 |
REVIEW
#1
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
You
Got to Have Money – The Exits(Gemini)
I chose this 45 because it's easily one of my top 5
favorite soul songs of all time. The Exits are such
a solid group! Both sides are great on this 45, but
for me, this is the side. This was also issued as a
yellow variation. There is also a remake of the b side
"Under the Street Lamp" by Joe Bataan. But
I wonder if there are any more recordings that are unreleased?
All their recordings are worth checking out. I had the
pleasure of meeting the leader of the group, who is
none other than Jimmy Conwell. Jimmy is a really down
to Earth guy and was touched when I told him how much
I liked his music. That was a great feeling for me to
be able to tell him, too. |
|
REVIEW
#2
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Can't
Get Too Much Love – Johnny Praye (Sidewalk)
Well folks, the cat is out of the bag finally! This
record was long referred to as the "JJ Jackson"
cover up, and there it was in a dormant state all
those years in my record box! I picked this record
up along with its subsequent catalog number together
in a bargain box in Maryland back in 1998. I put the
other side "I Cherrish Your Precious Love"
on a car tape and basically forgot about it. I had
no idea that the other side was so great and that
the record was sought after. I couldn't afford to
keep it, but now the chase is back on! What a stompin'
track! Special thanks to Ady Potts for the scan. |
|
REVIEW
#3
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Sugar
– The Isonics (Kammy)
If you like your soul music spiced with some Latin flavor,
then chek this one out! This is a really tight West
Coast production and the only record that I know of
by this group. Apparently this was a super cheap record
for many years and like many 45s, it got reactivated
and the popularity spread. I'm lucky that I've managed
to hold on to this copy that has been in my collection
since 1982. I never tire of listening to it, either. |
|
REVIEW
#4
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Easy Mover – London Fog & the Continentals
(Gold Stars)
"Easy Mover" is actually the b side to this
obscure Ohio funk 45. I flipped it over by accident
and found a nice little track with a very unique sound.
It definitely has some funky "sister soul"
qualities about it, but it's just laid back enough
for me to get into it. It might take a second to warm
up to for some soul fans, but defnitely give it a
thorough listen. It's a great 45 "once you get
to know it..." |
|
REVIEW
#5
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
I Can't Stay Away – The Caressors (Ru-Jac)
When I was living in Baltimore, I always thought to
myself that I would never find this one, but one day
I did....UNPLAYED! I almost thought I wasn't going to
get it, so I kept my best poker face on at the record
shop and $50 later it was mine! I think this is one
of the better records to come out of Baltimore and it's
a really energetic outing by the musicians and the group,
under the supervision of the late Rufus Mitchell, the
"Ru" in Ru-Jac. |
|
REVIEW
#6
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Have
a Little Faith – The Fantastics (Sound Stage 7)
Sound Stage 7 seemed to have countless releases and
they all seemed to have that gritty southern soul sound,
but some of the earlier releases like this one have
a different sound altogether. Rightly so in the case
of this single because they originally recorded for
the Copa label. "Have a Little Faith" is a
very nice laid back number that bounces along, sounding
very current with today's soul tastes. The B side "That
Girl" is equally good. Definitely worth checking
out. |
|
REVIEW
#7
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
The
Way of a Man – Darrow Fletcher (Revue)
There are certain artists that are just completely synonymous
with northern soul and Darrow Fletcher is no exception.
I picked this record up in Cleveland, thirteen years
ago and loved it instantly! From that point on, I became
determined to hear everything I could by this artist
and to this day I've never been disappointed. It's not
exactly the kind of song that's going to burn up dancefloors,
but I've included it just for the sheer fact that it's
such a well put together performance, vocally and musically.
I exchanged e-mails with Darrow just before his first
trip to the UK. Man! He had NO idea what he was in for! |
|
REVIEW
#8
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Doin'
the Look – The Jammers (Jubilee)
Not very well-known on the northern soul scene, but
a standard in Pittsburgh. It's a nice little track and
not too hard to find. The Jammers also recorded for
Loma, but I'm not sure it's the same group. Give this
one a listen...it'll definitely grow on you. |
 |
REVIEW
#9
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Just
Being Careful – Baby Huey & the Baby Sitters
(USA)
As a child, my father always played this LP with a black
and white cover of this guy with a giant afro. It was
an album about the short-lived career of Baby Huey and
the Baby Sitters, a group who at one time, was the most
talked about live act in Chicago. In fact, they were
so in demand that they were flown to France to play
at a debutante ball. As I got more interested in soul
music, I wanted to find out more about this guy. I later
learned that he made some smoking northern soul records
like this one right here, that was originally released
on the local Shann label in Chicago. This was an artist
who was definitely on the verge of success and died
before his time. Just listen to the energy here! |
|
REVIEW
#10
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Salt
and Pepper – Esko Affair (Mercury)
Here is a long-forgotten northern soul sound that seems
to put people in a pretty good mood. Whenever I've played
this, people always tell me how long it's been since
they've heard this one. I absolutely love it, which
would be due to the fantastic production by legendary
Philly producer and vibes player, Vince Montana. This
is a very catchy track that comes off a little bit too
"bubble gum" for some listeners, but the soulful
quality of this musical arrangement can't be denied.
I was very pleased at how well this one went down at
the 2006 Hitsville weekender, so I thanked a floorful
of dancers for the support. |
|
REVIEW
#11
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
I
Know You – Wild Sound Unlimited (Colpar)
Carolina soul records have been all the rage in recent
years and seem to have a style all their own, with their
large groups like the Tempests and Harry Deal and the
Galaxies. This record falls into that same category
with nice harmonies, a killer horn section, and a super
fast drummer. A very uptempo feel-good type of record.
Sat for many years in my collection just waiting to
get played. Glad I finally put a needle to it. |
|
REVIEW
#12
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Nobody to Blame (But Myself) – Soulville
All Stars (Soulville)
Keeping with that same style as the Carolina groups,
this blue-eyed stomper comes from Harrisburg, PA. I
found both records by this group in the same pile of
45s and they're both equally fantastic. I chose the
lesser known and harder to find release to give people
a chance to hear how great the Soulville All Stars really
were. |
|
REVIEW
#13
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Keep
Loving Me (Like You Do) – Silky Hargraves (Dearborn)
When I found this record I nearly fainted! I was in
the basement looking through a record collection left
behind by a collector of girl groups who had passed
away. Amongst all of those records, ol' Silky just popped
right out of the box at me on an unplayed demo! I really
had to keep my composure for that one. Glad I was alone
in the basement when I discovered it. This was one of
the first really "heavy" 45s that went into
my collection. Best 50 cents I ever spent. |
|
REVIEW
#14
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Show
Stopper – The Cashmeres (Hem)
Have you ever wished that someone would call you up,
invite you over to his house and just hand you a mindblowing
soul record? Well it practically happened to me a couple
of years ago. I had a friend lay this one on me, who
knew it was an expensive record, but just said "take
it-you know more than me about these things..."I
was blown away and proceeded to give him any and every
single 45 he even remotely wanted in my sales box, no
matter how many. It was the least I could do. It was
a really nice situation where both people got what they
wanted and money wasn't an issue. I recently sold it,
so I welcome the challenge of finding my next copy when
I go back to Baltimore. Should be a fun adventure! They
DO turn up... |
|
REVIEW
#15
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
He's
the One – Patti Drew (Capitol)
Here's another one that was just hidden away in my boxes.
Wow! What a nice bit of crossover THIS is! It's a Jobete
song, written by Smokey Robinson and suits Patti quite
well. It's one of those records that still has a 60s
sound, but sounds way ahead of its time. I envision
this one really taking off, if it hasn't already. |
|
REVIEW
#16
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Can't
Get Him Off My Mind – Sheryl Swope (Duo)
When you want quality 1969-era crossover soul, look
no further than the magnificent Bridges, Knight and
Eaton! This is a beautiful midtempo number that's finally
getting its long overdue plays. Sheryl also made a couple
of others for this label that are alledgedly just as
good. The thing that drives me crazy about this record
is the fact that it's the same song on both sides. After
hearing this song, it definitely leaves you wanting
more by this artist. Another one from my "1982
Box" that stayed safely with me. |
 |
REVIEW
#17
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Love
Affair – Masterpiece (YSPI)
Keeping with the crossover sounds, here's another one
that's passed through my hands in recent years. It proved
to be a productive day at the thrift shop when I snagged
this one! It's a low-budget production with a big sound.
Really nice horns and guitars compliment the sweet singing
of this group quite well. The b side has a really nice
ballad. Even into the 70s Detroit had no shortage of
fantastic records being put out there. |
|
REVIEW
#18
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Can
We Try Love Again – Kool Blues (Capsoul)
One of my favorite songs that came out of this fantastic
little label, owned by Columbus Ohio DJ, Bill Moss.
It definitely has it's funk leanings with the guitar
playing, but the tempo is just right and the soul content
is 100%! The other single by this group usually gets
played, but this laid back shuffler gets my vote as
the one. What an amazing vocal performance! Songwriting
credits include Norman Whitfield. Bill Moss had some
Motown connections, it seems. |
|
REVIEW
#19
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Then
Only Then – J.B. Love (Kapp)
Back when I was in the 5th grade, I frequented thrift
stores, in hopes of finding good 45s. Sometimes, if
I had enough pocket change, I could afford to take chances
on records that I didn't know. This was one of those
records. One thin dime bought me this big city masterpiece
by Mr. Jimmy Breedlove. I've been playing this one ever
since and plan to keep playing it out as much as possible.
There have been a couple of other great versions of
this record, but the original just can't be touched. |
|
REVIEW
#20
CLICK on RECORD to LISTEN!
|
Would
You Believe – William Hunt (Streamside)
Playing this record seems like the perfect way to end
the evening and this record review. It's a very understated
simple song that really builds. Brilliant work from
Bobby Hebb's songwriting and William Hunt's vocal. A
great ender for today's dancefloors. Total class. |
|
