Jesse James [2024] - Back On Top Again [Soul Junction #SJLP 5016] (Album Samples)

Soul Junction's Dave Welding makes no bones about his admiration of Jesse James. Over recent years the label has put out several singles and an album by the, perhaps, little known veteran outside of rare soul circles. i.e. SJ508, SJ511, SJ543, SJ544, SJ546, SJ552, SJ1021, and an album in 2012 "Let Me Show You" SJLP5005. They have another album lined by him of current and recent recordings titled "Back On Top Again". 

Jesse James is James Herbert McClelland from the west coast (Richmond, CA,) and shouldn't be confused with another artist of the same name from the east coast who also worked in the 60s and 70s in Philadelphia.

Legend has it that James got his name accidentally at a nightclub he was performing at in the early 60s when the compere couldn't pronounce his name and introduced him as Jesse James and the name stuck. He also got his big break by accident when his aunt just happened to be dating West Coast blues singer Jimmy McCracklin who, after being persuaded to listen to James sing, wrote and produced "I Will Go", the B side of his first single on Shirley billed as Jess James & The Royal Aces who included one Sylvester Stewart (Sly Stone) in its ranks. 

Another four singles would be released on Shirley under his own name with the last in 1965, "Are You Gonna Leave Me", later being an in-demander on Northern Soul dancefloors and was reissued by Soul Junction in 2011 (SJ511).

In 1967 he recorded two singles on Hit, the last one, "Believe In Me Baby" (as Jesse James & The Dynamic Four) was picked up by 20th Century billed as just Jesse James. Two more singles on 20th Century and his debut self-titled album, another on Hit and one on Uni followed before he set up his own production and publishing company 'South Richmond Music' releasing singles on his own labels South Richmond, Zea (including the deep soul gem "I Need You Baby") and Zay. A return to 20th Century in 1974 for another two singles produced the sought after double-sider with the modern soul favourite "If You Want A Love Affair" and another deep soul masterpiece "I Never Meant To Love Her". 

One more single materialised in the 70s, "The Same Thing Happens", which his producer at 20th Century, Ron Carson, got placed on the Happy Fox label's blaxploitation album "Black Fist" and was released as a single. He released around half a dozen more singles in the 80s all on different labels.

In 1988 he formed Gunsmoke Records and has released around seven albums, the last one in 2015. Now 81, he still performs live shows and is actively writing, producing and recording fresh new material. Soul Junction has now collated some of his most recent and new recordings to release "Back On Top Again" on vinyl tomorrow (24 May) and available from Soul Junction. One for the Southern Soul lovers in particular.

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

Click to enlarge

A1 - Back On Top

A2 - Another Love Lay Over (Featuring Shirley Diamond)

A3 - I Lost My Baby On Facebook (Featuring Donnie McKisic)

A4 - Keep It On The Hush Hush

A5 - Get In Touch With Me

B1 - What Happened To The Oo-Wee

B2 - Can I Still Be Your Friend

B3 - I Be A Fool 2 Fool Around On You

B4 - I Put A Clam On That Thang

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Southern Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJLP 5016
Date:	24/05/2024
Price:	£24

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Oliver Cheatham [2024] - Don't Pop The Question (If You Can’t Take The Answer) / Good Guys Don’t Make Good Lovers [Soul Junction #SJ555]

Two previously unreleased songs by Oliver Cheatham, until released on 45 by Soul Junction in 2012, are being reissued owing to demand. We are told that initially over 1,000 copies were sold, becoming the label's biggest seller and barely a week passes without the label receiving enquiries about it. There are currently only six for sale on Discogs all with an asking price of over £100.

Soul Junction are repressing 300 copies which go on sale on 5 Apr, so that you don't have to spend over £100 for a copy, but be quick as these will surely sell out fast, not only for the A side but the sweet soul ballad B side has also become sought after by the lowrider scene. 

Both songs were written by Cheatham and his cousin Bill Miller and recorded in Detroit around 1974/75. The A side, "Don't Pop The Question (If You Can’t Take The Answer)" is an in-demand modern soul dancer with the ballad flip "Good Guys Don’t Make Good Lovers".

Cheatham, from Detroit, may be, unfairly, considered a one hit wonder with his 1983 dance hit "Get Down Saturday Night" co-written with One Way's Kevin McCord. However, his career began much earlier than that in the mid 60s as a member of his future brother-in-law's, Allen Cocker, group the Young Sirs who recorded "There’s Something The Matter (With Your Heart)" on Magic City. Some sources state that he was also a member of Mad Dog & The Pups who also recorded on Ernest and Barbara Burt's label.

By 1971, Young Sirs became Butch & The Newports, Butch being Cheatham's nickname, with Cocker and Curtis 'Kippy' Henderson. They recorded just one single, of only five released on Black Rock, the best known from the label being perhaps Little Rena Scott's "I Just Can't Forget About You Baby". One of the sides on Black Rock was later released on another Marvin Figgins label, Grand Junction, under a new name for the group, The Gaslight, who released three singles for the label between 1971-73 and another, final, one later on Polydor in 1975 which Soul Junction maestro Dave Welding informs us was reputedly first released on local label T.E.A.I. 

Cheatham then became lead singer with Sins Of Satan, a group led by DJ/singer/producer Al Perkins (who also produced Al Hudson & The Soul Partners who became One Way), from the mid to late 70s who released three albums and four singles. By 1981 they evolved into Round Trip releasing an album and two singles before being named Oliver with two singles, "Everybody Wants To Be The Boss" and "Make Up Your Mind" in 1982.

His next release was his breakthrough under his own name with "Get Down Saturday Night" in 1983 which peaked at #37 R&B and #38 UK pop chart. A song sampling it was recorded 20 years later as "Make Luv" by Room 5 feat. Oliver Cheatham entering straight in at #1 on the UK pop chart in Apr 2003 staying their for 4 weeks and remaining on the chart for a total of 15 weeks. It was followed by "Music And You" the same year which made UK pop chart Top 40 at #38.

He had a further three R&B chart entries with "SOS" (#35 1986), "Celebrate Our Love" (#87 1986) and a duet with Jocelyn Brown "Turn Out The Lights" (#70 1990)  and recorded six albums before his demise of a heart attack in Nov 2013 aged 65.

The back story to the Soul Junction release, paraphrased from an article Dave Welding published, is this.

The two songs were discovered on an unreleased six track acetate bought on eBay by Italian collector Marco Cavenaghi. The only information on the recording was the name Pam Jackson handwritten on the sleeve, two of the tracks were by a female artist presumed to be Jackson who is unknown. 

Marco passed the acetate to DJ Olindo Di Tizio for radio play. He in turn took several cuts of the songs and passed them to several UK DJs hoping that further exposure would help identify the artist. It eventually fell at the feet of Dave Welding who had an inkling that it may be Oliver Cheatham. He used his contacts in Detroit, namely Janet 'Pixie' Wright a former session singer at Magic City and close friend of Cheatham's, who gave Dave his number. 

Dave called Cheatham and played both songs over the phone and he confirmed with excitement that it was indeed him singing and that he hadn't heard the songs for almost 40 years. After tracking down his cousin Bill Miller, Dave got agreement to lease both songs. 

Bill relayed that the acetate was cut at United Sound Studios, Detroit, after leaving The Gaslight, for a Motown producer's party Bill was invited to. Motown showed no interest in it although Bill later joined Motown as songwriter, arranger, producer, (he wrote "I Feel Sanctified" for Commodores also recorded by Wild Cherry). Bill then tried to get a deal for the record with Buddah without success.

How the acetate ended up on eBay is anyone's guess. Bill assumes that it must have been left at United Sound and sold off when the studio closed.

Available now to pre-order from Soul Junction for release on 5th Apr 2024.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ555
Date:	05/04/2024
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Shirley Diamond & Jesse James [2024] - You Don't Know Who You're Sleeping With [Soul Junction #SJ1021]

The new single from Soul Junction is due for release on 26 Feb and pairs Shirley Diamond with Jesse James.  The 7" vinyl release consists of two versions of "You Don't Know Who You're Sleeping with", a song Diamond co-wrote with Terry Dukes and produced by Con Funk Shun's Felton Pilate released in Oct '21. The A side being a duet with James and the B side the original solo 2021 version.

Atlanta, GA, native Shirley was at the same high school as her mentor Gladys Knight and same college as Jean Carne. By day she's an Education Support Teacher working with students who are experiencing learning difficulties.

She has collaborated with Reggie Hargis Hicks of the group Brick and Mikael Manley the guitarist with The Commodores,  toured with Johnnie Taylor and has opened for Tyrone Davis, Joe Simon, Millie Jackson, Atlantic Star, Bar Kays, Bobby Bland, Denise LaSalle, Marvin Sease and many others. 

Diamond released a CD only album "You Don't Have To Be Sad To Sing The Blues" with Magic Mushroom around March 2005 which contained several covers including "Homewrecker" (Tyrone Davis), "Inner City Blues" (Marvin Gaye) and "Nothing Takes The Place Of You" (Toussaint McCall). A couple of singles were released in 2013 and 2016 followed by her next project, a six track EP, "Strong Woman", in Sep 2016. since then two singles "Been So Long" (Apr 2018) and the single here in Sep '21.

James and Diamond were introduced to each other via Diamond's former manager Harvey Scales and re-recorded the song as a duet.

Soul Junction has announced that another James/Diamond duet, "Another Love Lay Over", will feature on a future Jesse James project.

Available to pre-order now from Soul Junction or from your regular vinyl dealer.

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:	New Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ1021
Date:	26/02/2024
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

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

Bill Albright [2023] - Sitting By The Phone / Middle Of The Night [Soul Junction #SJ1020]

Little did we suspect when we posted Bill Albright's  "Sitting By The Phone" on the day of it's digital release on 21 Jun '22 that it would appear on a vinyl release. It is lined up with a, so far, unreleased B side "In The Middle Of The Night" for the next Soul Junction issue due on 7 Jul '23. 

At that time the only thing we discovered about Bill was that his real name was Anthony Bills. Soul Junction's Dave Welding has discovered more. He told us that he initially made contact with Bill in Apr/May 2022 via a mutual friend with a view to releasing it later in 2022 but with pressing plant delays it has had to wait until now.

Anthony/Bill was born and raised in Baltimore, MD in 1961. After receiving a degree in Electrical Engineering & Technology in 1981 he moved to New York in 1982 to become a professional model. He returned to his native Baltimore briefly in 1986 only to move to Suwanee (Atlanta) in 1989 where he set up his own cleaning business 'All Bright Cleaning Services Inc' and resides there to this day. 

In 1993 he formed a music production company 'Bill Albright Productions Inc'. Biding his time and making live appearances whilst still running his cleaning company Bill waited until he felt the time was right to release his debut single "Sitting By The Phone" in Jun '22 which we said at the time had a strong similarity to Billy Stewart's classic "Sitting In The Park" but with a more contemporary twist. We reposted in Jan this year reminded of it by our "Remembering Billy Stewart" feature as a video was then available for it which was posted in Oct '22 (included below).

It is being paired on 45 with, we are told his next single only available as a download in the US on the same day) "In The Middle Of The Night".

Available to pre-order from Soul Junction now for release on 7 Jul '23.

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
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ1020
Date:	07/07/2023
Key/BPM:	9A/90
Price:	£13

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

The Petersons [2023] - Just What I've Been Looking For / What's It Gonna Be [Soul Junction #SJ550]

The latest single from Dave Welding's Soul Junction is a particularly rare record by The Petersons originally released on Mel Omega in 1973. None have ever sold on Discogs and we found only three listed on Popsike, all selling for four figures with one selling for just under £3k in 2016. The other two were only listed as 'good' condition.

The Petersons were a vocal trio from Waycross, GA, named after their founder founder, lead vocalist and drummer Kenneth Peterson with the other two members being Salem Chatman (keys) and Johnny Members (vocals/bass). They regularly performed shows along the east coast, and working in Philadelphia in early 1973 answered an advert in Billboard Magazine from Omega Sound Productions which was a fledgling independent recording company formed by Frank Fioravanti who was a budding songwriter who later formed Sound Gems and was behind William DeVaughn's evergreen "Be Thankful For What You've Got" as well as Crystal Motion's "Your My Main Squeeze" amongst others.

The trio were booked into Frank Virtue's recording studio to record two Fioravanti and the late Alan Felder penned songs, the up-tempo "What’s It Gonna Be" and "Just What I’ve Been Looking For" and released on Mel Omega. 

The single failed to make any impact and the group returned to their native Georgia where they continuing to perform and record but under the name of "Toll Darkness". They took the remaining copies of the single with them and pasted stickers with the name Toll Darkness over the artist name on the label to sell at their gigs.

Dave tells us that copies were found circa 2000 by John Anderson and UK soul guru Steve Guarnori acquired a copy and broke "Just What I've Been Looking For" at Soul Essence initially.

The up-tempo arrangement of "What's It Gonna Be" by Frank Virtue has been reused on a plethora of other Philly artists recordings, i.e. Fred Mark, Liza Mae, Michael Christian, Cody Michaels etc over different record labels, Melomega, Concept, Fox Century Plaza and Merben.

Released on 24 Apr '23 so available now from Soul Junction.

Credit to Dave Welding for background info.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ550
Date:	24/04/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Energy MC2 [2023] - You And Only You / Let Me Make Love To You [Soul Junction #SJ549]

Following the release of The Mansion last November, Soul Junction's latest release consists of another two sides from Energy MC2 who have featured on the label previously with "If You Break It" / "Other Side Of The Mirror" (SJ536) back in Dec 2016 .

The full story regarding the group can be read on Soul Junction's website, but in summary they started out as a group of kids aged 10 and 11 whilst still at elementary school named Congressional Funk. They were entering and winning local talent shows and came to the attention of Ernest and Barbara Burt's Magic City label and featured on the first three singles for Mad Dog & The Pups. On the third single they had one side dedicated to them under the name The Soulful Hounds on an instrumental of "Why Did You Leave Me Girl". They were noticed in a performance by Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield of Motown and were asked to sign for Motown but were under contract to Magic City who weren't prepared to release them.

Upon eventually leaving the label they underwent several name and line-up changes recruiting Ben Adkins from Energy and changed their name to Energy MC2 (after Einstein's E=MC2). Adkins would later leave to join Creative Source. He also worked with Lonnie Smith and then replaced Jermaine Jackson in The Jacksons.

As Energy MC2 they recorded a number of unreleased songs, four of which now appear on Soul Junction 7" singles for the first time along with another "Juliane" which featured on Soul Junction's CD compilation "We Got A Sweet Thing Going On Volume 2" (SJCD 5011) in 2016.

The group moved to Atlanta, GA, and signed with The Greer Agency who also represented, The Commodores, Brass Construction, Mother's Finest, New Birth, Brick and Little Richard etc. Around 1974 some of the members went on a road trip to L.A. and hooked up with Ray Parker Jr (who was the brother of member  Opelton Parker and later joined Michael Stokes in Natures Divine). It was in these sessions that they recorded the two songs on Soul Junction's latest release "You And Only You" and "Love To Make Love To You". Label owner Dave Welding already knew about these songs which were brought to his attention by DJ Dave Thorley and wanted to release them earlier but had to track down Ray Parker Jr., who wrote and arranged them, to seek approval for their release.

The A side "You And Only You" was recorded by Pockets on their 1978 album "Take It On Up" (included below).

After the sessions two members, Vince Bonham and Arnell Carmichael, joined Ray Parker Jr. and Jerry Knight in Raydio who were formed in 1977. Raydio went on to have several R&B Top 10 and Hot 100 hits such as "Jack And Jill", "You Can't Change That", "Two Places At The Same Time", "A Woman Needs Love (Just Like You Do)" and many others including of course their #1 hit "Ghostbusters".

The single is available to pre-order now from vinyl retailers for release on 6 Feb 2023.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ549
Date:	06/02/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£15

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

David Hudson [2009] - (Girl I'm Coming Home To) Something Good [Soul Junction #SJ504] v Al Green [2003] - Million To One [Blue Note #7243 5 93556]

Eagle eyed (or is it rabbit eared?) Gary Van Den Bussche spotted the similarities between these two songs on his radio show today.

David Hudson's "(Girl I'm Coming Home To) Something Good" was a previously unreleased 80s recording issued by Soul Junction on 7" vinyl in 2009. Gary then played Al Green's, album only track, "Million To One" from his 2003 album "I Can't Stop" and hey presto the backing is the same.

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Mansion [2022] - The Girl Next Door / Stop, Let Your Heart Be Your Guide [Soul Junction #SJ548]

Only last week on the post for the forthcoming next single from Creative Soul by Centaura we made mention of a group set up in prison called The Prisonaires (which included Johnny Bragg and Centaura's producer Bob Riley). The next release from Soul Junction is another one. The Mansion were initially a prison group formed by Charles Lorenzo Blakely in 1970 while serving time in the Green Bay Reformatory at Allouez, Wisconsin for his part in a street gang shooting and subsequent car chase by the police. 

Whilst rehearsing in the prison chapel, they attracted the attention of the warden's wife who was impressed and then instrumental in the group being invited to perform on WBAY, the city’s TV station.

They were later granted permission to perform outside the prison which brought them to the attention of Al Dunlop (a Milwaukee neighbourhood program adviser) who became their manager who arranged the recording of their only single "The Girl Next Door" / "Stop! Let Your Heart Be Your Guide" at Appleton's Golden Echo Recordings for a local Milwaukee label Gibbs [GB 406] in 1974. The release was held back by label owner Bill Gibbs until some of the group members were released from prison as they were unable to sign contract agreements whilst still incarcerated. 

Charles Blakely remained in prison and was later moved to a medium security prison where he formed a gospel group the Bell Tones which was regarded as major factor in his rehabilitation which led to his eventual release in 1976. He then joined up with Bell Tone member Mayweather Lee, Charles (Sonny) Bryant and Jimmy Taylor to form a new group Final Chapter who recorded "Now I Know" / "Get Down For Your Action" for Marvell Love's Milwaukee label New World Records [NM8006] in 1980.

Taylor left to pursue a career as a blues musician with the remaining three members continuing to perform until they finally disbanded in 1987. Three previously unissued Final Chapter songs, along with "Now I Know", can be found on Soul Junction Various Artists CD compilation "We Got A Sweet Thing Going On Volume Two" (2016 SJCD 2011) . Charles Blakely passed away in Oct 2018.

The Mansion's single on Gibbs is now a highly sought after item amongst sweet and group soul collectors and is being reissued by Soul Junction available on 7 Nov 2022. The label released both sides on a CD compilation "We Got A Sweet Thing Going On" (2014 SJCD 5009) 

The single isn't listed on 45Cat and only one has ever sold on Discogs (£352 in Feb 2018) and only three are listed on Popsike, so it's a pretty scarce recording.

Source: Dave Welding (Soul Junction)

Details

Rating:	8.2
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul / Reissue
Format:	Single
Media:	7" Vinyl
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ548
Date:	07/11/2022
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Lamont Johnson & Eugene [2022] - Let’s Go Dance Tonight / Burnin’ For Your Love [Soul Junction #SJ1019]

Soul Junction has licensed two previously unissued dance orientated compositions from Lamont Johnson for their latest single offering with more still to come. It is released under the project/artists name of "Lamont Johnson & Eugene". The A side "Let’s Go Dance Tonight" is a male vocally led early 90's mid-tempo feel good dance number. Whilst the B side "Burnin’ For Your Love", in contrast, is a more synthesized bass driven 80's female dancer which should appeal to the Boogie crowd.

The single will be available from Soul Junction on 7" vinyl from 30 Aug 2022.

Eugene Lamont Johnson was born on 20 Apr 1955 in Highland Park, MI. He holds the distinction of being the first internationally recognized fretless bassist in R&B music and rose to prominence as a session musician on Gloster Williams & The King Vision’s gospel album "Together" (1977) which possibly passed most of us by. However, an album that most certainly didn't was Detroit based band Brainstorm's "Stormin’" released the same year on Tabu Records.

Brainstorm was initially formed during 1975 by bandleader and saxophonist Charles 'Chuck' Overton, and included Belita Woods (lead vocals), Lamont Johnson (bass), Renell Gonsalves (drums), Trenita 'Treaty' Womack (percussion, flute and backing vocals), Bob Ross (a.k.a Professor RJ Ross) (keyboards), Gerald 'Jerry' Kent (guitar), Jeryl Bright (trombone) and 'Leaping' Larry Sims (trumpet and flugelhorn).

Their debut album "Stormin'" was recorded during 1976 and released in 1977 containing the massive disco hit "Loving Is Really My Game" along with "Wake Up And Be Somebody" and "This Must Be Heaven" which featured Lamont Johnson's vocals (video below of his solo performance).

Brainstorm went on to release two further albums before disbanding in 1980 but Lamont didn't feature on either i.e "Journey To The Light" (1978) and "Funky Entertainment" (1979). However, 1978 was a prolific year for Lamont as he played bass on Hamilton Bohannon's "On My Way", Jimmy McKee's "First Time Out" and Keith Barrow's "Physical Attraction" which contained the rare groove two stepper "You Know You Want To Be Loved". Barrow  released just one more album before being taken by AIDS in 1983 aged 29. Coincidentally, earlier Barrow was a member of The Hi-Lites (not the same group that became The Chi-Lites) who released just one single on Holland-Dozier-Holland's Invictus label in 1973/74.

The same year Lamont released his debut album "Music Of The Sun" on Tabu which spawned two singles "Sister Fine" / "Yours Truly, Discreetly" and "Hey Girl" / "Differently".

In 1979 Lamont featured on bass on Chapter 8's debut eponymous album on Ariola followed by Nightflyte's self-titled debut on the same label. Chapter 8 at this time included one Anita Baker and Niteflyte Howard Johnson.

During 1980 Lamont began work on a second solo album for Tabu. Two singles were recorded "Rock You Baby" / "Something More" followed by what was to be the album title song "Rhumba" c/w "Masta Luva" which went on to become a modern soul favourite (live video performance below). Unfortunately, for whatever reason, CBS/Tabu decided to shelve the remainder of the project. 

Yet another link to a recent post as Johnson played on Was Not Was' "Tell Me I'm Dreaming" (as did Kathy Kosins posted yesterday) and also Robert Lowe's "Double Dip" jazz/funk album. 

Lamont has released two further CD albums on his own Allee Records label, "Amore' Dance" (2001) (which also has a song titled "Burnin' For Your Love" which is a ballad and not the same song) and "This Must Be Heaven" (2004). The latter featured Belita Woods (Brainstorm) and Detroit legend Pat Lewis with Sharon Jones also featuring on one of the tracks. Another Brainstorm group member  Trenita 'Treaty' Womack also appeared on a few tracks.

Note both of his last two albums are available on Spotify (links on album titles) and also YouTube with his 1978 album also available on YouTube.

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Boogie
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ1019
Date:	30/08/2022
Key/BPM	N/A
Price:	£13

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved