Sharisma [2024] - Trouble Trouble // Something Wonderful / Love Is The Way [Soul Direction #SD021]

The latest vinyl release from Soul Direction consists of three songs by Sharisma that were released digitally for the first time in Aug '22 on a compilation "Emandolynn Music Presents: Rare Soul, Vol. 3".

The compilation had nine tracks with three of them from Sharisma who were a 2 male, 2 female quartet from Wilmington, Delaware. They met Emandolynn's Manny Campbell (Soulville Productions) at a show in 1969 and then travelled to Philadelphia to record with him in the hope of completing an album. They started recording an album in 1969-70 at the famed Sigma Sounds studios but before it was completed the group disbanded because some members were drafted for the Vietnam War. 

The first two songs, “Love Is The Way" and "Something Wonderful” , were recorded as demos at Upper Darby Studios in 1969 with the last "My Son Trouble Trouble" recorded at Sigma Sound Studios in 1970 and was intended to be the group's debut single. It was engineered by Sigma's Joe Tarsia and included musicians who would later become members of The Trammps.

The single will be available to pre-order from Soul Direction on 29 Apr for release on 7 May.

The lead side, "Trouble Trouble" is a mid tempo Northern Soul / Crossover sound with "Something Wonderful" sounding like something that The 5th Dimension / Friends Of Distinction may have recorded at the turn of the decade. The ballad "Love Is The Way" having more appeal to the Lowriders and sweet soul lovers.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Direction
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/05/2024
Key/BPM:	8B/123 / 4A/88 / 9B/86
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Cam Cameron [2024] - They Say / I'm A Lonely Man [Soul Junction #SJ554]

A record acquired from one of those, now legendary, Soul Bowl soul packs from the mid 70s now gets a first ever reissue by Soul Junction.

It's price has risen in more recent years (it has a price tag of around £250 now on Discogs) as it has become more appreciated after being overlooked in the heyday because it wasn't deemed fast enough! It must have sold well enough locally in Chicago as there are at least three different pressings on the Capri label. It was the Scott Brothers' label's first release on the label which 45Cat lists as 1968 (copyright for both songs were registered 29 Jan 1968). Soul Junction is releasing it exactly 56 years later on 29 Jan 2024.

Soul Junction's Dave Welding has drawn somewhat of a blank trying to source information about Cam Cameron except that his real name was the A side song's writer, Alvin Cameron. He doesn't appear to have released any further material. BMI lists "They Say" along with another song "Merriam" (sung by George Spice which we can find no trace of) under another Alvin Cameron who may or may not be the same person (we think not).

Whilst "They Say" is more uptempo to "I'm A Lonely Man", the latter (written by the Scott Brothers) is also now getting attention. They were both arranged by Johnny Cameron who worked on many Chicago recordings embraced by the rare soul scene, most notably "I Really Love You" recorded by Jimmy Burns and Bobby James and also versions by The Mystics and Brand New Faces, all of which we featured in 2020.

He also worked with the likes of The Esquires, Syl Johnson, Betty Everett, Garland Green, Denise Chandler (aka Deneice Williams), The Lovelites and many others.

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

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Crossover
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/01/2024
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Spencer Wiggins [2023] - Holding On To A Dying Love / I'm At The Breaking Point + Let’s Talk It Over [Hit And Run#HR 1555]

The second of two vinyl releases from Hit And Run contains three tracks from Spencer Winnins' Fame period. It covers several bases, a southern soul deep cut, a crossover soul and one for the Northern Soulies.

"Let's Talk It Over" is an unreleased Goldwax recording which gained a release in 2009 on Kent Select having been released on Torch and Soul Series around 1996. The song first saw the light of day on a 1991 Japanese compilation CD "Goldwax Collection" released by Vivid Sound who had licensed Goldwax recordings for release. It transpires that this song (as well as others) had been sold to Fame but were inadvertently included. The Kent Select one is the only one 'properly' licensed.  In addition the Torch release is a different mix with an organ (listen @ 0:13 and again @ 1:26 below).

The crossover track "I'm At The Breaking Point" is another unreleased recording from 1969 (not the Brad Lundy song of the same name also recorded by Deena Johnson). It was also first released on Kent Select as a single in 2011 having been included on Kent's Spencer Wiggins compilation "Feed The Flame - The Fame And XL Recordings" CD. The flip is a cover of Bettye Swann's "Make Me Yours".

