The 70s, especially between 1972-78, was a barren period chart-wise for The Duke Of Earl until he went disco and had a worldwide hit with 'Get Down' in 1978.
Gene Chandler's only Hot 100 top 10 hit was in 1961 when he had a #1 hit with 'The Duke Of Earl'.
He had success with Vee Jay, Constellation, Brunswick, Checker and Mercury in the 60s. This was his third, and last, single on Curtis Mayfield's Curtom label between 1972-73 but none of them charted even on US R&B chart. He moved to Carl Davis' Chi-Sound label which by that time was distributed by 20th Century Fox, where he had a few hit singles in the late 70s/early 80s. After 1980 he released a handful on singles on various labels but never had another crossover hit although a few of them did enter the lower reaches on the US R&B chart.
His birth name was Eugene Dixon which he used on writing credits, hence E. Dixon appears on this release.
Following on from the early Gene Chandler tracks posted, I couldn't resist posting his first of four releases on Checker between his time with Constellation and Brunswick from 1966, although, oddly, his Checker and Brunswick releases seemed to overlap between 1967-68.
The top side is a 'so soulful' deep soul ballad, whilst the flip is a typical Chicago skip-a-long Northern Soul floater - a perfect double-sider, and a cheapie - you should be able to pick one of these up for under a fiver! Personally, I'd rather have a collection full of records like this than a handful of 'trophy' 45's costing the earth, but that's just me!
In the last post I put up 4 tracks from Gene Chandler's 'The Girl Don't Care' album. It reminded me of his earlier 45 'What Now' from 1964 written by Curtis Mayfield. This, in turn, reminded me of Loleatta Holloway's superb rendition from her 'Loleatta' album from 1976 on Gold Mind (released on Salsoul in UK).
Loleatta Holloway [1976] - What Now [Salsoul #GZS-7500]
Loleatta Holloway [1976] - Worn Out Broken Heart [Salsoul #GZS-7500]
Another great deep cut from 'Loleatta' is the Sam Dees / Sandra LaVerne Drayton penned 'Worn Out Broken Heart' which he recorded himself in 1974 on Atlantic.
Sam Dees [1974] - Worn Out Broken Heart [Atlantic #45-3205]
The other side of this is well worth checking out too - a fantastic modern soul tune 'Come Back Strong' a long time favourite on the modern soul scene that's been played for decades.
Sam Dees is a prolific writer of good quality soul music. The list of great songs he's written is endless so I won't even start, suffice to say if you see anything he's been involved in just buy it blind, you'll rarely be disappointed.
A class slab of Chicago soul, I guess you'd label this as a beat ballad. Released in 1965 on Constellation but did absolutely nothing, it didn't even enter the US R&B chart!
I found this whilst going through my albums as it appears on ' The Girl Don't Care' LP from 1967 on Brunswick, so checked to see if it ever got a 45 release. Written by Gerald Sims.
Gene Chandler [1966] - Bet You Never Thought [Constellation #C-166]
Whilst we're here, another track I've always liked from the album is 'Bet You Never Thought'. This got a 45 release on the flip to 'Baby That's Love' in 1966 on Constellation, another one that didn't bother the US R&B chart.
Gene Chandler [1966] - (I'm Just A) Fool For You [Constellation #C-167]
And yet another great track, co-written by Gerald Sims and Carl Davis, from the album which got a release as a flip side, this time to 'Buddy Ain't It A Shame' on the next Constellation release and didn't see any chart action.
Gene Chandler [1967] - To Choose [Brunswick #BL 54124]
To round this off here's a great deep soul ballad which is album only.
The Chicago soul legend Gene Chandler (Eugene Dixon) and underrated Barbara Acklin recorded 3 45s together in 1968-69 on Brunswick.
Gene Chandler hit pay dirt in 1962 with #1 hit Duke Of Earl, but he never again troubled the Billboard 100 top 10. His closest attempts were Groovy Situation 1970 #12, Nothing Can Stop Me 1965 #18 and Just Be True 1964 #19. However, his recordings have been much revered on UK NS scene with such classics as There Was A Time, I Can Take Care Of Myself, Mr. Big Shot, Without You Here, Let Me Make Love To You and many, many others.
Barbara Ackin recorded 6 albums between 1968-75 (5 of them at Brunswick and 1 at Capitol) and around 20 singles only 5 of which charted, her biggest hit being 'Love Makes A Woman in 1968. Surprisingly, probably her best known recording, Am I The Same Man (vocal version of Young-Holt Unlimited's Soulful Strut) only got to #79. She also has many records played on the NS scene such as Just Ain't No Love, Raindrops, Come And See Me Baby. Much of here recordings slot neatly into what is termed crossover.
Discography
1968 - Show Me The Way To Go / Love Won't Start [Brunswick 55366]
1968 - From A Teacher To A Preacher / Anywhere But Nowhere [Brunswick 55387]
1969 - Little Green Apples / Will I Find Love [Brunswick 55405]
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1968] - Show Me The Way To Go [Brunswick 55366]
Crossover
Proof that you don't have to shell out a fortune for good records as this can be picked up for £10-£15 for TWO quality sides. The A side is a mellow crossover tune written by Eugene Record, Barbara Acklin & Carl Davis, produced by Carl Davis, arranged by Sonny Sanders and directed by Gerald Sims whilst the flip is driving Northern Soul credited to Keni Lewis & Eugene Dikon (misspelling of Dixon which of course is Gene Chandler), produced, arranged and directed by same as A side. The 'thinking' DJ without ego could drop either side in a set rather than a played out 'trophy' oldie or obscure rarity.
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1968] - Love Won't Start [Brunswick 55366]
Northern Soul
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1968] - From A Teacher To A Preacher [Brunswick 55387]
Northern Soul
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1968] - Anywhere But Nowhere [Brunswick 55387] Crossover
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1969] - Little Green Apples [Brunswick 55405]
Crossover version of O.C. Smith's original and much covered MOR tune. Give it a chance to pick up after 1 minute.
Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin [1969] - Will I Find Love [Brunswick 55405]
Northern Soul - great skip-a-long Chicago soul.
Title is Will I Find Love but they sing Will WE Find Love!
