The Opells [2024] - You Know I Love You b/w Day And Time [Numero Group #NUM4455]

Another rarity reissued digitally this week by Numero Group. A one-off single by The Opells on Linco with "You Know I Love You" and "Day And Time".

The label, run by Walter Grady out of Greensboro, NC, released around a dozen singles between 1969-74. This one was released in 1971.

The group, from Greenboro, recorded this one-off single whilst attending North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Two members survive A Lovett and lead singer Tom Smith (both from New York), James Steadman Jr. and Raleigh Bryant (aka Lil Fats) are now deceased.

Both sides were written by group member James Steadman Jr. The A side is a lowrider sweet soul harmony song (known to the lowrider community for some years) with the flip being more uptempo and funky. 

Numero Group has the rights to the label and has released 20 plus from Grady's group of labels which includes Cobra, Witches Brew and others. So, if your looking for any from the labels, have a search as they may well have been reissued digitally.

This one seems virtually impossible to find on original vinyl as only one has ever sold on Discogs (£434) and none are available there for sale, and we can't find it listed at all on Popsike.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul  Soul-/Funk
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4455
Date:	16/05/2024
Key/BPM:	8A/71 / 3A/121
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Nobody's Child [2024] - All My Friends Call Me A Fool [Sound Of Soul]

Another digital reissue from August Moon's (Alexander Randolph) 70s Richmond, VA, based Sound Of Soul label.

It's a killer sweet soul ballad, "All My Friends Call Me A Fool", and the only release from Nobody's Child from 1971.

The song was also recorded by Larry Saunders on his 1976 "Stranger" album and also by Dickie Wonder as a single on Golden Triangle in 1975.

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

Details

Rating:	8.7
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Sonud Of Soul
Cat No:	None
Date:	03/05/2024
Key/BPM:	12B/75
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

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

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

Brighter Side of Darkness [2024] - Because I Love You b/w Oh Baby [Numero Group #NUM4753]

Brighter Side of Darkness was  formed in 1971 at Calumet High School in Chicago. The group consisted of Ralph Eskridge, Randolph Murph, Larry Washington, Albert Vanderlier Roberts and their 12-year-old lead singer Darryl Lamont.

They released their debut single "Love Jones" in Aug 1972 which peaked at #3 R&B and #16 Hot 100. On the strength of the single, 20th Century released a full album titled "Love Jones" produced by Clarence Johnson, The second single, "Just A Little Bit", bombed and their third, "I Owe You Love", made it to #48 R&B.

It would appear that they were then released by 20th Century and signed to Clarence Johnson's Star-Vue where they released one song from the album, "Oh Baby", along with "Because I Love You" in 1974 which has been reissued digitally by Numero Group. 

The group disbanded after this single but got back together to release a final single "He Made You Mine" / "Disco Ball" in 1978 on Magic Touch (also reissued digitally by Numero Group in Dec '22) before breaking up for good.

Discogs lists one further single "Natually" released as The Brighter Side. The label states that it's from the album "Love Jones" which it didn't actually feature on, so perhaps it's an unreleased track Johnson released later. It's the second of only two listed singles on an 80s Chicago label Phoenix. The only other release is dated 1987 by Serenade, "La La For Love", which is a rather good mid-tempo sweet soul number, flipped with "I Like The Little Boy In You", co-written and produced by Johnson which sounds very like The Lovelites who Johnson managed in the 70s.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4753
Date:	12/03/2024
Key/BPM:	8B/74 / 10B/127
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Equasions [2024] - It's so Hard to Say "So Long" / World of Loneliness [Symphonical Records]

A super rare record, much sought after on the lowrider scene, has been reissued digitally today: "It's so Hard to Say "So Long" / World of Loneliness" by Equasions 

It is one of only four releases on San Antonio, TX, label Pac Sounds released in 1971. It's the first time it's been reissued on vinyl, although it did appear on a 2020 compilation "Sweet Soul 3 - Rare and Hard To Find Soul 45s" which seems to be no longer available. 

London based Symphonical Records, run by James Pogson, has reissued it in conjunction with the song's writer Robert Williams and is already listed on 45Cat so presumably it is also available on vinyl but having checked their Bandcamp store they are all sold out but you may still find one from vinyl dealers.

Equations were a five-piece  group led by Robert Williams with Vernon Shannon, James 'Squirell' Hartfield, Ricky Cotton, and Lamar Sumter. Williams and Shannon were previously members of The Volumes (along with James & Joseph Garnett, and Williams' cousin, Ronnie Wallace) who recorded one single, "I'm Gonna Miss You" / "I've Never Been So In Love", in 1969 on Garu run by Manny Guerra.

