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.

Following on from The Independents I don't know if anyone's mentioned Maurice Jackson on Lakeside or Candlelite yet: an enduring Crossover classic. Along with Bobby Reed on Bell it was one of the very first records to get me into this style.

Maybe not quite in the 'ultimate' category but other things that I don't think have been mentioned yet are Sharon McMahan "Get Out Of My Life" on Columbia, Gemini "Unchanging Love" on Rosa and The Perfections "Leaning Post" on Drive. I think the latter two are yet to have their day.

I second Ian on Ray Frazier as my ultimate. A tune that hits me hard on many levels.

Good calls by Dave F on L.T. & Cooperettes, Dave R on Fantastics etc, Gareth on Gemini & Merv Murphy and Sam on Elois, though.

Carl Hall-What about you-Columbia

George Perkins-I`m so glad your mine-Royal Shield

Chris

George Perkins would be my top choice too!

For me it's the very definition of crossover and so soulful "I could cryyyy"!

Edited March 27, 201015 yr by B Nilsson

Got to be the New Sounds "Dont Take Your Love From Me "just love the vocals ! Love The Sugar Bears tune

Edited March 27, 201015 yr by Black Gold of the Sun

Hi All...The ultamate Crossover Record IS "When I'am Lovin you" - Jimmy Holiday? MASSIVE at Soulful Samanthas in 75

Am I getting it right now.. DAVE..A 6ts Wulverhomton Stomp Luvver...

I'm going to suggest Bobby Hutton's Come See What's Left of Me as an archetypal crossover record.

I'm going to suggest Bobby Hutton's Come See What's Left of Me as an archetypal crossover record.

GREAT GREAT TUNE . LITTLE GIRL ......COREY GLOVERIS MY CHOICE AND THOUSAND YEARS.....BRAND NEW

I'll also give a mention to 'Just Loving You' by Ruby Andrews on Zodiac.

It may be very played out and a tad groanworthy these days but I think it's an important record in the acceptance of crossover as a distinctive genre.

Edited March 28, 201015 yr by sweeney

Staying with the cheap as chips theme, boy oh boy, for the dancers this just sums up group crossover

INDEPENDENTS - I LOVE YOU YES I DO - WAND 1973 -

Absolutley top shout on the Independents Dave,

Anyone mentioned Albert Jones ?

this topic rubs in some salt in not-yet-healed-wounds, as a lot of the mentioned titles were stolen from me, but the passion for the music stays

I am surprised no-one has mentioned the best crossover record ever:

Delegates of Soul- I'll come running back

to me it's the blueprint of a crossover dancer

or would that be the Hesitations: Is this the way to treat a girl

or..

best

Stefan

Am I alone in appreciating the merits of Johnny Moore.....

Such a Wonderful Feeling - Blue Rock

Lonely Heart In The City - Blue Rock

I Wanna Spend The Rest Of My Life/Just Be For Real - Brunswick

I'm Only Half A Man Without Your Love - Jadan

It's All Over (And Our Love Is A Faded Dream) - Jadan

Just My Way Of Loving You - Date

not forgetting the awesome

Your love is fadin'-Mercury

And this, got to be one of the best blue eyed soul singles ever cut

THE MOB - I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE OF YOU - UK AMERICAN -

Add to that one of the best on a UK label too Dave.(Anyone got a Polydor demo of it they don't want?).Great thread.

Seeing as nobody else is sticking to just one, I'm going to add one more to Almeta Lattimore's beauty and that is:

Either version:

T S U Toronadoes - A Thousand Wonders - Ovide

Archie Bell & the Drells - A Thousand Wonders - Atlantic

BTW if anyone has a nice copy of the Spanish release of A Thousand Wonders by Archie I would be interested in a copy

.............................................

Regards,

Greg.

Edited March 28, 201015 yr by ClearVinyl

Alex Brown - I'm Not Responsible - Sundi

Al Perkins Yes my goodness yes.

The Original Atco recording (Which I can't find in Refosoul), not the later Buddah mix

I wonder Why - Sy Hightower , memories of Thorne .......Best,Eddie

Alright Ken calm down! Just posted two of my favourite xover tracks on the topic page. The Implements and Bobby Hutton both on Philips. How they ended up ther is a mystery to me, and I don't want an explanation! Enjoy!

Alright Ken calm down! Just posted two of my favourite xover tracks on the topic page. The Implements and Bobby Hutton both on Philips. How they ended up ther is a mystery to me, and I don't want an explanation! Enjoy!

What do you mean calm down ? only asked you to post 'em in right section/thread, like its some big deal,and i cant explain it either,try post in refo-soul and the cut & paste into topic,but dont tell me to calm down.

Al Perkins Yes my goodness yes.

The Original Atco recording (Which I can't find in Refosoul), not the later Buddah mix

I like the Velma Perkins take on this on Twinight......but for ultimate x over well my taste chages by the day, and today's favourite is:

HERMAN HITSON on Sweet Rose.

Tough call this one loads already mentioned but I'll go for my current ring tone "Triplettes that man of mine" only problem with having it as tone is I can't answer phone cos I wanna listen to choooon.

Alan

Like the Northern Soul top 30 this changes every day but currently it's a tie between these 3 records:

La'Dellics - Never Gonna Change

Ella Woods - I Need Your Love

Four Dynamics - Things A Lady Ain't Supposed To Do

It just has to be the late 60s 'Loveland' by Spanky Wilson on Mother Records - wunn-derr-fulllll

This is what crossover is to me not like some people think, ie; mid seventies soul tune like Gloria Scott's Too much lovemakin'.

Good it may be but it's not crossover.

annette poindexter-a wayward dream-twinight don't know if its already been posted but one hell of a crossover biggie

a t b

dave

Staying with the cheap as chips theme, boy oh boy, for the dancers this just sums up group crossover

INDEPENDENTS - I LOVE YOU YES I DO - WAND 1973 -

Also came out on UK - think it was Pye International (the 70s pink one).

Correct Joe - it did come out on Pye over here

Great thread this one think this will be going for a while yet....my choice would be

Sag War Fare....Girl! you better change....Libra

James Bell & The Highlighters Band....The love of my girl....3 Diamonds

Michael

was gonna choose Bobbyy Reed, but already picked so what about Lee Brackett - Ruby / Save a foolish man on excello, great double sider

JJ Barnes "Forgive me" Groovesville nice and cheap and perfect Crosover.

JJ Barnes "Forgive me" Groovesville nice and cheap and perfect Crossover.

Lovely version, but for me Darrell Banks version has the edge - from his Volt LP

Lovely version, but for me Darrell Banks version has the edge - from his Volt LP:thumbsup:

Agree mate,

The 'Here To Stay" LP is always in my box and a regular spin of mine at Yarmuff etc.

Must give it a spin this weekend.

Sean

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kO8EXDdChE

Agree mate,

The 'Here To Stay" LP is always in my box and a regular spin of mine at Yarmuff etc.

Must give it a spin this weekend.

Sean

Fantastic record, and I for one Sean, will wait with anticipation till you do

For me the ultimate late 60.s early 70.record that suits the terminology xover is

FREDERICK HYMES THE 111 TIME AINT GONNA DO ME NO FAVOUR

A KILLER

and sonny till a close second

mandells how to love a woman

MANDELLS - HOW TO LOVE A WOMAN -

kev

A bit cheeky I know, but getting back to the great Tyrone Davis, "I Had It All The Time". Spot the crossover in the intro?

I can shed some light on this, as I have been associated with Willie since the late 60's. He released his cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Right On For The Darkness" shortly after Mayfield's release, on a label he and Susan Haynes founded called "Hotel Records." Willie sent a demo copy to Curtis Mayfield at the time, but never got a reply. Willie's assumption at the time and today is that Mayfield either didn't get it, or was peeved at the cover, given how soon it came out after the original. They never met, but Curtis is Willie Wright's stated ultimate favorite of all times. I think Mayfield must have released it as a B side on a single, and WIllie heard it and loved it. The version on the album is only there as a bonus track on the 2010 Numero Group re-release of "Telling the Truth." In reality, Willie Wright only released "Right On" as a 45, and only 500 copies were ever produced.

Crossover [from where to what you may well ask] emerged in 85/86. Basically quality soul records not played on the northern or wider jazz-funk scenes in the 70's,with it only becoming about rare records and virtually northerns litte cousin much later on. So the roots of crossover or the early years:

DEBBIE TAYLOR 'JUST DON'T PAY'

BOBBY WILSON 'DEEPER AND DEEPER'

WE THE PEOPLE 'MAKING MY DAYDREAM REAL'

JOE ANDERSON 'YOU AND I'

JEAN WELLS 'WHAT HAVE WE GOT TO LOOSE'

MARVIN GAYE 'COME GET TO THIS'

dean

Tommie Young Hit & Run Lover.........the label says it all... Soul Power

Yep Tommy Young should be on my last list of original crossover tunes.

The Paramount four 'Sorry aint the word ' has to be right up there , a record that epitomises crossover for me

For me the ultimate late 60.s early 70.record that suits the terminology xover is

FREDERICK HYMES THE 111 TIME AINT GONNA DO ME NO FAVOUR

A KILLER

and sonny till a close second

Superb taste sir.

limitations-all because of you-volt, sam nesbit-chasing those clouds away-amos, natural four-the situation needs no explanation-abc.

Doc Peabody - Here Without You.......................Does it for me!

Women Like it Harder Milton Parker Closet (bit pricey but worth every penny)

Just noticed that this is a resurrected thread and I'd posted previously but a good thread to keep going

For me its kelly & the soul explosions.....

Its got to be Chuck Ray then

That gets a massive from me!

I've been a bit lazy and not read through the whole thread so apologies if already listed..

Norma Jean - I've taken Over - Hep'me

That's if I reach it in the box before I get to Chuck Ray of course

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

Has it all, rarity megga following, and SOUL

R & K

Spot on Rob!! true class and a musical journey !! Quality.

Johnny Gilliam

Can't really see many things above that tune, loved it since mid 80s and still do today, really wished i had bought it for £20 all that time ago..

Tuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuune..... That man Thorley got taste....

Will have a think of my own and get back on this.....

Sorry but that is truly dreadful, in a thread which contains many poor tracks, that stands alone.

Maybe all the good stuff has been found and played, and as a result, we accept the garbage and call it crossover, if the scene had relied on records of this standard then it would never have happened.

Of course this is only my opinion, but WTF.