's anti-war / support song for what's going on in Ukraine at the start of the fourth week of conflict is contrivedly taken from the (Russian) Roulette catalogue.

It's "The Human Race" by June Adams from 1965 which has been a popular Northern Soul 'beat ballad' tune for many years.

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Roulette
Cat No:	R-4660
Date:	1965
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£30-£50 approx.

Jean DuShon [1965 / 1967] - Feeling Good / As I Watch You Walk Away [Cadet #5518 / #5550]

Jean DuShon (aka Anna Jean Harris) from Detroit has an interesting story. She was first to release "For Once In My Life" for Cadet in 1966. The song was co-written by a Motown writer Ron Miller and once Berry Gordy got wind of it he put a stop to Chess/Cadet promoting it. Gordy had already recorded it with Connie Haines but not released it and then recorded it with Barbara McNair and several other Motown artists (Four Tops, Martha & The Vandellas, Temptations), but of course it was Stevie Wonder who had a world-wide hit with it.

The two songs featured here are her first "Feeling Good" (the Anthony Newley song made famous by Nina Simone) and last of four recordings on Cadet "As I Watch You Walk Away", although she did record one on the forerunner Argo, one side with The Ramsey Lewis Trio. 

After recording "As I Watch You Walk Away" DuShon never recorded again citing the reason as not being able to sing "For Once In My Life".

George Kirby [1965] - What Can I Do [Cadet #5523]

Quite an in-demand Northern Soul tune and an early release on Cadet (after changing its name from Argo) for singer/comedian George Kirby with "What Can I Do". 

Kirby also  released an album on Argo ("The Real George Kirby") in 1965 which may have got reissued on Cadet as I've seen one on YouTube with a Cadet label but it's not listed. It's not of much interest in any case as it's full MOR songs and this track is not included.

The Chateaus [2021] - Moanin' / Seven Come Eleven [Sound Stage 7]

Something a little different! Just released digitally from The Chateaus on 16 Jun 2021, which was originally released in 1965 on Sound Stage 7 (issue/stock copies have never sold on Discogs indicating that it might be quite scarce on issue copies?).

The Chateaus were a white pop group from Louisville, Kentucky who released four singles between 1965-67, this single is instrumental on both sides, all their other singles are pop vocals.

The top side "Moanin'" was written by Bobby Timmons who recorded it in 1963 but it was recorded first in 1958 by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers when Timmons was the pianist with the band. According to Second Hand Songs there are at least 158 versions recorded. 

The Jazz Messengers alumni includes many jazz greats such as Chuck Mangione, Benny Golson, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Donald Byrd, Chick Corea,  Horace Silver, McCoy Tyner amongst many others.

The flip side "Seven Come Eleven" sounds very similar, to me, to Monga Santamaria's "Watermelon Man" which was released earlier in 1963, or a cross between "Watermelon Man" and The Mar-keys "Last Night" from 1961.

I'm not sure why this is now getting a digital release, and can only assume that it's 'in-demand' from one scene or another, perhaps the Belgian popcorn scene? Both sides are termed as boogaloo 'titty shakers'!

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.4
Genre/Style:	Boogaloo
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sound Stage 7
Cat No:	None
Year:	1965/16/06/2021
Key/BPM:	5B/151 : 7B/128
Value:	£1.98

Madeline Bell [1965] - I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face [Philips (UK) #BF 1448]

Madeline Bell was from Newark NJ, but moved to UK in 1962 to perform in a gospel show. She then joined pop group Blue Mink who had six UK top 20 pop hits between 1969-73, 4 of them top 10, another just missed the top 20 at #26.

Bell's first and only solo hit was in 1968 with a cover of Dee Dee Warwick's 'I'm Gonna Make You Love Me' which went higher in the Hot 100 (#26) than Warwick's 1966 original which only reached #88. However, if you're like me, I always associate it with Diana Ross & The Supremes who had a #2 hit with it later that year. Bell never had a solo hit in the UK.

She had a few records played on the Northern Soul Scene, most of them are cover versions. Probably the best known is her version of Evie Sands' 'Picture Me Gone' released in 1967 on Philips (which I haven't listened to for years and forgot just how good it was until I watched the B&W video clip of her singing it).  An interesting piece of trivia, it was co-written by Al Gorgoni and Chip Taylor who is the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Jolie. 

She did a cover of Jean Wells' (ABC Paramount 1965) 'Don't Come Running To Me' in 1966. Sissie (Cissy) Houston also did a version in 1967 on Kapp. The flip side was apparently a biggie at the Twisted Wheel 'I Really Got Carried Away'.

How coincidental is this? I've literally just posted a feature on Maxine Brown who recorded the next tune 'One Step At A Time' in 1965 on Wand. Bell covered it in 1967.

Another was from 1968 'What'm I Supposed To Do' which was the flip to her version of the Lennon & McCartney song 'Step Inside Love' which was a top 10 hit for Cilla Black earlier that year (which I have to admit I have a soft spot for - the song that is not Cilla! ... probably as it was ingrained in me as a child as Cilla had a TV show and sang it regularly).

Yet another cover, this time of a Van McCoy song originally recorded by Barbara Mercer on Golden World in 1965 'Doing Things Together With You' which Bell recorded in 1968.

One that probably isn't that well know, although the song tune may be, is an obscure 1968 Dutch only release of 'Help Yourself (To All Of My Lovin)' a hit for James & Bobby Purify in 1968 and also done by several others including Jay & The Techniques the same year.

Another one that seems only to have been released in the southern hemisphere (i.e New Zealand and South Africa) was yet another cover with her version of Shirley Ellis' 1967 outing on Columbia, 'Soul Time' in 1968.

A few album only tracks worth a mention include:

From 'Bell's A Poppin' 1967 'I Didn't Wanna Have To Do It' 

Written by John Sebastian of The Lovin' Spoonful who recorded it in 1966. Ralfi Pagan also did a really nice version in 1974. Mama Cass Elliot did an unreleased version with The Loving Spoonful in 1965 released on 'Here's A Song! (You Might Have Missed) Vol 13' in 2011. There are several other versions.

From 'This Is One Girl' 1976 : You've Got What It Takes and Love Is All

I've found another dozen versions of  'I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face'.

1963 - Justine 'Baby' Washington [Sue]

1964 - Aretha Franklin [Columbia]

1964 - Pat Thomas [Verve]

1964 - Judi Johnson [HMV]

1967 - The Monticellos [Red Cap]

1967 - Spyder Turner [MGM] 'Stand By Me' album track

1967 - Dusty Springfield [Philips] 'Where Am I Going' album track

1969 - Sonji Clay [Songee] ... who was Mrs. Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) at the time

1975 - Dionne Warwick [Warner Bros.]

1990 - Carolyn Crawford [Motorcity] ... an Ian Levine production!

1996 - Dee Dee Warwick an unreleased 70s Atco recording

2019 - Aysha Loren [Peckings]

Betty Lloyd [1965] - I'm Catching On / You Say Things You Don't Mean [BSC #401]

A firm favourite on NS dancefloors for decades. Both sides were written by Betty Lloyd.  It was a very in-demand and hard record to find until some were discoverd in the 90s. These have now dried up and a copy sold for £1010 at auction a few years ago (2017).

It is one of only three known/listed releases on the Detroit BSC label and two of them are from Betty Lloyd. The other release by her has been featured previously and was a Christmas tune '6 Days Til Xmas' that also came out on Thomas as 'Snowflakes'. The other single is by Beverly Wheeler With The Cameros - 'Don't Shake My Tree' / inst version which has in recent years been getting spins on NS scene.  

There is another BSC label which released two singles by Brothers Scott & Co (BSC?) 'Looking Into The Future' / 'Our Love Is Growing' and  'In The Beginning'  / 'Midnight Party People' Brothers Scott & Comp Band, but this was a Chicago label.

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells [1965] - All Or Nothing [Atlantic #45-2311]

In a similar vein to the previous post on Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles (note slight name variation). This is an earlier release from 1965 which is around the 'beat ballad' pace, but nevertheless is a wonderful deep soul ballad that just builds and builds. To me this has an anthemic quality about it and don't understand why this has never become a classic ... except for the 'obvious' fact that it is too readily and cheaply available!

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles [1966] - I'm Still Waiting [Atlantic #45-2347]

So soulful early deep 'n sweet tune from Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles on a Curtis Mayfield song 'I'm Still Waiting'.  This reached #36 US R&B in 1966 but didn't trouble the Hot 100.

Gladys Knight & The Pips [1965] - Stop And Get A Hold Of Myself / Tell Her You're Mine [Ramrock Retro #RRET 001]

A pairing of two Northern Soul tracks originally released in 1965 on Larry Maxwell's MAXX label (334 & 335) just before they joined Motown and released one of their best NS tracks 'Just Walk In My Shoes' on Soul in 1966.

This has just been reissued on limited edition (500) 7" vinyl (20 Jan 2021) on a new label Ramrock Retro and is available to order via BandCamp.

Stop And Get A Hold Of Myself

Some live footage of them performing the track on a TV show in 1968. (NOTE sound quality not great).

Tell Her You're Mine

Gene Chandler [1965] - Here Comes The Tears [Constellation #C-164]

A class slab of Chicago soul, I guess you'd label this as a beat ballad. Released in 1965 on Constellation but did absolutely nothing, it didn't even enter the US R&B chart!

I found this whilst going through my albums as it appears on ' The Girl Don't Care' LP from 1967 on Brunswick, so checked to see if it ever got a 45 release.  Written by Gerald Sims.

Gene Chandler [1966] - Bet You Never Thought [Constellation #C-166]

Whilst we're here, another track I've always liked from the album is 'Bet You Never Thought'. This got a 45 release on the flip to 'Baby That's Love' in 1966 on Constellation, another one that didn't bother the US R&B chart.

Gene Chandler [1966] - (I'm Just A) Fool For You [Constellation #C-167]

And yet another great track, co-written by Gerald Sims and Carl Davis, from the album which got a release as a flip side, this time to 'Buddy Ain't It A Shame' on the next Constellation release and didn't see any chart action.

Gene Chandler [1967] - To Choose [Brunswick #BL 54124]

To round this off here's a great deep soul ballad which is album only.