One you will either love or hate is a two track EP/ double single by
Ben Jamin which samples / mashes up two well know songs from
the 70s/80s. The first, "Some People", uses/loops sections of The Dramatics "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" (1971) whilst the second, "Injection", samples Trussel's "Love Injection" (1980).
Whilst it may not or may not please or appeal to traditionalists, at least it may give exposure to the originals to a younger generation to seek out.
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After a five year spell at Stax subsidiary Volt, The Dramatics switched
to Cadet just before Stax went belly up for two releases, "Choosing Up On You" followed quickly by "Don't Make Me No Promises" both in 1974.
I've also thrown in a one-off, and often
overlooked, single they recorded for Mainstream afterwards in 1975 "No Rebate On Love". Three good mid 70s modern soul tunes.
They released a third single on Cadet with The Dells in 1975 "Love Is Missing From Our Lives" (also recorded by Chuck Cissel in 1979) both version were posted last year.
Just listening to this on Shaun Evans superb Triple S Show podcast by The Dells & The Dramatics. If you're open minded and like deep, crossover and modern soul then I highly recommend Shaun's weekly soul show which he posts as a weekly 2 hour podcast on Mixcloud.
Back to the record, whilst the Dells/Dramatics version is superb, so is Chuck Cissel's version which is album only released on his second, and last, album If I Had A Chance in 1982.
The song was written by Detroit Northern Soul legend Tony Hester, it just builds and builds to a crescendo of deep soul wonderfulness!
Hester left as far too early in 1980, aged only 37, and wrote so many songs adored on the scene, but his most successful commercial period was the early 70s with The Dramatics - Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get (1971 #3 R&B #9 Hot !00), In The Rain (1973 #1 R&B #5 Hot 100) and Hey You! Get Off My Mountain (1973 #5 R&B #43 Hot 100)
I'm not aware of anyone else covering this beautiful song. If you know of any others then please leave a comment.
The Dells & Dramatics [1975] - Love Is Missing From Our Lives [Cadet #CA 5710]
Features Ron Banks and Marvin Junior interchanging on lead.
It featured on The Dells Vs. The Dramatics album from 1974 in full 4:39 version and was also released on 45 as an edited 3:26 version.
Chuck Cissel [1982] - Love Is Missing From Our Lives [Arista #AL 9851]
Chuck Cissel's recording career was short spanning 1979-82, releasing 2 albums and a handful of singles. He's probably best known for his disco hit Cisselin' Hot in 1979, the flip side 'Do You Believe' was played on the Modern soul scene. The debut 45 released before this was 'Don't Tell Me Your Sorry' which has become a sought after item in more recent years, although has been played for a long time - I believe that Richard Searling played it in the later years of Wigan Casino, but it was much later before it became a big sound. I was fortunate to find one years ago for the princely sum of 20p, but a copy now sells anywhere between £150-£200 such is the demand for it. It is a fine example of 70s Northern Soul.
Four Wonders [1974] - Just Looking For My Love [Solid Foundation B 160001]
Smooth 70s modern soul on Solid Foundation out of Cleveland Ohio. Solid Foundation released 7 45s between 1972-74 by 6 different artists (although there are gaps in the Cat. No.s so perhaps there are others not listed?).
I wonder (no pun) whether the Imperial Wonders and Four Wonders are the same group? The Imperial Wonders in 1972 were originally 5 members so perhaps they lost a member and renamed the band Four Wonders. Complete speculation on my part.
There is a short bio for the Imperial Wonders at All Music which doesn't mention this, and in fact states that 2 of the 5 members of Imperial Wonders went on to join a band named Truth.
Curiously, as you may see on the label, it was claimed that the track was from LP 'I Can't Get Over You' with the catalogue number ESS102. It isn't listed anywhere so assume that the label folded before it was released. Interestingly though, the writers of these 2 sides, Eddie McGhee & John Brinson, wrote a song called 'I Can't Get Over You' which was recorded by The Dramatics in 1976, perhaps this was going to be the title track of the album? It's a great deep soul cut so I've tagged it to the end of this post.
Four Wonders [1974] - Haven't We Been Good For Each Other [Solid Foundation B 160001]
70's sweet soul group harmony.
The Dramatics [1976] - I Can't Get Over You [ABC AB-12258]
Superb deep soul cut which was written by Eddie McGhee and John Brinson (and Floyd Fleshman) and may have been scheduled for the Four Wonders album that never materialised?