They performed alongside other local acts such as Royal Jestors, Sunny & The Sunliners, The Primes, Joe Jama and others.

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

Details

Rating:	8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single / Reissue
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Symphonical Records
Cat No:	None
Date:	23/02/2024
Key/BPM:	12B/72 / 9B/115
Price:	£1.98 / £11.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan [2023] - HEART FULL OF LOVE [Industry Music Group] (Full Album)

Since their last appearance on these pages with their debut album "The Real Thing" (Feb '22), Andre Cruz & Chris Lujan have signed to Industry Music Group and release their second album "HEART FULL OF LOVE". 

As you may expect from the label, it's retro sweet soul in the lowrider style and consists of all cover versions. 

The most obvious are Freddie Hughes' "Send My Baby Back", Brenton Wood "I Like The Way You Love Me" and Al Green's "What A Wonderful Thing Love Is" (flip to "Call Me"), 

The less obvious, perhaps, The Invincibles "Heart Full Of Love", Bob & Gene "It's Not What You Know (It's Who You Know)", The Deceptions "Of All The Hearts", a more recent song "Can I Call You Rose" by  Thee Sinseers and an alternative take on the Doris Day song ("Que Sera Sera").

The remaining two tracks are more recent recordings: "Feels Like Summer" by Childish Gambino and "Make It Wit Chu" from Queens of the Stone Age, which are perhaps the most surprising choices?

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 / Sweet Soul / Cover Version
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	Industry Music Group
Cat No:	None
Date:	14/02/2024
Price:	£7.99

Copyright © 2009-2024 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

Wilton Crump [2023] - Give Your Love To Me b/w Think It Through [Numero Group #NUM4566]

A one-off private press single in 1975 on Olive Grove by Wilton Crump is the focus of the latest digital reissue from Numero Group.

They lead with the official B side, a falsetto led sweet soul ballad, "Give Your Love To Me". The other song, "Think It Through" is another ballad but without the falsetto vocals. Both songs were recorded at Chess and Curtom in Chicago.

Both songs have featured on CD compilations, "Give Your Love To Me" on Soul Junction's "We Got A Sweet Thing Going On (Volume Two)" in 2016 and again on "Sweet Soul Rolas Vol. 3" and "Think It Through" featured on "Sweet Soul Rolas Vol. 3" both from around 2010, but we're not sure how legit the last two comps are as they contain many rare songs, 'probably' ripped from vinyl?

Wilton Emanuel Crump was born in in 1949 in Gary, IN, he was in the Roosevelt High School band from the 7th grade and formed a trio the Mellowtones (which included his cousin John Hilson and future jazz sideman Ervin Bates) a year after acquiring a guitar when he was 11 years old. They were a teen hit in their native town until a certain Jackson 5 arrived on the scene!

The Mellowtones recorded one single which was to include a cover of The Impressions "For Your Precious Love" on the flip, which they got clearance for, but unfortunately let the clearance lapse so the recording went unreleased.

He left Gary in 1967 to study music at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. Upon returning to Gary he wrote songs and hawked them around with little success. He also supported recording projects and played in covers bands and word got around that he was a good arranger. Steeltown's Gordon Keith got wind of it and having released just one single by The Jackson Five before they went to Motown, he had another song in the can "We Don't Have To Be Over 21 (To Fall In Love)"  and Crump was commissioned to arrange it which released in 1970, although he was only credited on one of the label variants.

His sole single on Olive Branch in 1975 did nothing at the time but was discovered years later by the lowrider scene in L.A.  In 1979 he formed a covers band called The Ravens who performed up to the 90s. By 1997 he became music director of another Gary, IN, legendary group The Spaniels led by Pookie Hudson who were still doing the nostalgia circuit. After Hudson's death in Jan 2007 he took over as lead vocalist. As of 2014 (when the article we have referenced from Belt magazine was written) he was still performing, and as far as we are aware may still be doing so as he would be 73/74 now.

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

Details

Rating:	7.8
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Numero Group
Cat No:	NUM4566
Date:	08/08/2023
Key/BPM:	5A/73 / 4A/66
Price:	£1.79

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

VA [2023] - Psychomania Choppers: Chicano Oldies and R&B Rarities, Vol. 1 [Psychomania]

A good compilation, made even sweeter by the ridiculously cheap price of £2.99 on Amazon, was released on Friday (4 Aug).

As the title implies, it  consists of souldies/lowriders from the 60s/70s and contains one of our favourites Little Royal & The Swingmasters who we did a Discography for several years ago.

Most tracks are from relatively little know artists (with perhaps the exclusion of Donnie Elbert and Barbara Mason) who didn't release a lot of music and even fewer made any impact at the time but have been unearthed by  various underground rare soul scenes over the years.

If you have a penchant for sweet n' deep then these will be right up your street.

The comp opens with "All For You" by The Admirations which was the flip side of their last of only four recordings on One-derful! in 1967.

Donnie Elbert's "Baby Let Me Love You Tonite" was an early recording on Vee Jay in 1960 reissued on Jayboy in UK in 1970, presumably to 'cash in' on his UK success with his All Platinum album "Where Did Our Love Go" which had several tracks picked up on by the Northern Soul scene.

The Barbara Mason track, "Just You And Me", is an unissued Arctic recording from the 'Oh How It Hurts' sessions that seems to have been first released on a Bear Family CD reissue of the album with additional unreleased recordings in 1997.

The last of only three records on L.A. based Venus and the second of two singles by Karen Small is another flipside, "That's Why I Cry", written by Don Julian (& The Larks). It even got a UK release on Vocalion in 1966.

The debut single on Markay in 1962 "I Wanna Chance" by The Vows which included Morris Chestnut (know in NS circles for several recordings both solo and in groups such as The Vows and The Attractions). This one has more of a doo-wop sound.

Although Little Royal & The Swingmasters "Jealous" is credited to Little Royal Torrence, it is more or less the same song, with a few changes, as Garland Green's "Jealous Kind Of Fella" written by Green with Jo Armstead, Morris Dollinson and Rudolph Browner. It was released on Tri Us in 1971. Green's song was 1969.

Yet another B side, to his NS spin "Have Love Will Travel" is "Think About It Baby" by Roosevelt 'Rosey' Jones on Patrick Adams run Today Records. John 'Monster' Davis arranged and Frank Fioravanti produced both songs. It was his only solo single although he released another with The Superiors.

Although sounding very 60s, "I'm So In Love With You" is a 70s recording by Californian Chicano group Thee Dupremes who formed in 1975. They released another single on their own label Depreme Productions .

Walter Webb  & The Highlighters is a completely new name to us, not surprisingly when they released just one single on Chess in 1970 "Your Time Is Gonna Come". The single on both Discogs and 45 Cat is associated with James Bell & The Highlighters (Band) from Indianapolis which seems plausible as they released a single on Lulu (which is also the title of the flipside) written by the same song writers Herman & Brantley (misspelt? Bradly).

The Sequins song, "What Makes Me Love You" is a Phillip Mitchell song recorded on Denise LaSalle's Crajon Records in 1971. They were a girl group trio from Chicago and not, perhaps the better know group, from L.A. which included Brenda & Patrice Holloway.

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

For YouTube Playlist for Full Comp. Click HERE

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Lowrider, Sweet Soul, Deep Soul,  Souldies
Format:	Album / Compilation
Media:	Digital
Label:	Psychomania
Cat No:	None
Date:	04/08/2023
Price:	£2.99

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Mantis [2023] - Love Was Born For Me / Do We Have A Love [Epsilon Records #EPS023]

Epsilon Records have just announced their latest release, a new single by Modesto, CA, group Mantis. You may recall that they released another single from the group in May '22 "When I Love You (vocal & inst)", which was  a new song recorded in 2021. 

The latest release consists of two previously unreleased recordings from 1976. The A side. "Love Was Born For Me", is an up-tempo song with that 'spacy' 70s sound much loved by the modern soul scene, whilst the flip, "Do We Have A Love", is a deep and sweet soul ballad that will more than likely appeal to the Lowrider scene as well as others.

The single is available to buy now digitally and on 7" vinyl from Epsilon Records website.

Mantis was formed by former students from the Ivy League Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. They played together in the college sponsored traveling band called the Green Dream consisting of students taught by Robert (Bob) Northern (aka Brother Ahh) who worked with many of the jazz greats including Thelonious Monk, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Donald Byrd, Freddie Hubbard, and many others.

When they graduated they decided to set up their own group and take a shot at stardom, much to the dismay of their parents as you may imagine after such a costly education! They self-released just one single on Smoke "I Know (You Really Want Me)" / "I Wish You Would Start (To Love Me)". We guess that it may have been a private press as no other material has surfaced on the label. The A side is an in-demander on the lowrider scene fetching well into three figures on original vinyl and has featured on at least three CD compilations in the last 20 or so years.

Another single was released in 1982 on Oakland Smoke which was more than likely related to Smoke as the same producers and engineers are credited. It was by Debravon Lewis (aka Fizzy Quick) who, around the same time, was also a member of Bridge ("Crying For Love" fame). She later released a self-titled album for Motown in 1986.

The Mantis group members have stayed in touch to this day and, Epsilon's Yann Vatiste tells us, Zoom each week and gives us a rundown of what they are doing today. All have found 'proper' jobs probably much to the satisfaction of their parents.

Allen Atkins (vocals / keyboards)

Became a university economics professor and still plays music occasionally with a small trio in his home state of Arizona.

Baxter Fullerton (vocals / vocal arrangement)

Got involved in banking and the stock market, still sings occasionally for fun.

Alvin Harrison (guitar/ vocals)

Started an advertising agency in California, retired at 44, still releasing new music today.

Vernon Stewart (vocals /drums)

Is in the transportation industry, but has been in many local bands and is still gigging in Houston Texas.

Rocky Whitaker (vocals / conga)

Involved in college sports promotions and still performs in Charlotte North Carolina.

Paul Ungar (bass/ keyboards / BG vocals)

Became a music lawyer and continues to play in a band that does charitable performances.

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

Details

Rating:	8.4
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Sweet Soul / Previously Unreleased
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital / 7" Vinyl
Label:	Epsilon Records
Cat No:	EPS023
Date:	20/07/2023
Key/BPM:	N/A
Price:	£3 / £17.50 (UK incl. P&P) / £22.50 (Int'l incl. P&P)

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

The Dynamic Superiors [1975] - The Dynamic Superiors [Motown #M6-822S1] (Full Album)

As we are scratching around trying to find new releases that we feel are good enough to share, an underrated, and perhaps lesser know except in rare soul circles, recording by The Dynamic Superiors for some reason popped into consciousness.

That song being "One-Nighter" written by Ashford & Simpson and tucked away on the B side of both US and UK singles which both had different A sides "Leave It Alone" in US (their biggest hit #13 R&B) and "Deception" in UK.

Rather than just post the single we had a re-listen to their debut, self-titled, album on which it featured and it's a pleasant album. It contains their version of Ace Spectrum's "Don't Send Nobody Else" which has had serious spins on the modern soul scene for many years and was first recorded by Millie Jackson on "Hurts So Good" in 1973 and is another Ashford & Simpson composition. In The Netherlands it was released as a single with "One-Nighter" with a picture sleeve which, needless to say, commands quite a high price.

The album opens with the sweet soul tune "Show Shoe Shine" which, whilst it was their second highest R&B chart entry at #16, was their only Hot 100 hit reaching #68. We found some rather grainy old footage of them performing it on Soul Train (see below).

All tracks were written by Ashford & Simpson except "I Got Away" which was written by Valerie Simpson's younger brother Ray who later replaced Victor Willis in Village People in 1979. 

The group were formed in 1963 in Washington D.C. as The Superiors and released just one single "I'd Rather Die" on Sue in 1969 before being signed to Motown in 1972. There first Motown single "Shoe Shoe Shine" arrived 1974. They released four albums for Motown in just two years between 1975-77. The first two alums produced two R&B hits each, their third none and the fourth their last R&B chart success.

Just one more album materialised, "The Sky's the Limit" on Venture in 1980, which features Tony Camilo replacing former lead singer Tony Washington. It's a very rare record and not even listed on Discogs but was reissued on CD in 2003 by P-Vine.

Only more recently (last ten years or so) has their material been reissued and available on CD.

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

Details

Rating:	8.5
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Sweet Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital / CD / Vinyl
Label:	Motown
Cat No:	M6-822S1
Date:	1975
Price:	£5.99 / £28.89 / £various

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Fernanda Valdivia [2023] - Since You Been Gone [Golden Rules]

The seventh single pre-released from German label Golden Rules' upcoming compilation "The Originals 3" is a Chicano style sweet soul ballad "Since You Been Gone" by Fernanda Valdivia from Long Beach, CA.

The only other release we can find from her is a single "Love & Fear" in Sep '22 (live performance video below).

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:	8.3
Explicit:	N
Genre/Style:	Retro Soul / Sweet Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Golden Rules
Cat No:	None
Date:	07/07/2023
Key/BPM:	10B/79
Price:	£1

Copyright © 2009-2023 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved