Ending next Wednesday
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Natural Four
I Thought You Were Mine / Hurt
ABC: 11253 (45s)
Thankfully this towering example of vocal-group NS harmony still sounds as fresh and inviting as when I first heard it played by Leicester's Frost Brothers; they would play it off the magnificent "Good Vibes" album circa 1972/3.
We know from conversations with a top NS DJ (Soul Sam) has this wonderful tune laying dormant in his box. But refuses to sell, as he likes it so much, believing it will certainly receive an overdue renaissance pretty soon. I'm in full agreement with him and still own my treasured copy, too. Not only because of my obvious bias towards male vocal-group Northern Soul but also my love of the subtle horns, pattering bongos and rhythmic guitar picks that run the whole length of this song, as "the four" skip their way through the story "rejection". Then there is the amazing midway Trumpet fanfare, lifting this already wonderful tune to yet another level.
Brilliant Northern Soul classic that has snoozed for too long, inspiring dancer that ticks all the boxes, exquisitely constructed and sung by gifted hopefuls. who sadly got left out when the group signed to Curtom with Curtis Mayfield, for me the original boys were the "Bollocks" earthy and grounded; authentic Oakland Soul with no frills attached. Genuine neighborhood harmonizing through a flawless early 70s dance arrangement..
Proper Northern Soul with legs and character to go so very much further, as it's true elusiveness has never been more evident.
Check out the flipside, Low Rider fans will already be aware of the atmospheric mid-tempo, that would ideally slots seamlessly into an imaginative Sunday Chill session!
Condition Report
Same as the day, Donna Okada purchased it. Two bright clean labels, with Donna Okada name i.d. neatly displayed on the flipside label. The vinyl is so close to mint. still house in the company sleeve "Donna" purchased it in. A more authentic copy would be hard to acquire.
Bobby Finch
Get A Hold Of Yourself / If Only
Bevnik: BF 1912 (45s)
Bobby was a local Soul icon, who early in his career built up his reputation working with Gladys Knight and the Pips, Temptations and The Delphonics. earning the performing experience that would win him a place singing with Jimmy Briscoe & the Little Beavers replacing Robert Makins of The Little Beavers in 1977. The later supporting Al Green, Stylistics, Black Ivory etc.
After more than a decade supporting some very notable acts, Bobby eventually wrote and helped produce his own single with William Sims, for local Bevnik Records who a year earlier put out the also highly desirable Billy Butler production of Jay Player - Love Is The Answer -
Bobby’s disc is much more exclusive than Jay’s and the only 45 he released during his “10 feet from fame” career.
Tough to acquire, seldom seen as its original 1983 version. This one is in glorious, flawless condition.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, stunning mint minus vinyl. Top copy
Two People
Stop, Leave My Heart Alone / Love Dust
Revue : R 11033 DJ (45s)
In recent years "Two People" is enjoying a huge renaissance, fondly remembered by those who local NS events in and around East Anglia. That is why Tony Dellar has been re-activating this unusual stomper in recent years to a much-welcome response.
Starting it’s Northern Soul journey way, way back in the early 70s with the “Merlin” of Northern Soul, Tony Dellar inside his castle of Soul “The Howard Mallett” club Cambridge, a place of magical homely proportions, that should be considered one of the truly-pioneering, in fact ground-breaking, NS clubs of all time.
Written by "Big Don's Rebellion" lead man Donald Bennett, this almost forgotten killer, is being played out and about again, it reignited my love for this old favourite. Not heard it, in a while and now it sounds so darn good… So decidedly different, instantly appealing, as the Donald Bennett percussion and vibe cocktail drills into your brain, elevated by two emotional vocals (Bill Woodruff and Donald Bennett). But then an innovative moment lifts the recording to yet another level. With a mix of fantastic fuzz-guitar wailings from the celebrated "Animals" guitarist Victor Briggs blended with searing string section breaks, cemented with compelling "ooh-oohs" from the pairing..
THIS TUNE HAS IT ALL
After over 40 years sitting on the back-burner of DJ’s boxes, take a leaf out of Tony Dellar's vastly experienced book. This is an inspired drop, that drips with inventiveness, inspiration & individualism.
Noting that this copy is near pristine, still snug in it’s birth-sleeve.
as for Tony Dellar…you may ask why we don’t see more of him.. well he was last seen walking down the A1, in his dressing gown, waving a sparkling wand conjuring spells of those enchanting “Howard Mallet” experiences to return..
BUT WAIT there's more, the flipside "LOVE DUST" is also an overlooked masterpiece of the Northern Soul Crossover - so damn good I was in two mind as to keep this 45 myself and drop "Love Dust" into my DJ box, absolutely perfect for a head-turning drop at any Sunday Chill afternoon or Soul Essence ort Liverpool Weekenders.
"Love Dust" in my tune for August 2022 - saturated in untold potential!
Condition Report
Small faded store stamp a-side label, light 45 RPM ballpoint note on the flipside label. otherwise two clean promo labels, strong gloss vinyl revealing only the merest soft sleeve storage hairlines when angled in the light. Strong clean player ( listen ) to its flawless fidelity.
Oracles
I Ain't Got Time / Love In My Heart
OM : 1967 (45s)
As they open proceedings with the "Melrose Avenue" born dance craze "The Dip", triggers Bobby Mandolf and his teammates to run the whole gamut of 60's California dance-crazes. On a wave of glorious male harmonies, played out against a backdrop of crashing cymbals, wailing horns. Miles Grayson keyboard rhythms, bring them to the break then again the powerful backing is peppering with searing vocal notes of Dip, Dip, Dip, Dip, Dip Jerk, Jerk, Jerk, Jerk. Great song, even greater vocal group who evaporated into thin air straight after this 45 was pressed.
Maybe Bobby & Miles just put the gathering together for a day session, but what a session it was. These guys are tight, high accomplished vocal group harmonizers, underlined when you hear the equally impressive flipside. Booming low-blown horn, tinkling Grayson piano, than a haunting lead vocal sets out alone, soon to merge with that lush harmony choruses from these anonymous highly honed voices..
Which side do I prefer? That's a hard one choice...
At an allniter "I Ain't Got Time" sounds totally awesome, loud and banging, whilst at a more discerning gathering of soul scholars or Sunday Chill crowd "Love In My Heart" will certainly have a those turntable voyeurs peeping over the decks... just distilled NS class!
Again two absolutely superb tunes, on one rarely seen disc, drenched in Miles Grayson influences.
Condition Report
Two flawless labels, both sides of the (high quality) vinyl reveal multiple soft surface hairlines none of which react on the stylus, listen in fact both sides play loud and clean. utifully clean.
Barbara Lynn
Movin' On a Groove / Disco Music
Jet Stream: JS 829 (45s)
The gifted Barbara Ozen writes both sides of this delicious modern Soul dance experience. Her rich gravelly vocal the ideal contrast to her mentors, Huey P. Meaux's the silken arrangement heavily featuring Barbara prowess with the guitar, peppering a whirling keyboard backdrop, whilst pattering bongos pulses, driving Barbara into a seamless mood of highly accomplished soulful multi-tasking. An irresistible 70's dance giant unfolds.
Amazingly "Movin' On a Groove" started life as a flipside, another inspired Northern Soul turntable choice that unveiled its true potential, this record in the 90's the most-wanted of 70's dancers, that elevated it into classic NS position. A floor-filler back then and still a floor-filler today.
The flipside (the original A-side) is a delight also, a jerky jazzy/funky stroller rippling with class! Deceptively entitled "Disco Music" but is much more a jazz/funker than "disco" a slick stepper benefitting from Barbara's maturity with the mike, and fabulous hard-blown Houston-Horns that hang in the air throughout.
A spectacular double sider with "Movin' On a Groove" guaranteed just the very best of dancefloor response.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, mint minus unblemished vinyl. Top copy..
Uniques
Not Too Long Ago / Fast Way Of Living
Pye International : 7N 25303 DJ (45s)
Not that creator and lead vocalist Joe Stampley sounds even close to the sugary true definition of "blue-eyed Soul" for an instant, neither does his edgy delivery riding an enthralling Dale Hawkins southern soul production, where Hawkins crafts a delicious contrast between fluid lead voice and the heavenly girl-choir hanging aloft throughout the whole session. creating an irresistible sing-a-long ambiance.
An altogether joyous recording that becomes the ear-worm for the day, a recording that made Joe Stampley famous in the USA as well as a Northern "name" in the UK. Some records just have that instantaneous ability to make you love them, right from the opening few bars even on very first hearing.
This is one tune, once heard never forgotten, presented here on a beyond rare April 1965 British White Demo... once seen never forgotten!
The Hammond keyboard drenched flipside, will of course the Garage / MOD DJs, a meaty Hammond propelled killer sodden in attitude.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, dated stamped a-side. 9 APR strong gloss vinyl reveals only soft hairlines under light, both sides play clean (listen) (listen)
DeVons
Groovin' With My Thing / Wise Up & Be Smart
Mr. G: G 825 (45s)
That's why it hardly ever turns up for sale - why would any collector/DJ want the sell this gorgeous vinyl creature with two to-die-for-sides - after the drawn-out trauma of tracking one down!
Listen you are about to fall in love with a double girl trio killer saturated in irresistible charm. Hammond keyboard, invites jabbing horns, ridden hard by a shrill lead voice cradled by her girlfriends silky smooth harmony choruses. Glorious pacey Northern Soul...
The flipside is Lowrider-Heaven! The a-side is NS Crossover paradise.
*** A Tip*** do also checkout the trio's other 45 from the same year, again from the desk of Eddie M. Gray produced by James Brown - The De Vons – Someone To Treat Me (The Way You Use To) - you won't find a better classic style Northern Soul girl group dancer than this currently under-priced stormer on King Records.
A really talented two disc only, girl gathering from Brooklyn, N.Y. not the other group from Princeton, New Jersey.
Condition Report
Two flawless labels - with MINT vinyl to match! stunning condition.
Terry Callier
Ordinary Joe / Golden Circle Of Your Love
Cadet: CA 5692 DJ (45s)
Made immortal by Terry's unparalleled gift for mixing the two genres with a seamless ease of social comment delivered by his beautifully "cracked" vocal, partitioned by fluid "scat" and simplistic piano notes. Mr. Callier tiptoes through the irresistible piano rhythms, his voice rising up stronger and stronger as he absorbs himself in his own carefully crafted lyrics.
Just brilliant, a flawless masterpiece of his own creation, that has been universally applauded for several decades now, without ever becoming in the slightest, tired or overplayed.
Damn hard to acquire, demand is huge, the few owners will never part company with this perennial treasure of our scene.
"Ordinary Joe" a recording nobody will ever grow weary of hearing or dancing to...
Condition Report
Two clean promo labels, full gloss mint vinyl, revealing gloss and more gloss under light. as you can hear, it plays, perfectly loud crisp and clean.
Helen Shapiro
Stop ( And You'll Become Aware ) / She Needs Company
Columbia: DB 8256 (45s)
Helen's penchant and ability to sing "Soul" was discovered very early on in her career. Going into the studio and being very comfortable recording cover versions of "Soul" hits as early as 1962. By 1964 she had recorded versions of "It's In His Kiss" "You've Got What It Takes" "My Guy" "Stay" "Please Mr. Postman" "Walk On By" "Baby It's You" etc, etc.
Not to forgetting a string of 45's that are considered sought-after Northern Soul discs "He Knows How To Love Me" "Look Over Your Shoulder" "Shop Around" "Tell Me What He Said" "Fever" "Queen For Tonight" the list goes on and on..
But out of everything Helen recorded, this summer of 1967 NS storm towers above all, as her most-wanted Northern Soul offering. An Earl Orkin creation that was deemed only good enough as a flipside, but rose up from dark recesses of British junk-shops, market stalls to become arguably the best-loved of all British produced Northern Soul 45's.
A Sister-stomper that has crammed the dancefloors of British Soul all-nighters for over nearly 50 years..
A DJ box essential, a time-served Northern Soul classic, who's value is only traveling one-way; as ownership becomes harder and harder as the years roll by, but it's power to get the dancers up on their feet never diminishing.
TOP UK only Northern Soul and so easy on the eye. NOTE Here is a rare opportunity to acquire an iconic British only Northern Soul thumper, for a bargain price, just because the condition is not quite up to our usual impeccable. Read condition report and listen to the soundfile lifted directly off this elusive disc
Condition Report
READ CONDITION report. Two bright clean labels, crisp bold silver text, 4 prong centre intact (see image). The vinyl shows multiple soft, light surface hairlines and if you carefully scrutinise the vinyl, it reveals a minuscule edge curl. But you have to be forensic in your search, as it's not easy to spot. NONE of these flaws affect play, I certainly wish I'd had it with me at "Cleethorpes 50th anniversary" night Helen would have surely ignited some old-bones into euphoric action.. listen to relive those halcyon days.
Lovations
(I Keep Singing) La La La Ooh / Heaven Told Me So
Part III : PT 102 (45s)
We wasn't entirely sure which session to lead with, both sides of this 1968 floater knocked me sideways with their authentic pleadings, from three expressive ladies who know exactly how to tug away at your sensitivities. Crystal & Penny Wilson and Sherry Henderson a sweeter trio of girls would be hard to find, so tight, so deeply involved serve up two absolute beauties.
In the end I decided "(I Keep Singing) La La La Ooh" just had that little something extra that moved my mood. Hanging a haunting vibe over the whole production, a song you just can't seem to clear from you mind.
The other side is much more obviously a joyous dancefloor pleaser. A jubilant finger-clicking, stepper driven by understated guitar, soft cymbal shakes and well timed prompts of encouraging brass, which the trio effortlessly glide through. A fabulous slab of "sister" Northern Soul, so easy going, a dancefloor winner from the very first note.
This 1968 release under the "publishers" banner of "PART III", which shortly after was promo'd and released on Foster Johnson's "Cap City" for wider distribution, that would lead to an impressive 4 x45s over just a two year period.
This trio, along with the "Fawns" led the way with girl-group harmony in Washington, a city blessed with so much standout talent.
I did after a few spins, just flip it over to enjoy the dance side just as much, a top value two-for-one essential for every rare-soul occasion.
LOVE IT!
Condition Report
Near perfect vinyl, full gloss unblemished mint minus, rich full depth red labels, not a hint of fade or storage. This disc is near perfect.
Dorsey Burnette
Jimmy Brown / Everybody's Angel
Tamla Motown: TMG 534 (45s)
That would make some sense, as to why the hell would EMI contaminate their new TMG series with a Johnny Cash style country & western "Hillbilly" music, which beggars belief.
But what that strange decision did do was...spawn a total TMG non-seller that has exasperated every TMG completer with its insane rarity, and also giving up music that so flies in the face of the Motown sound.
Or did the release programmer do it out of devilment, or a dislike for ""black" music that had become EMI's money-train for '65. If anyone has the definitive answer please let us know. As it has puzzled all British Motown fans for the last 60 years.
What seems to be an EMI blunder actually turn out to become one of the series most-wanted. As an essential, if you want to complete the most coveted label in the the British Isles.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, 4 prong centre intact, still housed in its birth sleeve. Vinyl is immaculate mint minus, As clean as you could hope of acquiring.
Jimmy Radcliffe / Peggy Woods
Long After Tonight Is All Over (sung in Italian / Love's Gonna Get You
Trident Recording Studios : 7" acetate (7")
A slightly confusing history surrounds this one-off 1984 UK 7" acetate, originally cut for the archives of Ace/Kent in 1984 with "Mary Love" credited as the flipside artist;, but it was really Mary's friend and Modern Records stablemate Peggy Woods who sang "Love's Gonna Get You", but it was never used until 1988. When Peggy Woods "Loves Gonna Get You" became the 100 Club's free on the door 9th Anniversary Special for 1988. We are reliably informed there is no Modern Records acetates known to exist.
We lead with a astonishing Italian crooned “Ender Of All Enders” from Jimmy Radcliffe - Long After Tonight Is All Over - sung in ITALIAN!
"Long After Tonight Is All Over" (sung in Italian) emerged in 2016 on Outta Sight OSV157 Records. But here's Ace/Kent acetate lined up for Ace/Kent exposure that never happened.
If you're big into British happening with Northern Soul this is an interesting event that never came to fruition.
Condition Report
Light-hearted handwritten credits by Kent staff. "Long After Tonight Is All Over My Lasagna" by Jimmy "Meatballs" Radcliffe. Full gloss mint minus lacquer. Sound fidelity is Chrystal clear. (listen) nice piece this.
Rhonda Davis
Can You remember / Long walk On a Short Pier
Duke: 473 DJ (45s)
It was Mr Soul Guru himself Sean Hampsey that was the first responsible for hitting us sideways-on with his 'Ann Sexton' cover up. Purchased from that legendary figure "George" from Derby. Sean played it, just as Northern Soul ebb-tide started to flow. Clifton Hall, KGB, Cleggy Winter Gardens all dayers slowly but surely gathering admirers along the way whilst keeping the NS scene's head just above water after the closure of Wigan Casino and Cleggy Pier
Then came its 2nd. lease of life in the 90's to become an absolute floor crammer. As it crept into our lives again, this time for keeps. It went global and has held that status ever since. One of those stylish dance grooves you could never grow tired of hearing. Her imploring vocal looking back in anguish, paints a soul-torn picture of a girl who recognises the love she relies on, is fading. Mournful strings adding the feeling of despair that Rhonda is going though, whilst in contradiction, rattling percussion and considerate brass send out dance pulses.
The atmospheric dance inducing production simultaneously captures emotion of a fading love, she can hardly endure; but still showering you with the desire to dance along with her pain.
...a masterpiece of real soul played out over the perfect Northern Soul dance arrangement.
Presented here as a gorgeous pink promo, a top-drawer glider in it's finest attire. ..
But whilst being surrounded by pure-class, do not overlook the excruciatingly moody flipside, blending the Blues with Soulful crossover, the affect is stunning... an ideal Sunday Chill out drop that will have them vinyl-voyeurs peering over to the turntables..
Condition Report
Two clean pink promo Duke labels, vinyl is a clean, with strong gloss only revealing soft, fine sleeve storage hairlines when angled in the light.
Paul Perryman
Look At My Baby / Fire Keep A'Calling
Fire: 1018 (45s)
Top R&B scholar / collector / DJ Bill Kealy described it has "One of the greatest double siders there is, hard to call a winner..." Two Bobby Robinson productions.
Personally I'm enamored by the sulking, original a-side an under-your-skin-burrowing crawler "Look At My Baby" a "Bud" Harper composition bringing typical moody Texas vibe to New York.
Others prefer the the crushing-cocktail of Hammond, guitar "Keep A'Calling" is a solid R&B mover, showcasing "Perryman's" rasping vocal versatility, curled-upper-lip attitude full of determination to get this girl on keep phoning until he picks up.
As Bill's gushing appraisal suggests - here are two killer sides framing the coming together of three purveyors of the R&B sound!
Condition Report
Previously unplayed MINT still coated in protective mist we pro-cleaned off, revealing not a mark or hairline, just a soft dulling "fog" from the birth-sleeve captivity of 65 years cocooned in a previous warehouse find. As good as it gets unmarked vinyl.
Little Stanley
The Stran / Wanted
Vance: DV 00111 (45s)
The summer of 1967 Little Stanley recorded his third 45 with Oakland's entrepreneurial musicman Dick Vance for his Vance Record Co.
Just like his previous sessions with Dick, "Out Of Sight Loving" etc, again Vance summons up explosive horns filling the space with barrages of brass, driving ittle Stanley snarling enthusiasm at foot-to-the-floor pace. Dick Vance attempted to catch hold of USA "Dance Craze" phenomena with a "new Dance" called "The Stran". Like all "Vance" 45's this received only limited promotion and meager pressing numbers. Another Bay Area rarity was born, on his eye catching yellow label that always causes a flutter of the heart on the few occasions the name Vance appears on a label.
This is uncompromising battle-cry Northern Soul from start to finish this is a take no prisoners stomper, ratcheted up yet another notch by a pumping bass-guitar pulse in the mid-flow.
Proper Northern Soul, on a proper rare label just shuddering with power, attitude, angst and determination.. a destroyer of NS allniter floors, every time!
PS the flipside is considered a Deep Soul treasure.. as a breathless Stanley lays bare his loneliness, as he wanders through a maze of sulking vibes...
Condition Report
Two bright clean yellow labels, both totally unblemished. Vinyl has full gloss, just a couple of fine storage hairlines reveled when angled in the light. strong mint minus.<br />
The Webs
Can't Let You Go / Try Loving Me
Dynamic : 106 (45s)
Our data indicates this is certainly one of the least seen of all Abe Epstein's 23 "Dynamic" releases. But was first issued by producer Walter Whisenhunt through his "Pistol" publishing on his namesake "WHIZ" records, in our experience this Dynamic press is rarer. More desirable as many collectors are on that ambitious mission to complete the "Dynamic Records" run.
This is proper explosive high-octane turbo-charged acrobatic vocal-group "allniter" fuel. Sums it up accurately, along with inspirational, rousing, persuasive dance provoking proper Northern Soul. Find some space in the kitchen before clicking that explosive soundfile..
For many the horn crammed mid-tempo "Try Loving Me " is the "starring" side, as big production soulful mid-tempo's start to take preference in the more innovative NS DJ sets. I personally rate this record as one of the greatest rare Northern Soul vocal-group double headers of all-time, but losing out on popularity traction, due to so very few DJs actually owning a copy.
Listen now and make your own mind up, which side affects you the most, then ask the question what will the value become when it receives the long-overdue turntable exposure is so deserves, in fact your dancefloor so deserves, also.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl, a beauty. Killer double helping of Texas Northern Soul awaits.
Embers - Just Crazy About You Baby / Aware Of Love - EEE
Embers / Just Crazy About You Baby
Aware Of Love : 0070 (45s)
A killer tune, that Northern Soul DJs sourced from the elusive 1967 EEE Records album.
After releasing 4 45s with Jimmy Capps at JCP, the group took full control of their own destiny. "The Embers" and Jackie Gore were not entirely happy with the first mix on EEE 0069 and the response it received, Jackie's collaboration with JCP's Jimmy Capps they felt could be improved upon (and they would fully own the copyright), as release 0069 was poorly received even though it was totally inspiring blue-eyed dance soul. The Embers felt a few tweaks and a re-launch would achieve the strong sales they hoped for first time round, that didn't happen press 0070 sold less than Jimmy Capps 0069 consequrentky 0070 is the rarest release of the two.
The Embers were establishing themselves as the premier "Beach Music" band with strong competition from The Swinging Medallions and The Tempests". But in the eyes of the Northern Soul culture "The Embers" were surely the finest, best loved blue-eyed Soul group of them all, highly accomplished not only in vocal-harmony, but instrumentation also. They often also wrote, arranged, produced, they even pressed, released and marketed their own material.
Releasing 4 45s with local entrepreneur Jimmy Capps on the JCP label. These enterprising guys set up the own record label EEE "Embers Entertainment Enterprises" to deal with their live gigs, recording and promotion. This disc though had limited distribution but showcased their accomplished skills perfectly.
You would never guess this gathering were was made up of "Frat" friends as every element screams "Soul". So soulful is Jackie Gore's vocal, you'd be forgiven thinking this was The Ringleaders or any other Chicago group you care to mention singing; so ingrained in Soul is this recording. Gorgeously tight vocals give no hint of their ethnicity, creamy voices and shrill girl group choruses are decorated with timely trumpet interventions. Every question box for a great soul record is ticked, even more so for a entry level for great Northern Soul dancer. The song ripples with all the right elements.
As good as the a-side is, you cannot pass-by the flip, the long appreciated flipside validates this blue-eyed Soul group, the best of all-time, "Aware Of Love" witnesses The Embers taking on soul Giants Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler.. and smashing it out the park.
A real-deal recording x 2 ...exposing all this egotistical dick-waving of only collecting Soul records by "black" artists, a display of blinkered prejudice used to elevate the collectors status and nothing to do with musical quality...which the Embers are drenched in.
Condition Report
Two clean rich deep red labels, full gloss mint minus vinyl has one tiny flaw of the intro of the a-side is a mark that briefly pops. (Listen)