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The Melvin Davis - "I'm The One That Loves You" - Soul Direction - SD022
Press release, which includes the full story about how this new release of a previously unreleased version of this northern soul classic, from the songs authors Melvin Davis came about. Plus details on the worthwhile thrust of this release towards helping Melvins ongoing medical expenses follows below...
The Melvin Davis - "I'm The One That Loves You" - Soul Direction- SD022 Press Release
Let's tell you a short story of how this came about and where we go from here.
Some time ago, we acquired a master tape from the Don Davis Collection of tapes, which was something I wanted for my personal collection and was more than happy to listen and enjoy the tracks in the comfort of my own record room. One of those tracks was an un released version of ITOTLY, by Melvin Davis, who wrote the track, later released by Darrell Banks.
Sometime later during a conversation with my good friend Jim O'Hara about the tracks' history, it's potential as a release, and the health issues that Melvin was going through, we both thought that if i could get the track released, it would be a great way to help Melvin with his mounting medical bills.
Knowing Jim was good friends with Melvin, I asked him if he would speak to him and hook me up with a view to a possible release. Jim happily agreed and a few days later, despite Melvin going through many health issues, I got a message from the great man. I called him that evening and we talked a for a good couple of hours and Melvin was more than happy to let me work on mastering the tracks and that we could sort out any paperwork, licensing etc. at a later date.
So, once the tracks were mastered and that was a mammoth task with the age and condition of the master tape, we were all happy with the results all things considered, Melvin and I sorted a licensing agreement that he was happy with, which for me was the of the upmost importance. So, after a couple of signatures and his licensing fees paid, we began to schedule the project.
With these ongoing health issues, it was around this time that a close friend of his in Detroit also started a "Go Fund Me" page to help with Melvin's huge medical bills. We should remember that especially in the UK are very lucky that as part of our standard Tax and National Insurance contributions, medical treatment for pretty much every major illness is covered and you don't wake up from major surgery with a hefty bill on your bedside table, and medical insurance seems like a very expensive mine field in the USA.
After another conversation with Jim and having now spoken within Melvin on a couple of occasions, I had made up my mind that I wanted to donate all profits from this upcoming Soul Direction release direct to Melvin. I subsequently spoke to him about my idea, and whilst he was blown away by my proposal, he was also very adamant that he would not accept any monies unless he knew for sure that i had covered all the costs involved, this is the kind of gentlemen he really is. I agreed and we worked together on that basis.
After a few conflabs with Jim and Melvin I decided to put a retail price on this release (and this one only) of £20, which would give Melvin a sizeable contribution to his ongoing medical expenses. Let's face it, for this money, you are getting a limited press of a quality piece of unissued Detroit soul from the "Detroit Soul Ambassador" himself. In addition, with the kind help of Jordan Wilson who designed the wonderful promotional posters & record sleeves, we have a handful of autographed posters and white label TP's which Jim got signed during his recent trip to see Melvin. These posters and TP's will be given away free in a draw, where everyone who orders from the Soul Direction site in the first 7 days will be entered into
This is not about Soul Direction, this is about a true Detroit Soul Legend, and Legend is not a word to be used lightly, Melvin Davis is that legend and along with it, one of the true gentlemen left in this world.
So with the help of Jim, Jordan, and of course the DSA, Melvin Davis, I hope you like what Soul Direction have done for this special release, and I hope you get the warm feeling we are all getting from being a tiny part in helping a true giant who has graced our soul scene for most of the time we have been part of it.
Melvin Davis - Detroit Soul Ambassador
Alan Kitchener - Soul Direction
Jim O'Hara - Sleeve notes and additional contributions
Jordan Wilson - Sleeve and label design
Video
Sleeve Notes
SD022A - Melvin Davis - I'm The One That Loves You - (Soul Direction}
SD022B - Instrumental version
Release Date - 30° June 2023
When it comes to Detroit soul music, there are few names come close to the achievements of Melvin Davis. A writer of over 150 songs, a musician on over SO albums, producer, drummer, vocalist, label owner, performer, and much more, it is no wonder Melvin is known as the DSA, Detroit Soul Ambassador.
Born Melvin Lincoln Davis, Melvin's family moved north to Detroit when he was very young, but it was in the south where he first heard the soulful tones of artists like Little Richard and Sam Cooke, who influenced him greatly.
After his time in the US Navy, where he taught himself to play several instruments and began song writing, Melvin returned to pursue a career as a musician in the thriving music scene of his home town, Detroit.
During his early R & B influenced releases on Jack Pot, Fortune & Ke-Ke records, he was relentless in pursuing his music career, even finding time to form a local band called The Jaywalkers, with himself on drums, and a certain Mr David Ruffin on lead vocals, whom at the time was house sharing with Melvin.
With the Detroit music scene thriving, Melvin was constantly writing, and following his Wheel City release, 'Find A Quiet Place', his talent as a singer, song writer, and musician was becoming recognised by many of the record labels in the Motor City, including Motown.
The period from 1965 to 1970 was prolific for Melvin and saw many of his songs recorded by artists including Johnnie Taylor, Steve Mancha, Lanette Mckee, JJ Barnes, Jackey Beavers, Darrell Banks, and the list goes on. His collaboration with Don Davis's Groovesville Productions saw him pen over 35 songs, with his credits appearing on every one of the famous red & white labels releases, including his own release Groovesville 1003 the brilliant mid-tempo tracks "I Must Love You" & "Still in My Heart".
As is well known, there were frequently alternative takes on many songs from that era, and Groovesville Productions was no different. Through the years, several alternative takes have surfaced from the label, both in acetate and tape format, some with the original artists and a number with an alternative vocalist. Having acquired an original Groovesville tape, Soul Direction Records are delighted to be able to bring to vinyl for the very first time, an exclusive vocal by Melvin Davis at United Sounds Studios in Detroit.
Any Detroit soul fan will know that 'I'm The One Who Loves You' by Darrell Banks, released on Volt records in 1969, but it was Melvin, the writer, that first recorded the song in 1965. With the inspiration for the song being his own emotional response to a past relationship, Melvin's original recording is much more laid back than Banks's , and with a "who's who" of Detroit session legends, George McGregor {drums), Bob Babbitt (bass), Eddie Willis {lead guitar), Jack Ashford {vibes), and Melvin on drums, it's of no surprise that the recording has all the hallmarks of a Detroit classic.
Whilst Darrell was given the lyrics personally by Melvin, it should be noted that what you hear on this release is Melvin's original lyrics as written. Having discussed with him, he confirmed that in fact the song was originally titled "I'm The One That Loves You' as opposed to 'Who Loves You'.
It's always intriguing to collectors as to why certain recording were never released, but at least now, almost 60 years later, we can now hear Melvin pleading with his girl to believe him when he tells her "cause the truth is that I need you baby and nobody else, don't let true love slip right through your hands, what can I do or say baby, to make you understand, I'm The One That Loves You'
Melvin's contribution to the Detroit soul music scene is remarkable with very few coming close to his achievements. Whether it's his 60's recordings, his time at Invictus Records as a solo artist, writer & producer, lead singer of The 8"" Day, session drummer for Motown records, tour drummer for Smokey Robinson, or his releases on his own label Rockmill Records, the Detroit Soul Ambassador,
Melvin Davis is without doubt a true Detroit legend.
Sleeve Notes compiled by Jim O'Hara.
Sleeve and Label design by Jordan Wilson
Tracks mastered by Swift Mastering Ltd.
