Candi Staton [1972] - Candi Staton [Kent #CDKENM 519] (Full Album)

Ace Records, on their Kent imprint, have reissued Candi Staton's 1972 self-titled album on CD and vinyl for the very first time. It was Staton's third album for Rick Hall's Fame label and the first that was distributed by United Artists aimed to give the label international recognition.

It contains her three hit singles, a cover of Elvis' "In The Ghetto" (who complemented Candi her on her rendition), "Do It In The Name Of Love" and "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me" along with the B sides to the second two "The Thanks I Get For Loving You" and the wonderful "You Don't Love Me No More" which should have been an A side.

Of the album only songs, "Blackmail" would be our choice cut.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	CD / Vinyl
Label:	Kent
Cat No:	CDKENM
Date:	29/03/2024
Price:	£10.68 / £22.14

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Timothy Wilson [2023] - Hiding In Your Heart b/w I Must Love You [Numero Group #NUM4547]

One that's been lurking in our short list which we didn't get around to posting for one reason or another is Timothy Wilson "Hiding In Your Heart" / "I Must Love You". 

It was reissued digitally on 4 Sep by Numero Group. Originally released on the short-lived New York based Sky Disc label in 1972 owned by Randy Irwin, along with Strawberry. The B side, "I Must Love You" has been a Northern Soul in-demander for as long as we can remember, so much so that it was bootlegged and even these fetch up to £75. A styrene original has sold for £600 on Discogs but the highest price listed on Popsike is £400.

Wilson released around a dozen solo singles and one, self-titled, album in 1978 which is also highly sought after. He recorded his first single "Wedding Bells" with Tiny Tim & The Hits in 1958.  He died in 2017 aged 73

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4547
Date:	04/09/2023
Key/BPM:	6B/76 / 10A/140
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Wayne McGhie [2023] - Love Is The Answer (with RAM) [Axe Records]

A digital (and CD) reissue of a single originally released in 1972 on Axe imprint Tuesday by Wayne McGhie but originally released under the name Ram. 

McGhie was a Jamaican-Canadian singer/songwriter born in Montego Bay. He only released a handful of singles all on different labels from the late 60s to late 70s, although his name does crop up on writers credits on several others.

He recorded just one album, "Wayne McGhie & The Sounds Of Joy", in 1970 released on a budget label, Birchmont which was owned by Quality Records. It's half and half original songs and covers and seems to be quite rare and sells for big bucks. There is only one listed on Discogs with an asking price of €2,000 (£1,750), however, only  a few years ago they were selling consistently for £10 so, we would imagine some scene or other has discovered something on it which is now in-demand? Having said that the album has been reissued (by Light In The Attic in 2004) so Discogs may have inadvertently included reissues in their prices..

The A side "Love Is The Answer" is an early 70s funk number, but it is the B side "The Love You Save (May Be Your Own)" that may be more of interest. Only one original has sold on Discogs in 2018 for £156 but it has been reissued on vinyl twice, by Light In The Attic 2006 and Tramp in 2017.

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / CD
Label:	Axe Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/07/2023
Key/BPM:	9A/116 / 7B/114
Price:	£1.58 / £4.27

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

LaVel Moore / Dauphine Williams [2023] - The World Is Changing / I Love You [Big Man Records #BMR 1016]

Mark Bicknell's Big Man Records has announced the next release as being two early 70s recordings out of Allan Merry's East St Louis Yodi label by LaVel Moore "The World Is Changing" (1972) b/w Dauphine Williams "I Love You" (1970).  

Big Man is taking reserves for this release now which will be available mid summer (mid Jul?).  We'd consider these pair as superb examples of crossover soul and as such will surely sell out quickly, so we recommend you reserve a copy if you want to make sure you get one.

To reserve send £20 + p&p (£4 K / £9 overseas) via PayPal (Friends & Family to avoid extra charges) to bicknellmark@aol.com  (Very limited edition DJ copies are available for £30).

NB To keep up to date on all Big Man releases join their facebook group BigMan Records Rare Soul Releases 

As mentioned here before (on another Numero Group Yodi reissue for The Georgettes), Allan Merry was a youth worker in East St. Louis who brought kids together to form The Young Disciples to keep them off the streets and named the label after them i.e. YoDi. 

The two tracks selected for release are one-off recordings for both artists and have been licensed from Numero Group who featured them on a 2008 compilation "Eccentric Soul: The Young Disciples".

The LaVel Moore original now fetches around at least £200 going by Popsike. None have ever sold on Discogs. 

The Daphine Williams originals seem to sell for between £300-£400 or more depending on condition. Note the original Yodi single is billed as Daphine Williams, the Numero Group comp as Daphin and the Big Man single as Dauphine, so take your pick!

Another imminent Big Man release is due on 28 Jun which consists of sides from two consecutive 1967 Big Wheel recordings by The Falcons "Love Look In Her Eyes" (a long time favourite that we were very fortunate to receive in a soul pack for pennies) paired with "Love You Like You Never Been Loved Big".

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

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Big Man Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	TBC (estimated mid Jul)
Key/BPM:	8B/90 / 8A/98
Price:	£20

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Odyssey [2023] - Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love / Battened Ships [Soul Brother #SB7052]

Two tracks from Odyssey's self-titled, one-off, album on MoWest in 1972. They released just one single from it "Our Lives Are Shaped By What We Love" in the US but another "Battened Ships" was released as a single in Japan only. Both sides feature on a 45 reissue by Soul Brother due in Jul/Aug.

Both sides have been well known over the years and their album has been reissued numerous time on both CD and vinyl. Originals of album and both singles sell well into three figures.

This is not the same group who released "Native New Yorker" in the 70s and had several disco hits in the 80s, but a mixed race seven piece group from California who had former Chicago / Badfinger guitarist Donnie Darcus as a member. Another member, Royce Jones, later toured with Steely Dan and was a member of Ambrosia ("How Much I Feel"). So their roots were in soft rock or what is now termed Yacht Rock.

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

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Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Rare Groove
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Reissue
Label:	Soul Brother
Cat No:	SB7052
Date:	TBC Jul/Aug
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

New World [2023] - Were Gonna Make It / Help The Man [Soul Brother #SB7050]

The second of five vinyl reissues by Soul Brother is New World "Were Gonna Make It" /" Help The Man" originally released in 1972 on Polydor.

New World were from Munster, Indiana, and evolved from a mixed race group World Column known to the Northern Soul crew for their 1969 stomper "So Is The Sun" released on Tower and reissued in the mid 70s in the UK on Capitol to satisfy demand for it. It was  a massive sound, especially at Cleethorpes Pier/Winter Gardens circa 1975.

We did a feature on The World Column and their associated groups in Dec 2021. They made one other recording as New World titled "Lolita" which was unreleased until unearthed by Numero Group  in 2020.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Reissue
Label:	Soul Brother
Cat No:	SB7050
Date:	TBC Jul/Aug
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Joyce Williams [2023] - The First Thing I Do In The Morning [Numero Group #NUM 4549]

Sister funk from 1972 by Joyce Williams with "The First Thing I Do In The Morning" is the latest Numero Group reissue. It was released twice, on Act IV and also on Richard Pegue's Nickel and featured on their "Eccentric Soul: The Nickel & Penny Labels" compilation in 2011. The flip side is "Smilin'" written by Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone.

There's not any information available for the artist but her first single was "The Wrangler Shake" a promo for Wrangler jeans in 1964 written by Bob Elgin and Norman Meade (aka Jerry Ragovoy). It may appeal to the Northern Soul scene if they are not already on it.

Another campaign song, "The Wrangler Stretch", was also recorded by The Pirouettes who in reality were session singers Cissy Houston, Dee Dee Warwick, Estelle Brown and Judy Street (not the one of "What" fame) who would later form The Sweet Inspirations who were in demand session singers particularly for Elvis and Aretha Franklin.

She released just one more single "I Don't Want Your Love" in a similar vein on an unnamed label which looks like the Sunrise label out of Chicago which is undated but probably early 70s.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Funk
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM 4549
Date:	01/06/2023
Key/BPM:	6A/92
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Troop [2023] - So In Love [The Motel Music Media]

Troop has reissued a cover of Leroy Hutson's 1973 single (his first after after leaving The Impressions), "So In Love With You", originally released on their 1998 album "Mayday".

Troop (Total Respect of Other People) is a New Jack Swing group formed in Pasadena, CA, in 1987 who recorded five albums and had three #1 R&B hits and a further two Top 10 entries. 

After the "Mayday" album in 1998 they took a hiatus but regrouped in 2004. Original member Reggie Warren died in March 2021 aged 52 but the remaining four members continue to perform.

The  Motel Music Media, on which this single is released, is  owned by group member Steve Russell.

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Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Reissue / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	The Motel Music Media
Cat No:	None
Date:	20/02/2023
Key/BPM:	10B/79 / 10B/81
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Eight Minutes [2023] - An American Family [BBE/Perception Records] (Full Album)

The 1972 album "An American Family" by The Eight Minutes has been reissued digitally today (17 Feb '222). Perhaps it's in response to Aaron Frazer covering their 1973 single "Looking For A Brand New Game" (included on the digital reissue as a bonus track not included originally) on his EP "Heart Full Of Love" last month?

Anyway, if you like the early 70s sweet soul sound, ala Stylistics, Delfonics, Chi-Lites,  Blue Magic, Main Ingredient et al, then this will be right up your street.

It would appear that is was reissued on CD in Japan last year in this format with four bonus tracks being both sides of their first single on JayPee ("Here's Some Dances" / "Will You Still Be Mine" 1972) and their last single on Perception ("Looking For A Brand New Game" / "Find The One Who Loves You" 1973). So this looks like a collection of their whole catalogue.

Check out the Aaron Frazer post for some background on The Eight Minutes, rather than repeat it here.

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Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	BBE / Perception Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	17/02/2023 / 1972
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

San Francisco TKO's [2023] - Make Up Your Mind / Ooh Baby Baby [Kent #TOWN 176]

First played at the 100 Club in the 90s, the San Francisco T.K.O.'s "Make Up Your Mind" has been packing the dance floor since. Its first vinyl release was on the 100 Club's 19th anniversary single in 1998 which is long sold out.

Kent has decided to reissue it along with their take on The Miracles' 1965 classic "Ooo Baby Baby" (they titled "Oh Baby,Baby") from the B side to their first single "Herm" on Golden Soul in 1972 which appears to be their only, official, listed release. A bootleg of "Make Up Your Mind", along with a nice version of Freddie Hughes' "Send My Baby Back", appeared on a counterfeit Golden State label which is dated 2001.

Golden Soul and Golden State were bonafide labels for the Golden State Recorders studio in San Francisco owned by the late Leo De Gar Kulka who had acts such as Greatful Dead, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin passing through its doors.

All three songs were included on a Kent CD compilation "Golden State Soul" in 2000, which is possibly where the Golden State single was bootlegged from?

Their single on Golden Soul is sought after by funk collectors for the funky instrumental "Herm" presumably named after the song's writer, horn player and  band leader Hermon Henry. Other members included Penny Lewis who is credited as lead vocalist on "Oh Baby, Baby", James Aaron and guitarist Robert Emerson, who played with Henry on Warren Donell Hickman & The San Francisco Inspirational Choir's "God Is Love" album in 1972.

Oddly, "Herm" was released in New Zealand in 1973 with a different B side, "Acid Lady", which is another one sought after by funk collectors and has featured on a 2007 compilation "Golden State Funk" released by BGP along with "Herm" and another track by the group "Devil's Got Your Mind".

Available to pre-order from Ace/Kent for release on 24 Feb 2023.

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Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Sweet Soul Harmony
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Kent
Cat No:	TOWN 176
Date:	24/02/2023
Key/BPM:	3B/127 / 9B/74 / 11B/80
Price:	£8.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Classic Example [2023] - Right On / I Found Me A Girl [Kent Select #CITY 083]

Having posted three new 7" vinyl reissues from Ace/Kent on Friday, another couple have just been announced.

The first consists of two sides by Los Angeles duo The Classic Example (Curtis Colbert and Harriet Hurst) who provided four of the songs on their only, self-titled, album released on GSF in 1972. Another of their songs, "Right On", was left off the album and never got a release, but Kent released it as one side of a 100 Club 42nd anniversary single in 2021.  As with most of the limited edition 100 Club anniversary singles, it now sells for silly money, so now you can acquire it at a reasonable price.

Only two tracks from the album made it to a single release, also on GSF in 1972. The A side "That's Groovy" was co-written by William 'Mickey' Stevenson with Vicki Basemore and Tom Nixon and recorded by Kim Weston on M.G.M. in 1967. Interestingly, Stevenson's name doesn't feature on writing credits for that release.

The album featured some top class musicians such as Wilton Felder (bass) and Joe Sample (piano) from The Crusaders, Arthur Adams (guitar)  and Paul Humphrey on drums and Hodges, James & Smith & Crawford on backing vocals. Willie Hutch contributes a song "We Got A Thing Going On".

The B side is a harmony ballad "I Found Me A Girl" from their album.

The single is available to pre-order now from Ace/Kent for release on 24 Feb '23.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Sweet Soul Harmony
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Kent Select
Cat No:	CITY 083
Date:	24/02/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10.88

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Jack & The Mods [2022] - One Is Enough for One [Numero Group #NUM5807]

Jack & The Mods consisted of three Townsend brothers Jack, Ricky, and Jake and their two cousins from Chuckatuck, VA. They were discovered by Alvin Mount who overheard them practicing in a run down shack after his car had broken down nearby. The eldest brother Jack took the lead billing but it was young Jake on lead vocals (some sources claim 9 and another 11 years old which would seem more plausible). 

Blount got them into the studio and were joined by two more brothers (James Lawrence Jr. (trumpet) and Bobby Elford (drums), there were eleven siblings in total, six brothers and five sisters) to cut their first record which was this song "One Is Enough for One" credited to Al Blount, along with a sped up cover of The Isley Brothers "It's Your Thing" which was the official A side. The label was called Hamtown which I believe is a nickname for the nearby town of Smithfield which is famed for the curing and production of Smithfield ham.

Curiously, their only other listed recording is on Bamtown and has the same catalogue no. (i.e. 50115) and is also listed for 1972 "The Jack Mod Kick" / "Don't Wake Me Up". It was reissued by Germany's Tramp label in 2019. However, it is a 1972 recording (the label states Recorded at Brockington & Guess Studio, Norfolk, VA, 1972) but was first released in 2006, which may explain the similarities to the Hamtown label. 

The A side is an early 70s funk tune with the B side sounding very familiar which I'm pretty sure is a retitled cover of Bart Jackson's (aka George Jackson) 1968 outing on Decca, "Wonderful Dream", which I've included below for you to decide. The song was also recorded in 1972 by Art Gentry on Abet which even got a UK release on Mojo.

Story has it that Blount arranged performances in the region and also one at Harlem's famous  Apollo Theatre but the group got lost on their way and missed that opportunity. Blount, who was in the military, was posted outside of Virginia and the group were then managed by a friend who then passed them onto another friend who died. When Blount returned three years later the group had disintegrated.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM5807
Date:	13/12/2022
Key/BPM:	7A/85
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Version Excursion - One Man At A Time - Nancy Butts / New Love Ltd / New Love Ltd & Interstate 95

Nancy Butts was from Sparta, GA, and was the lead singer in her family gospel group the Butts Sisters before releasing half a dozen secular singles, initially on Eugene Davis' Detroit label Flaming Arrow and Crow and then on Jar-Val out of Macon, GA, run by DJ Hamp Swain which was also responsible for the release of Matt Brown's superb "Thank You Baby". Her first release on Jar-Val included a cover of Don Covay's "Letter Full Of Tears" which was picked up nationally by King Records.

Hit And Run Records has just reissued both sides of her first single on Flaming Arrow "I Want To Hold Your Hand Baby" / "Your Friend Will Take The Man You Love". In that post I alluded to another song from her that I would post separately so here it is with another two later cover versions.

It's a deep soul song "I Can't Love But One Man At A Time" which was covered twice by New Love Ltd. as "One Love At A Time" who released it as a single on Arco in 1977 and then on their only album, "So Much To Talk About" (1978) (where they were billed as New Love Ltd & Interstate 95) which only appears to have been released in Brazil, although there is a 2015 reissue by Funky Planet. The album version is a different take to the single. It is thought that it is Nancy Butts on the single but the album vocalist is definitely Valerie Lipford. 

Whilst the original song is credited to only Jackie Avery, on the Arco single Nancy Butts is also on writer's credits which may be why it is thought she is singing? However, on the  album version  both are replaced by Samuel Wilson who was a member of  Today, Tomorrow, Forever's band and is credited with writing all songs. The things that went on! He has other writing and performing credits with Rivage on their rare 1981 album "Sittin' On It" from where their sought after modern soul gem "Strung Out On Your Love" came from, as well as with Philly Cream and The Mighty Ryeders. Incidentally Ronald Broomfield (aka Eugene Wilde, brother of Vince) was also a member of Today, Tomorrow, Forever.

Nancy Butts [1972] - I Can't Love But One Man At A Time [Jar-Val #14]

New Love Ltd [1977] -  One Man At A Time [Arco #100]

New Love Ltd & Interstate 95  [1978] - One Man At A Time [Giant #201.005]

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Deon Jackson [1972] - I'll Always Love You [Shout #S-254]

Deon Jackson featured here a few days ago with two sides of a new vinyl release by Hit And Run Records of two hard to find 60s recordings. We did a feature on him in June when a compilation of his songs was digitally released and this song featured there but the YouTube clip posted has been made private .. why do they do that?

Anyway, a good enough excuse to repost this superb side "I'll Always Love You" from 1972 co-written, arranged and produced by Leroy Hutson.

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Shout
Cat No:	S-254
Date:	1972
Price:	£25-£40 approx. (based on Disccogs prices)

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Shirley Nanette [2022] - All Of Your Life [Big Crown Records]

Big Crown Records is reissuing a 1972 album "Never Coming Back" originally released in 1972 by Portland, OR, jazz singer Shirley Nanette  on Satara. Apart from the album, the label only made one other release, a single consisting of two sides from the album.

The album is due on 16 Sep 2022, but in the meantime they've put out the track "All Of Your Life" which was reissued by Truth & Soul in 2012 with "People Are Thinking" on the B side.

I noticed from the album credits that it features Billy Larkin on organ which isn't too surprising when you also note that Hank Swarn wrote all tracks, as he was also a member of Billy Larkin & The Delegates (of Pymgy fame).

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Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Soul Jazz
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Big Crown Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	25/07/2022
Key/BPM:	6A/105
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Garland Green [1969] - Jealous Kind Of Fella [Uni #55143]

Garland Green's biggest hit and his only Billboard Hot 100 entry (#20) which resulted in a superb album with the same title "Jealous Kind Of Fella" being released on Uni in 1969.

It was his fourth single, and first on Uni, with his earlier ones on Revue still in demand these days by the Northern Soul scene. "Girl I Love You", originally released on Jo Armstead's Gamma label (also released by the song's writer Shelley Fisher on Dayla in 1972), would definitely be in my all time top 100 NS tunes along with "Ain't That Good Enough" covered later by The Spinners lead man John Edwards. Both tracks are included on the album which I may get around to posting some day. I still have the original vinyl which I doubt I'll ever part with. It's not big bucks to find on vinyl (around £50 should get a VG+ copy). It was reissued on CD in 1995 with two bonus tracks from his later Spring catalogue, one of the tracks released on Hit And Run in 2020 by Don Varner which was previously unreleased from 1967 "He Didn't Know (He Kept On Talking)". Well worth tracking down.

Little Royal (aka Royal Torrence) covered it in 1972 as "Jealous" which was also the title of his one and only album. The single release was billed as Little Royal & The Swingmasters.

In 2012 Green re-recorded it for an album "I Should've Been The One". I found some footage of him singing it live (although I suspect that the sound has been overdubbed or he is PA'ing and obviously recorded much later). Also a video of a TV appearance on 'Soul Street'  by Little Royal which has a young Millie Jackson at the beginning. Soul Street was a show produced, hosted and syndicated by Kenny Smith (of "Lord What's Happening To Your People" fame) based in Cincinnati, OH.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Uni / Tri-Us
Cat No:	55143 / TR-912
Date:	07/1969 / 03/1972
Key/BPM:	5B/93 / 4A/90
Price:	£5-£15 approx. / £10-£20 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved