Ron Parris & Lou Ragland [2024] - Never Gonna Give It Up / Love Is Real [Numero Group]

In Jan we came across a Numero release on Lou Ragland's Casino imprint (Numero now owns the Casino catalogue) of a previously unreleased song, "Sunday Afternoon", billed as Gigi Copeland & Lou Ragland even though Ragland's voice was not in evidence.

.

At the weekend we came across another, this time billed Ron Parris & Lou Ragland with two songs, "Never Gonna Give It Up" / "Love Is Real". We can't be certain, but a Ronnie Paris was a member of The Stereos from Ohio where Ragland originated. 

However, we found a gospel album by The First Light released in 1986 on Spirit Of Nevada (a subsidiary of Casino) on which Ragland and Parris performed with Parris writing two of the songs, so it's possible that these two songs originated around the same time.

Once again there is no indication that Ragland is singing on either song but he is credited as writer on both. Parris' vocals sound remarkably similar to Al Jarreau on both songs.

Cleveland, OH, born Lou Ragland is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, producer and label owner who has been making music since the early 60s. Whilst a breakthrough hit eluded him, several of his recordings have been revered on the rare soul circuit such as "I Travel Alone", "Since You Said You'd Be Mine" (with it's killer deep soul flip "I Didn't Mean To Leave You") along with his "Understand Each Other" solo album and as a member of Hot Chocolate who released a solitary album in 1971 and last, but not least, his 2-stepper "Making Love".

After forming a band, The Monclairs, at high school he released his first recording "Never Let Me Go" / "Party at Lester's" in 1964 on Cleveland's Way Out label as Lou Ragland & The Bandmasters. He spent some time as a member of Billy Ward & The Dominos (past members include Clyde McPhatter and Jackie Wilson) and then became friendly with fellow Clevelander Edwin Starr who's career was beginning to take off after signing to Ric-Tic. Starr helped him secure a deal with Bell Records where he released his next single, "I Travel Alone" / "Big Wheel", on their Amy imprint in 1967. It didn't even dent the R&B chart but was picked up on years later by the Northern Soul scene and is regarded as a classic featuring in the NS all-time Top 500.

His next single was under the name Volcanic Eruption, again on Way Out. Interestingly, the A side was co-written with a R. Parish, could that be a misspelling of R. Parris? He then formed the band Hot Chocolate who released an eponymous album and three singles on his own Co Co Cleveland label in the early 70s.

It would appear that his luck was changing by being signed to a major, Warner Bros., in 1973 and released "Since You Said You Would Be Mine" but, alas, chart success still eluded him. However, yet again, the record was picked up on much later on the UK rare soul scene and is quite an in-demander nowadays, not only for the A side, but as we said previously, for the stunning deep soul flipside.  

Back to the drawing board, Ragland's next venture was forming another label SMH and releasing a single "What Should I Do" / "Understand Each Other" (a popular 2-stepper) in 1974 and in 1977 an album,  "Understand Each Other", which included a longer re-recording of "Since You Said You'd Be Mine". The label released just one other single by a group named Wildfire in 1975, which Ragland was a member of.

Ragland then moved to Las Vegas and formed Great Lakes Orchestra and launched Casino records releasing "Love Moods" in 1985 which produced another song loved on the 2-step scene, "Making Love".

Around the same time he hooked up again with Edwin Starr who was touring the UK with his Ric-Tic Revue and invited Ragland to join him.

In 1986 he joined The Inkspots and later he formed the gospel group The First Light releasing two albums on his Casino imprint. A couple more albums appeared on Great Lakes Records in the 90s.

In 2012 he was approached by Numero Group who released a three CD set of his work spanning several decades, titled "I Travel Alone". It would appear that Numero has either acquired or has licensed access to his material.

We have posted many of Raglands recordings over the years (HERE). An unsung hero for sure apart from the soul aficionado underground scenes.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	New Soul / Previously Unreleased
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	29/02/2024
Key/BPM:	9B/102 / 8A/114
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Groovesville Players / Al Kent Orchestra [2023] - Don't Hurt Me / The Way You've Been Acting Lately [Hayley #HR033]

The second delayed release from Hayley Records are both unreleased instrumentals of Northern Soul classics. 

The A side leads with the backing track of J.J. Barnes' "Sweet Sherry" (also used for an unreleased Edwin Starr recording, "Has It Happened To You Yet", which surfaced on Goldmine Soul Supply on 7" in 1997) credited to Groovesville Players under it's original title "Don't Hurt Me". Note that a song with the title "Has It Happened To You Yet" was recorded by The Falcons on Lu Pine in 1964 which is a different song.

The flip is the instrumental backing track for Al Kent's "The Way You've Been Acting Lately" which was originally on the flip side of the vocal but this is an unreleased version with a false start and no backing singers. 

There is a female version floating around YouTube which shows a photo of The Supremes but it was a Neil Ruston release on his Inferno Soul Club label from 1983 by Tina Lewis which has a cover version of Edwin Starr's "Back Street" as the A side.

Available now from Rob Moss' Hayley Records.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul / Instrumental
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hayley Records
Cat No:	HR033
Date:	01/10/2023
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Deon Jackson [2023] - Happily Ever After / (You've Got) The Power Of Love [Hayley #HR034]

A couple of releases of previously unissued Detroit recordings announced in June, which seem to have been delayed, are now available.

The first consists of two sides from Deon Jackson. "Happily Ever After" was originally recorded by Len Barry on Decca in 1966, but found its way to Detroit and producer Ollie McLoughlin and arranger Mike Terry in the mid 1960s.

The flip "(You've Got) The Power Of Love" was written by Richard McDougall (a member of the Capitols but they never recorded the song). The Esquires released it under a shortened tittle "You Got The Power" via Wand in 1968 and it found it's way onto a CD compilation "The Esquires – Get On Up ... And Get Away With The Esquires" in 1998 by Westside compiled by Tony Rounce, as well as a couple of others.

Available now from Rob Moss' Hayley Records.

Hayley released another couple of unissued Deon Jackson songs which we posted on a Deon Jackson Profile in Jan '23 (on his posthumous birthday) which included a superb new digital compilation of his music.

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Hayley Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	01/10/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Lydia Marcelle [2023] - I Want To Know / Where Has It Gone / This Time We're Really Through [Lo-Flo Records]

Lydia Marcelle is know to Northern Soul aficionados for her 1967 single "It's Not Like You" on Manhattan. It was sufficiently popular to warrant a bootlegging. The song was written by Harley Hatcher who had a track played off his 1973 album "The Soul Hustler", the pounding instrumental title track which was covered up as Al De Lory "Discotheque Alibi" by Richard Searling.

Marcelle released just five singles in total starting with a very Sonny & Cher / Mod sounding "Everybody Dance" for Atco in 1964 which was a NOLA production by Wardell Quezergue. Her next was on NOLA which included the flip of the previous single along with the Robert Parker written, Motownesque, "Another Kind Of Fellow" which got a UK release on Sue.

Her next two were on another New Orleans label, Manhattan, with all sides written, arranged and produced by Harley Hatcher, and all very pop oriented. The last single was one of her best "Easy Breezy" on Knight, the label for Traci Borges' Knight recording studio in New Orleans,  in 1972.

Marcelle moved to L.A. in the late 60s where she met songwriter Jane McNealy whilst at Hollywood's Studio Club. They recorded some unreleased songs with jazz producer/arranger Harold Battiste Jr.        

McNeally has set up a label called Lo-Flo Records and is releasing these previously unreleased songs. We believe there are five in total to be released with three already available.

The first "I Want To Know" on 30 Jun, followed by "Where Has It Gone" (28 Jul) and "This Time We're Really Through" (11 Aug).

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

Details

Rating:
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	60s Soul / Blue-Eyed / Previously Unreleased
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Lo-Flo Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	30/06/2023 / 28/07/2023 / 11/08/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/118 / 7B/115 /  9B/113
Price:	£1 / £1 / £1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Unity [2023] - The Other Side of You / Going To A Carnival [Soul Direction #SD018]

Soul Direction has recently released two singles from The Decisions who originated from Atlanta, GA,: "That Girl" / "Come Round Here" (SD-013 Nov '22) and "We're In Love" / "I Love You"(SD-005 Jul '21)

After releasing a couple of singles on their own York label in 1969 they were signed to Sussex Records and released three singles in 1971-72. They left Sussex after the third single in 1972 and re-formed as Unity who released just one single in 1973, "We Can Make It" / "Too Young", on a label set up by group member Fred White called Apex.

Soul Direction's Alan Kitchener has been given access to tapes recorded by Unity around 1973-75 consisting of previously unreleased sweet soul ballads and crossover soul. The first two songs, both written by Fred White who has made the tapes available, are set for release on 11 Aug with others lined up for future release.

