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

Jimmy Hicks / Candi Staton [2023] - I'm Mr Big Stuff (Mako & Mr Bristow Edit) / I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Mako & Mr Bristow Edit) [Soul Flip #FLIP​-​015]

The return of Mr. Big Stuff! Last week we had a new version by Evette Busby and now a new edit (Mako & Mr Bristow Edit) of a male answer version, "I'm Mr Big Stuff", by Jimmy Hicks that was mentioned. In addition, making a double slice of southern soul, Soul Flip is releasing it on 7" vinyl along with an edit of Candi Staton's "I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart".

Jimmy Hick's version originally came out on a small New Orleans label, Big Deal, in 1972 in response to Jean Knight's original on Stax in 1971 which was an R&B #1 hit for five weeks in May 1971 reaching #2 Hot 100. As far as I can ascertain Hicks released only two other singles, both one-off releases on Gulf Crest and M&T, however, the flip to "I'm Mr Big Stuff", "Tell Her That I Love You", a southern soul beater, has been know about and played in rare soul circles.

Candi Staton's "I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart" was her very first single and also her first hit, reaching #9 R&B in  the summer of 1969 on Fame.

Available digitally now on Bandcamp with vinyl release scheduled for 10 Mar '23.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul / Re-edit
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Flip
Cat No:	FLIP-015
Date:	10/03/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£3 / £8

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Candi Staton [1970] - Now You've Got The Upper Hand / You Can't Stop Me [Unity #U-7-11]

Another Northern Soul rarity.  This is believed to be the first recording by Candi Staton, recorded in 1967 but not released until 1969/70 (45Cat states May 1970).  A comment left on Discogs says that it was released after she had some success on Fame, but was withdrawn as Fame had an agreement with Unity when she signed to prevent any of her earlier records being released.  This would be a reason why the record is rare.  

There is only one other release listed for Unity, a label based in Birmingham, Alabama, Underground Euphoria Featuring Keisa Brown - What Can I Do About You / Keisa Brown And Underground Euphoria - Let's Go Back (To Our Little World) also claimed on 45Cat to be released May 1970.  I thought that this might be equally as rare but have found a recently ended ebay listing (ended only a week ago on 11 Dec) from Craig Moerer listing it for £78.42 and described as funk.  It had a sound file which has unfortunatley now been removed.  There's also another listed for £50 - so probably not rare or 'in demand'!

There's about a dozen Candi Staton's on Popsike consistently selling for just over £1,000, the latest sold in Jan 2020 for £1,404.

Both sides were written by Bo Fowler (aka Robert Fowler), who has a few other songs registered with BMI, although I don't recognise any of them, and produced by Bob Grove and Richard Dingler.  I wonder if this Bob Grove is also known as Bob Groves (aka Robert Grove) as if so, he produced a few sides for Sam Dees on LoLo in 1969.

Candi Staton [1970] - Now You've Got The Upper Hand [Unity #U-7-11]

This was big in the mid 70s.  It was certainly played around 1976 and was so popular it was bootlegged on a look alike (counterfeit) label that year.

Candi Staton [1970] - You Can't Stop Me [Unity #U-7-11]

Back then the B side would have been instantly dismissed as being too slow, but listening to it now it could easily get spins these days.