Ending next Wednesday
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The condition and authenticity of our ‘Ending Next Wednesday’ records are always carefully and closely scrutinised. If you enjoyed our Motown Worldwide records, then you may also enjoy checking out the latest additions to our soul auctions.
Johnny Caswell
You Don't Love Me Anymore / I.O.U.
Decca: 32017 DJ (45s)
dancers. .
From the inventive minds of the "Double Diamond" production team led by John Madara & David White, who guide this magical Leon Huff song, intricately constructed by Jimmy "The Wiz" Wisner and we have immortal Northern Soul.
But what would you expect when a quartet of virtuoso's come together, the names Madara, White, Wisner & Huff always conjure up something significant.
It is more than an anthem, it's a call to "arms", a signal to take to the floor, reignite your muscle-memory-moves, from that time-served body that has dedicated itself to Northern Soul all its adult life. A chance to bathe in euphoric recall as those adolescence "good-times" come flooding back.
But do not overlook the so far neglected flipside "I.O.U." that Len Barry also recorded, it is archetypical "Double Diamond production". An uplifting blue-eyed Northern Soul groove that on it's own, could have become a monster, but got "lost" as the b-side to an immortal great.
Click the soundfile and unleashed the work of a dream-team. John Madara & David White producing. Leon Huff on piano and writing, knitted together by Jimmy "The Wiz" Wisner. Bobby Greg rhythmic drumming, Joe Mack on Bass, Vinnie Bell & Trade Martin on guitar, Panama Francis with the extra percussion and vibes, with Artie Kaplin conducting the horns & sax.. what a team!
Premiership expertise ... and it shows which ever side you drop the arm on.
Condition Report
Two flawless "pink" promo labels, full gloss vinyl reveals only minuscule soft sleeve storage hairlines when angled under light. |As you can hear both sides play beautifully clean. A true fine copy!
Connie Clark
My Sugar Baby / My Sugar Baby (instrumental)
Joker: 716 (45s)
An authentic August 1965 delta #58486 original with a hairline fissure, that Manship has been invisibly pro-repaired, by capillary infusion.
Vocal side plays with an occasional soft background tick, mostly totally lost in the music. The instrumental side plays even better with just a few crackles along the way, otherwise beautifully crisp and true.
Now listen to an unbeatable Wigan Casino ANTHEM giving up two explosive Northern Soul dancefloor essentials.
Condition Report
Two bright clean, irresistible yellow labels. A tight pro-repair hairline crack could make this Northern Soul anthem affordable, to the multitude of you perusing those "impossible" Northern Soul anthems. The playing surface is a bright clean Ex+. No visible scratches, no stylus wear hiss, no skips, or sticks. Just a fine, now secured hairlline crack, from the run-in groove to the deadwax. Listen to both sides and judge its worth, as one of Northern Soul's most-wanted rarest-of-the-rare.
Gloria Shannon
Tears (Are Gifts From Heaven) / Shining My Lovelight
Houston Express : 10" acetate (10")
Here is the rare original 2008 direct cut 10" acetate, providing one of the greatest Northern Soul discoveries of this century. Atmospheric in the extreme, emotional but subtle as it pulls you into its moving narrative on a wave of strings and heavenly girl group backing harmonies. The unknown lead vocalist effortlessly hitting the high notes then dropping like a stone on poignant reflective moments of deep sadness. Her vocal pendulum swinging from one moment of muddied recollections of the past, then switching up a gear to vocal elation, takes over as "why" becomes much clearer.
An emotional mysterious 2 mins 30 seconds of distilled sister Northern Soul you can't prevent heightening your senses...
We actually consider the flipside "Shining My Lovelight" almost as good.
Double soundfile provided - be prepared to be impressed with the direct cut clarity.
Condition Report
two clean labels, full gloss mint minus lacquer, giving up perfect Chrystal clear fidelity. Listen!
James Bounty
Prove Yourself as Lady / Life Will Begin Again
Compass : CO-7005 (45s)
Discovered by Bobby Eli whilst James was singing to himself on a used car sales lot in Philly. Taking him into the studios for his debut single. The team of Bobby Eli, Erwin Gripman., Ross Matico & Jeff Prusen injected every possible dance element in the recording, making for a classic style Northern Soul monster.
Snarling lead vocal, searing girl chorus, male vocal group chants, burping horns, rattling piano prods. Make up those insistent rhythms, demanding the Northern Soul club-criwd take to the floor
THIS IS NORTHERN SOUL
A Philadelphia NS Titan that has never diminished, not a jot over its reign of anthem status through the decades.
Two perfectly clean labels, equally clean mint minus vinyl
Condition Report
Two perfectly clean labels, equally clean full gloss mint minus vinyl
Big Dee Irwin
You Satisfy My Needs / I Wanna Stay Right Here With You
Stateside : SS 450 DJ (45s)
From the hearts and minds of that genius writing team of Pam Sawyer & Lori Burton; again these two lady-maestros collaborate to craft my all-time favourite slab of the "Big City Sound". To see it in front of me today as this "impossible" August 1965 Demo is pure joy! I couldn't wait to slip it out of its sleeve and onto the turntable.
Boy, these two ladies really knew how to nail your heart to the wall. Such eloquent lyrics, delivered by a rich-blue-chip vocal. Taking you by the hand, as you stroll together through a breeze of zipping strings, with only a girl-choir and Leroy Glover's orchestra for company. Big Dee adds layer after layer of tumultuous crescendos, the warm breezes, steadily ratcheting up into gale-force storm of cyclonic Soul. Kettle drums, the girls choruses rise up is appreciation of truly heart-warming lyrics. Big Dee purrs away, his outpourings of love now supported now haunting brass. The girls support surges through, Big Dee intensifies his adoration for his love... as respect and love shower down in equal amounts. Leaving you in awe of what I believe is the greatest contribution to the sound of Beat Ballad Heaven.
"You Satisfy My Needs" could hardly be more moving. As it ends into a Tsunami of acknowledgement of his girl's devotion. String-rich mid-tempo, brilliantly endowed by a vocal so seamlessly powerful, it sends shivers throughout my body. Roy Glover's magnificent New York production is overflowing with inspiring instruments mingling into the perfect storm to carry this grandiose voice to the end...
Before you today is the insanely rare 27th August 1965 Red & White Demo!
I'm sure you'll agree this slab of mountainous Northern Soul, in its very rarest form, is a thing of pulse-racing beauty... the greatest Big City Beat Ballad ever released on our shores...
Condition Report
The only forgivable freckle on this beautiful face is a soft sticker residue shadow on the top 1/2 white area of the 4 prong centre, see image, otherwise two bright, clean red & white labels, 4 prong centre intact, full gloss close to Manship mint vinyl.
Gerri Granger
I Got To Pieces (Everytime...) / Darling Take Me Back (I'm Sorry)
Bell: B-969 DJ (45s)
A song dominated by the NS girls on the dancefloor, outnumbering the boys 2 to 1 as they spend 2.30 minutes reliving their teenage heartbreak inflicted by those inconsiderate boys. Who were far too macho to yield to such sentimentality, but inside they were secretly swooning to Gerri's angelic but totally profound delivery of sadness wrapped in hope.
In the Mid-seventies one of Northern Soul 's most urgently sought-after 45's, popular in the extreme, a floor filler in the true sense of the word.
Today, so seldom coming to market - do not pass by..
PS the flipside is damn good also...
Condition Report
Two clean promo labels, vinyl reveals multiple hairline scuff none of which affect play, listen only the occasional soft tick along the way. Crisp clean fidelity, still housed in birth-sleeve.
Martha Reeves and the Vandellas
I Gotta Let You Go / Forget Me Not
Tamla Motown : TMG 762 DJ (45s)
A fine clean Green & White demo giving up one those fabulous b-sides, that always, sooner or later comes under the investigative attention of the Northern Soul DJs.
Hidden on the reverse of one of Martha's hits "Forget Me Not ", is a thumping Norman Whitfield written and produced stomper, typically gritty horn saturated production, of girl who's heard enough BS, she's had enough! This is killer Northern Soul that has yet reached its potential.
The original a-side "Forget Me Not" was a huge hit, "Viet Nam" tearjerker written by Ric-Tic students Richard Morris accompanied by the talented Sylvia "Uptight" Moy. Guided by Norman Whitfield; the trio construct a vibrant Motor City dance session incorporating many production traits used within the Ric-Tic sessions. Typically relentless drumming and vibes shower guitar rhythms, sparkling piano pulses carry those gorgeously entangled Vandellas vocals; all at a "slow marching" pace that togs at the heart. So very commercial and topical, brilliantly delivered sad memories with Martha living the moment, as if she'd lived it herself. .
Richard & Sylvia's talent never matched the expected workload their partnering warranted, as Sylia Moy went from strength to strength. Richard Morris's extreme talent mostly left off the future label credits.
Two great sides, with Northern Soul again keeping those passed-over flips alive and well...
Condition Report
Two clean green and white demo labels, strong gloss on the vinyl, reveals multiple light surface hairlines, buit that robust EMI vinyl again does its job, with clear fidelity. Still housed its birth-sleeve.
Four Tops
Baby I Need You Loving / Call On Me
Stateside : SS 336 DJ noc (45s)
The 4 were originally signed to Motown to enhance the artist roster of Berry Gordy's first love - "Jazz" music. They had recorded an 8 track 10" acetate for the intention of a Jazz Workshop album; an LP of standards and ballads. But H-D-H changed all that when they utilised The Tops' magnificently smooth harmonies, that had impressed them a year earlier in May 1963; by July 1964 they were in the studio booming out "Baby I Need Your Loving".
The single was a huge success, even though the "Jazz Workshop album" artwork had already been designed, the 8 tracks already cut, Motown shelved the release and "The Tops" strode off in a different direction to blossom into one of Motown's greatest assets.
In the UK however it missed out on the charts, even though it enjoyed radio play, Radio London particularly promoting the Motown sound. But it was Britain's "The Fourmost" who had the minor hit, with an insipid version by comparison, that reached #24 in the charts. The then unknown Four Tops had to wait a couple of years before they utterly dominated the UK charts.
The flipside "Call On Me" was heavily influenced by Sam Cooke's - You Send Me - a gorgeous vocal group ballad that itself, could have easily been a successful A-side.
Two great sides, presented here in its most wanted, least seen format. It may have the 4 prong centre removed, a vinyl-crime that warrants capital punishment IMHO. But this disc as a red & white demo is so insanely rare and in my biased judgement is every note an auction 45, cause it'll be an age before we encounter another.
Condition Report
Two clean red & white promo labels, original 4 prong centre removed, full gloss on vinyl, reveals some soft surface blemishes, plays flawlessly as you can hear from the double soundfile lifted from this actual disc. Crisp and totally clean fidelity both sides.
Jock Mitchell
Not A Chance In a Million / I Gotta Know Know
Impact : 1023 DJ Manship mint (45s)
dynamic powerhouse of pure Detroit!
New York collides with the Motor City as two of Northern Soul iconic writer, singer, producers marry to guide Jock Mitchell through the pounding NS experience. Who better than Duke Browner ad Robert Banks two giants of our scene.
Do not pass by, we could live another lifetime and never encounter another copy as clean as this.
Condition Report
Two perfect promo labels, full gloss mint vinyl - as good as you could ever dream of seeing.
De-lites
Lover / Tell Me Why
Cuppy : C-101 (45s)
Boom! A Northern Soul trophy-piece that so many collectors & DJs crave ownership of.
So expect some serious competition, our last copy in slightly lesser condition, triggered an almighty confrontation at closing time that ran for
A seriously elusive NS classic that has been ramming the “floors” of the UK since 1975, since then, only a handful of copies have ever
surfaced, its popularity with the masses has never faded. Always triggering the dancefloor dash at the clubs lucky enough to boast an original copy, but more importantly lighting the fuse for heated buyer competition, even at the mere hint of a copy coming up for sale.
“Lover” is loved by everyone, and so many have never owned a copy.
Do not pass by! It’s a real beast of a tune - proper Grail!
Two clean labels, soft storage wear, but clean. A-side reveals light surface marks visually vg+, but plays Excellent (listen). the inconsequential flipside is visually vg and plays with some soft background crackle.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, fine bright gloss that reveals only soft, light surface hairlines when inspected and angled under light. Plays loud and clear (listen)
Imaginations
Strange Neighborhood / I Just Can't Get Over Losing You
Fraternity: F 1001 DJ (45s)
A full orchestral 1968 production, restoring those much-loved qualities of the East Coast male-group sound; with a Drifter-esque delivery of the "Big City Sound" soaring musclebound vocals, elevated by a relentless dance rhythms, a persistent percussion, triumphant horns all blend into a most wonderful wall of Soul. Just awesome..
Without doubt one of the finest examples of the style, surely long overdue for a renaissance with the NS dancefloor.
It'll happen, inspiring NS at this level, never ever fails to make a come back.. with a bang! an oldie nobody would ever complain of hearing again...and again.
from a collector's viewpoint, a thing a real beauty... in unbeatable condition.
Condition Report
two perfect promo labels, still housed in the coveted birth-sleeve. Full gloss vinyl, reveals only the merest hairline blemishes when angled in the light - top copy. Plats
Laura Greene
Moonlight Music In You / Love Is Strange
RCA: 47-9164 DJ Manship mint (45s)
No introduction require for this Teddy Vann creation - there are not many more memorable Northern Soul classics than this one...
But how actually own a copy in "investment" condition is a rare opportunity indeed, listen now to be rocketed back to you golden years
This level of perfectness is so elusive and so sought after for the discerning collector.
Condition Report
Most likely unplayed radio station archive copy, mint vinyl; release date 4/67 on flipside label, "Moonlight" promo label is super clean, still housed in birth sleeve, see impressive images.
Gene Chandler
Nothing Can Stop Me / The Big Lie
Stateside : SS 425 mint minus (45s)
Legendary Northern Soul treasure for those of you who consider "condition" the deciding factor when buying fabled mNorthern Soul 45s.
Iconic Twisted Wheel classic, rarely if ever turning up in fabulous Mint Minus condition.
A fabulous stocking filler in RARE RARE CONDITION
Condition Report
Two perfect labels, 4 prong centre intact, full gloss mint minus vinyl, still housed in birth sleeve
Chris Jackson
I'll Never Forget You / Forever I'll Stay With You
Soul City : SC 112 Manship mint cp (45s)
50 years old and previously unplayed !
an astonishing copy in archive condition.
Remembering this Northern Soul classic from the desk of Dave Godin, carries a flipside "Forever I'll Stay With You " that weas only issued in the UK.
Two killer sides in " impossible" condition previously unplayed condition!
Condition Report
MANSHIP MINTS , previously unplayed vinyl - pretty much perfect labels (inspect images) - still housed in clean birth sleeve
Variations Of Love
I'll Always Love You / Reach For The Truth
AMG : 581-22 Manship mint (45s)
Founder group member, gospel choir trained "Harold Travis' " only 45 release with his local gathering the "Variations Of Love " before he went full circles after touring and backing vocals with Rick James, Whitney Houston, The Gap Band, Bobby Brown etc before he returned to his vocation of singing in a Gospel choir.
That early vocal schooling shines through on this exquisite Lowrider offering, with the simplistic piano / guitar arrangement allowing those seamless vocals unchallenged freedom of voice. A gorgeous falsetto lead, cradled by richer buttery backing group harmonies breezing on through.
Completely top-drawer Sweet Soul, impossible to acquire, especially in this flawless archine condition!
Condition Report
Two flawless labels, full gloss previously unplayed vinyl.<br />
Village Sounds
These Windows / Love In
Onyx : O-102 (45s)
A quality oldie that has never suffered from being over-played or bootlegged and still sounding so fresh, ideally perched for a Northern Soul Renaissance.
6 man mod-band gathering from Memphis, Tennessee, connected like so many 60's Memphis productions to Houston, Texas. On this session Don Robey of (Duke, Peacock) right-hand man Gil Caple at the controls. No stranger to crafting a Northern Soul monster or two, Bud Harper, Little Eddie Taylor etc. proof of his exceptional input into our scene. Here’s the prolific Gil again, with another muscular horn propelled NS dancer, decorated with a persistent swirling Hammond, flooding the background with depth, as shrill "Can't Hide" girl-group choruses adorns the background of the free-flowing, reaching-out blue-eyed male harmony vocals.
A fabulously uplifting tune, that’s hub) will fire memories of Wigan Casino in the late 70's when many new discoveries were made, mostly covered-up as secret sounds given familiar artist credits to help with the launching on a new tunes debut, sparking comments like "Did you hear the new "Melvin Davis" discovery?" would assist its journey to the top.
And this was a top-tune at the time. Proper runaway-truck Northern Soul that will evoke many treasured club memories for those lucky enough to have witnessed that late 70s surge of Northern Soul discovery, when literally an army of young crate-diggin’ Brits invaded the USA foraging for new sounds...a tune that seldom surfaces for sale in recent years...especially in this fine clean condition.
PS we have also sound-filed the bustling flipside, so you can appreciate the strength of the horn-section playing on this session.
Condition Report
Release date on a-side label, otherwise, two clean labels with only soft signs of storage. Vinyl reveals only the finest of sleeve contact storage hairlines. As you can hear the lead side plays flawless. The pulsating flipside is a grade below, carries some faint background crackle listen.
Roosevelt Matthews with the Billy Ball & The Upsetters
You Got Me Diggin' You / Tighten Up
king: 45-6173 Manship mint (45s)
a double helping of spectacular Rare Soul - mesmerizing Northern Soul Crossover on one side - pulsating Deep Funk on the other.
We start with the warm-glow of Roosevelt's purring voice. Heading up a considerate horn-powered arrangement from Bill Ball and his Upsetters sympathetically cradling his masterful vocal. Crafting a soulful stroller of the highest order, as it pulls you into it's bewitching mood. A truly wonderful Rare Soul moment.
THIS NORTHERN SOUL CROSSOVER at its most sublime.. but there's more..
In total polar opposition, explosive FUNK awaits on the flipside. A revamp of Billy Butler & Archie Bell's timeless classic, takes on a new character of its own, once The Upsetters start to roll out their muscular-musicianship. Rattling drums, killer base-line guitar pulses, intricate plectrum manipulation; Roosevelt's rich-chanting out the major dance-cities across the USA and "Tighten Up Tighter" mantra rings out loud and clear... "You Gotta Tighten Up Tighter.." Then the zenith of the session opens up, when a fanfare of off-key trumpets eject a hanging interlude of persuasion into the mix. BRILLIANT!
Two sides to die-for!
Condition Report
Mint previously unplayed archive copy
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
The Night / When The Morning Comes
Mowest : MW 3002 (45s)
Here is the elusive, rarely encountered FIRST PRESS October 1972 this at the time UK only release 7" 45 got to the release stage 7 days after the test press on 06/10/72. Prepared for the its British only debut, to be passed over by everyone except those investigative Northern Soul foragers, to be first played on the NS scene from this MW 3002 original. Rising up to become an absolute dancefloor gargantuan after Wigan Casino opened its doors on 23th. September 1973.
Later that Wigan Casino dancefloor passion triggered a 27th March 1975 UK reissue to meet the huge demand. The power of Wigan Casino's and Northern Soul's defining year of 1975, the song reached the breathtaking heights of no. 7 in the British charts. Later used in inspiring TV adverts, bringing "Edinburgh Gin" right into public focus with their Northern Soul dance footage, riding an edited snippet of this great song.
"The Night" suffered from inferior cover versions through the decades, all attempts by other artists to recapture its magic failed, this original song now universally considered impossible to improve upon.
This was Bob Gaudio re-crowning Northern Soul moment after the booming bassline used in the anthem "I'm Gonna Change" fiver years earlier, Gaudio raises the bass-bar even higher with a grandiose guitar intro underpinned with an atmospheric church organ foundation coated with eerie male vocal harmony setting the scene for Frankie Valli's penetrating falsetto to crash through those ever increasing crescendos. Then Bob Gaudio flexes his production muscle by adding an abyss of deep brass, the introduction of a low-blown, perfectly timed Tuber hinting at the impending storm that is about to break. Carried along by a male harmony choir and Frankie ear-piercing vocal drilling deep into your brain. Heavy duty percussion keep the "Northern-beat" running ... as my memories of a full dancefloor are rekindled... the finale of the spacecraft lift off again demonstrates the producer's prowess, as the Jersey Boys hit heights nobody has replicated since, and leave seasoned Northern Soul students hanging in a dreamscape of their youth.
Arguably the greatest production ever presented to a Northern Soul dancefloor. Today it still makes me shiver, as it catapults me back in time, to my formative years of Northern Soul indoctrination.
For those of you who only entertain original FIRST presses in their collections of DJ boxes, this 1972 OG is an essential disc, plus carrying strong investment value for the future; as it is literally 1000's of times rarer than the 1975 Mowest 3022 release that became a hit.
Condition Report
Two clean labels, 4 prong centre intact, vinyl shows multiple fine soft storage hairlines when angled in the light but plays well. (listen) to the sound file lifted directly off this UK first press.
Channel 3
The Sweetest Thing / Someone Else's Arms
Dakar : DK 4520 Manship mint (45s)
Whilst "The Sweetest Thing" will always speak for itself, as being one of the most uplifting 70's Soulful dancers of all time. A click of the soundfile will immediately confirm that statement. Just spine-tingling vocal group brilliance you just can't tire of hearing.
But this listing is the far rarer STOCK copy which includes the mighty flipside "Someone Else's Arms" an utterly awesome vocal-group harmony stepper of the highest calibre.
In short this pre-disco era creation offers the best of both Soul-world's with classic dancefloor energy on the lead side and goose-bump inducing exquisite Soulful harmony the other.
Do not pass by..
Condition Report
Mint still housed in birth-sleeve
Al TNT Braggs
Al TNT Braggs / 1964 British EP complete with picture cover
Vocalion : VE-P 170163 EP PS Manship Mint (EP)
Our data and 52 years experience, certainly validates it, as such. Only our 2nd copy in a lifetime of searching and dealing in the finest British release 7" vinyl.
The fact that the EP front and back cover is a void on Discogs worldwide collector/dealer database, certainly underlines the ridiculous level of rarity this 1964 EP of Al TNT Braggs' Peacock recordings enjoys.
This is a listings for those dedicated British Soul vinyl collectors, seeking completeness on their shelves, and for those of you who are thrilled by owning the "Rarest Of The Rare"
Al TNT Braggs - EP track listing
A1 You're Something Else
A2 Easy Rock
B1 We Belong Together
B2 Cigarettes And Coffee
Check out his Houston, Texas recordings on the only EP he had issued in the UK. Then treat yourself with this gorgeously presented laminated front cover, back cover, plus two label vistas.
A thing of real beauty for this old-school vinyl-romantic!
Condition Report
Crisp clean full laminated flipback picture cover, front and back, only minuscule feeble signs of meticulous filing, strong mint minus. No writing, stains, stickers or tears. Two perfect labels, 4 prong centre intact. Vinyl carries full gloss revealing only the merest, finest sleeve contact hairline with angled in the light. Mint throughout!. as good as you could ever dream of acquiring.
Lee Jones & The Sounds Of Soul
This Heart Is Haunted / On The Other Side
Amy: 11,008 DJ Manship mint (45s)
"Lee Jones & The Sounds Of Soul".
After leaving Stax in1964 Lincoln Moman headed up a gathering of local "soul" talents, with a sprinkling of transient soul master-craftsmen; a fluid dream-team of Dan Penn, Bobby Emmons, Bobby Womack, Lindon "Spooner" Oldham, Jr. etc. Would craft some of the finest soul recordings ever committed to vinyl.
"Chips" himself wrote the unforgettable anthems "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", "The Dark End of the Street" to name just two, whilst the gargantuan output of Dan Penn & Spooner Oldham is a partnership that just keeps on giving. Amy led with the "Penn-Oldham" "On The Other Side" as the a-side, a nice tune but completely overshadowed by the Harold Thomas and Harry Wheatley masterpiece produced by Tommy Cogbill hidden away briefly on the flip before a few years later worldwide soul devotees heralded it as possibly the greatest vocal-group Deep Soul session of all time.
No-one can dispute that statement, even my soulful wife paused whilst darning my socks, to write the following assessment on her Facebook page
" On the kitchen decks now, from those wonderful Masqueraders who didn't leave a dry eye in Memphis May 2016. How can it be the ultimate tear-inducing, heart-rending, wrist-slashing, noose-knotting bridge-jumper, and yet at the same time be so very pleasurable? The eternal soul paradox"
You can see why I married her, truly great music changes lives...
Condition Report
Manship mint still housed in birth-sleeve - just stunning
Curtis
How Can I Tell Her / I Remember
Charm City : DM 1879 (45s)
A Northern Soul dancefloor classic that "some say" the first but inferior MD 1932 mix, eliminating the Hi-Hat drums and driving percussion sound. That makes this DM 1879 session to some, so superior, in comparison its brother the less intricate first release.
Two Baltimore, "Jimmy's" collaborate on this 1979 Maryland indie; Jimmy Lindsay and Jimmy Stewart, join Melvin Miles & Anton Scott on this club winner lifting the song up the renewed driving intro..
Harmony vocals whispering "How Can I Tell Her" through a wall of "disco" cliche's until fully 1:16 seconds in Curtis Anderson comes in to elevate the session even higher with his impressive voice...
Rhythmic hand-clapping, wah-wah picking, blasting trumpets, understated background male choruses all mingle into one solid slab of neatly 5 minutes of concrete dance-music. The dramatic instrumental electric drum driven break towards the ending caps off a relentless dance-offering.
The rarest mix, the best mix has been in debate for decades, but still sits the heart of 70's Northern Soul for nearly 40 years without any hint of losing it's dancefloor impact.
Condition Report
Two flawless labels, fine clean glossy vinyl throughout, reveals just a few soft blemishes. Plays crisp and totally clean (listen)
Ben Brown
Ask The Lonely / Sidewinder
Polydor: 56198 (45s)
"Just Ask The Lonely" how damn dare he have the audacity; this British upstart and his mates, do a brazen take on classic Motown. In fact the very best of Motown.. but they do; and quite brilliantly may I add. The Four Tops of course are not upstaged, but Ben Brown delivers a memorable twist everyone's favorite "Tops" tune embellished with truly fabulous, better than norm British instrumentation, so very MOD, encapsulating everything about how enamored the young Brit artists were enamored by the USA sound of Soul...
But to elevate this 45 even higher, there's a killer version of Lee Morgan's Blue Note Jazz/Boo-ga-loo anthem "Side Winder" this take has Lee Morgan's brilliantly intrusive trumpet, is replaced by the lyrics from Hugo Peretti, Ma Ruffin & Morris Levy.
Ben Brown picks up this gauntlet, of a huge challenge, to try and do justice to Lee Morgan's most perfect of Jazz dancers. Ben does just that ,with his coolly restrained voice, whilst alto sax gusts, breeze on decorating the background... Ben and team epitomize the meaning of "the room-of-cool". A version dripping with effortless know-how, as his smoky vocal melds into that delicious backing..
As if "Ask The Lonely" wasn't enough to trigger desires of ownership, this flipside will throw you off balance with the ease of cool musicianship, cradling Ben Brown's jazzed up finger-clicking vocal. The lengthy instrumental break is just the icing on this elaborately decorated cake..
Two wonderfully rare examples of MOD orientated artists replicating the very best of Jazz/Soul from America...
Rare and in flawless condition... what's not to love.
Condition Report
3 prong centre intact, fine clean vinyl, reveals some soft surface hairlines under light, as you can hear both sides play without so much as a murmur. Two perfect labels 3 prong centre intact. Still housed in birth-sleeve - a beauty.