The A side is a good uptempo number "The Other Side Of You" featuring Henry Little Jr. on lead vocals paired with a falsetto led sweet soul ballad "Going To A Carnival" with Fred White on lead vocals.

Only two of the group members are still with us, Fred White and Howard Simson as Harvey Pool Henry Little Jr. and Hildred Thomason are sadly now departed.

The single is lined up for release on 11 Aug '23 and will be available from the Soul Direction website. 

By the way, it's great to see that the Melvin Davis single, the proceeds of which were donated towards his healthcare bills, has now sold out!

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

Details

Rating:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Crossover / Sweet Soul / Previously Unreleased
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Direction
Cat No:	SD018
Date:	11/08/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Tommy Rodgers [2023] - Give Me My Freedom / Tell It To The Wind // United Hearts Of America / Pass The Word [MD Records #MD122/MD123]

MD Records has obtained two unreleased songs plus two alternate mixes of the only released record by Detroit's Tommy Rodgers.

His single on jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal's, NYC based, AJP in 1969 found it's way into our collection via one of the, now legendary, Soul Bowl soul packs in the mid 70s and we always felt that  both sides had potential but weren't picked up on by the Northern Soul fraternity until much later. It was a big in-demander circa 2015.

The official A side "I'll Tell It To The Wind" is mid-tempo, crossover tune whilst the flip, "Pass The Word", is a driving Motownesque dancer.

The single doesn't seem to be particularly easy to find and consistently sells for between £200-£300 with only two currently listed on Discogs at the higher end. 

MD Records has split the released single over two releases pairing "Tell It To The Wind" with the unreleased "Give Me My Freedom" and "Pass The World" with "United Hearts Of America" but with a twist as they are alternate takes of both released songs.

The label's Jordan Wilson researched Mr Rodgers who was born Thomas Gilbert Rodgers in Dec 1942, his family migrating from Georgia to Detroit near the renowned Brewster-Douglass housing project. The same development where Diana Ross & The Supremes emerged from. In fact Diana Ross was Rodgers teenage sweetheart who he sang with! 

Jordan discovered that Tommy had been invited by Otis Williams to audition with his group (who would of course become The Temptations) for Motown's Gordy imprint in 1961. Unfortunately Rodgers had to decline as he was drafted for the Vietnam war. A sad twist of fate as who knows what the outcome for Tommy would have been?

In Oct 1969 Rodgers cut five songs at Detroit's Pioneer Studio: "Summer Love", "Tell It to The Wind", "United Hearts of America", "Give Me Freedom (Or Give Me Love)" and "Pass the Word". These came to the attention of James Shaw who was A&R man at AJP who had connections to Detroit having previously worked at Golden World Studios and remaining in contact with Funk Brother's trombonist Don White. "Tell It to The Wind" and  "Pass the Word" were released as the inaugural single on the AJP label on 11 Oct 1969.

The single failed to register and Tommy returned to normal life until 1974 when he made a comeback forming a group called The Brewster Crew. He wrote two songs with Doris Williams and James Nyx Jr, "Outta My Life" and "I'm One Who Know" released on Lifeline Records in 1974.

Rather than repeat the story over two post we have chosen to post both singles here. We've also posted the original AJP recordings as well.

Both singles are available now from MD Records.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Northern Soul
Format:	Single / Previously Unreleased
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	MD Records
Cat No:	MD122 // MD123
Date:	15/07/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15 each

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Andre Gibson & The Universal Togetherness Band [2023] - Apart: Demos 1980-1984 [Numero Group] (Full Album)

In 2020 Numero Group released "Apart: Demos 1980-1984" by Andre Gibson & The Universal Togetherness Band but there were only 8 tracks. They have reissued it (digitally and on vinyl) on Friday with an additional 4 tracks, actually 5 as "Quickie" from the original is not included and has been replaced by one of five new tracks prefixed #:

#1 - All My Pals

2 - Thankful For You

#3 - Love Changes Life's Changes

4 - Bring Me

#5 - Call Me

6 - Valentine Lover

7 - Don't It Feel Good

#8 - I Wanna Take You Away

9 - Stuck On A Thrill

#10 - Say I Will

11 - Breakaway

12 - I'm Falling

A year ago Soul Direction released two tracks "I Want You" / "Call For Love" on vinyl from another, eponymous, previously unreleased album released by Numero Group in 2015. You can read some background about the Chicago student group there.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/07/2023
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Silk [2023] - Somethin' 'Bout The Way [As + Bees #ABEE 6502]

This was posted on Wednesday which we thought was going to be be 12" vinyl only but has been released digitally today.

