We've had many threads on the definitions and semantics of the term. We have the fantastic media thread on the subject which continues to entertain and inform.

I thought I'd start a thread for people to nominate one record which they view as the ultimate embodiment of the genre.

I appreciate that these generic definitions are problematic and maybe unnecessary but hopefully this thread will give those who wonder what all the fuss is about an insight as to why fans of these records are so passionate about them.

It would be great if contributors could limit themselves to ONE record: that which is in their eyes the ultimate example of the term.

I'll start the ball rolling and nominate

RICHARD CAITON "I'D LIKE TO GET NEAR YOU" on UP TIGHT

I'll write a bit about exactly why I think it's the ultimate Crossover record a bit later, but I'm already looking forward to others' choices and am eager to see what, if any, consensus emerges.

There are no wrong answers.

Gareth, surely not another contoversial thread....

Mine Chuck Ray - I Don't Mind - Tamboo. For me its the ultimate swayer and can never get bored or it.

Can't keep it to one and cheating by also including Billy Kent - Take It All this Time - Expo - Complete magic.

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by John Reed

Hopefully this thread will not be a place for controversy for controversy's sake John. Debate is welcomed. Remember, there are no wrong answers, but you will have to choose between Billy Kent and Chuck Ray, I'm afraid. There can only be one ultimate.

Its got to be Chuck Ray then

Hopefully this thread will not be a place for controversy for controversy's sake John. Debate is welcomed. Remember, there are no wrong answers, but you will have to choose between Billy Kent and Chuck Ray, I'm afraid. There can only be one ultimate.

Would Bobby Taylor - Don't Be Afraid sit in this category ?

Would Bobby Taylor - Don't Be Afraid sit in this category ?

Most definitely I would say.

Don't know about it being the ULTIMATE crossover track , but it's a good un !

Guitar Ray -You gonna wreck my life

Bobby Sheen-Something new to do

Soul Brothers Inc - Pyramid

Lyn Varnado - Was and wear love

Houston Outlaws -Aint no telling

Can't come up with just one, but here are a few that would be up there off the top of my head

"I Know You're Leaving Me" - Si Hightower

Has it all, rarity megga following, and SOUL

R & K

Willie Wright "Right On for The Darkness" on Hotel

Darrell Banks "I'm The One Who Loves You" Stax / Volt

My tune!

Sean

I'll plump for "Pyramid" by Soul Bros Inc. on Golden Eye.

Cuz it's like no other...

The Volumes - I've Never Been So In Love

or

The Differences - Five Minutes

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by Ollie Lailey

Put this up for my soulmate,too me along with the flip sums it up perfectly,pleased i got mine as the price will rocket on this eventually!! It is perfection.

BERNARD SMITH - NEVER GONNA LET YOU GO - SPECTRUM 7" -

BAZ A

This one can't be narrowed down to just one, but just for this moment in time I'd go for:

Maxine Brown's "Don't leave me baby" on Epic - one 'Epic' performance from the lady!

Fab choice Baz, av played NGLYG out a few times north of the border with not much success yet. It will have it's day....2 perfect sides.

The time is right for love Bobby Reed- OBVIOUSLY!!

Don't know about it being the ULTIMATE crossover track , but it's a good un !

Top choice!!

I would have probably plumped for Richard Caiton as well Gareth , but seeing as you've chosen it my choice is Clyde McPhatter " Anyone can tell [ we're in love ] " from the Decca album " Welcome Home " .Fantastic lyrics and production put this at the top of the Crossover tree for me .Great thread mate ....Best,Eddie

This one can't be narrowed down to just one, but just for this moment in time I'd go for:

Maxine Brown's "Don't leave me baby" on Epic - one 'Epic' performance from the lady!

AGREED

I'd vote for Celest Hardy too. i always think of it as the most typical of crossover tunes.

Ella Woods - I need Your Love - Merging

Narrowed it down to Len Jewel Elevator Song or Alex Brown I'm not Responsible. I'll ponder some more and eliminate one!

BH

No competition for this at all,

Mel Britt - She'll Come Running Back - FIP

It's a tie for me:

Celete Hardy - You're Gone - Reynolds

or

Willie Tee - First Taste Of Hurt - Gatur

Way too many to decide. With Dave on Guitar Ray as one of them though. Achingly soulful and moving 45!

As you say Gareth the definition of 'crossover' is difficult to say the least.

However, for the price conscious anything by Candi Staton on Fame, BUT my single choice (atm) is:

Almeta Lattimore - These Memories - Mainstream

Just Beautiful!

Regards,

Greg.

George Benson My woman's good to me

Double O domingos - Color One Tear Black Part 1

Willie Wright "Right On for The Darkness" on Hotel

Xover...NO WAY! Thats proper superb ghetto soul/funk.. Think this will be a hard thread Gareth, as we all define it very differently...anyway, lets keep trying..

Double O domingos - Color One Tear Black Part 1

I'm still after this if anyone can oblige, apologies for going off thread.

Russ

Impossible to nail one really, but Chuck Cockerham - Have I the Right - Mala, has gotta be up there.

Also:

Detroit Sounds of Friction

Tierra

Earls on Tee Ti

etc, etc

Russ

Patrinell Staten? We could be here all day........

If I think of 'crossover', Gene Middleton 'No One To Love Me' on Funk Factory is always without fail the first record that springs to mind:

Love it.

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by Soulsorts

The Volumes - I've Never Been So In Love

or

The Differences - Five Minutes

It just goes to show that one man's Northern is another man's crossover. I'd have put the Volumes very firmly in the bag labelled 'Northern', the tempo and style say so.....

Since John's allready baggsied Chuck Ray, then I'll go for Robert Tanner - Sweet Memories....

MARGIE JOSEPH - ONE MORE CHANCE -

loads of first choices already taken,mel britt,guitar ray etc,so ill plump for this one,great thread,could go on a long time !

Xover...NO WAY! Thats proper superb ghetto soul/funk.. Think this will be a hard thread Gareth, as we all define it very differently...anyway, lets keep trying..

Right from the intro guitar riff you know that's never a crossover tune..... love it to death but I think your label defines it a whole lot better.... otherwise I'll claim Prince George - DPG..

OSCAR WRIGHT - FELL IN LOVE -

or this one please ?

jason

Willie Tee - Teasin you again, so reminds me of Parkers. Brilliant times

If I think of 'crossover', Gene Middleton 'No One To Love Me' on Funk Factory is always without fail the first record that springs to mind:

Love it.

great choice Roger , best wishes ,Eddie

Impossible to nail one really, but Chuck Cockerham - Have I the Right - Mala, has gotta be up there.

Also:

Detroit Sounds of Friction

Tierra

Earls on Tee Ti

etc, etc

Russ

Still can't bring down to just one, Chuck Cockerham would have to be up there and on the slower side

Johnny Gilliam - Room full of tears

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by Dave Thorley

OR

The Old Codgers "My feet can't dance to fast records(anymore)" on I'll Buy Slower Records

Xover...NO WAY! Thats proper superb ghetto soul/funk.. Think this will be a hard thread Gareth, as we all define it very differently...anyway, lets keep trying..

I dunno Paul, for me the Willie Wright "Right On for The Darkness" on Hotel has got enough soulful intent to just 'crossover'. As you say, traditionally a ghetto funk tune of quality and a cover that more than does justice to the original Curtis Mayfield 'Back To The World' album cut.

ATB

Greg.

So very hard to pick one choon from so many crap records, but for me would have to be ;

Ernie johnson " i can't stand the pain" artco.

A close run thing tho' with Bobby wilburn/Burn "dreamer" & Pschedlic frankie"putting you out my life" pushing Ernie close.

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by SKEGSOUL

Still can't bring down to just one, Chuck Cockerham would have to be up there and on the slower side

Johnny Gilliam - Room full of tears

I remember you playing Johnny gilliam covered up at Stafford Dave.

I'll go for Robert Tanner - Sweet Memories....

Cracking choice Cliff, the other side's great too. Kinda takes away some of the sting off the hefty price tag

Edited March 25, 201015 yr by John Reed

I dunno Paul, for me the Willie Wright "Right On for The Darkness" on Hotel has got enough soulful intent to just 'crossover'. As you say, traditionally a ghetto funk tune of quality and a cover that more than does justice to the original Curtis Mayfield 'Back To The World' album cut.

ATB

Greg.

I was always under the impression that Willie Wright's version pre-dated the Back To The World cut by quite a few years. It's only a theory but I wonder if Curtis Mayfield didn't specifically write the song for him. Finally getting to see a copy of the 45 was instructive too, featuring a Boston address and an incorrect telephone number with the area code scratched out and corrected in biro. I wonder if all of the pitifully few copies which survive are like this. Whatever genre it's classed in this is one of the greatest soul records of all to me.

Edited August 19, 201212 yr by garethx

Amongst those already mentioned particularly Robert Tanner, Chuck Cockerham and Bernard Smith, I always think (rightly or wrongly) of Garfield Fleming - "Don't send me away"

Has to be Emmit Long - Call Me

Incredible slice of music

If your asking to define "a ultimate crossover sound" then i choose this

RAY HINES-"WHY DONT YOU GIVE ME A TRY"RHN -

Thats not to say it's the best ........impossible to give just one cos it changes all the time...but this thread could end up like an extension of the xover thread if we not careful