Michelle Goulett [2021] - I Am In Love [JWE Music Group] (Full EP)

Another release from the JWE Music Group, the same label that brought us Jim White & The Motor City Orchestra last week - JWE may be Jim White Entertainment as a guess? All tracks are credited as being written by James E. White and, like the Jim White album, it sound like these tracks were recorded in the 80, tracks 2 & 4 especially. Michelle Goulett is accompanied by an uncredited male vocalist on "Home Away From Home" (Jim White?) which is one of the two better tracks, a deep slow jam, along with "I Am In Love".

She is the same artist who released a self-titled album on Island in 1986 as Jim White is the producer. Her name was spelt slightly differently as Goulet and, by all accounts, she was a blue-eyed session singer. I found the full album on YT and it's typical mid 80s 'thrash' dance music, although she does a half decent version of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" around 20 mins in albeit a little 'over-egged' and gets a bit Patti'esque!

"I Am In Love" was actually released in 1986 as a single on Island as "I'm In Love" and features on the album, as was another track on the latest EP "Slow Down" which was also featured on the flip side to the single.

Note: Credit goes to Paul Regan for finding this and posting on his YT channel.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8.2 (for the 2 ballads)
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	EP
Media:	Digital
Label:	JWE Music Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	19/07/2021
Value:	£2.76

The Harold Thomas Band [2021] - Your Love Drives Me Crazy [JWE Group]

OK, I'm now convinced that airings on specialist soul radio shows influence the Amazon charts. Mark Merry and his 'soul scouts' (i.e. his 'Merry men') Paul Regan and Pete Ratcliffe over the last couple of weeks have unearthed some previously unreleased 80s recordings produced by Jim White released on his JWE Music Group logo. 

Along with a few others, this week's instalment included two tracks from The Harold Thomas Band "Your Love Drives Me Crazy" and "Can I Spend The Night" (which sounds, and probably is, identical to the Jim White & Motor City Orchestra track of the same name posted last week). 

Well, both of these tracks have 'miraculously' appeared in the Amazon Top 30 today from nowhere (along with another featured on the show which I posted on Sunday from Michelle Goulett)  ... except of course we now know better as, presumably, listeners to the show have bought the tracks and put them in the chart! It can't simply be a coincidence?

It wouldn't surprise me if the female vocalist on Jim White & Motor City Orchestra and The Harold Thomas Band is actually Michelle Goulett as the voice sounds similar! She is a blue-eyed soul session singer, with a great voice, who released a self-titled album in 1986 produced by Jim White and two of the tracks on her latest EP were featured on the album and were released as a single also in 1986. 

There are a number of other albums that have been released on JWE in the last few weeks e.g. Dee Dee Joseph & David, Detroit Sound Revue, Kyng Penn, Pete Dagdren, The All Ball Band, The Gosse Ile Band, The David Gunthner Band, Mel Shaker and Benevolent. There is also a compilation called JWE Music Collection Vol. 1 which I got excited about when I discovered it had a track by the legendary Levi Stubbs, but unfortunately it was a bit of a MOR style ballad, to my ears at least, but here it is if you want to check it out. However, there is another good track on it which I'll post separately.

Most, if not all, of the material is from the mid 80s (many having that crash, bang, wallop, electro dance music feel) but the ballads have stood the test of time, most of them have already been 'sniffed' out by the soul scouts above.

I think The Harold Thomas Band is probably the best of the bunch as it contains mostly ballads, so doesn't suffer the same 'aging' as the others.

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	7.8
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Self Released
Cat No:	None
Year:	20/07/2021
Value:	£5.50

The Counts [2021] - What's It All About / Watch The Clock [Soul Junction #SJ1017]

The latest offering from Dave Welding's Soul Junction are two sides from Detroit's The Counts aka The Fabulous Counts. The 'main' side is their superb modern soul classic "What's It All About", which was the only release on Terry Mendelson's T.M. label in 1978, coupled with a previously unreleased  funk track. Terry Mendelson is the brother of Bernie Mendelson who produced The Floaters self-titled debut album in 1977.

The single will be released on vinyl only on 12 Nov 2021 and is available to pre-order from Soul Junction website.

"What's It All About" was written by Leroy Emmanuel who also performs the lead vocals. It was part of a self-funded session recorded in Atlanta in 1978 from which the previously unreleased flip "Watch The Clock" is taken written by Mose Davis who is also lead vocalist on the track.

One of the original members of the group was Jim White who I wonder, and wouldn't be surprised, if it is the same Jim White who has recently released a load of previously unreleased 80s material.

The Fabulous Counts were originally a Detroit High School group of five musicians who were later joined by Leroy Emanuel and managed by Fred McClure who also managed The Metros. They regularly worked with Dwight 'Spyder' Turner and were initially billed on his major hit "Stand By Me" as Spyder Turner & The Fabulous Counts but their name was dropped due to contractual reasons at the insistence of their manager Fred McClure.

They recorded three singles on Ollie McLaughlin’s Moira label in 1968-69 all of which appeared on a Cotillion album "Jan Jan" in 1969 along with some cover versions. In 1970 they left Moira to join Westbound changing their name to The Counts where they released just one single and an album "What's Up Front That-Counts" in 1971, which gained a CD reissue in 1994 and included both sides of the 1978 T.M. 45.

However, whilst still at Wesbound they recorded another three singles, one under the pseudonym  Bad Smoke on Chess and two as Lunar Funk on Bell.

They then moved to Atlanta becoming a quartet, with two members  (Jim White and Raoul Mangrum) deciding to remain in Detroit, joining Michael Thevis's Aware label releasing two albums and four singles between 1973-75.

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul / Funk
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Soul Junction
Cat No:	SJ1017
Date:	15/12/2021
Key/BPM:	6B/110 / N/A
Value:	£12

Ronnie McNeir [1975] - Wendy Is Gone [Setting Sun / Prodigal]

Ronnie McNeir is a Detroit legend in Northern soul circles especially for his 1966 rarity "Sitting In My Class". "Wendy Is Gone" This is a later recording from 1974. It was originally on Setting Sun (which I believe was his own label as all releases are either by him or written/produced by him (coincidentally one of those releases was from Jim White & The Motor City Orchestra. Jim White has been reissuing material in recent weeks under his JWE Group label) but was reissued on Prodigal the following year and also got a UK release on London, so prices are cheap for this one.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Modern Soul
Format:	Single
Media:	7"
Label:	Setting Sun
Cat No:	RS-101
Date:	1974
Key/BPM:	1A
Value:	£10-£15

SoulStrutter Top 20 - 17th Aug 2021

The third instalment of the SoulStrutter Top 20 of the most viewed posts in 30 days (i.e. blog readers choices not mine!).

For some bizarre reason the 'pesky' First Wives Club compilation is still consistently topping both the 7 & 30 day list (as it must be an anomaly I've removed it!), Sex On Toast 2015 single (posted on 10 Aug) is receiving a considerable number of views (it is at the top of the 7 day list at the moment)! Another strange one is the entry of Jim White after being posted 29 days ago and Trenice still hanging on after 50 days!

Last 30 Days

Pos	Artist - Title	Posted	Days
1	GarciaWalker&Durrell - Praying For Rain LP	27/07	21
2	Penzillathegreat - Stay A Little While	20/07	28
3	Christopher Williams - Fine As Gold	03/08	14
4	Rita Ray - No Greater Love	13/08	4
5	Sex On Toast - Oh! Loretta (2015)	10/08	7
6	Sugar Rainbow - Game Of Life	04/08	13
7	Mike De'Cole - Nights Like This	21/07	27
8	Will Downing - The Warmth Of You	10/08	7
9	Trenice - Trenice (EP)	28/06	50
10	Tony Walk - The One For You	06/08	11
11	Bridge City Revival - Introducing Bridge City Revival	24/07	24
12	Maurice J - Love Language LP	19/07	29
13	Loose Ends - Gonna Make You Mine	11/08	6
14	The Paradise Projex - The Paradise Projex EP	04/08	13
15	Lady Blackbird - It Will Never Happen Again	13/08	4
16	Beth Macari - Love You More	28/07	20
17	Jim White & The Motor City Orchestra - Stop Me /  Can I Spend The Night	19/07	29
18	Georgie Sweet - Circled	15/08	2
19	Nuwambe - Love Ase LP	08/08	9
20	VA - Philadelphia International Records The Remixes, Vol 2 LP/Comp	13/08	4

Jim White & The Motor City Orchestra [2021] - Stop Me / Can I Spend The Night (Techno Body LP) [JWE Music Group]

Here's a strange release which came out yesterday (18 Jul 2021). Strange in the sense that all the tracks sound like they were recorded in the 80s and the only other release I can find from Jim White & The Motor City Orchestra is a 1981 release on Setting Sun ("I'll Play The Fool" (modern soul) / "Free Style" (boogie/funk)), which I believe was a label owned by Ronnie McNeir, as most of the handful of releases on the label (4 of 7) are by McNeir and those he didn't record he had a hand in writing.

I thought originally that this album may have been recorded around the same time at the same session, but many of the tracks sound later, more like mid/late 80s. Most of the tracks now sound dated, but there are a couple of ballads which still stand up. I would guess that this is a collection of songs recorded throughout the 80s as "Releasing This Juice" and "Got To Be Funky" in particular have a new jack swing feel which didn't start until after 1985.

I'm not going to post the full album as to be honest, unless you're an 80s lover, they aren't very good but as alluded to above a couple of ballads are quite decent.

The listing for the album states Various Artists, and "Can I Spend The Night" features what sounds like an uncredited female (or possibly a teenage boy) on lead vocals. The other featured track is "Stop Me".

Details

Rating:	8.6
Genre/Style:	80s Soul
Format:	Album Tracks
Media:	Digital
Label:	JWE Music Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	18/07/2021
Value:	£6.21

R.I.P. - Jim Stewart (Stax Records) (29 Jul 1930 - 5 Dec 2022)

The co-founder of one of the most iconic and beloved soul labels of the 60s and 70s, Jim Stewart, died on Monday 5 Dec 2022 aged 92. 

He formed Satellite Records in 1957 primarily as a country and rockabilly label run out of a two car garage in Brunswick, TN. He was later joined by his sister Estelle Axton (11 Sep 1918 - 25 Feb 2004) who financed the purchase of professional recording equipment. In 1959 the company moved to Memphis and rented the former Capitol Theatre at 926 E McLemore Avenue and in 1961 was renamed to Stax which is an acronym of the first two letters of each's surname. The site is now the Stax Museum since 2003, after being demolished in 1989, with the original facade being reconstructed.

Stewart was born on a farm and joined a local country group. He worked first in a department store and then a bank before being drafted into the army for two years and went back into banking in 1953.

Satellite had their first regional hit in 1960, a duet between Rufus Thomas and his 16 year old daughter Carla on "Cause I Love You" which Carla followed with "Gee Whizz" which was #5 R&B and #10 Hot 100 (allegedly selling 500k copies). The following year Estelle persuaded Jim to release a song by her son, Packy's, band The Mar-Keys and another hit ensued with an instrumental "Last Night" which became the label's biggest hit reaching #2 R&B and #3 Hot 100. Apparently, it was this hit that prompted the change of name as when the record reached the west coast Jim was notified that there was another label named Satellite and Stax was born. Ironically another Satellite label emerged in Chicago in 1965 as an offshoot of St. Lawrence! Then of course there is the Mod anthem "Green Onions" by Booker T & The M.G.'s followed by many other hits. By 1965 Stewart had quit his day-time job in the bank to focus on Stax full time.

Estelle ran the customer facing part of the business selling records with Jim in the back in the studio. Many of the label's artists initially came in as customers. It's quite remarkable when you think of the times as American was in the grips of the Civil Rights movement and segregation in the 'Jim Crow' south, yet blacks and whites worked together in harmony. The majority of the musicians used were mainly white whilst the singers were mainly black.

In 1968, just after the death of Otis Redding, and four members of his band The Bar-Kays, in a plane crash on 10 Dec 1967, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King in Memphis (4 Apr 1968) and the end of a distribution deal with Atlantic Records, Axton sold her share of the business and Al Bell joined Stewart running the company. Stewart then sold his share to Bell in 1972 and the company started to fail a year later with Stewart stepping in to try and save it but, with rising debts and a dispute with CBS who were distributing the label, the company went under. Another factor was that a distribution deal Stewart had signed with Atlantic, which he hadn't read properly, meant that, when they parted company, Atlantic retained ownership of all the masters. Stax went bankrupt in 1975 eventually being relaunched by Fantasy Records who bid for the company at an auction in 1977. Although some new material was released, they mainly reissued back catalogue.

The company was bought by Concord Music Group in 2008 who signed Jill Scott, Angie Stone and Leela James. 

According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Stax released around 300 albums and 800 singles with 167 Billboard Hot 100 and 243 R&B hits between 1959-75.

The Stax roster included some now legendary figures: Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, Johnnie Taylor, William Bell, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Isaac Hayes, Eddie Floyd, The Staple Singers, Soul Children, Dramatics, Emotions, Rance Allen Group, Shirley Brown and many more, not forgetting the writing team of Hayes and Porter.

In 2002 Stewart was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Steve Cropper (Booker T. & the M.G.'s and Sam Moore (Sam & Dave). He did not attend the ceremony having his granddaughter instead accept the honour on his behalf.

Copyright © 2009-2022 SoulStrutter All Rights Reserved

Bobby Wade

Bobby Wade

A song that has been 'haunting' me for years is a magnificent deep soul cut by Bobby Wade, so I thought I'd do an article that includes his full output.

Bobby Wade Discography @ Solfulkindamusic

1966 You Don't Understand Me / They Call It Stormy Monday [Marjon MJ-508 A]

1966 Flame In Your Heart / Can't You Hear Me Calling [Big Jim 3275]

1967 Four Walls And One Window / Can't You Hear Me Calling [Way Out 2001/2002]

1970 Four Walls And One Window / Can't You Hear Me Calling [DeLuxe 45-121]

1970 Blind Over You / Funny How Time Slips Away [DeLuxe 45-128]

1971 I'm In Love With You / Down Here On The Ground [Way Out 102]

One Way / Big Jim / BOS Discography

Way Out was a Cleveland label owned by Lester Johnson and Bill Branch as an outlet for its African-American music.

A bit of info over at SirShambling

Note SirShambling has Bobby's 1st 45 dated 1966/67 and Soulfulkinda Music 1964.  It certainly sounds more 64 that 66/67, however sirShambling's date was provided by someone who knew Bobby then so probably a better bet.

Bobby Wade was born in Meadville, PA  in 1942. He released around 5 45s between 1966 and 1971.  In 1971 he joined Little Anthony (Jerome Anthony Gourdine) & The Imperials replacing Kenny Seymour who had just replaced Ernest Wright who had left to join The Platters. After several more member changes and the departure of Little Anthony a trio was left, Clarence Collins (a founding member), Harold Jenkins and Bobby Wade and they continued as The Imperials. When Collins left in 1988 he was replaced by Sherman James and they continued as Bobby Wade's Imperials. However, in 1992 Little Anthony reunited with Collins, Wright and Sammy Strain for a one-off concert which was such a success that they decided to tour, so Wade relinquished The Imperials name and his group were known as Bobby Wade's Emperors when they became the resident band at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

Andrew Hamiltion on AllMusic has written more about him.

Bobby Wade

Little Anthony (left) & The Imperials (Bobby Wade 2nd left)

The Imperials (Bobby Wade right)

There also a page about Bobby Wade's Emperors here.

 Bobby Wade's Emperors (Bobby Wade centre)

Bobby Wade [1966] - You Don't Understand Me [Marjon MJ-508 A]

Marjon records was based in Sharon, PA.  I am guessing that they provided a custom pressing service as label has Custom Series on it and most of releases are by different artists i.e. no artist has more than one release. 511 was 1966 and 513 1968 so I am also guessing that this came out 1965/66 (or at least between 64-66).  It sounds earlier than 66 to me.

Written by Bill Massey. of The O'Jays, this song was originally a B side to Bobby Freeman's Do You Wanna Dance on King.  It was also recorded by Smiley Moon & The Moontunes on Star. It is claimed by some that The Beatles - This Boy is very similar!

Bobby Wade [1966] - They Call It Stormy Monday [Marjon MJ-508 B]

Bobby Wade [1966] -  Flame In Your Heart / Can't You Hear Me Calling [Big Jim 3275]

A bit of rocking R&B style Northern Soul from 1967.  Big Jim was is a 'sort of' off-shoot of Way Out records. It was owned by Cleveland Brown football player Jim Brown but run by Way Out.  There were only 2 releases, this one and another by Occasions - Baby Don't Go / There's No You.

Bobby Wade [1970] - Four Walls And One Window [Way Out 2001 / DeLuxe 45-121]

If you have not yet had the pleasure of hearing this track then you are in for a real treat.

Wade took the song to Way Out to audition in 1966.  Rod 'Rico' Simmons and John Washington of The Sensations helped to re-write it and it came out on Way Out 2001 with The Occasions (on Big Jim) on backing along with Can't You Hear Me Calling previously released on Big Jim as flip.

This came out originally in 1967 on Way Out 2001 and was re-issued in 1970 on DeLuxe 45-121.

Bobby Wade [1970] -  Can't You Hear Me Calling [way Out 2002 / DeLuxe 45-121]

This came out originally in 1967 on Way Out 2001 and was re-issued in 1970 on De-Luxe 45-121.

Bobby Wade [1970] - Blind Over You [DeLuxe 45-128]

Written and produced by Walter Williams and Bobby Massey of The O'Jays.  The O'Jays performed background vocals.

Bobby Wade [1970] - Funny How Time Slips Away [DeLuxe 45-128]

Bobby Wade [1971] - I'm In Love With You [Way Out 102/103]

There were two pressings of this release, the first on grey Bodie press W-102-A / W-103-B and the 2nd on the red lettering on white background 103A/103B.

Verna & Rob [1969] - I'm In Love With You [Way Out 1966]

I'm In Love With You was also released on Way Out by Verna & Rob Middlebrooks who were a husband and wife writing partnership.  Note that both sides of this 45 were arranged by the legendary Mike Terry.

Bobby Wade [1971] - Down Here On The Ground [Way Out 102]

The Imperials [1978] - Who's Gonna Love Me [Omni OM 5501]

Here' a nice piece of footage.  The Imperials from 1977 with Bobby Wade on lead.  I believe that this saw a UK release in 1977 before the US release. It reached #17 in Uk Pop charts in Dec 1977 and was on charts for 9 weeks so perhaps it got a release in US after chart success in UK.

The Imperials [1977] - Who's Gonna Love Me [Power Exchange PC 266]

The Dirty Dozen - The Best Of 2021... Covers, Reissues, Remixes & Samples Part 18 (Jul 2021 Wk 29)

My selection of this week's best cover versions, remixes, reissues, previously unreleased and new songs using samples (Jul 2021 Wk 29). (In no particular order).

A few previously unissued tracks including Aretha Franklin from 1978 and two from Jim White from the 80s. I've also included two tracks from the new Bridge City Revival album as they are retro tracks and couldn't get squeezed into the main Dozen as there is just so much good new music around this week, but they deserve to be heard. There's four covers: Ledisi, Jamie Jones, Charles Jenkins and Big State, a sampler of The Manhattans from J.B. Boogie and finally two 'reissues' from GarciaWalker&Durrell from their 'new/old' album due out next Friday. One is a cover of Beloyd that was released in March so both a cover and a reissue, the other track only came out on a compilation in 2014.

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

JWE Group [2021] - Don't Go There [JWE Music Group]

The best track from a five track compilation "JWE Music Group Collection,  Vol. 1" released on 20 Jul 2021. It features two tracks sung by Michael North, one each by Jim White and Levi Stubbs and this one called "Don't Go There" credited simply to JWE Group.  

Presumably, like all of the other JWE Music Group material released recently, these are old recordings. Unlike the others, these don't sound like 80s songs, they sound later, perhaps late 90s early 00s. Levi Stubbs died in 2008 so his is no later than that obviously!

Click icons below for further information or to connect with the artist.

Details

Rating:	8
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album Track
Media:	Digital
Label:	JWE Music Group
Cat No:	None
Year:	22/07/2021
Key/BPM:	3B/58
Value:	£1

NS525 Danny Monday [1966] - Baby, Without You [Modern 1033]

525 Danny Monday [1966] - Baby, Without You [Modern 1033]

b/w:	Good Taste Of Love
Format:	45
Label:	Label
Cat No:	Cat No
Year:	1966
Value:	£1800

Very rare blue-eyed soul from Danny Monday and one of the rarest singles released on Modern label.  It is thought that it was never released as only original promos have ever been found.  It was reissued/bootlegged in mid 70s (probably around 76 when it was big) on a white demo with black lettering (originals have red lettering) and a red stock copy, however no one 'in the know' has ever seen an original stock copy.  It is said that the reissue is pressed from the same master plate in which case it is more likely to be a legal reissue to meet new demand than a bootleg ... but who knows? Originals don't crop up very often and the price reflects this.  

Baby Without You has been reissued a couple of times in the UK on Kent (1983 and 2002) and apparently Ady Croasdel (6Ts/100 Club promoter / DJ and runs Kent records)  has several different takes of the track which presumably he has obtained from out takes on master tapes.  

It is believed that Danny Monday is white, however you can not tell from the soulful flip side, which I actually prefer and is perfect for today's scene but would have been far too slow in the heyday of Northern Soul.  Check out the sound clip below.  The topside is a stomper.

After all this time there is still nothing known about the artist.  This is pure conjecture on my part ... but I wonder if it may be one of the Vegas (real name Vasquez) brothers Lolly or Pat?  This is based on the fact that the song was co-written by Jim Ford (who wrote Harry Hippie, Tell Me Why, Secrets, Where Do We Go From Here and many others for Bobby Womack)  & L. (Lolly) Vegas.  Pat had recorded a single in 1962 as Pat Vegas and they also recorded several 45s as a duo Pat & Lolly between 63-65.  So why would they not use their own name of this?  Well perhaps they were contracted with another record company at the time of release? They did record an album on Mercury in 1966 and a 45 from it, so perhaps the Modern 45 was a bit of moonlighting? Pat & Lolly went on to form Redbone in 1969.

I've read through Redbone's early history without any hints, however they did record under various aliases in their early years e.g. The Individuals (62), Deuce Coupes (63), Avantis (63/64), (NB the history article states that they were in Routers & Mar-kets but can't find any evidence of that!).  In 1966 they were the resident band at The Haunted House in LA and recorded a live album which consisted of a lot of soul covers so they were disposed to sing soul at that time.

Lolly Vegas/Vasquez died of cancer in 2010, so possibly only Pat will be able to confirm or deny the above?

Since writing the above I have received an anonymous comment (March 2014 below) stating:
"Danny Monday was white I knew him and his wife as a kid in L.A. He had a band then 'Danny Monday & The 2nd Revolution'. I saw him open for Wilson Pickett. They were too good and Mr. Pickett did not like it!"
I thank whoever posted the comment but as it was anonymously posted I am not able to reply but if the person that wrote it reads this I'd be very interested in learning more.

Bootleg

Gene & Gary [2010] - Baby Without You [Kent 6T 26]

On the flip side of the 100 Club 31st anniversary giveaway 45 (which has the wonderful Paramount Four on the other side) is a version of Baby Without You by Gene & Gary.  Curiously for this 45 Pat Vegas' name has been added to writer credits.

I've no idea who Gene & Gary are but definitely blue-eyed and (for me) nowhere near as good as Danny Monday's version.

Danny Monday [1966] - Good Taste Of Love [Modern 1033]

Honey & The Bees - Discography

Honey & The Bees started their career as The Yum Yums (a trio consisting of Gwendolyn (Oliver) Wesley (who married Fred Wesley), Cassandra Ann Wooten and Jean Davis Sanders) releasing (the now) Northern Soul classic Gonna Be  Big Thing / Looky Looky (What I Got) on ABC Paramount in 1965.  A faster version of Gonna Be  A Big Thing was released a year later by  another Philly group, The Sapphires (Carol Jackson, George Gainer, and Joe Livingston), on the same label.

Jimmy Bishop (the founder of Arctic record) managed them and added Nadine Felder White as lead singer and renamed the group Sugar & Spice and then shortly after Honey & The Bees. As far as I can tell I don't think they released any material as Sugar And Spice.

This group should not be confused with another Philly group of the same name who recorded 2 45s on Academy in 1965 which included Fannie Lee Cobb previously of Fannie & The Varcells on Lash label.  Discogs also lists another 45 by them which can't possibly be as it was released in 1959 on Pentagon distributed by Wizz an NY label - so 'perhaps' the other group on Academy? ... but I doubt it.
They released 5 45s on Arctic between 1966-69, 6 on Josie 1970-71 and 2 on Bell in 1972. They also released a Christmas 45 which was released on Chess in 1970 and reissued on North Bay in 1971.  The 'staggering' thing is that not one of their releases made even the US R&B Top 100!  This amazes me as the quality of most of their material is excellent

Gwendolyn (Oliver) Wesley, Cassandra Ann Wooten later met Cheryl Mason Jacks and then producer Richie Rome who introduced them to Jacques Morali (creator of The Village People) and formed The Ritchie Family.  However, their first album 'Brazil' in 1975 did not included them, the singers were an established Philly backing group called The Sweethearts who included Barbara Ingram, Carla & Evete Benson.  The best known recordings by them are Brazil #11 BB 100 #41 UK and The Best Disco In Town #17 BB 100 #10 UK.

Discography

NOTE I am not able to find sound clips for Auld Lang Syne or Leave Me Alone.  If anyone is able to provide mp3s it would be gratefully appreciated to complete the full discography.  Please leave a comment.

45s

The Yum Yums

1965 - Looky Looky (What I Got) / Gonna Be  Big Thing [ABC Paramount 45-10697]

Honey & The Bees

1966 - I'm Confessin' / One Time Is Forever [Arctic 118]

1968 - (You Better) Go Now / Why Do You Hurt The One Who Loves You [Arctic 141]

1969 - Love Addict  / I'll Be There [Arctic 149]

1969 - Together Forever / Dynamite Exploded [Arctic 152]

1969 - Sunday Kind Of Love / Baby, Do That Thing [Arctic 158]

1970 - (I Want You To) Make Love To Me / Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 45-1017]

1970 - Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) / Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 45-1020]

1970 - People Need Each Other / (I Want You To) Make Love To Me [Josie 45-1023]

1970 - Love Can Turn To Hate / Come Get It [Josie 45-1025]

1970 - Jing Jing A Ling / Auld Lang Syne [Chess 2088]

1971 - Jing Jing A-Ling / Auld Lang Syne [North Bay NB-303]

1971 - We Got To Stay Together / Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) [Josie 45-1028]

1971 - It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Medley) / What About Me [Josie 45-1030]

1972 - That's What Boys Are Made For / Has Somebody Taken My Place [Bell 45,217]

1972 - Song For Jim / Leave Me Alone [Bell 45,299]

Albums

They released a solitary album in 1970 on Josie with most of the tracks (except 3) being released on 45.  Two compilations were released in 1999 and 2000.  The first included much of their Arctic material including 5 previously unreleased tracks and the second was their complete Josie recordings.

1970 - Love [Josie JOS 4013]

We Got To Stay Together [Josie 45-1028]

(I Want You To) Make Love To Me [Josie 45-1017 & 1023]

Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 45-1017 & 1020]

Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) [Josie 45-1020 & 1028]

It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Medley) [Josie 45-1030]

Do You Understand

Now That I Know

What About Me [Josie 45-1030]

I'll Spend My Life Loving You

Love Is The Key

Compilations

1999 - Dynamite! [Jamie 4009]

Their complete Arctic 45 releases except the flip to I'm Confessin', One Time Is Forever, and 5 previously unreleased tracks.

I'm Confessin'  [Arctic 118]

Make You Mine *

(You Better) Go Now [Arctic 141]

Why Do You Hurt The One Who Loves You [Arctic 141]

Love Addict [Arctic 149]

I'll Be There [Arctic 149]

Music (Makes You Want To Dance) *

These Old Memories *

Together Forever [Arctic 152]

Dynamite Exploded [Arctic 152]

You Pulled A Fast One *

Boys *

Baby, Do That Thing [Arctic 158]

Sunday Kind Of Love [Arctic 158]

* Previously unreleased.

2000 - Come Get It - The Complete Josie Recordings 1970-1971 [Westside WESM 614]

As the album title states, their complete Josie output, all of which is already linked to above.

We Got To Stay Together

(I Want You To) Make Love To Me

Please Have Mercy Baby

Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover)

It's Gonna Take A Miracle (Medley)

Do You Understand

Now That I Know

What About Me

I'll Spend My Life Loving You

Love Is The Key

People Need Each Other

Love Can Turn To Hate

Come Get It

Tracks 1-10: Josie LP 4013 ;Love'.

Track 11: Previously unissued unedited version. Edited version issued as Josie 1023.

Tracks 12,13: Josie Single 1025.

Selected 45s

Honey & The Bees [1970] - Please Have Mercy Baby [Josie 1017 & 1020]

What a tremendous double-sider this is both sides penned and produced by Jimmy Bishop the founder of Arctic records and arranged by legendary Bobby Martin.  The official top side is great skip-a-long Philly Northern Soul and the B side is superb sweet soul group harmony/lowrider.

Soul Group Harmony

Honey & The Bees [1970] -  (I Want You To) Make Love To Me [Josie 1017]

Northern Soul

Honey & The Bees [1970] - Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) [Josie 1020 & 1028]

Northern Soul

Honey & The Bees [1970] - Come Get It [Josie 45-1025]

Crossover/Sweet Soul Group Harmony

Honey & The Bees [1969] - Sunday Kind Of Love [Arctic 158]

Rare footage performing Sunday Kind Of Love a song recorded by many including Etta James and Lenny Welch in 1972.

The lead singer Nadine Felder White is not too dissimilar to Diana Ross looks-wise but is a much better singer and watching all 3 live clips and listening to all of their material it still astonishes me that they didn't have a hit.  Reading some comments on YT it would appear that Nadine ended up working at Philco-Ford plant in C & Tioga in Philadelphia.  What a travesty when real soul lovers are still appreciating their music 50 years on!

Honey & The Bees [1971] - We Got To Stay Together [Josie 1027]

Live footage performing We Got To Stay Together in 1970

Honey & The Bees [1970] - Never Can Say Goodbye [Unreleased]

Live footage performing Micheal Jackson's Never Can Say Goodbye on The Mike Douglas Show in 1970.  Looks like the same show as above?

Honey & The Bees [196?] - Make You Mine [Arctic Unreleased]

A previously unreleased track from Dynamite!

Superb Soul Group Harmony

Honey & The Bees [196?] - You Pulled A Fast One [Arctic Unreleased]

A previously unreleased track from Dynamite!

Northern Soul