Willie Hutch [2024] - Concert In Blues [Motown] (Full Album)

The second of the two Willie Hutch album digital reissues from 1976 is "Concert In Blues".  This album spawned just one single, the opening track "Party Down" which included the highly regarded "Just Another Day" on the flip which appeared on his previous album "Ode To The Lady".

The highlights for us from the album are two self-written songs "Baby, Come Home"  and "Come On Let's Do The Thing", and his version of a couple of standards, "Stormy Weather" and "I Wish You Love".

A couple of other covers didn't quite cut the mustard for us i.e. "Shake, Rattle And Roll". Yes 'that one' originally recorded by Big Joe Turner in 1954, but a completely different take on the song, and T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday".

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital Reissue
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	None
Date:	25/03/2024
Price:	£9.90

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Willie Hutch [2024] - Color Her Sunshine [Motown] (Full Album)

We have noticed two 1976 Willie Hutch albums appearing on Amazon today, "Concert In Blues" (Mar '76) and  "Color Her Sunshine" (Sep '76).

It's been a while since we actually sat down and listened to them 'properly' and "Color Her Sunshine" in particular has blown us away one more time. Just so so soulful and if "She's Just Doing Her Thing" doesn't touch your soul, then there's no hope for you! If, for whatever reason, that one doesn't float your boat then how about "I Like Everything About You"?

Anyone who's a regular visitor will know how much we admire Willie Hutch (we did a  five part profile of his career) so we won't wax lyrical any further and just let you enjoy the album which, along with "Concert In Blues", appears to have been reissued digitally for the very first time. They were paired for a CD reissue in 2015 which now sell for high amounts and only one is currently listed for sale on Discogs with an asking price of just under £100!

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital Reissue
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	None
Date:	26/03/2024 09/1976
Price:	£8.91

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Crack of Dawn [2024] - Crack Of Dawn [Sony] (Full Album)

An album from 1976 that has been reissued is Crack Of Dawn's debut, self-titled album.

The group was formed in Kingston, Jamaica, relocating to Toronto in the 70s. They were a popular live act and attracted the attention of Columbia and became the first black Canadian act signed to the label in 1975, Their first album was released the following year.

It contains a few covers, Mel & Tim's "Keep The Faith", and a good version of "I Can't Move No Mountain" originally recorded by Blood, Sweat & Tears in '72 but also by several others including Margie Joseph, Shirley Brown and Revelation. The song was written by the album's producer Bob Gallo (aka Robert John Gallo) and Michael Gately who also co-wrote several songs popular on the Northern Soul scene such as Eddie Regan's "Playin' Hide And Seek", Robert John (different artist) "If You Don't Want My Love", "Can't Stop Loving You" and "Raindrops, Love And Sunshine".

Curiously, "Put You Money Where Your Mouth Is" is credited on this release to the group's lead singer Glenn Ricketts but was also released in 1976 by Rose Royce credited to Norman Whitfield. Whilst not identical, they sound very similar!

The remainder of the album is generally funk.

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

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul Funk
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	16/02/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Luther [2024] - Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me) [Primary Wave Music]

Released yesterday to announce the reissue of two albums by Luther is the second single "Funky Music (Is A Part Of Me)" from the first album, "Luther" (1976).

The full album is being reissued for the first time (digitally on CD and vinyl) on 19 April with a bonus track, an instrumental version of "The 2nd Time Around". 

The second Luther album, "This Close To Me" (1977), will also be reissued on 7 Jun. and contains three bonus tracks "Can’t Get Enough Good Loving", "Come Back To Love (Instrumental)" and " Don’t Wanna Be A Fool (Instrumental)". It includes two massive modern soul gems "Follow My Love" and "Don't Wanna Be A Fool".

Physical copies are available to pre-order via LutherVandross.com. NOTE The bonus tracks are NOT available on the vinyl releases.

The albums are being reissued to coincide with a documentary "Luther: Never Too Much" directed by Dawn Porter which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on 21 Jan '24.

Only three singles materialised from these two albums: "It's Good For The Soul (Pt I & II)", "The 2nd Time Around" / "Funky Music (Is Part Of Me)" and "This Close To You" / "Don't Wanna Be A Fool", with the latter being sought after by the rare soul scene and sells for up to £300.

Whilst the act uses his name, Luther was a five piece group consisting of Luther Vandross, Anthony Hinton, Diane Sumler, Theresa Reed and Christine Wiltshire  (Class Action, Musique, Phreek). Vandross wrote all songs on both albums. The three singles all charted on the R&B charts (#28, #34 and #94 respectively) but the albums didn't sell particularly well and the group was released by Cotillion.

Vandross bought back the rights to these albums from the label when the group was released preventing the label from reissuing them and they have lay dormant for almost 50 years.

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
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single / Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Primary Wave Music
Cat No:	None
Date:	21/02/2024
Key/BPM:	9A/112
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Staples [2024] - Take This Love Of Mine / Precious Precious [Soul4Real #S4R034]

The Staple Singers where mainstays at Stax in the 60s and early 70s. When Stax was forced to close it's doors in 1975 they signed to Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label and achieved their second Billboard Hot 100 (and third R&B) #1 hit with "Let's Do It Again", the title track from the soundtrack album.

The success of both single and album attracted Warner Bros where they would release their next three albums as The Staples: "Pass It On" (1976), "Family Tree" (1977), "Unlock Your Mind" (1978). 

Soul4Real has selected two tracks, "Take This Love Of Mine" and "Precious, Precious", from the first, Mayfield written and produced, Warner's album "Pass It On", for 7" vinyl release as neither has been previously released as a single.

Available to pre-order now from Soul4Real for release on 1st March 2024.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Reissue
Label:	Soul4Real
Cat No:	S4R34
Date:	01/03/2024
Key/BPM:	11A/95 / 7B/106
Price:	€15

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Stevie Wonder [1976] - Songs in the Key of Life [Tamla] (Full Album) 47th Anniversary

It's approaching the 50th anniversary of another landmark Motown album, remember Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" half centenary was commemorated with an expanded reissue last month. Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life" was released 47 years ago today on 28 Sep 1976.

Both Wonder and Gaye had disagreements with Berry Gordy over musical direction in the early 70s as both wanted to do their own thing and get away from the formulaic Motown sound. Gordy didn't like Gaye's "What's Going On" as he was concerned that the social and political statements may damage 'the brand'.  Both have been proven to be correct as that particular album has gone on to be one of the most seminal musical works in music, never mind just soul, history consistently topping Rolling Stone's 100 best albums of all time. It currently tops their 2020 poll with "Songs in the Key of Life" positioned at #4.

In 1975 Wonder was seriously considering quitting music and prepared a farewell tour, remember his previous album was titled "Fulfillingness' First Finale"! However, Motown persuaded him to sign a 7 year / 7 album deal with full artistic control. The alleged $37m offer (the largest recording contract at the time) no doubt helped to twist his arm to stay. "Songs in the Key of Life" was his first of these albums and was his 18th studio album. It's a double album consisting of 21 tracks (the last 4 tracks were originally on a separate 7" EP) and won 3 Grammys: Album of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Performance (Male) and Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male for "I Wish".

The album produced five singles, two reaching #1 on Billboard's Hot 100, i.e. "I Wish" and "Sir Duke" / "He's Misstra Know-It-All", the other three being "Isn't She Lovely",  "Another Star" and "As". 

Of course many other tracks are well known even though they were never released as singles. For example "Summer Soft" was covered recently by Karlos Edwards and "Pastime Paradise" has been sampled multiple times, perhaps most famously by Coolio in "Gangsta's Paradise" in 1995? "As" (which featured George Benson on guitar) we featured only yesterday by The Family Tree on the forthcoming  "With Love Volume 2" compilation and "Another Star" (which featured Herbie Hancock on keys) has been covered many times, perhaps one of the earliest by Joe Bataan's LaSo in 1977 and another notable cover by (Sister) Kathy Sledge in 1995 with others including Ike Noble (1980) and Soul II Soul's Caron Wheeler (2003).