It's a previously unreleased 70s song "Somethin' 'Bout The Way" by Philly group Silk who had their modern soul classic "I Can't Stop (Turning You On)" bastardised last year by LF System who hit the top of the UK pop chart with it. It spent 53 weeks on the chart and was #1 for 8 weeks in Jul and Aug '22!

A's + Bees are releasing it as their second 12" (they released Rare Pleasure's "Superfine Feeling" in 2021 which was only ever previously on acetate). It consists of the original unreleased mix of the song along with Late Night Tuff Guy (LNTG) Short Edit and LNTG Disco Dub. 

The plug/A side is the 6:36 LNTG Disco Dub, with the original 5:12 mix and LNTG 3:34 edit relegated to the B side.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Philly Soul / Previously Unreleased / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 12" Vinyl
Label:	As + Bees
Cat No:	ABEE 6502
Date:	30/06/2023
Key/BPM:	9B/121 / 10B/121 / 9A/121
Price:	£2.97 / £11-£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Silk [2023] - Somethin' 'Bout The Way [As + Bees #ABEE 6502]

Landing on many vinyl dealers' websites today is a 12" of a previously unreleased 70s song "Somethin' 'Bout The Way" by Philly group Silk who had their modern soul classic "I Can't Stop (Turning You On)" bastardised last year by LF System who hit the top of the UK pop chart with it. It spent 53 weeks on the chart and was #1 for 8 weeks in Jul and Aug '22!

A's + Bees second 12" (they released Rare Pleasure's "Superfine Feeling" in 2021 which was only ever previously on acetate) consists of the original unreleased mix of the song along with Late Night Tuff Guy (LNTG) Short Edit and LNTG Disco Dub. 

The plug/A side is the 6:36 LNTG Disco Dub, with the original 5:12 mix and LNTG 3:34 edit relegated to the B side.

It's released on Friday (30 Jun) but available to pre-order from your vinyl dealer now. Prices vary between dealers (£11-£15) and you need to factor in postage.

NOTE: A full version is scheduled for 10:00 am (BST/UK time) on YouTube (below).

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Philly Soul / Previously Unreleased / Remix
Format:	Single
Media:	12" Vinyl
Label:	As + Bees
Cat No:	ABEE 6502
Date:	30/06/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£11-£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

G.C. Cameron [2023] - Live For Love [Soundway Records] (Full EP) OUT TODAY

Vietnam veteran George Curtis Cameron was, of course, the lead singer of The Spinners until they left Motown in 1971 when he, being married to Berry Gordy's sister Gwen, decided to remain at the label and released five solo albums before leaving the label in the late 70s. 

In mid May we notified you that Soundway Records was releasing a four track 12" by G.C. Cameron which includes both side of his 1981 in-demander "Live For Love" / "If I Love You" on Flamingo (which was a UK 7" & 12" single only which now fetches up to £200) along with two previously unreleased songs from the same session, an instrumental version of "If I Love You" and "Thank You Baby". It is released today (9 Jun '23) and is available digitally on the usual platforms and also on vinyl from Bandcamp.

These songs were recorded at a session at Fantasy Studios, San Francisco in 1977 with the intention of completing a full album. Cameron teamed up with Harvey Fuqua (also a previous husband to Gwen Gordy), Greg Crockett and Elgie Stover to produce the work. Only two tracks were released from the session, strangely, via the short-lived UK Flamingo label which released around 20, predominantly dance/disco singles between Apr 1979-Nov 1981.

"Thank You Baby" includes vocals from Martha Walsh. (who sang backup for Sylvester with Izora Armstead and formed Two Tons O' Fun and The Weather Girls) and Jeanie Tracy (who also started out as a backing singer for Sylvester).

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	EP  / Reissue / Previously Unreleased
Media:	Digital / 12" Vinyl
Label:	Soundway Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/06/2023
Price:	£2.49 / £14.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Crystal Motion [2023] - There’ll Be Another / Million Dollar Baby [Soul Junction #SJ551]

A new single from Soul Junction contains two previously unreleased songs from Crystal Motion. The group was a vocal quartet from New Bedford, MA, but were originally from Cape Verde consisting of Kevin Gomes (lead vocals), his cousin Rodney 'Skeeta' Santos, Daniel 'Buddy' Monterio and John Paris (who came up with the group's name).

They are know in rare soul circles for their only other recording, "You're My Main Squeeze", on Frank Fioravanti's, Philly based, Sound Gems label in 1975.  

A demo of the lead song, "There'll Be Another", was recorded at Metcalf Recording, New Bedford, in 1972 and offered to Fioravanti's Omega Sound Productions around 1974. The group were signed to Sound Gems but, instead of releasing the demo, Fioravanti selected the song above he'd written with Pal Rakes. The record had some local success along the east coast and, on the back of that success, the group prepared to record an album, however, only the original demo and another song, "Million Dollar Baby", made it to tape which have been languishing in the vaults until now.

John Paris had left the group, replaced by Dougie Meadows, after the release of "You're My Main Squeeze" and lead singer Kevin Gomes left due to personal reasons after the recording of "Million Dollar Baby" hence the album was never completed and the group dissolved soon afterwards.

Three of the members have now passed, Santos, Paris and his replacement Mendes, leaving just Gomes and Monterio who are joined by Santos' brothers Rene and Rory, Tony Simons and occasionally female vocalist Angela Kronillis.

Soul Junction has licensed the only other two known recordings by the group for release as their latest single. They are a departure from the Northern/Modern soul gem "You're My Main Squeeze" being early 70s sweet soul (ala Stylistics/Chi-Lites/Delfonics/Blue Magic sound of those times) which should appeal to the lowrider community.

Available to pre-order now from Soul Junction for release on 30 May '23

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	None
Date:	30/05/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

G.C. Cameron [2023] - Live For Love [Soundway Records] (Full EP)

Set for full release on 9 Jun '23, digitally and on 12" vinyl, by Soundway Records is a four track EP by G.C. Cameron. It includes both side of his 1981 in-demander "Live For Love" / "If I Love You" on Flamingo (which as a UK single only 7" & 12" which now fetch up to £200) along with two previously unreleased songs from the same session, an instrumental version of "If I Love You" and "Thank You Baby".

So far the instrumental version of "If I Love You" has been released, and today the vocal. The official A side of the Flamingo single was reissued on Expansion's Soul Togetherness 2014 (so is included below). It reminds us in sections of a mix of Beloyd's "Get Into My Life" and Eugene Record's "Overdose Of Joy" which will give you and idea of how it sounds i.e. late 70s/early 80s modern soul of the finest quality. 

Watch this space for "Thank You Baby" when it surfaces as it should be a killer as it includes vocals from Martha Walsh. (who sang backup for Sylvester with Izora Armstead and formed Two Tons O' Fun and The Weather Girls) and Jeanie Tracy (who also started out as a backing singer for Sylvester).

Vietnam veteran George Curtis Cameron was, of course, the lead singer of The Spinners until they left Motown in 1971 when he, being married to Berry Gordy's sister Gwen, decided to remain at the label and released five solo albums before leaving the label in the late 70s. 

These songs were recorded at a session at Fantasy Studios, San Francisco in 1977 with the intention of completing a full album. Cameron teamed up with Harvey Fuqua (also a previous husband to Gwen Gordy), Greg Crockett and Elgie Stover to produce the work. Only two tracks were released from the session, strangely, via the short-lived UK Flamingo label which released around 20, predominantly dance/disco singles between Apr 1979-Nov 1981.

Available to pre-order via Bandcamp.

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	EP  / Reissue / Previously Unreleased
Media:	Digital / 12" Vinyl
Label:	Soundway Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	09/06/2023
Price:	£2.49 / £14.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Annette Snell [2023] - I Think I´m Falling In Love / Make You Feel Love Again / This Time We're Really Through [Soul4Real #S4R27]

One that has been leaked for airplay in the last couple of weeks (but Soul4Real maestro Alex Subinas has kept under wraps as to who the artist was) has been announced today. It consists of three previously unreleased 70s songs by Annette Snell: "I Think I'm Falling In Love", "Make You Feel Love Again" and "This Time We're Really Through"

Annetta Snell  (22 Mar 1945 - 4 Apr 1977) was born Sandersville, GA, but moved to Orlando, FL, where she joined a girl quartet, The Mar-Vells who released two singles in 1964. Both singles got multiple releases i.e. the first on Angie and then Butane and their second on Reo and Yorey. They also worked, uncredited, on backing sessions for other artists in Miami. In 1965 they renamed themselves The Fabulettes releasing their first single under the name on Monument in Oct 1965, the flip side of which, "The Bigger They Are (The Harder They Fall)", became a big tune on the Northern Soul scene many years later. They released a further four singles, two for Sound Stage 7, one each on Access and Kangis (which was reissued a year later in 1971 on Phil-L.A. of Soul). However, Snell left the group in 1968, before the last two singles were released, to pursue a solo career.

Paul Kelly, a Miami native who she had met years earlier with The Mar-Vels, took her with him to New York in 1968 to demo some songs he had written. This resulted in her first solo recording as Annetta on Love Hill in 1970 ("Since There's No More Of You"/ "Get A Kelly Way Boy") which was later also released by Sue label owner Juggy Murray Jones on Juggy.  

Kelly later introduced her to Nashville based record producer and music publisher Buddy Killen who founded Dial Records in 1961, primarily as a vehicle to release material by Joe Tex, the label Kelly was also signed to at the time. Killen is also credited as discovering one Dolly Parton. Snell released four singles on Dial between 1973-74 all written by Kelly (two co-written with Killen) and produced by Killen. The first, "I'll Be Your Fool Once More", failed to register, but the last three ("You Oughta Be Here With Me" (#19, 1973), "Get Your Thing Together" (#44, 1974) and "Just as Hooked As I've Been" (#71, 1974)) all entered the R&B chart but didn't crossover.

Killen brokered a deal with his distributor Epic to release some material. Snell was to record an album at Muscle Shoals and cut one single "It's All Over Now" / "Promises Should Never be Broken". She returned for another session produced by Jimmy Johnson and Roger Hawkins which produced another five tracks. When returning home on a flight to Atlanta, GA, the Southern Airways Flight 242 went down in New Hope, GA, during a severe thunderstorm on 4 Apr 1977 killing both pilots and 61 passengers which included Ms Snell.

I have read reports that it was claimed that Snell took the master tapes with her on the flight and that they were destroyed forever, however, that report must have been false as three tracks, co-written by pre-eminent songwriters including George Jackson and Philip Mitchell, have been languishing in the vaults for over forty years, until now as they are being released for the first time. I wonder if the other two are in the pipeline for a future release, as listening to these three along with the two released on Epic, it sounds like it could have potentially been a hit album! 

It has also been stated that "Promises Should Never Be Broken" is unreleased which is also false as I have a copy, originally bought for the A side "It's All Over Now" (perhaps released later?). Of interest to some is that the song was co-written by Mary Gresham ("Voice From The Shadows" CD and sought after single " I'll Never Let You Walk Alone") and her brother Jimmy.

The single is available to pre-order via Paypal for release on 14 Apr '23

€15 + postage (1-5 copies) €3 Spain, €6.90 UK & Europe €10.45 USA & rest of the world 

soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com

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

Details

Rating:	8.6
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Single / Previously Unreleased
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul4Real
Cat No:	S4R27
Date:	14/04/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	€15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2022... Covers, Reissues, Remixes & Samples Part 29 (Oct 2022 Wk 41)

SoulStrutter selections for Oct 2022 Wk 41 of the best non-original songs i.e. cover versions, remixes, reissues, previously unreleased and new songs using samples or new releases with a retro feel. (In no particular order).

Reissues:  Centaura Feat. Jewel Bass x2, Mary Wells x2, Barabara Lynn x2

Remixes:  Black Ivory Tribute (Black Ivory), The Dramatics

Retro:  Lee Fields, Klassic Man, PJ Morton et al, Jalen Ngonda

2022

Pt 21, Pt 22, Pt 23, Pt 24, Pt 25, Pt 26, Pt 27, Pt 28, Pt 29

Pt 11, Pt 12, Pt 13, Pt 14, Pt 15, Pt 16, Pt 17, Pt 18, Pt 19, Pt 20

Pt 01, Pt 02, Pt 03, Pt 04, Pt 05, Pt 06, Pt 07. Pt 08, Pt 09, Pt 10

2021

Pt 38, Pt 37, Pt 36, Pt 35, Pt 34, Pt 33, Pt 32, Pt 31

Pt 30, Pt 29, Pt 28, Pt 27, Pt 26, Pt 25, Pt 24, Pt 23, Pt 22, Pt 21

Pt 20, Pt 19, Pt 18, Pt 17, Pt 16, Pt 15, Pt 14, Pt 13, Pt 12, Pt 11,

Pt 10, Pt 9, Pt 8, Pt 7, Pt 6, Pt 5, Pt 4, Pt 3, Pt 2, Pt 1

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