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REVIEW
#1
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The
Ambers - Another Love Smash, S-2111
Thought I'd start with a contender of best "double
sider" of all time. This record is what it's all
about for me.
Arranged by legendary arranger Richard Tee, he must
have had his work cut out as it has the lot. Drums,
horns, guitars, vibraphone, handclaps, bells etc all
thrown together to create a fantastic mix that results
in a great example of uptempo soulful dance music form
the era.
If you ain't got one already, I defy you to click on
the record, play it and NOT add it to your wants list!
Go on ... try it! |
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REVIEW
#2
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Little
Charles And The Sidewinders - It's A Heartache Decca,
31980
Been a favorite of mine since I first heard it about
20 years ago. Little Charles has a distinctively gritty
sound to his voice, that when combined with a powerful
backing track like here, provides 2 and a half minutes
of absolute bliss. A midtempo percussion track with
a tambourine that sounds like chains being dragged along,
it's a real "rough edged" slab of hard sounding
soul. Great stuff!
Little Charles, a native of Nashville, also recorded
a couple of other things on Decca before moving to the
Drum, Botanical and Red Sands labels, is now back in
Nashville working on musical projects. We wish him well. |
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REVIEW
#3
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The
Embers - Where Did I Go Wrong Atlantic, 45-2627
Lots of great records are sat in collectors boxes just
waiting for the dancers to discover them and give them
the lease of life that they deserve. This is just one
of them. Well known, but never really had it's day yet.
Blue eyed beach music that crosses over to the Northern
genre it's uptempo beat is enhanced with great horn
section riffs. There's no doubt in my mind that when
these guys were recording, they NEW they were recording
soul music. Black or white, it made no difference to
them nor should it to us. Have found a few of these
over the years and they get snatched up straight away.
Recently been asked a few times for this so maybe, just
maybe it's about to have it's time in the spotlight. |
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REVIEW
#4
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The
Dynamics - You Make Me Feel Good RCA, 47-9278
The name of Teacho Wiltshire is enough to garner interest
on any 45, when matched with the name of The Dynamics
then it's a "no-brainer."
This midtempo piece is full of atmosphere. Yet again
a strong drum laden track that utilises the background
harmonies well, almost using them as another instrument.
This is another record that always disappears out of
sales boxes pretty pronto, that in itself tells you
something. Needs to be played full blast in a big hall.
Then see the price rise! |
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REVIEW
#5
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The
Demures - Raining Teardrops Brunswick, 55284
The first actual "rare" record of the this
review I think. This takes a little more searching out.
It's up there with the rarest on the label in my opinion,
so if you see one, grab it!
Not sure who the Demures actually are but they do a
fine job on this singalong ditty. Female harmony sound
this time out. Femme lead decribing how miserable she's
gonna be if her beau leaves her. Hence the title. All
the girls involved are tight harmony wise and the song
fair bounces along. Contains the great lyric "If
you break my heart you know I'm gonna cry up a storm."
Great Stuff! |
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REVIEW
#6
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Ben
E King - What Can A Man Do Atco, 45-6303
This is one of my favorite Ben E King numbers. I like
his latin influences and think he's one of the few artists
that use that style to great effect. Big booming drums,
equally strong backing singers, loud and clear vocal
from the man himself, breaks to clap to, then more powerhouse
soul to finish. What more do we need? Great dancer that
seems to have been buried for too long.
His "Cry No More" on the same label
is also a great similar tune. More midtempo but equally
as powerful and worth locating. |
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REVIEW
#7
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The
Inverts - Look Out Love Tower, 324
I'm presuming this is the same group as Sherry And The
Inverts who recorded "I'm Lost" on
the same label.
This particular record features a female lead, ably
supported by male back ups on an excellent mid to uptempo
drum and guitar based track. Not sure if it's the same
group who recorded "Time Will Change"
on MGM, it may well be but I'm not convinced. |
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REVIEW
#8
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Jimmy
Bee - If It Wasn't For Love 20th Century Fox, 45-6673
Another artist that I know very little about apart from
his other release "Wanting You" on
Kimberley and Kent.
The West Coast connection with Producer James Carmichael
is there and it looks like Jimmy Radcliffe may have
had a hand in the writing of the song. Musically it's
an uptempo, vibrant 'good good feeling' type of recording
that has a 'live' feeling to it through Jimmy's spoken
vocal interjections.
Always play this twice in the 'rekkid cave' as it finishes
too early (it's only 2:00 long), and I always think,
"My God, that's good, let's have a bit more of
it!" |
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REVIEW
#9
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Ace
Spectrum - Keep Holding On Atlantic, 45-3296 (1975)
When Ace's "Don't Send Nobody Else"
started receiving plays a few years ago the price rocketed.
Don't say you weren't warned about this one too.
From 1975, this is a quality outing from an often underated
artist. This is the kind of 70's music that flew in
the face of the disco drivel that sucked the masses
in during that particular era. This is real music, real
musicians, real vocalist, real production skill, in
fact this is the real deal.
Play it and if you haven't got one yet, bet you start
looking. Get one while it's still at a fair price. |
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REVIEW
#10
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Dee
Dee Sharp - There Ain't Nothing That I Wouldn't Do For
You Cameo
From Mrs Kenny Gamble comes this absolutelt fantastic
upbeat big city sounding pounder. Always was a sucker
for this type of thing. Handclaps galore during this
all girlie affair. No male backing cushioning Dee Dee's
upfront vocals here my friends, just out and out girlie
stuff laid over a huge sound that must have had Phil
Spector rubbing his head!
When you listen to it, let it run 'til the end and hear
Ms Sharp laughing at the end, as much as to say, that'll
be that over then!! |
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REVIEW
#11
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The
Genies - Prove It Ronn, 68
Yet another record that was in every sales box in the
70's but seems to have been lost in the scramble for
the more obscure. The group did two or three others
on the label which I've not heard, so any info would
be appreciated.
This particular 45 is an out and out 'stomper', good
old "proper norvern." Uptempo, upbeat and
relentless until the last note. Released in 72 it sounds
like it could easily have beeen recorded in Louisianna
in 67.
Another one that could use some reactivation. |
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REVIEW
#12
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The
Star-Treks - Gonna Need Magic Veep, V1254
I include this record because I have received a number
of enquiries about it from UK and am presuming that
it's seeing some turntable action at last.
A midtempo atmospheric dancer that I can't remember
being played in the past at any of the larger venues.
The female lead does a fair impression of Dusty Springfield
which is no bad thing.
If it is being reactivated, expect the price to rocket
from the $30.00 I reckon it's currently worth (Dec 05). |
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REVIEW
#13
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The
Emotions - Stealing Love Volt, VOA 4031
I hadn't heard this record until recently. Miss Shing
A Ling brought it to the Hitsville Allniter in Orlando.
It grabbed me on the first hearing. I can't remember
hearing this playedout anywhere either, maybe I was
at the bar!
It's a Memphis through and through affair having been
written and produced by that prolofic duo of Isaac Hayes
and David Porter. A late 60's release, it showcases
how the Stax/Volt earthy style of music was looking
to evolve as the 70's approached.
The Emotions are a three sisters part harmony group
that worked at Stax and Columbia later in the 70's.
They're still performing on the circuit. |
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REVIEW
#14
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Patti
Drew - Stop And Listen Capitol, P5969
Patti Drew was part of a musical family that recorded
in Chicago and she released a number fo good quality
dance sides on the label. This along with her "Tell
Him" also on the same label, streets ahead
of some $1000 records as far as quality is concerned.
One of the benefits of recording for a major label was
they tended to allow the artists and producers to spend
that extra few $'s on the session, this is clearly evident
here with baritone sax in the background only playing
a handfulof notes, but what a few notes. Mid-tempo femme
soul at it's best. Up there with the Holloway Sisters,
Marie Knight, Ruby Winters etc etc. |
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REVIEW
#15
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The
Mighty Marvellos - Talkin' 'Bout Ya Baby ABC, 45-11011
Another 'cheapie' currently garnering dancefloor interest.
Whilst records like this are still being shown, a second
lease of life the 'scene' will be around.
Uptempo, cracking alto vocals, tight production, courtesy
of the legendary Johnny Pate. Handclapping stomperoonie
guaranteed to have people leaving the dancefloor sweating,
then scurrying to their boxes "A just to confirm
that they actually have one" and don't need to
start the hunt all over again.
We've all been there eh? LOL! |
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REVIEW
#16
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Betty
Everett - Unlucky Girl Uni, 55219
There are a couple of other versions of this song but
to my ears it's this upbeat, slickly produced slice
of soulful outing by the legendary Ms Everett that takes
the honors. She really does produce the goods on this
outing.
It's the reason why she transcended the different styles
of music so easily as the decades past. Quality will
out as they say and this is indeed quality.
Another record, that should the dancers pick up on it
for reactivation, will go through the roof. Click on
the record, sit back and enjoy Ms Everett at her very
best. |
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REVIEW
#17
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Robin
Wilson - Better Use Your Head A & M, 1054
I played this recently at The Central Soul Club in Bakersfield,
California. I wasn't sure how it would go down as most
people recognise Little Anthony's version as 'unbeatable.'
I needn't have worried, it went down a storm.
Played in the late 70's alongside the Marion Ryan awful
UK only version, this deserves to stand alone on it's
own merit. Very similar backing track to Little Anthony,
the vocal is great. A worthy effort for what is a Randazzo-Pike
classic, Robin adds her own style to the song and it
works.
To even make the review with this particular song is
testament to all involved. |
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REVIEW
#18
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The
OJays - Look Over Your Shoulder Bell, 45-378
The OJays are one of my favorite groups who have entertained
people for over 40 years. No mean achievement.
This outing is a real classy song with a real classy
group. There's also a fantastic version by the Implements
on Phillips that is worth locating, but this version
just shades it for me.
Not a record for the Northern dance-floors maybe, but
a few cold ones, the technics on full blast, just sit
back and let the sheer quality of this record wash over
you. It has it all as a soul record. |
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REVIEW
#19
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Ronnie
Walker - You've Got To Try Harder Event, EV 220
A 70's outing up next, and record I first heard probably
as a recent release. This was played when the Rare/Northern
soul scene embraced new records on a weekly basis and
records like this were played for a few weeks, then
"dropped" from playlists to make way for others.
If this was discovered only now it would be a huge hit
in the clubs.
To my ears, it's verging on a disco beat, but just manages
to stop short of that genre and so becomes a lovely
dancer that retains the soulful quality required, even
of "dance music" to be enjoyed by real soul
fans. Lightweight vocal that really suits the song.
Is this the same Ronnie Walker that wrote &quo;Trouble"
by The Agents and recorded it himself on Impact? |
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REVIEW
#20
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William
Bell - Born Under A Bad Sign Stax, STA 0054
Back to East McLemore in Memphis for this next record.
An LP track that was finally released by Stax in the
late sixties, it features a Booker T penned song which
he also produced.
It's one of those "social commentary" songs
that were popular with record buyers at the turn of
the 60's. Musically it's a very "sparse" affair,
with the drum and tambourine laying the foundation and
Booker T on the organ interjecting every now and then.
The vocal is as soulful as it gets as you'd expect from
Mr Bell. Couldn't be further removed from his other
Northern classic on the same label "Happy."
There's a lot of quality stuff on the Volt/Stax label
from this era and with the Detroit connection with Don
Davis etc, it's maybe time to prepare a feature on the
company and it's output from this particular era? |
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REVIEW
#21
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The
Superlatives - Lonely In A Crowd Westbound, W 144
Another cheapie that can still be picked for just a
few dollars. Don't let the price fool you. This is a
great dancer done by a perrenial dance soul group.
A strong drum led tune, with accompanying vibes and
backing singers, it's another 45 that maybe has been
"dropped" due to it being easy to locate. Make no mistake,
this record is never gonna be rare but whoever said
quality must equal rarity?
If you haven't got one, then do yourself a favor and
spend the $5.00 to put that right, you won't regret
it. |
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REVIEW
#22
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Benny
Gordon - Gonna Give Her All The Love I Got Wand,
1188
Jobete standard fare next up. Sorry, I think NOT! Being
a Motown fan there are very few cover versions of the
songs that really get my interest, this is however one
of them. Done by amongst others, The Temptations, and
Jimmy Ruffin, Benny does more than bring his own style
to the song, he overcomes your memory of the original!
A much better orchestration on this than on the Motown
versions, a much "punchier" sound that lends
itself to the dancefloor better.
Not played out too often, maybe because of "vinyl
snobbery," but glad to say I managed to dance to
it at the 100 Club after convincing Adey to spin it
towards the end of the night. |
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REVIEW
#23
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Walter
Jackson - After You There Can Be Nothing Okeh 4-7256
Last one from me and what a record to finish with. With
the label, the artist and the city, you'd expect to
find at least a couple of well know Chicago icons to
be involved in this beat ballad that just drips emotion.
Mr Jackson is the master of this style and this in my
opinion it is up there with his best. I'm ashamed to
say that I know nothing of Ted Cooper the writer and
producer of this fantastic song, so if anyone has any
info I'd be grateful.
Arranged by Riley Hampton, the song contains all the
ingredients, powerful lead vocal, angelic sounding backing
singers, build ups and let downs, a truly magnificent
performance all round.. |
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