Everyone knows, but perhaps doesn't necessarily 'love', "Isn't She Lovely" which surprisingly wasn't a hit and wasn't released as a single in the US because Wonder refused to shorten the track from the album's 6:34 for 7" release. However, it was covered by David Parton and reached #4 on the UK pop chart in 1977 which is perhaps why we assume that it was a hit single? Wonder's version did eventually become a hit in the UK after he performed it at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

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

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul / Motown
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Tamla
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/09/1976
Price:	£5.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Mantis [2023] - Love Was Born For Me / Do We Have A Love [Epsilon Records #EPS023]

Epsilon Records have just announced their latest release, a new single by Modesto, CA, group Mantis. You may recall that they released another single from the group in May '22 "When I Love You (vocal & inst)", which was  a new song recorded in 2021. 

The latest release consists of two previously unreleased recordings from 1976. The A side. "Love Was Born For Me", is an up-tempo song with that 'spacy' 70s sound much loved by the modern soul scene, whilst the flip, "Do We Have A Love", is a deep and sweet soul ballad that will more than likely appeal to the Lowrider scene as well as others.

The single is available to buy now digitally and on 7" vinyl from Epsilon Records website.

Mantis was formed by former students from the Ivy League Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. They played together in the college sponsored traveling band called the Green Dream consisting of students taught by Robert (Bob) Northern (aka Brother Ahh) who worked with many of the jazz greats including Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, and many others.

When they graduated they decided to set up their own group and take a shot at stardom, much to the dismay of their parents as you may imagine after such a costly education! They self-released just one single on Smoke "I Know (You Really Want Me)" / "I Wish You Would Start (To Love Me)". We guess that it may have been a private press as no other material has surfaced on the label. The A side is an in-demander on the lowrider scene fetching well into three figures on original vinyl and has featured on at least three CD compilations in the last 20 or so years.

Another single was released in 1982 on Oakland Smoke which was more than likely related to Smoke as the same producers and engineers are credited. It was by Debravon Lewis (aka Fizzy Quick) who, around the same time, was also a member of Bridge ("Crying For Love" fame). She later released a self-titled album for Motown in 1986.

The Mantis group members have stayed in touch to this day and, Epsilon's Yann Vatiste tells us, Zoom each week and gives us a rundown of what they are doing today. All have found 'proper' jobs probably much to the satisfaction of their parents.

Allen Atkins (vocals / keyboards)

Became a university economics professor and still plays music occasionally with a small trio in his home state of Arizona.

Baxter Fullerton (vocals / vocal arrangement)

Got involved in banking and the stock market, still sings occasionally for fun.

Alvin Harrison (guitar/ vocals)

Started an advertising agency in California, retired at 44, still releasing new music today.

Vernon Stewart (vocals /drums)

Is in the transportation industry, but has been in many local bands and is still gigging in Houston Texas.

Rocky Whitaker (vocals / conga)

Involved in college sports promotions and still performs in Charlotte North Carolina.

Paul Ungar (bass/ keyboards / BG vocals)

Became a music lawyer and continues to play in a band that does charitable performances.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Sweet Soul / Previously Unreleased
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Epsilon Records
Cat No:	EPS023
Date:	20/07/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£3 / £17.50 (UK incl. P&P) / £22.50 (Int'l incl. P&P)

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Checkmates Ltd [2023] - All Alone By The Telephone / Body Language [SB7055]

We mis-counted, as there are six not five reissues lined up by Soul Brother. The final one is from the Checkmates Ltd, from Fort Wayne , IN, who were discovered by Nancy Wilson whilst playing at Pussycat A Go Go in Las Vegas.

They were a mixed race group formed in high school in the mid 50s as a doo wop group consisting of three black and two white members: Charles Hemphill (aka Sonny Charles) (vocals), Bobby Stevens (vocals), Sweet Louie' Marvin Smith (drums), Bill Van Buskirk (bass) and Harvey Trees (guitar). 

Their biggest success was with "Black Pearl" as Sonny Charles & Checkmates Ltd in 1969 (a #8 R&B hit produced by Phil Specter). Their second hit was this one, "All Alone By The Telephone", which scraped into the R&B chart at #96 in 1976. 

The song was co-written by H.B. Barnum and Joyce Ann Clay and was recorded a couple of months later by J.B. Bingham on United Artists (which is about double the price) and reissued by Soul Junction in 2015 and also on Canadian reissue label Stardust mid/late 90s.

Northern Soulies go for their "Kissin' Her and Crying For You" on Capitol 1966.

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Reissue
Label:	Soul Brother
Cat No:	SB7055
Date:	TBC Jul/Aug
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Dana V. Andrews [2023] - Mr Justice / Inst [Epsilon #EPS020]

Another UK based reissue label, Epsilon, also has a pair of 7" vinyl releases hot off the press.  Yann Vatiste has uncovered a couple of songs written by Dana V. Andrews. The first, "Mr Justice" recorded by himself in 1976 on his own Davida label and the other,  "Everything's Has Got To Be Alright" recorded by Bobby Baker, also on Davida.

In 1973 aged 23, Dan V. Andrews moved to L.A. in search of fame and fortune as a songwriter. He met David Futch in 1975 and they formed a record and publishing company, Davida, that recorded R&B and Gospel music. They worked with the gospel group Highland Park Community Choir from Highland Park, MI, who had a song nominated for a Grammy Award in 1976.  The label released just five (listed) singles.

​He recorded "Mr. Justice" in 1976 as a result of the social injustice he saw in the world hoping for it to be a rallying call to unite and vote for responsible, fair, politicians who had helping the people foremost in their hearts.  He also wrote the other Epsilon release "Everything’s Got To Be Alright" recorded by Bobby Baker  because he had faith that eventually right will win out over wrong.

Available now on vinyl and digitally from Epsilon Records.

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

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Boogie
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Digital
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	EPS020
Date:	29/04/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.50 / £3

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Krash Band / Oneness [2023] - So I Can Make This Change / Hard To Know [Izipho Soul #ZP88]

Now well on their way to their 100th 7" vinyl release, Izipho Soul has another two releases scheduled for 6 Apr '23.

Both sides of this single are taken from Numero Group's "Eccentric Soul: Sitting In The Park" (2016) compilation which was named after, and dedicated to, Bob Abrahamian's passion and devotion to celebrating and documenting unknown Chicagoland group harmony music. He assisted Numero Group on many compilations. 

Sadly Bob suffered from depression and took his own life in 2014 aged only 35. He hosted a radio show titled Sitting In The Park where he played obscure soul group harmony records from his personal collection, primarily by Chicago groups, and interviewed many artists. Podcasts for all his Sitting In The Park shows are still available. His family donated his massive collection of over 35,000 singles and LPs to the Stax Museum.

The single leads with the A side of the only listed single "So I Can Make This Change" for The Krash Band from 1976. The original is the only release on Liberated Record out of Gary, IN, and credits 'with Evelyn Holder' who was the lead vocalist.

The OneNess song, "Hard To Know" was recorded for Cincinnati's AMG label in 1977 but never released. It has been restored from a damaged tape. They were previously known as The Auditions who released just one (listed) single in 1973, the only release on Chicago's Freckless Records. 

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Izipho Soul
Cat No:	ZP88
Date:	06/04/2023
Key/BPM:	11A/72 / 11A/86
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Reynolds [2023] - Don’t You Worry Baby the Best Is Yet To Come [Super Weird Substance]

Forthcoming on a Super Weird Substance 7" single is "Don’t You Worry Baby the Best Is Yet To Come" parts 1 and 2 by The Reynolds. It was initially released as a 12" in 2015 and is now available to pre-order from vinyl dealers on 7" vinyl for the first time with a release date of 28 Apr '23.

The Reynolds are Merseyside twins, Carmel and Katherine Reynolds (with Katherine on lead vocals), who have worked with label owner Greg Wilson on various projects. 

The song was originally recorded by Bessie Banks on Quality in 1976 which had a reissue of her deep soul classic "Try To Leave Me If You Can" on the B side (originally on Volt in 1974). Sandy Barber then released it on her "The Best Is Yet To Come" Olde World album in 1978. 

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:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Super Weird Substance
Cat No:	None
Date:	28/04/2023
Key/BPM:	7B/110
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Warren Raye & The Infernal Blues Machine [2023] - It's The Feeling I Get / I Can't Turn You Down [Kent Select #CITY 086]

The second Kent Select forthcoming vinyl release is from Warren Raye & The Infernal Blues Machine who have featured on the blog with their superb "If You Wanna Love Me" from 1976 along with "Ain't That Love" from the preceding year which both appeared on their solitary album "Adios Amigo" on London 1975.

The two sides offered by Kent are both previously unreleased recordings, although "It's The Feeling I Get" did feature on another 100 Club anniversary single, the last one from Sep 2022 which was paired with  the unreleased "Without Your Sweet Lovin'".  However, the flip side served up with "It's The Feeling I Get" is "I Can't Turn You Down", for which there is no sound file available for so have linked to the Ace/Kent website sample. However, a version appeared on Kent's "Masterpieces of Modern Soul Volume 6" last year by Melanie Brooks (also included below).

Damion & Denita covered "It's The Feeling I Get" in 1980 on their self-titled, and only, album (which has been posted HERE previously). Denita is Denita James who was a member of Hodges, James & Smith (& Crawford), and later The Natura'elles on Venture, and was Kim Weston's cousin. So there's the connection to the previous Kent Select release by Classic Example i.e. Stevenson and Weston (who were married) and Hodges, James & Smith & Crawford featured on backing vocals. Both releases have been licensed from Stevenson.

This one is also available to pre-order from Ace/Kent now for release on 27 Feb 2023.

s

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Kent Select
Cat No:	CITY 086
Date:	27/02/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£10.88

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Tony Troutman [2023] - What's the Use [MTI]

Very surprising to come across this  digital reissue of a modern soul classic "What's The Use" by Tony Troutman on Amazon yesterday. 

It was one of only six singles on the Atlanta, GA, based Jerri label which Discogs lists as 1977, 45Cat 1976 and Spotify 12 Dec 1975, so take your pick. The last single on the label was also embraced on the UK modern soul scene by Stevens & Foster "I Want To Be Loved". Three of the remaining four were by Roshell Anderson and the other was an instrumental cover of Johnnie Taylor's "Disco Lady" by Sil Austin.  Several of the releases were distributed by T.K. so there may have been a connection to Henry Stone's Miami setup, or they may have just distributed the releases on their behalf.

Troutman's first single has been posted previously, the excellent deep soul cut "I Truly Love You" on Gram O Phone in 1975. It has been suggested that Troutman is related to the Troutman family from Dayton, OH, who formed Zapp and the writer's credits on this single are to Thomas Troutman. There was a Tony (Thomas) Troutman who was a member of Zapp. However, all Tony Troutman's recordings were on Atlanta labels and predominantly in the 80s around the same time that Zapp were active so it seems somehow unlikely.

He released six singles and an album "Your Man Is Home Tonight" between 1982-85 on T-Main, which may have been his own label as only his releases and one other by Frankie Redmon ("Love Woke Me Up This Morning" an original song not the Ashford & Simpson penned song recorded by many) were released on it. He released just two more (undated) singles, one on Swagger and another on Coastal (which was a reissue of a 1982 single on T-Main of two songs from his album).

Only two of his singles reached the R&B chart, "I Truly Love You"  got to #82 in 1975 and the title track of his album "Your Man Is Home Tonight" #57 in 1982.

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:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	MTI (Jerri #J-102)
Cat No:	None
Date:	27/01/2023 /12/12/1975
Key/BPM:	10B/104
Price:	£1.98

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Natural Impulse [2022] - Let's Get Together [Epsilon #EPS 018]

The second forthcoming 7" vinyl release from Epsilon is a previously unissued song by Natural Impulse.

Natural Impulse were an eight-piece group from San Francisco formed by Richard Ramos in the 70s and included Jess Gonzalez, Michael Baldwin, Ladee Bianca, Andrés Soto, Hank Oden, Tom Fuglestad and Geoff Glibas.

They self-released just one single in 1978 "Time Is Right" / "She Went Away" on their own label Natural Impulse, presumably a private press. Both sides were picked up and reissued by Soul Junction and flipped, with "She Went Away" being the lead side. In 2010 the label also issued another two songs by them "We're Gonna Make It Through" / "Make It Or Break It (Radio Edit)".

The song featured on the new Epsilon single is "Let's Get It Together" and an extended version which were recorded in 1976 and found on a reel-to-reel tape by Ramos and have been carefully remixed and remastered by Steve Fuji for this release.

The vinyl is available to pre-order from Epsilon for release on 20 Dec '22, but digital copies can be downloaded now where you can also listen to full versions of both sides. 

Be sure to grab this one as I think it will fly off the shelves and then be listed for multiple times the face value on Discogs within days of them being sold out!

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:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl / Digital
Label:	Epsilon
Cat No:	EPS 018
Date:	20/12/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£17.50 / £2

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Marcia Hines [2022] - You Gotta Let Go / Don’t Let The Grass Grow [Seelctor Series #SS7005P]

Marcia Hines was born in Boston, MA, in 1953 but emigrated to Australia where she played the lead role in the musical "Hair" aged just 16. 

She released her debut album "Marcia Shines" on Wizard in 1975. The album produced four singles. One of those singles "You Gotta Let Go" was released in 1976 and 'discovered' around the end of the century /early noughties and got spins on the modern soul scene and, like many modern soul discoveries, soon crossed over onto Northern Soul dancefloors. 

The single is very hard to find as it was only released in Australia and Italy and now commands upwards of £500 even though the track is quite easily found on the album for between £10-£20 (even though only released in Australia, New Zealand and Italy). The Italian single release was the B side to "Jumping Jack Flash" on Dig It which is also pretty scarce.  It was reissued on 7" in 2014 on Mukatsuku Records with Jackie Wilson "You Keep Me Hanging On" on the flip on a release titled "Lost Soul & Funk Gems Volume One".

It's latest incarnation is a new 7" vinyl reissue from Selector Series who are reissuing it as their fifth single release available from 21 Oct 2022 which includes the original B side "Don’t Let The Grass Grow".

The main side was written by Teddy Randazzo and Victoria Pike whose names may be know to Northern Soul followers as they also jointly wrote several other well know recordings on the scene such as Little Anthony & The Imperials "Better Use Your Head", "Gonna Fix You Good", Sheila Anthony "Livin' In Love", Porgy & The Monarchs "Think Twice Before You Walk Away", Larry Santos / Frankie Valli "Can't Get You Off My Mind", Kiki Dee "On A Magic Carpet Ride" and Derek Martin "Soul Power", "Breakaway" as well as the deep soul ballad "You Blew It Baby".

Hines is still performing today and has released around fourteen albums her last "Amazing" in 2014.

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:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern/Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Selector Series
Cat No:	SS7005P
Date:	21/10/2022
Key/BPM:	9B/122 / 12B/106
Price:	£12

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved