Michael Wycoff [2024] - Looking Up to You (Mike Maurro Mix / Original) [RCA]

Originally released digitally in Dec. last year on a compilation "The Mike Maurro Remix Vault" (consisting of Maurros remixes of 17 classic dance songs) was one for Michael Wycoff's modern soul gem "Looking Up To You".

It is now getting pressed on 12" vinyl along with the original 1982 album version from "Love Conquers All". It will be available on 7 Jun but can be pre-ordered now from vinyl dealers.

The song, written by Leon Ware and Zane Hanks (Grey & Hanks) and produced by Webster Lewis, has been sampled multiple times, first by Dodge City Productions "Ain't Going for That" in 1991 but most famously by Zhane on "Hey Mr DJ" in 1993.

Wycoff sang backing vocals on Stevie Wonder's "Songs In The Key Of Life" (as well as for Natalie Cole, DJ Rogers, Gwen McCrae and others and played keyboards on Bobby Womack's The Poet II). He embarked on a solo career in the late 70s releasing three albums for RCA Victor in the early 80s. Sadly, he succumbed to alcohol and drug addiction which terminated his music career and he later found faith and became a minister. He died from pancreatic cancer in March 2019 aged 63.

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

Details

Rating:	9
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	12" Vinyl
Label:	RCA
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/06/2024
Key/BPM:	6A/106 / 6A/104
Price:	£14

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Donald Byrd & 125th Street N.Y.C. / Gerald Levert [2024] - Everyday / The Top Of My Head [Jai Alai #JAR #14]

The second Jai Alai release this month is an unlikely and perhaps unusual combination. 

The top side is "Everyday" from Donald Byrd's "Words, Sounds, Colors & Shaped' album from 1982 with 125th Street, N.Y.C. The album was produced and arranged by Isaac Hayes. 

For more info on Byrd we did a Donald Byrd Profile for what would have been his 90th birthday in Dec 2022.

The flip side is "The Top Of My Head" by Gerald Levert from his seventh solo album "G-Spot" in 2002. Tragically, Levert died of an accidental overdose of prescription and over-the counter drugs aged just 40 in 2006 but not without leaving a huge legacy of music with his brother Sean and Marc Gordon in Levert, eleven solo albums and three LSG albums as a member of supergroup Levert, (Keith) Sweat and (Johnny) Gill.

Available now from Soul4Real.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Jazz Funk / New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Jai Alai
Cat No:	JAR14
Date:	17/04/2024
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Low-Down [2023] - Music Is The Answer / Somebody [Stream #STR011]

Low-down were formed in San Diego in the late 70s originally consisting of the founders John Lowe, Raul Gallegos (lead vocalist), Angel Hayes (guitar soloist), with Ken Reeves (Bass Guitar), Skip Pendleton (rhythm guitar player), Ray Baker (keyboard), Raymond Gulley (vocalist) and Prince Seawood (vocalist) joining later.

They released their first of only three singles ("Music Is The Answer" / "Somebody") on Javar (possibly a self-release as it's the only release on the label) in 1982 (which Discogs lists as 1979). The A side is a modern soul / boogie tune with flip being more funk oriented. Both sides are being reissued by Alberto Zanini (Cannonball Records) and Yann Vatiste (Epsilon Records) on their joint venture Stream label and is available to order now via Epsilon website.

Two more singles followed later in the 80s: "Hanging" / "Beautiful People" in 1986 and "You Got Me Hanging" (vocal and instrumental) both on Music City, again the only two releases listed for the label. The latter may be the same song as "Hanging" but we've been unable to find a sample of "Hanging" to compare.

We are informed that "Music Is The Answer" peaked at #72 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and #20 on the R&B chart and also reached #61 on the UK Singles Chart, however, we are unable to confirm this as we can't find it listed in Joel Whitburn's book of R&B Hit Singles.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Boogie / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Stream
Cat No:	STR011
Date:	23/09/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£20

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Soul Liberation [2023] - Who Are You (Remastered) [BBE] (Full Album)

Another album we posted over three weeks ago was a digital reissue of "Who Are You?" by Soul Liberation. It has been remastered and reissued again digitally today which coincides with the double vinyl, gatefold and CD release.

Soul Liberation was a Gospel group from Dallas, TX, led by Jimmy Miller and Teresa Miller. They were the brainchild of minister Tom Skinner, a former gang-leader turned evangelical preacher from NYC, who toured the states doing revival-style crusades. He began using local choirs and bands as his backup and then decided to recruit a dedicated band.

They released their first, self-titled, album  in 1974 and another "Who Are You" in 1982. The latter is hard to find on original vinyl and a decent copy will set you back between £200-£300 or more. It was reissued digitally in 2015 by BBE and licensed to Japanese label BBQ for CD reissue in Japan only. It was also unofficially reissued on vinyl in France by Rainbow in 2015.

Back in the day London's two step scene latched onto "Touch Me Again" which is reminiscent of The Controllers "My Secret Fantasy" (which didn't come until after long after this release) with shades of Keni Burke's "Rising' To The Top" so not surprising that it caught on. 

Other tracks of interest include "It Won't Go Away" and "Send Me". Only two of the songs received a single release, the title track "Who Are You" (which is also rather good) coupled with "Blessed" on gospel label Rainbow (which is probably why the Rainbow name was used for the French bootleg).

Only one single was released from their first album but Luv N' Haight reissued an album track "Who Is Your Friend" from it in 2010 which sounds quite advanced for a 1974 recording as it has an early 80s boogie funk sound.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Gospel Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital / CD/ Vinyl
Label:	BBE
Cat No:	None
Date:	25/08/2023
Price:	£7.99 / £16.99 / £30.23

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Soul Liberation [2023] - Who Are You [BBE] (Full Album)

Soul Liberation was a Gospel group from Dallas, TX, led by Jimmy Miller and Teresa Miller. They were the brainchild of minister Tom Skinner, a former gang-leader turned evangelical preacher from NYC, who toured the states doing revival-style crusades. He began using local choirs and bands as his backup and then decided to recruit a dedicated band.

They released their first, self-titled, album  in 1974 and another "Who Are You" in 1982. The latter is hard to find on original vinyl and a decent copy will set you back between £200-£300 or more. It was reissued digitally in 2015 by BBE and licensed to Japanese label BBQ for CD reissue in Japan only. It was also unofficially reissued on vinyl in France by Rainbow in 2015.

Therefore, the first official vinyl reissue is due by BBE on 25 Aug '23 which will be presented as a double vinyl, gatefold album.

Back in the day London's two step scene latched onto "Touch Me Again" which is reminiscent of The Controllers "My Secret Fantasy" (which didn't come until after long after this release) with shades of Keni Burke's "Rising' To The Top" so not surprising that it caught on. 

Other tracks of interest include "It Won't Go Away" and "Send Me". Only two of the songs received a single release, the title track "Who Are You" (which is also rather good) coupled with "Blessed" on gospel label Rainbow (which is probably why the Rainbow name was used for the French bootleg).

Only one single was released from their first album but Luv N' Haight reissued an album track "Who Is Your Friend" from it in 2010 which sounds quite advanced for a 1974 recording as it has an early 80s boogie funk sound.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Gospel Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital / CD/ Vinyl
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Date:	08/06/2015 / 25/08/2023
Price:	£7.99 / £16.99 / £36.58

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

O'Bryan [1982] - Doin' Alright [Capitol #ST-12192]

Alluded to on the Output / Input post yesterday, so here's a teaser for what's coming on their debut album "Forward Motion" as they have recruited O'Bryan to re-record the title track of his 1982 album "Doin' Alright" with them for their album. It's a timeless modern soul gem.

It wasn't released as a single stateside (or anywhere else for that matter) but did get a UK  release as a B side to "I'm Freaky" in March 1983. The US issue of "I'm Freaky" had an instrumental version of it on it's flip side. It also featured on a 12" in the UK sandwiched between vocal and instrumental versions of "I'm Freaky". The 7" and 12" were his only UK releases.

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 / Single
Media:	12" Vinyl / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Capitol
Cat No:	ST-12192 / CL 286
Date:	1982 / 03/1983
Key/BPM:	7A/91
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Third Rail & Maxx Traxx [2023] - Just Had To Tell You b/w Let Me Love You [Numero Group] (Full Album)

A new digital release from Numero Group today from Third Rail is titled Third Rail & Maxx Traxx "Just Had To Tell You b/w Let Me Love You" but is in fact the first five of six tracks from their 1982 album "Reachin' For It" which sells for silly money. There is only one currently listed on Discogs priced at $909 (£780) and the last one sold for £553 in Oct '22.

Third Rail was a seven piece 80s group from Chicago who released this album as Third Rail and another self-titled one as Maxx Trax, both in 1982, along with two singles from it. 

This album is mainly boogie-funk with "Just Had To Tell You" and the ballad "Living Without You" being the highlights as they have lasted the test of time. It's OK but certainly wouldn't be tempted to shell out 80, never mind 800 quid, for it but now you don't have to as it's available digitally for not even a fiver!

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

Details

Rating:	7.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Boogie Funk
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	15/06/2023
Price:	£4.95

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Valentine Bros. [1982] - Money's Too Tight (To Mention) [Bridge Records #BR-1982-2]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, what a fiasco! Not only has it been pretty lean on the new release front this week but the financial markets are in turmoil over new Chancellor Kamikaze Kwarteng and Liz Truss(ed) so called mini-budget last Friday. Didn't ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak warn them that the markets would react badly to their tax-cut plans? Hands up .. did anyone think it could get even worse than Bungling Boris? If ever a vote of no confidence was needed then now is the time. It could be the shortest reign of a Prime Minister in history. If this is an example of what's to come then she needs to go sooner rather than later before she does any more damage ... but which clown will take her place? Where is she? She's gone AWOL and almost a week later we've heard nothing from her and she is nowhere to be seen. Call that leadership? Time for a general election and let the country decide rather than the Tory party deciding who is the next Prime Minister as they've got it wrong YET again! Four different PM's in six years .. what a debacle and embarrassment!

Very worrying times on so many fronts, Brexit, Covid, inflation, high interest rates, global warming, that cretin in the Kremlin who appears to be blowing up gas pipelines now as well as holding sham ballots and threatening nuclear war and at the same time we have China preying on Taiwan. The only light relief we have is music.

A topical song from The Valentine Bros. with "Money's Too Tight To Mention" (1982) covered by Simply Red in 1985 as their first single who had a world-wide hit with it. They were brothers John and William (Billy) Valentine (aka Denham) from Columbus, OH. Billy sang with Young-Holt Unlimited in the 70s before pairing up with his brother and they released four albums between 1979-87 as The Valentine Brothers.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	12" Vinyl
Label:	Bridge Records
Cat No:	BR-1982-2
Date:	1982
Key/BPM:	10A/109
Price:	£10 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Sammy Acuña [1982] - I Never Found A Girl [Sly #KA-111051 /New Wave #SA0003]

As alluded to in the last post for The Ad-Libs, another track from the forthcomimg compilation "With Love: Vol. 1 (Compiled by Miche)" (due 23 Sep 2022) is a one-off by Sammy Acuña. 

It's excellent version of Eddie Floyd's "I Never Found A Girl" which Floyd wrote with Booker T Jones.  It was released on two labels, his own label Sly (billed as just Sammy, Sly was his nickname) and New Wave. Neither listing on either Discogs nor 45Cat are dated but I would guess it was around 1981/82 going by the cat. no.s on the other New Wave releases. 

The flip side of both issues has an instrumental version which features a sax solo by Gerald Albright with arranger Arrion Nesbitt on keyboards who worked with Al Green and Willie Mitchell at Hi. 

Sammy Acuna was a member of a group called Pop-A-Groove who some may remember for "Dance Your Ass Off" (1975) which received some spins mid 70s. I seem to recall reading somewhere that Pop-A-Groove was the name of a (probably gay) night club in San Francisco and this recording was commissioned by the owner, but don't recall where I read it.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Sky / New Wave
Cat No:	KA-111051 / SA0003
Date:	1982 approx.
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£200-£300 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Ad-Libs [2022] - I Don't Need No Fortune Teller [Mr Bongo Records]

A second track has been released today from a forthcoming compilation "With Love: Vol. 1 (Compiled by Miche)". "Serrado" by Quintaessencia was released on 15 Jul and today a modern soul hard to find classic by The Ad Libs with "I Don't Need No Fortune Teller". Miche is London DJ and crate digger Michael Davis.The album is due for release on 23 Sep 2022 and is available on vinyl from Bandcamp.

The song was originally released in 1982 on their own Passion label and was the only release. It was later reissued on the reactivated Soul City label in 2002 paired with "New York In The Dark". The label was originally set up by record shop owner (named after his shop) and Blues & Soul columnist Dave Godin in 1969 and released nineteen singles between March and October that year before going bust. It was reactivated in 2000 and released another 36 big Northern Soul singles (from 123 to 160) (there was no 138 or 139 for some reason).

The lead voice on this particular track is Chris Bartley who joined the group around 1975. The only remaining original member from their early/mid 60s outings was David Watt, although Mary Ann Thomas would rejoin for their late 80s recordings on John Isaac Taylor (this song's writer) label Johnnie Boy Records where they released their last few singles.

Several of the Ad Libs recordings have been featured on Northern Soul dance floors over the years including "The Boy From New York City" (covered by Darts in 1978, who had a UK pop chart #2 hit with it, and also by Manhattan Transfer in 1981), "Nothing Worse Than Being Alone", "New York In The Dark" probably being their biggest tunes but there have been others.

The song has already been digitally released by Mad About Records 

Another special track to look out for when the compilation drops is Sammy Acuna's excellent version of Eddie Floyd's "Never Found A Girl" which Floyd wrote with Booker T Jones which I think I'll post separately. Also Smoke Inc "Waitin For Love" and Spare Hare "Ain't No Doubt About It" may be of interest to modern soul lovers. A lot of the remaining tracks are 70s/80s boogie / funk. 

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:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album Track / Single
Media:	Digital / 7"
Label:	Self Released / Passion
Cat No:	None / 1
Date:	31/08/2022 / 20/11/1982
Key/BPM:	7B/104
Price:	£1 / £600-£700 approx.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Sunfire [1982] - Sunfire [Warner Bros. #1-23730] (Full EP)

Sunfire was a one album 80s group consisting of Raymond Calhoun, Reggie Lucas, Rowland Smith. They released only three singles stateside (one was a pair of non-album tracks released on 12", one of which ("Never Too Late for Your Lovin'") is included on the extended version of the album reissued digitally). 

Just the one hit materialised with "Shake Your Body" which got flipped in the UK and peaked at #10 for "Young, Free And Single" on UK pop chart in 1983 on it's eighth week of a twelve week run. 

However, it was always "Step In The Light", only released as a single in the UK, which was always the better song but did absolutely nothing chart wise although it did appear on the second of Morgan Khan's Street Sounds compilations which always seemed to skip as they tried to cram 12" mixes onto an album so the grooves were too close together ... remember those?

In the 70s Reggie Lucas worked with Billy Paul, Roberta Flack and Miles Davis where he first met Mtume and began collaborating with him writing and producing from the likes of Stephanie Mills, Phyllis Hyman, Lou Rawls and The Spinners. In 1983 he produced Madonna's debut, self-titled album.

Raymond Calhoun wrote many songs for The Gap Band.

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Warner Bros.
Cat No:	1-23730
Date:	15/09/1982 / 2022 Reissue
Price:	£7.89

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Dr. 'T' & The Soul Pushers Band / Presley Strong [2022] - Love Is A Heartbreaker / Let's Be Together [Athens Of The North #ATH115]

Doctor T is believed to be an alias for Lenoah Presley Strong (aka Rick Strong) from Selma, AL. He is the younger brother of Chuck Strong who recorded the original version of the Willie Hutch penned "Doin' It Cause It Feels Good" (1982) also recorded by Gwen McCrae as "Doin' It" but only released as a single in the UK in 1983.

Two of Presley Strong's recordings are being reissued by Athens Of The North on 7" vinyl. They are both deep soul tunes with top side being Dr. 'T' & The Soul Pushers Band "Love Is A Heartbreaker" (probably late 70s/early 80s) originally released on Strong, along with Presley Strong "Let’s Be Together" from 1982 on 31st Century Records.

The original vinyl issues of both singles seem to be pretty scarce and, as Rick Strong, I can only find three listed singles none of which are available on YouTube.

Strong passed away in 2021 aged 68.

The YouTube clip for "Let's Be Together" is not the best quality (as the record has been played off centre (the numpty) and is not a direct recording) so a one minute sample has also been included.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Deep Soul / Lowrider
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	ATH115
Date:	03/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£11

Mary Mundy [2022] - Love Me, Love Me / Love Is Gone (Patchouli Brothers Edits) [Dodo Records #DODO1]

The Patchouli Brothers are DJ/producers Dylan-Thomas Childs and John McLeod from Toronto who have just set up their own new label Dodo. The first releases on 12" vinyl are edits of two Mary Mundy tracks. 

The first is "Love Me, Love Me" from her sole album "Mother Nature" 1980 which was also released on 12" with two mixes the same year. It has a very Bohannon style groove.

The other side is the flip side of her 1982 12" version of Holland, Dozier, Holland's "Stop In The Name Of Love" with her self-penned song "Love Is Gone".

Available digitally and on 12" vinyl.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Nu Disco
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital/12"
Label:	Dodo
Cat No:	DODO1
Date:	11/03/2022
Key/BPM:	11B/127 / 6B/120
Value:	£1.98 / £12

Fred Parris & The Satins [1982] - Let Me Be The Last One [Elektra #60152]

A modern soul gem by Fred Parris (& The Satins) who passed on 13 Jan which I omitted to post on his obituary as it focussed on only his singles. "Let Me Be The Last One" is an album only track from 1982 on a self-titled album on Elektra. It features Richard Tee on keyboards and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion.

Details

Rating:	8.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Album Track
Media:	LP
Label:	Elektra
Cat No:	60152
Date:	1982
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	$10 (approx.)

Dayton [2022] - Sky's The Limit [Super Disco Edits #SDE63]

The latest vinyl release from super Disco Edits is an unreleased 1982 recording by Dayton called "Sky's The Limit". It includes a radio edit and a full six minute version on the flip.  Promo copies have been released but are now sold out but the issue copies will follow shortly.

Dayton are, needless to say from Dayton, OH, and were formed David Shawn Sandridge (lead vocals / guitar), Chris Jones, formerly of the group Sun, (lead vocals / keyboards / trumpet) . Other members were from the group Magnum, Dean Hummons (keyboards), Derrick Armstrong (vocals) and Jenny Douglas (vocals) along with Kevin Hurt (drums / percussion), Rachel Beavers (background vocals), Elaine Terry (background vocals), Rahni P. Harris (lead and background vocals, piano and synths) and Karen Harris Chappel (lead and background vocals).

Rhani Harris had recorded a solo album and a couple of singles between 1977-80. I remember well his "Six Million Steps (West Runs South)" from 1978.

SUPER DISCO EDITS · Dayton Sky's The Limit previously unissued 1982 Soul

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Super Disco Edits
Cat No:	SDE63
Date:	02/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£20 (Sold Out)

Memphis [2022] - Inside My Love [Athens Of The North #ATH096]

A very hard to find single by Memphis from 1982 has just been reissued by Athens Of The North. The catalogue number is 96 and the series is now up to 114 with several missing numbers so I can only presume there have been delays getting this issued as 95 was released in Feb 2021.

Memphis are 'obviously' from Memphis, TN, but didn't start out with that name, they were called Home Grown Funk which had members from another Memphis group Brothers Unlimited who in turn included the Johnson brothers Curtis and Harold who were previously with The Astors on Stax. A few of the members, which included Jerry L Jones, wanted to progress the group so moved to L.A. where they were introduced to Ike Turner in 1977. They recorded a few tracks at his Inglewood studio and in 1980 featured on his album "The Edge"

In 1981 they hooked up with Taste Of Honey keyboardist Perry Kimble who got them a recording deal with Arista where they released a single "Confrontation" / "You And Me Babe" as Homegrown Syndrome (which has also been reissued by AOTN in 2015). Whist at Arista they cut an unreleased acetate with tracks "Got The Love" and "Party Vibes" which will be getting issued by ATON.

They then met Roger Green who invited them to his studio to  record "Inside My Love" and suggested the name change to Memphis. The track was pressed as the flip side to "Shake & Rock Till the Police Knock" on a limited run on West Coast Records in 1982 and is subsequently very scarce now fetching up to £1,500.

The story doesn't quite end there as last year both sides were released, along with some others, by group member Jerry L Jones as Jerry L Jones. I'm not sure if they are the same masters or he has re-recorded them but they sound the same to me.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7"
Label:	Athens Of The North
Cat No:	None
Date:	??/01/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Value:	£2 / £9.99

L.J. Reynolds [1982] - Call Me [Capitol #ST-12223]

L.J. Reynolds was with The Dramatic for most of the 70s joining in 1973 and leaving in 1981 only to re-join in 1986. On his second solo album "Travelin'" on Capitol he recorded a superb, deep, version of Aretha's "Call Me". It never got a release as a single.

I found some live footage of him performing the song but it is cut short so have also included audio for the full version.