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

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Tommy Tate v The Controllers [1981/1978] - Listen To The Children [Juanna]

An underplayed/overlooked (possibly even under the radar?) gem from Tommy Tate's 1981 self-titled Juana album.

"Listen To The Children" was written by Joe Shamwell and features The Controllers on BGVs who recorded it in 1978 on their  "Fill Your Life With Love" album, also on Juana.

Neither of them released it as a single, so both are album only tracks.

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

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	Juana
Cat No:	JU 1003 / 200,002
Date:	1981 / 1978
Price:	£10-£20 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Ike Noble [2023] - Your Love b/w Your Love Has Got Gusto [Numero Group #NUM4437]

A song we posted four different versions of a couple of years ago by Ike Noble has been digitally reissued by Numero Group. They have chosen the sparser first release of "Your Love" on Chanson in 1978 that has no female backing nor full strings like some of the later versions.

We won't repeat the full details here but if you wish to read about, and listen to, the other versions then check them out HERE. The last of the four versions, from his 1984 &1987 album "Lonely People", has been included below as it's the only other one available on Spotify.

A full Ike Noble Discography was also posted earlier in 2020 which was prompted by, the then current spins for, "It's Bad" tucked away on the flip side to a Northern Soul favourite "That's What I Get" an Alley from 1967.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4437
Date:	10/07/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/82 / 8B/119 / 6B/82
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Claborg & Jack Matter [2023] Emotion [Hot House Records] / Adri Block & Chris Marina [2023] - Runaway [Dope Demand]

Two new releases based on Linda Clifford's "Runway Love" from 1978 on Curtis Mayfield's label (Curtom) hot on the heels of each other, The first, titled "Emotion", from  Claborg & Jack Matter released on 3 Mar and the other by Adri Block & Chris Marina "Runaway" due out on Thursday (30 Mar).

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Nu Disco / Pre-Disco
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Hot House Records / Dope Demand / Curtom
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/03/2023 / 30/03/2023 / 1978
Key/BPM:	11A/120 / 8B/122 / 4A/105
Price:	£1 / $2.49 / £5?

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Jimmie Green & Shoestring [2023] - I Need You So b/w Let You Go [Numergo Group #NUM5872]

Another reissue today from Numero Group. A 1978 recording by Jimmie Green on a small Alton, IL, label Shoestring which is probably best know for Carletta Sue's "You Keep Holding Back On Love".

He recorded two singles on Shoestring and Discogs lists another The Selectives feat. Jimmie Green on L.A. Tower offshoot label Uptown from 1965. Whether or not it's the same singer is up for debate, but the voice does sound similar and his name features on writing credits for both sides. The A side "My Heart's Not Strong Enough" being a bluesy style ballad and the flip "1581 Rhythm Street" a typical west coast 60s Northern Soul style dancer. The Selectives sound like a girl backing group with Green on lead vocals. This is their only listed single.

The offering from Numero Group bills the single as Jimmie Green & Shoestring but the original labels it as Jimmie Green (The Shiek). The A side "I Need You" is a smooth, floating ballad with the flip side "Let You Go" (originally titled "Let Yourself Go") being a modern soul/boogie style dancer. Both sides are credited to Green and Howard Neal who I suspect may have been behind Shoestring as he features on writing, arranging or producing credits an all Shoestring releases. 

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

Details

Rating:	8.1
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM5872
Date:	21/03/2023
Key/BPM:	2B/66 / 6B/103
Price:	£1.79

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

Marion Javius [2023] - Waiting In The Wings [Athens Of The North #ATH133]

A week before it's release we posted the latest reissue from Athens Of The North by Marion Javius with two mixes for "Waiting In The Wings" from Bandcamp. At the time no sound files were available so a YouTube clip of the original version was posted pending release. It has now been released with sound files available for both sides.

It comes with the original 1978 mix on Encore Records on the flip and a new ECLA Mix which has been rebuilt from master tapes. The reason for the remix has a humorous backstory which you can read on the label's Bandcamp page, I won't steal the thunder. 

It seems to be the only release for the Houston, TX, based label and artist, under that name at least, but I wonder if it's the same singer who recorded two singles on Roxbury in '73 and '75 as Marion Jarvis?

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue + Remix
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	ATH133
Date:	03/03/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1.39 / £11.66

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Vaneese & Carolyn [2023] - Goodbye Song / Just A Little Smile (From You) [Soul Brother #SB7048]

A vinyl reissue by Soul Brother of Vaneese (Thomas) & Carolyn (Mitchell) 1978 Polydor single "Goodbye Song" / "Just A Little Smile".

The sides have been reversed from the original release, leading with the two-stepper "Goodbye Song" co-written by both singers. This was their second single together which followed "Let Me In" / "I'm Losing You" in 1977 with both songs being written by Vaneese Thomas who is the daughter of Rufus Thomas and hence sister of Carla and lesser known brother Marvell. John 'Monster' Davis arranged the first and produced the second single, neither of which dented the R&B charts and the original of the reissued single now commands around £375 based on Discogs sold prices.

Vaneese went on to release her solo debut album "Vaneese" in 1987 and has released a further seven albums up to 2019, but these appear to be the only releases from partner Carolyn Mitchell.

The single is available to pre-order from Soul Brother and other vinyl dealers (e.g. Simply Soul) with a release date sometime in May '23.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Two-Step / Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Brother
Cat No:	None
Date:	TBC/05/2023
Key/BPM:	5A/85 / N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Toto Feat. Cheryl Lynn [2023] - Georgy Porgy (DoctorSoul Puddin' Pie Re - Therapy) [Self Released]

The latest remix by Parisian DJ/remixer DoctorSoul is of Toto's 1978 song "Georgy Porgy" from their debut self-titled album. The song has been covered by so many since and sixteen different versions are included below with many others, not quite so good, left behind.

Cheryl Lynn featured on vocals on the original Toto version.

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:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Yacht Soul / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/03/2023
Key/BPM:	100
Price:	€1.50

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Marion Javius [2023] - Waiting In The Wings [Athens Of The North #ATH133]

A new vinyl 7" from Athens Of The North, Marion Javius "Waiting In The Wings" is due on 3 Mar '23. 

It comes with the original 1978 mix on Encore Records on the flip and a new ECLA Mix which has been rebuilt from master tapes. The reason for the remix has a humorous backstory which you can read on the label's Bandcamp page, I won't steal the thunder. 

It seems to be the only release for the Houston, TX, based label and artist, under that name at least, but I wonder if it's the same singer who recorded two singles on Roxbury in '73 and '75 as Marion Jarvis?

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue + Remix
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	ATH133
Date:	03/03/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£2 / £11.66

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Carrie Cleveland [2023] - Love Will Set You Free / Make Love To Me [Kalita]

London's Kalita label is reissuing two songs from Carrie Cleveland. It's the first time on 7" vinyl for the lead side, "Love Will Set You Free", which is taken from her 1980 album "Looking Up". They have flipped it with the promo version of a 1978 Audio Ent. single "Make Love To Me". 

There were three different mixes of "Make Love To Me", the promo single mix, the issued single mix and the album version. The one that is most sought after is the promo mix featured on this release. The album version has more of a reggae feel and the issued single version has cheap sounding, synthetic keyboards. To listen to a comparison of each, all three versions are included below.

Carrie Cleveland performed around the Bay Area in the 70s and produced the material over two years between 1978-80 with her husband Bill in their home garage studio in Oakland, CA. They 'private pressed' the recordings, the singles on Audio Ent. and the album on Cleve / Den. 

Her album has been highly sought after for many years and now fetches up to £350 or more. It was bootlegged in 2015 but Kalita reissued it legitimately in 2018.

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:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Kalita
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/02/2023
Key/BPM:	4A/114 / 8B/119
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 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

David Oliver v Mahdi & Tracy Kerr [1978/1980] - Who Are You [Mercury #74071 / Indy 5 #IN 111]

Another post inspired by a play today on Gary Van Den Bussche's Starpoint Radio show. A sublime song "Who Are You" written and recorded by David Oliver on his sophomore album "Mind Magic" in 1978. It also came out as a single and is relatively cheap in the scheme of things (£25-£60) and certainly better value than spending the asking price of £200 for the new House Bros. single posted yesterday!

Oliver released four albums between 1977-80 all produced by ex-Crusader Wayne Henderson. He was the first to record the Cecil Womack and Edward 'Gip' Noble song "Love TKO" on his last album "Here's To You" in 1980 which went on to be a big hit for Teddy Pendergrass. He was also first to record "Friends And Strangers" which featured on his debut album "Jamerican Man" and was later recorded by both Ronnie Laws and Dave Grusin. Sadly Oliver died in 1982 aged only 40.

The song "Who Are You" was also recorded by Mahdi & Tracy Kerr on Indy 5 in 1980 which will cost a little more (£60-£75). 

Tracy Kerr is the daughter of legendary writer/producer George Kerr. She released a single on Stang in 1972 as Little Tracy Kerr (a very young and naïve sounding cover of Michael Jackson's "We've Got A Good Thing Going" not quite the same standard as Jean Shy's version, Esther Phillips also recorded it in 1981!) and another in 1984 on 12" on her fathers' label Tra San. The label was named after his two daughters Tracy and Sandra who recorded an answer song to Michael Jackson's Billie Jean "(I'm) Billie Jean" on the label in 1984.

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Mercury / Indy 5
Cat No:	74071 / IN 111
Date:	1978 / 1980
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£50 / £65 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Gene Townsel [2022] - I'm Walking Away / There's No Use Hiding [Charly #6345]

Following the vinyl release of 94 East, another very worth vinyl release from Charly are two superb sides from Gene Townsel  "I'm Walking Away" / "There's No Use Hiding" which have been featured on the blog previously. 

They are from his "Time Wounds All Heels" album from 1978 and appeared on a Balance Town 7" (late 90s) which Gene himself never knew about so it's assumed that it's a bootleg. He did, however, license the tracks to Crazy Beat Record's Gary Dennis in 2005 for a legitimate reissue on Crazy Beat's own label. You can read more on a Gene Townsel feature done in 2020.

The album is pretty scare on original vinyl as it was released by a loss making tax shelter company and was withdrawn once they feared that it was selling! However, It has been  reissued several times on CD.

Available to pre-order from Charly for release on 9 Dec '22.

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

Details

Rating:	9.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Charly Records
Cat No:	6345
Date:	09/12/2022
Key/BPM:	4B/111 / 9B/96
Price:	£14.99

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Con Funk Shun [1978] - Loveshine [Mercury] (Full Album)

A superb ballad I stumbled across yesterday by Con Funk Shun. It doesn't get much better than "Make It Last" which is a 70s sweet soul ballad written and sung by Felton Pilate from their 1978 "Loveshine" album. Why this was never released as a single is anyone's guess.

I think perhaps Con Funk Shum were overlooked and underrated this side of the pond, possibly owing to their name, as over here the majority of those on the rare soul scene disregarded funk and assumed that's what their sound would be? Their only impact on the UK chart was with "Burnin' Love" in 1986 which reached #68 and they released only one further single before disbanding. During their time they achieved twenty six R&B chart entries (eight in top 10) but only four crossed over to the Hot 100.

Their profile has been raised by the recent cover of one of their B sides, "Loves Train" by Silk Sonic. They were formed in 1969 as Project Soul by school friends from Vallejo, CA, Michael Copper (vocals/guitar) and Louis McCall (drums). By 1971 they were seven strong and included Cedric Martin (bass), Danny "Sweet Man" Thomas (keyboards), Karl Fuller (trumpet), Paul "Maceo" Harrell (woodwind), Felton Pilate (vocals). In 1972 they relocated to Memphis and were the backing band for The Soul Children. Whilst there they came to the attention of Stax co-founder Estelle Axton who owned Fretone records and recorded "Organized Con Funk Shun" and "The Memphis Sessions". They were asked to change their name and chose Con Funk Shun after a 1970 song by The Nite-Liters (aka The New Birth) that they played.  All songs on those two albums were actually outtakes of recording sessions they did for a studio who made them sign a contract to pay for their studio time, so technically it is not Con Funks Shun only the their rhythm section. They have released fourteen studio albums, eleven of them for Mercury between 1976-86.

Michael Cooper went on to a solo career and Felton Pilate went into production producing MC Hammer. They and another original member, Karl Fuller, got back together in 1993 and tour as Con Funk Shun and released their first album in almost 30 years, "More Than Love", in 2015.

Rather than just posting "Make It Last" I may as well post the full "Loveshine" album which was one of their biggest selling, reaching #10 R&B and '32 Billboard 200.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	70s Soul / Funk
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Mercury
Cat No:	None
Date:	1978
Price:	£8.91

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Loleatta Holloway & Bunny Sigler [1978] - Only You [Gold Mind #G7 4012]

Loleatta Holloway and Bunny Sigler paired up in August 1978 to record a Sigler penned ballad "Only You" which rose to #11 R&B and #87 Hot 100.

The song featured on Holloway's "Queen Of The Night" album which followed "Loleatta" from 1976 posted earlier.

It later appeared as a bonus track on a 1996 CD reissue of Sigler's 1977 album "Let Me Party With You".

Loleatta Holloway was a 'criminally' underrated singer in all but some soul circles. Her undoubted talents, in my view, were wasted playing the diva on house/disco records in her later career in order to make a living. Her Aware, and many of her Gold Mind, recordings are sublime, with only this song and her rendition of the Sam Dees song "Cry to Me" registering on the Hot 100 (at #87 and #68) respectively is all she has to show in her almost 40 year career. It is her voice on the Black Box UK #1 hit "Ride On Time" in 1989 sampled from "Love Sensation" on which she was uncredited until she took legal action and won an undisclosed sum.

Whilst the cover for the single is shown this is the full album version.

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul / Slow Jam
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Gold Mind
Cat No:	G7 4012
Date:	08/1978
Key/BPM:	8B/90
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Love Committee [1978] - Law And Order [Salsoul #GA 9500] (Full Album)

It's no big surprise that Love Committee ended up on Salsoul as a couple of it's members were in The Ethics (formed in 1967) of which Ron Tyson (aka Ronald Presson) was a member and Vince Montana worked with them. 

They recorded some great songs, around seven singles, with a couple picked up on by the UK rare soul scene such as "I Want My Baby Back" and "Standing In The Darkness" both on Vent. Tyson left to join The Temptations and they spilt in 1970. When Tyson left the Temptations he re-joined Joe Freeman forming Love Committee around 1974.

They released their first single on Golden Fleece (owned by Gamble & Huff) in 1974 which was handled by those three fellows Earl Young, Norman Harris, and Ron Baker (all of whom joined Salsoul). Their next in 1975 was on TSOP followed by two on Ariola America before joining Salsoul's Gold Mind imprint in 1976.

Two moderate hits materialised "Cheaters Never Win" (1977) and "Law And Order" (1978) on the strength of which they released an album "Law And Order" in 1978.

The outstanding track is "Put It In The Back Of Your Mind" which is an album only track.

Details

Rating:	8.9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Philly Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Vinyl
Label:	Salsoul
Cat No:	GA 9500
Date:	1978
Price:	£15-£40 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved