Hitsville Soul Club Artricles - Records to Cut Your Teeth On! Part 3

The third and final label of JoAnn Bratton and Ed Wingate that we're going to take a look at was actually named after Ed Wingate. The Wingate label is once again filled with names that conjure up all sorts of appetizers for the vinyl record collector of soul music and the first one is no exception:

Ronnie Savoy - Loving you - Wingate - 001

The first record on the label and a great dancer. Written in part by the legendary Fred Bridges and arranged by Sonny Sanders who was to go on to iconic status amongst Detroit soul fans, this record has been overlooked somewhat in the past, perhaps due to the fact that it is readily available and therefore subject to the "snobbery" that can sometimes afflict certain records. It is in fact a great rhythmic track that Ronnie's vocal does justice too. A great sort of piano laced 'tom' drum beat throughout, interspersed with horn interludes it's a record that if it was $1000 on lists it would see the turntable action that I believe it deserves anyway. Available for only a few $$'s, a great example of Detroit soul.

Sonny Stitt - Agent Double-0-Soul - Wingate - 006

Actually titled on the label as "The Double-O-Soul of Sonny Stitt", this is a great instrumental version of the Edwin Starr monster on Ric Tic. Sonny gives it his jazz influenced treatment without losing the spirit of the original. The result is what you'd expect, a dancer that sounds very much like the original apart from the tenor sax breaks performed by Sonny that show his virtuosity with the instrument. The piano part of the original track is missing from this version and also on the Part two the haunting backing singers harmonies are not there, but as a dancer and a showcase for Mr Stitts talent with his horn it works Another quality record that can be picked up for peanuts! Dontcha just love 'em!

Andre Williams - Loose Juice - Wingate 14

Another jazz influenced instrumental that retains it's soulful basis. A really strong drum beat/piano combo lay down the pace and the record features different instrumentals in solos 'called in'as was "en vogue" at the time, guitar, horns, and organ are given the spotlight during the record. Of course Andre Williams was a prolific songwriter and record producer with his own enimitable style and the flipside to this is a really great but 'whacky' instrumental called "Sweet Little Pussycat" which is another great 60's dance track but this time is punctuated with Meows!! Check it out if you get the chance.

Juanita Williams - Some things you never get used to - Wingate 008

Juanita Williams - Some things you never get used to.

This dramatic "shuffler" has not really seen any turntable action yet, but it's only a matter of time I think. The Van McCoy penned song was almost tailor made for Juanita's Mary Wells sounding interpretation. A nice mid tempo record almost verging on a ballad. The other side to this "You knew what you were getting" is exactly the same song as was released on Golden World by her.

Sam Bowie And The Blue Feelings - (Think of) The times we had together - Wingate 002

Sam Bowie And The Blue Feelings - (Think of) The times we had together

One of my favorites on the label, this a fantastic beat ballad that is ram packed with atmosphere. Sam's lead vocal is supported in a fantastic way by backing singers that are reminiscent of that eerily "angelic" sound that lots of backing singers were used for in this era. The record stops and starts a couple of times as it builds and fades and then for some inexplicable reason gets all uptempo in te last ten seconds! A great beat ballad that oozes quality. I have no idea who the Blue Feelings were would be interested in finding out if anyone has any ideas. A point of note here is the flip side. More of a traditional dance track, Sam and his backing singers do a credible job on a Bob Hamilton/Bob d'Orleans production.

The Royal Jokers - From A to Z (Love Game) - Wingate - 20

The Royal Jokers - From A to Z (Love Game)

Back to the traditional dancefloor fillers now with this outing that seems to have been around forever. Lyrically the song is a tad corny, with the emphasis on a kinda "alphabet soup" of snippets of the singers love life, but the great vocal masks this and the record is a great dancer. All the attributes that were to make Wingate a major threat to Berry Gordy are here. A great hook, the relentless drum beat and bass line, tho odd vibe/bell thrown in for good measure all come together and produce 'the sound' that has kept dancers happy for the last 30 years or so. The flipside is the intrumental track that is punctuated by the alphabet calling and the backing harmonies. Worth listening to.

The Dramatics - Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo - Wingate - 22

The Dramatics - Inky Dinky Wang Dang Doo

The final record in this article is the one that always raises a smile when I play it. Not just due to the title but it evokes happy memories. Produced by Andre Williams and that other Detroit stalwart Dave Hamilton is was co written by a guy called N. Toney who I have not come across before. Any info appreciated. The record itself is a real stomping track with the harmonies about as tight as it gets. The pace never lets up from the opening drum roll right to the fade out, and there's a short but great tenor sax break about half way through. The strange lyrics seem to work, although after thousands of listenings I'm still not sure what they mean!

Dave Moore
February 2005

This article is dedicated to Mr Charles Edwin Hatcher better known to millions of soul fans worldwide as Edwin Starr. Edwin was a Detroit legend, an innovator of what was to become Rare/Northern Soul and an entertainer extraordiniare who always gave 110% of himself to his audience. The Soulmaster himself. He sadly passed away in April 2003. A true icon ... gone but not forgotten.

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