Finally the A side, "Holding On To A Dying Love", was previously unreleased until it featured on Kent's "Feed The Flame - The Fame And XL Recordings" in 2010 which also includes both of the B side songs. It was also recorded by Otis Clay, an album only track from  on "Trying To Live My Life Without You" in 1972 on Hi.

Wiggins left secular music in 1973 leaving his birth town Memphis for Miami and became a deacon and choir director at the New Birth Baptist Church. He died in Feb '23 aged 81

It's available now paypal hitandrunsoul45@gmail.com (as 'friends and family').

£15 each + £3 UK postage (good for 1-3 records) OVERSEAS - please pm for current postage rates.

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul / Crossover / Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hit And Run
Cat No:	HR 1555
Date:	17/09/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

SoulStrutter Selections of Modern Soul & Rare Groove Pt. 1

After yet another weekend scouring the new releases looking for those worthy of posting (for every one found a hundred others are dismissed) we're taking a break from new music and listening to our first love, rare vintage soul.

We were asked only last week what it was that we 'really' listened to, which has prompted possibly the first of many playlists highlighting rare vintage soul. These are just a small selection of the tunes that float our boat. Attempting to compile a Top 100, or any other numerator, is nigh on impossible, but these came to mind for the first instalment.

Most will be well known to soul connoisseurs, but second guessing what others know and don't know is problematic, so hopefully some will be new to you or forgotten. 

There's no need to get hung up on genre definitions as the playlist includes vintage rare soul unearthed by northern soul, crossover, modern soul, sweet soul, rare groove, two-step underground scenes over the years. Call it what you will, but we hope you'll agree all are rare soul gems from predominantly the 70s.

No disco, no rap, no auto-tune, no samples, no gimmicks, no nonsense, just classic, honest, timeless soul music of the highest quality that has stood the test of time.

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Whatnauts [1973] - Instigating (Trouble Making Fool) / I Can't Stand To See You Cry [GSF #2897]

Another slow week for new releases so lets dig out some oldies.

A recent remake of The Moments & Whatnauts biggest UK hit "Girls" by Omar feat. Joss Stone, Morgan Munroe and SANITY, reminded us of this, perhaps, little known gem on GSF from 1973 a year earlier.

The relatively short-lived The New York label produced some recordings now regarded as classics, not least the highly sought after album by The Skull Snaps.

The A side, "Instigating (Trouble Making Fool)", is a smooth modern soul/crossover tune written by George Kerr, whilst the flip, "I Can't Stand To See You Cry", is a sweet soul ballad written by the Pointdexter brothers.

A great double sider which can easily be picked up for under a fiver!

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul/Crossover // Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	GSF
Cat No:	2897
Date:	1973
Key/BPM:	6B/117 / 10A/67
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Broken Hearts Inc. [2023] - In A Moment / Freedom Is A Lonely Ride [Kimberlite Records #KIM-009]

The first single on Canada's Kimberlite Records for some time went on pre-sale on vinyl on Sunday (6 Aug) and is released digitally today on the main platforms.

It's Broken Hearts Inc. second single for Kimberlite after "Please Don't Walk Away / Heartache (Is All You Get)" launched the label back in 2018.

The A side, apparently only decided by a flip of a coin, is a crossover style song with a nod to War titled "In A Moment" (an original song written by Fred Benton not a cover of The Intrigues). Whilst the flip side is a doo wop style souldie "Freedom Is A Lonely Ride".

All previous Kimberlite vinyl singles are now sold out but the first six are available to download from Kimberlite for $1.99 (or $0.99 each side).

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:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Kimberlite Records
Cat No:	KIM-009
Date:	11/08/2023
Key/BPM:	4A/123 / 12B/111
Price:	$1.99 / $12

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Broken Hearts Inc. [2023] - In A Moment / Freedom Is A Lonely Ride [Kimberlite Records #KIM-009]

Due to go on pre-sale at 11:00 MST (18:00 BST) today (6 Aug) is the latest single from Canada's Kimberlite Records. It's been a while since their last release in Feb '22 with Aladean Kheroufi "Love!... (Is The Answer) / Every Girl".

The new one is the second single from Broken Hearts Inc. who's first single "Please Don't Walk Away / Heartache (Is All You Get)" launched the label back in 2018.

The A side, apparently only decided by a flip of a coin, is a crossover style song with a nod to War titled "In A Moment" (an original song written by Fred Benton not a cover of The Intrigues). Whilst the flip side is a doo wop style souldie "Freedom Is A Lonely Ride".

All previous Kimberlite vinyl singles are now sold out but the first six are available to download from Kimberlite for $1.99 (or $0.99 each side).

The Broken Hearts Inc. 7" single is available to pre-order today for release on Friday (11 Aug).

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:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Kimberlite Records
Cat No:	KIM-009
Date:	11/08/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	$12

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Bonnie Blanchard & Andy Aaron [2023] - You’re The Only One + A Real Good Lovin’ Man / Right On Time [Hit And Run #HR 1552]

As this drops in the inbox our blood runs cold as we also received this out of one of the famed Soul Bowl soul packs mid / late 70s but no longer have it as seem to recall a well known NS DJ acquiring it from us in the early 80s, when it was relatively worthless, and now regularly sells for upwards of £500!

As trends have changed from 100mph dancers and the pace slowed down in the 80s this has become popular and is now considered a crossover classic. To give it it's full title, the A side was billed as Bonnie Blanchard & Andy Aaron And The Mean Machine and, according to Discogs, Grover Washington Jr. was a member of the latter. The B side is a funky instrumental by The Mean Machine.

It was released by C.R.S., a Philly label owned by Curtis R. Staten, in 1970 and was the second or third release by the label. The 'main' side "You're The Only One" was also released as a same-sided promo. Bonnie Blanchard went one to release just one more single on the label "A Real Good Lovin Man Pts 1 & 2" written by the label owner.

The label seems to have made five initial releases and then went dormant for a couple of years and started up again in 1972 and released a few albums in 1974.

Hit And Run has selected both sides of the first, and Part 1 (the vocal) of the second, C.R.S. single for reissue on vinyl.

In 2020 Germany's Tramp label released a compilation "Gut Funky: The Best of C.R.S. Records"

Available now to order send £15 + £3 postage (good for up to 3 records. Contact the same email for details of overseas postage) via paypal hitandrunsoul45@gmail.com (as 'friends and family' please).

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hit And Run
Cat No:	HR 1552
Date:	27/07/2023
Key/BPM:	6B/117 / 8B/130 / 7B/123
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Lovelites [2023] - Love So Strong: The Lovelite Recordings [P-Vine] (Full Album)

As if one album from The Lovelites was not enough those wonderful people at P-Vine have also released another today, a 16 track compilation "Love So Strong: The Lovelite Recordings". 

There is no duplication as these recordings are from their post Uni days when they released material on their own Lovelite imprint and on Cotillion.

It consists of virtually all their A & B sides from their singles from that period with a couple of glaring omissions i.e. no "Love Bandit" and "We've Got The Real Thing" but does include an unreleased recording of their interpretation of "Betcha By Golly, Wow", which has featured on a previous compilation. Curiously, The Lovelites version of "Love Bandit", nor "We've Got The Real Thing", has appeared on any of their compilations, perhaps the master tapes are damaged or lost?

"Love Bandit" was a popular Northern Soul spin for Keanya Collins (aka Renee Marks who co-wrote the song with Byron Gregory) who released it as "Barnabus Collins - Love Bandit" on Keanya Records in 1969/70. As it was so popular, it was bootlegged by the notorious Simon Soussan on Soul Galore and reissued by Grapevine in 1978. 

 This one is also available on CD and vinyl.

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

Details

Rating:	9.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul / Sweet Soul / Crossover / Northern Soul
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	P-Vine
Cat No:	None
Date:	19/07/2023
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Don Gardner [1969] - Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy / There Ain't Gonna Be No Loving [Mr. G Records #G 824]

We're not sure when, but this gem from Don Gardner has been reissued digitally. It was originally released in 1969, the same year that his hyper rarity "Cheatin Kind" was issued on Sedgrick. We've read that Gardner sent the tape to Sedgrick owner James Vanleer and heard no more about it, so even he was unaware that it had been released.

Only one original of the Sedgrick record is listed on Popsike (sold for £7,626 in Apr 2014) and legend has it that rare soul dealer John Manship sold a copy for  around £8k to an Australian buyer which was run over by a truck when being delivered and smashed. He had it sent back and framed it, presumably, he was covered by insurance to take it so lightly?

This one is peanuts in comparison and can be found on original vinyl for £30-£40 unless you want a minter.

We did a feature on Don Gardner in 2020 if you want more info on him. This track was included then.

The B side "There Ain't Gonna Be No Loving" is a funky affair. The killer A side "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy" was written by Morris Bailey who was a member of Crystal Clear who we posted a few weeks ago as their "Stay With Me" has been reissued by Soul Brother.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Crossover
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Mr. G Records
Cat No:	G 824
Date:	1969
Key/BPM:	2A/80 / 4A/95
Price:	£1

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

George Jackson [2023] - One More Hurt // Back In Your Arms / Hold That Feeling [Hit And Run #HR 1550]

The first of two new releases from Hit And Run out today (23 May '23) contain three songwriter demos recorded by George Jackson. 

Hit And Run maestro Garry J. Cape tells us that he stumbled across a tape some 20 years ago which were marked 'For Dorothy' (i.e. Dorothy Moore) but at that time was not able to license the songs. He took a backup and stored it. Over time it became possible to license the tracks but the the tape could not be found. 

One of the songs, "One More Hurt", was recorded at Fame in 1973 by Candi Station  but unreleased. It was later discovered and Kent released it on a Candi Station compilation "Evidence: The Complete Fame Records Masters" (Kent CDKEN2 353) and then on 45 along with another unreleased George Jackson song, "Do Right Woman".

Garry felt that it was the right time to unleash the original writer's demo along with two other demos of deep soul cuts which have previously escaped: "Back In Your Arms" on "The Soul Of George Jackson" and "Hold That Feeling" on "Soul Lovin'" both released by Fame in 2020.

It is the first time on 45 for all tracks.

To order send £15 + £3 p&p (good for 3 copies) via paypal (friends & family) to hitandrunsoul45@gmail.com.

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover, Deep Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hit And Run
Cat No:	HR 1550
Date:	23/05/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Joe Johnson [2023] - What's The Matter With You / I Still Love You [Cannonball #CBLL039]

Alberto Zanini's Cannonball Records / Tesla Groove has just announced a batch of new and forthcoming releases over the coming weeks. 

The first, from Joe Johnson, we posted back in Feb which has been delayed but is now shipping. It consists of two tracks from a hard to find private press album ("Sounds Forever" on Gran Mill John)  available on single for the first time. 

The album is not dated but by the sound of the A side of the single "What's The Matter With You", and the sleeve images, it indicates late 60s/early 70s, with "I Still Love" sounding more like late 60s. The five tracks on the A side of the album all seem to be early 60s and even late 50s songs whilst the B side consists of original songs written by several of the band members with both sides of the single written by Cleo Parks.

The band was made up of Joe Johnson and family members(?) Ira Johnson (piano), Claude Johnson (electric piano), TJ Johnson (harmonica) and Randy Barker (bass guitar), Cleo Parks (lead guitar), Eddie Henderson (bass guitar), Louis Fields (drums).

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Cannonball Records
Cat No:	CBLL039
Date:	05/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£20

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Pearl Dowell [2023] - It's All Over & Good Things [Hit And Run #HR 1549]

The second new release from Hit and Run due on 31 Mar '23 is a reissue of Pearl Dowell's 1970 Saadia single "It's All Over" / "Good Things". Those with a good memory may recall that it was reissued digitally by Numero Group last May. 

Available to pre-order  from Garry via PayPal hitandrunsoul45@gmail.com with a release date of 31 Mar '23 (£15.00 each + £3.00 UK postage (good for 1-3 records), US postage £6.00 per order)

You will probably recognise the backing track of "It's All Over" immediately as "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face" originally recorded by Justine 'Baby' Washington in 1963 and covered many times (e.g. Aretha Franklin, Madeline Bell, The Monticellos etc.). In fact we did a version excursion on it some time ago on a version by Madeline Bell.

Writers credits on this recording go to, Miami based, Saadia label owner Frank Williams who produced it with Willie 'Beaver' Hale (aka Little Beaver). However, the original writers were James Wesley Voight (aka Chip Taylor) and Jerry Ragovoy so I'm not sure how they got way with that one? 

Note that on the original label her name is (mis)spelt(?) Dowdell not Dowell on the "It's All Over" side and original copies have sold for up to £685 on Discogs. It appears to be a one-off release for Pearl Dowell unless of course this was an alias and she recorded using another name.

The other side, "Good Things" is more of a late 60s/70s sister funk tune that are becoming more en vogue on the Northern Soul scene.

Whilst digging around I noticed that both sides were also released digitally by Numero Group on "Eccentric Soul: The Saadia Label" 31 Mar 2017. It also came out as part of a box set of 7" singles "Good Things - The Story Of Saadia Records" by Jazzman in 2006 which curiously isn't listed on Discogs. One, other or both have also appeared on various compilations over the years. For us anoraks it was also released on an orange as well as pink Saadia label which, I would guess from the values, may be a re-press?

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Crossover
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hit and Run
Cat No:	HR 1549
Date:	31/03/2023
Key/BPM:	8A/102 / 8A/140
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved