Wanda Mcdaniel and the Ultimate Choice - Gangster Boy - (AppleRay)

Dave the Dentist, Jordi & Butch all have copies (?) & its had intermittent plays over the years, can anyone offer any more info on this disc & maybe a soundfile........if any ones selling let me know.

Russ

Edited October 20, 201014 yr by Russ Vickers

Wanda Mcdaniel and the Ultimate Choice - Gangster Boy - (AppleRay)

Dave the Dentist, Jordi & Butch all have copies & its had intermittent plays over the years, can anyone offer any more info on this disc & maybe a soundfile........if any ones selling let me know.

Russ

I think i'm right in saying that this is the Test Pressing that Flanny pulled out of my £1 box at Yarmouth in the mid 90's? Not sure if this was the first ever copy on the scene but I know Flanny used to play it out a bit just to wind me up

Still to this day don't understand how i picked this up in the US played it for about 2 seconds and decided it was no good and immediately put it in the £1 box...........ah well you live and learn

I think I may also be right in thinking Flanny sold it to one of the Ripolles boys for one of their testicles (not sure which one though? I mean brother not testicle cos that was a left one )

Cheers

Steve

I think i'm right in saying that this is the Test Pressing that Flanny pulled out of my £1 box at Yarmouth in the mid 90's? Not sure if this was the first ever copy on the scene but I know Flanny used to play it out a bit just to wind me up

Still to this day don't understand how i picked this up in the US played it for about 2 seconds and decided it was no good and immediately put it in the £1 box...........ah well you live and learn

I think I may also be right in thinking Flanny sold it to one of the Ripolles boys for one of their testicles (not sure which one though? I mean brother not testicle cos that was a left one )

Cheers

Steve

Thanks Steve, I could spare a testicle at my age if anyone wants to pass a copy on lol

Russ

Anyone else wanna add to this pse ?.

Russ

Yep, I had this off Flanny some years back. It wasn't for a testicle though. Seem to remember getting Gangster Boy, Fabulous Caprices and something else for a copy of Stan Martin's LP. Seemed like a very good deal at the time and an even better one now. I remember asking Flanny if the Gangster Boy was a legit thing when he was describing the test press, because I couldn't quite believe he was letting it go in the trade. I still get asked for this all the time when I DJ.

Jordi

Yep, I had this off Flanny some years back. It wasn't for a testicle though. Seem to remember getting Gangster Boy, Fabulous Caprices and something else for a copy of Stan Martin's LP. Seemed like a very good deal at the time and an even better one now. I remember asking Flanny if the Gangster Boy was a legit thing when he was describing the test press, because I couldn't quite believe he was letting it go in the trade. I still get asked for this all the time when I DJ.

Jordi

I have the licence to put a reissue out of this but still dont have a decent recording, anyone want to share and let it get some more exposure.

I have the licence to put a reissue out of this but still dont have a decent recording, anyone want to share and let it get some more exposure.

I know this might be a really unpopular thing to say & I really dont mean to be negative, cos its great to get this kinda thing out there legally, but cant we get a while of it being a relatively exclusive Nighter play before it becomes available please. Whilst its great to be able to buy stuff legally, the 'shine' really does go off them as 'top' plays once they are readily available.

Sorry, but just tryin' to be honest...............

Russ

Edited October 22, 201014 yr by Russ Vickers

Can anyone tell me what an original copy of this would cost & if anyone has one for sale pse.

Russ

I first heard 'gangster boy' many years ago on a modern soul comp tape (i did say many years ago!) given to me by John Gardiner, a Scottish guy who was visiting Sydney. From memory, the track was listed as a male artist. I fell in love with the tune and for many years was thought to be loopy cause I asked every soul collector/DJ I met if they knew it - no-one did - but that may have been because of my singing............. I did see 'gangster boy' on a sales list from flipside records in 2004.....

20 years on and it's still my top want, don't cha just love the search!

Alex

Wanda Mcdaniel and the Ultimate Choice - Gangster Boy - (AppleRay)

Dave the Dentist, Jordi & Butch all have copies (?) & its had intermittent plays over the years, can anyone offer any more info on this disc & maybe a soundfile........if any ones selling let me know.

Russ

I know this might be a really unpopular thing to say & I really dont mean to be negative, cos its great to get this kinda thing out there legally, but cant we get a while of it being a relatively exclusive Nighter play before it becomes available please. Whilst its great to be able to buy stuff legally, the 'shine' really does go off them as 'top' plays once they are readily available.

Sorry, but just tryin' to be honest...............

Russ

Its been around for 30 years and its been getting plays for a good few years, i have a drunken stagger/sort of dance to it every year at prestayn when dave plays it. I think a good ltd reissue done well can only serve to do good.

I think i'm right in saying that this is the Test Pressing that Flanny pulled out of my £1 box at Yarmouth in the mid 90's? Not sure if this was the first ever copy on the scene but I know Flanny used to play it out a bit just to wind me up

Still to this day don't understand how i picked this up in the US played it for about 2 seconds and decided it was no good and immediately put it in the £1 box...........ah well you live and learn

I think I may also be right in thinking Flanny sold it to one of the Ripolles boys for one of their testicles (not sure which one though? I mean brother not testicle cos that was a left one )

Cheers

Steve

Wow, didn't know that story Steve, are there just 2 test pressings then ?, it's funny i heard it twice in a matter of a month , Jordi at Leicester and Butch in Hamburg, what a fantastic record, i'm sure i've seen a label scan somewhere 'Apple Ray' What year was it recorded by the way.

Brett

Wow, didn't know that story Steve, are there just 2 test pressings then ?, it's funny i heard it twice in a matter of a month , Jordi at Leicester and Butch in Hamburg, what a fantastic record, i'm sure i've seen a label scan somewhere 'Apple Ray' What year was it recorded by the way.

Brett

Not sure if it's only a test press Brett

Im sure it is on a legit 45 on APPLE RAY

Hows tricks Brett,hope you are well fella:hatsoff2:

Its been around for 30 years and its been getting plays for a good few years, i have a drunken stagger/sort of dance to it every year at prestayn when dave plays it. I think a good ltd reissue done well can only serve to do good.

Could'nt disagree more .....the good thing about the rare soul scene imho is the mystique surrounding such items as this .

Finding and owning rare records is all part of the "rare soul" scene

If only a few people own it ,it makes the night special when you get out to a venue and said Dj is playing it .

Your theory makes a mockery of this .....how long before the lazy arse amongst us start playing it to death and we all get sick of hearing it.

I have known it for a few yrs thanks to someone who owns it ,have always liked it and wanted one ....and happen to have a very neat mp3 for my personal use ....but would'nt dream of putting it on a carver so i can play it out .

As for getting plays for a good few yrs ....that statement makes it sound like everyone knows it ,which is bollox and you know it:yes:

Putting it out there for everyone to enjoy ....

go and support a venue where Dave /Jordi or Butch is playing and request it to be played ,thats the best way to appreciate it!

Could'nt disagree more .....the good thing about the rare soul scene imho is the mystique surrounding such items as this .

Finding and owning rare records is all part of the "rare soul" scene

If only a few people own it ,it makes the night special when you get out to a venue and said Dj is playing it .

Your theory makes a mockery of this .....how long before the lazy arse amongst us start playing it to death and we all get sick of hearing it.

I have known it for a few yrs thanks to someone who owns it ,have always liked it and wanted one ....and happen to have a very neat mp3 for my personal use ....but would'nt dream of putting it on a carver so i can play it out .

As for getting plays for a good few yrs ....that statement makes it sound like everyone knows it ,which is bollox and you know it:yes:

Putting it out there for everyone to enjoy ....

go and support a venue where Dave /Jordi or Butch is playing and request it to be played ,thats the best way to appreciate it!

Well these days its mostly just spending lots of money to have a rare record not so much finding it.

A rare record is still a rare record if its reissued, what it does mean is that the record can get heard and thats nice for artists who did not get much recognition the first time round.

I just don't subscribe to the thoery that some mythological northern popularity curve has to be reached where it gain main room acceptance before a reissue is deemed o.k. Only you exist in that northern scene, i don't, not does the artist.

Well these days its mostly just spending lots of money to have a rare record not so much finding it.

A rare record is still a rare record if its reissued, what it does mean is that the record can get heard and thats nice for artists who did not get much recognition the first time round.

I just don't subscribe to the thoery that some mythological northern popularity curve has to be reached where it gain main room acceptance before a reissue is deemed o.k. Only you exist in that northern scene, i don't, not does the artist.

So do most people who appreciate this particular 45 ,especially the owners and if im not correct Dave has Butch's copy now ??

Were you by chance thinking of donating all the profits to the artist fryer ?? just with you being concerned about artist recognition

What i mean is ,your main concern is getting the music out there to be more appreciated is it not ??

Any chance you could find out who owns the rights to the mello souls and maybe puting that on a re-issue ,oh and Arthur Willis please(limited of course) as i'm sure a lot more people would appreciate hearing them a bit more up and down the country .....scratch that last bit ,it should say " the whole world" .Those two have much more dance floor appeal than gangster boy (which is more of a shuffle /chin stroker).

No axe to grinde Fryer ,on a personal level ,but regards ultra rare soul 45's it's not a "northern scene" it's a "rare soul scene" .

P.S

If the ethics of the "rare soul " scene is to play from original 45's ,how does putting it on a re-issue make things get heard ??

"Were you by chance thinking of donating all the profits to the artist fryer ?? just with you being concerned about artist recognition"

I get paid a wage for doing LP/45s, the artist get paid just fine with respectful terms i don't see how putting Jazzman out of business would help me or the artist.

"If the ethics of the "rare soul " scene is to play from original 45's ,how does putting it on a re-issue make things get heard"

Did i say i wanted to reissue it for the "rare soul" scene, no, i think good music should be out there for all djs not just northern/deepfunk djs, when i chose something to put out its for no other reason than i like it (oh and maybe find a copy of the O.G record in the process). Its nice to walk into a bar and hear a dj play some good music.

Edited October 27, 201014 yr by fryer

go and support a venue where Dave /Jordi or Butch is playing and request it to be played ,thats the best way to appreciate it!

Or ask me for it and see what happens :lol:

Cheers

Steve

Edited October 27, 201014 yr by Steve Plumb

Or ask me for it and see what happens

Cheers

Steve

This was a joke by the way (see post #2)

Edited October 27, 201014 yr by Steve Plumb

This was a joke by the way (see post #2)

steve this was the same as all your jokes (not funny) you could have offered flanny £2.00 for it he still would have been in profit

mark

Could'nt disagree more .....the good thing about the rare soul scene imho is the mystique surrounding such items as this .

Finding and owning rare records is all part of the "rare soul" scene

If only a few people own it ,it makes the night special when you get out to a venue and said Dj is playing it .

Your theory makes a mockery of this .....how long before the lazy arse amongst us start playing it to death and we all get sick of hearing it...

Hello Nev,

The way I see it, there's a world full of people who like soul music and most of them don't get to hear such tracks unless they are issued / reissued and played in more clubs and on specialist radio etc. It seems selfish (unintentionally, no doubt) not to want others to have access to the music.

All artists / writers / producers etc deserve any opportunity for their music to be heard by a wider audience, even if it's via a belated reissue which might only sell a few hundred copies anyway.

No disrespect to the rare soul scene but it's a just a small part of something bigger. The rare soul scene will survive because there are so many other rare and obscure 45s.

Best regards,

Paul

Heard it at last Va Va Boom via Butch... great tune!

Edu

Sir Dave Ripolles played at Runnaway Love in Tineo, uffff tune of the weekend:hatsoff2:

David

I first heard 'gangster boy' many years ago on a modern soul comp tape (i did say many years ago!) given to me by John Gardiner, a Scottish guy who was visiting Sydney. From memory, the track was listed as a male artist. I fell in love with the tune and for many years was thought to be loopy cause I asked every soul collector/DJ I met if they knew it - no-one did - but that may have been because of my singing............. I did see 'gangster boy' on a sales list from flipside records in 2004.....

20 years on and it's still my top want, don't cha just love the search!

Alex

I can vouch for this. I think you got that tape in the 80s? After it broke you simply sang it to every soulie who visited from Britain year after year after year, but nobody knew it. It drove us nuts and we'd all decided it didn't exist and you'd invented it after forgetting the real tune. But then at the Prestatyn Weekender in early 2005, that tune started going round in my head (but better than I remember it girl ), my stomach suddenly fell to the floor then bounced off the ceiling ...and there was Mr Dave Ripolles on the decks - first time I heard him play - and first time I heard that song properly. It was virtually the first afternoon session, so only a handful in the room. Poor Dave suddenly had a wild Australian woman bolting towards him and screaming 'oh my gawd - it does exist...it does exist'.

Instead of calling security, he handed me the record so I could write down all the words and email them off. To add to his uniqueness, the man modestly said that his brother Jordi had one too (as if it was no big deal). For the icing on the cake, after I heard it and realised how seriously good it was, Dave surprised me with a cd in the post.

It's just one of the many good sounds he plays ...and I'm not just saying that because he's guesting at the next Boomerang

First heard butch play his copy at the 2009 Bamberg weekender, but who knows when he picked it up.

m

ps. Thought the flipside listing was found just after, so maybe 2005? Think we also saw it on Lew Stanleys list a bit after that?

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by Maria O

pls delete

Edited November 2, 201014 yr by Maria O

This is a record I have also been after for many years and I ,for one, would love it to be reissued

I have a very clean stock press of this (Apple Ray AR77101 - 1977). "Gangster Boy" is by Ron "Tiny" Crawley , Wanda McDaniel and the Ultimate Choice. The other side is "All You Need Is Time To Mess Around" arranged by Charles B. Wimberly, Ray Mitchell and Reality. Both sides produced by Ray Mitchell and Roy "Tiny" Crawley. Note mispelling as Roy on production. The 45 is about VG+/VG++ with light scfs on "Gangster Boy". Both sides are fine! Great Pittsburgh roots!

I have a very clean stock press of this (Apple Ray AR77101 - 1977). "Gangster Boy" is by Ron "Tiny" Crawley , Wanda McDaniel and the Ultimate Choice. The other side is "All You Need Is Time To Mess Around" arranged by Charles B. Wimberly, Ray Mitchell and Reality. Both sides produced by Ray Mitchell and Roy "Tiny" Crawley. Note mispelling as Roy on production. The 45 is about VG+/VG++ with light scfs on "Gangster Boy". Both sides are fine! Great Pittsburgh roots!

If anyone wants to hear it, its here on Downtown Soulville it's a bit tired but you get the feel for the sound.

https://wfmu.org/playlists/shows/40404

^{Its here}

Edited December 13, 201113 yr by Russ Vickers

Does anyone know if this has been reissued/booted.

 

I heard it played out tonight and the owner of the 45 said he bought it in the 80's when there was loads of copies about. How did I miss this then and what's the value now?? 

I know Sam has one, George Mahood has one too, unless he's sold it? Butch had about three 10 years ago and sold two on.

A truly phenomenal record that would benefit no-one but Jazzman by being reissued.

Sorry, Fryer, but instead of sitting on this site watching these records go big from an ivory tower, try following these DJ's who've invested time and money finding them. Rather than asking for a sound file for personal gain, why not buy a copy to obtain one? It's a pretty cheeky request.

I can't hear this record enough. It's on YouTube and if you really want to hear it you can, anytime you wish.

Can't agree with the feelings of many on this thread. It would be great to have this available on a Jazzman 45 so those who aren't interested in paying 100's for an old 45 can own (& listen to) a copy.

But Roburt, why would you want to own it if you can already download it and listen to it at will?

I know Sam has one, George Mahood has one too, unless he's sold it? Butch had about three 10 years ago and sold two on.

A truly phenomenal record that would benefit no-one but Jazzman by being reissued.

Sorry, Fryer, but instead of sitting on this site watching these records go big from an ivory tower, try following these DJ's who've invested time and money finding them. Rather than asking for a sound file for personal gain, why not buy a copy to obtain one? It's a pretty cheeky request.

I can't hear this record enough. It's on YouTube and if you really want to hear it you can, anytime you wish.

 

 

 

I do go and see djs when i can, i have been to see dave many times djing that is where i heard it (at the time he was the only was only him playing it as far is i was aware).  Myself,george, sammy and a few other were the only ones dancing to it. If i had the chance to purchase it i would have. Your assuming i dont buy records i have been for over 25 years and have many  of 'these records', this is not an us and them thing, im as much a collector as anoyone here.

Edited November 11, 201311 yr by fryer

Does anyone know if this has been reissued/booted.

 

I heard it played out tonight and the owner of the 45 said he bought it in the 80's when there was loads of copies about. How did I miss this then and what's the value now?? 

 

Hi ya,

Was this played at Carib Soul? Did you have a look at it? Was gonna pop along but too tired in the end.

 

If it was someone like JMSoul I could well believe he got it in the 80's, since he has been buying that type of sound for a long time and has a very good collection of slower material.  On the other hand if it was someone like "Kenny MacCarver" I'd be well suspicious...

 

By the way there were never "loads of copies about" it's always been a hard 45. Probably 2k+ on original. It's odd but that Canadian company put out another record by her a few years ago......sold peanuts.

 

ATB Steve

Edited November 11, 201311 yr by Steve G

But Roburt, why would you want to own it if you can already download it and listen to it at will?

Coz I'm old skool and like 'physical product'. Mind you, it being included on a comp LP or CD would be just fine too (not obsessed with 45's, though they are very very nice).

Better to put it on a 12" if yer gonna put it out,......that way there is still some clear blue water between those that own an original 7" copy and those that "just got to have a copy on vinyl but don't want to shell out".....I know a 12 costs more, but maybe you can get Lee Jeffries to do one of his extended remixes on the B side....

That's one of the reasons why we stick things out on Kent rather than repro labels. I don't think issuing The Ravins or Soul Junctions reissuing the Hopkins Bros has done any harm. I still hear the originals spun at the 100 Club-Andy opened with the Ravins last week.

 

Maybe get Gerald to design an original looking generic label to put these things out on (maybe he does, I can't work his website) rather than reproing the labels which unless they are licensed from the label owner is open to legal difficulties.

I have a very clean stock press of this (Apple Ray AR77101 - 1977). "Gangster Boy" is by Ron "Tiny" Crawley , Wanda McDaniel and the Ultimate Choice. The other side is "All You Need Is Time To Mess Around" arranged by Charles B. Wimberly, Ray Mitchell and Reality. Both sides produced by Ray Mitchell and Roy "Tiny" Crawley. Note mispelling as Roy on production. The 45 is about VG+/VG++ with light scfs on "Gangster Boy". Both sides are fine! Great Pittsburgh roots!

Back to info on the people involved with the record as the discussions on a possible release of this track seem to be going up the usual cul-de-sac .........

........ info on Co-PRODUCER RON 'TINY' CRAWLEY (I guess the Tiny is an ironic nickname) ........

Ron Crawley is still involved with music, being one of the lead vocalists with Pittsburgh based group Pure Gold. He's been singing with the outfit since the late 70s. Born in Pennsylvania he moved to Pittsburgh in the mid-1950s and there befriended guys active on the city's black music scene, they gave him tips on singing. One of his close friends back then sang with George Benson and the Altairs. From the mid 60's, Ron did stuff with DJ's such as Sir Walter of WAMO and Wash Allen of WABQ (Cleveland). Around 1970, along with another old friend, (Alex Richburg) he began to write song lyrics and signed up with a new local music operation; Steel City Recording based in East Liberty (Mervin and Melvin Steals were also working for the enterprise). Another of the talents at Steel City back then was the late Phyllis Hyman. In fact, Phyllis was one of the backing singers on a Crawley-Greenley-Richburg song “Dancing on a Daydream” in 1974 (Soulvation Army Band on Soulvation Army Records). Through the 70's, he continued to sing with local groups and for a short time worked for the late Ray Mitchell’s Pittsburgh Music Industries with acts such as the Reality Band, Youngstown based group JC and the Soul Angels and the group Ultimate Choice. Whilst there, he worked on the track “Gangster Boy” which escaped on Apple Ray Records in 1977. Soon after that, he began singing with Pure Gold.

Ray Mitchell's organisation already had a track record by the time Ray Crawley joined the set up. Back in 1973, Aliquippa teenage group the Hifadelics had cut tracks at Hartman & Associates' studio (Pittsburgh) for their manager George Perkins. The recordings led to them meeting Ray Mitchell around the time of the release of the group's only single, "Hifidelics Groove / Quiptown" on Quip (actually released as by the  Hifidelics). Signed to Ray Mitchell's Pittsburgh Music Industries, he immediately put them to work playing gigs on the rust belt (Pennsylvania, central New York state, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Lower Michigan, northern Illinois and eastern Wisconsin) club circuit. The group fell apart when the heavy industries in their hometown were closed and the members had to head off to find new daytime employment.     

 

......... related tracks ..........

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfk2uxwi5xk

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAFoWGz9FBU

 

As some Ohio based groups worked with Ray Mitchell and Ron Crawley at Pittsburgh Music Industries, I wonder if Ultimate Choice were from Ohio. If so, this outfit that cut for Heat Records & Montage in the first half of the 80's may be related (or even the self same group)   .............

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcNqaBZzI9s

 

What Ron 'Tiny' Crawley looks like  these days ........

Edited November 11, 201311 yr by Roburt

 

Its been around for 30 years and its been getting plays for a good few years, i have a drunken stagger/sort of dance to it every year at prestayn when dave plays it. I think a good ltd reissue done well can only serve to do good.

 

Why vinyl instead of CD? I always think niavely the bar people you talk about would just play CD's as well as vinyl?

I am also being selfish here as would prefer to buy CD rather than vinyl reissue these days, (shock horror, but just cannot get a decent vinyl player for the car), however, from what I have heard from guys at another label the CD'S just dont sell. Is that because these bar guys will only play vinyl? I sort of get that in the pretend Northern scene these days, but seems strange in your side of the world. Although it seems strange, since most are on the trendy side of things rather than any bigger scene, especially not the nighter scene, I suppose I can see it as bit of a gimmick to their student pals, although a little senseless to me and lots of style over substance, I just would like it legal and would still dance to it, the 3.5 times I go out a year.

Out of interest, are artists generally pleased with what they get out of something like this? Do you it based on sales or do they still expect an advance and leave you scampering for your returns?

Edited November 11, 201311 yr by jocko

Finding and owning rare records is all part of the "rare soul" scene

If only a few people own it ,it makes the night special when you get out to a venue and said Dj is playing it .

Your theory makes a mockery of this .....how long before the lazy arse amongst us start playing it to death and we all get sick of hearing it.

As for getting plays for a good few yrs ....that statement makes it sound like everyone knows it ,which is bollox and you know it:yes:

I do sort of agree with bits in red, and yes on final sentence you are right, Mr Fryer is again trying to show how thick these Norvern Sole boys are, and get something to his benefit,  but I disagree with your middle sentence. If you are on the real deal, Northern/Rare/Nighter scene, and people are playing the reissues, you are going to the wrong dos.

I just don't see how the reissue impacts on that scene nowadays, as it it is just as easy to get an MP3 and off it goes.

 

I have a very clean stock press of this (Apple Ray AR77101 - 1977). "Gangster Boy" is by Ron "Tiny" Crawley , Wanda McDaniel and the Ultimate Choice. The other side is "All You Need Is Time To Mess Around" arranged by Charles B. Wimberly, Ray Mitchell and Reality. Both sides produced by Ray Mitchell and Roy "Tiny" Crawley. Note mispelling as Roy on production. The 45 is about VG+/VG++ with light scfs on "Gangster Boy". Both sides are fine! Great Pittsburgh roots!

 

Has your mailbox crashed yet

Hi ya,

Was this played at Carib Soul? Did you have a look at it? Was gonna pop along but too tired in the end.

 

If it was someone like JMSoul I could well believe he got it in the 80's, since he has been buying that type of sound for a long time and has a very good collection of slower material.  On the other hand if it was someone like "Kenny MacCarver" I'd be well suspicious...

 

By the way there were never "loads of copies about" it's always been a hard 45. Probably 2k+ on original. It's odd but that Canadian company put out another record by her a few years ago......sold peanuts.

 

ATB Steve

 

Hi Steve,

 

Yep, JM played it. I don't think he realised how much it's worth now!!  T'was a cracking day/night and all the sets are here to listen and download: https://soundcloud.com/carib-soul/sets/carib-soul-10th-november.

 

Not a 'white' 45 in sight either!!  

 

See you on 27th December for Filthy Soul.  

Hi Steve,

 

Yep, JM played it. I don't think he realised how much it's worth now!!  T'was a cracking day/night and all the sets are here to listen and download: https://soundcloud.com/carib-soul/sets/carib-soul-10th-november.

 

Not a 'white' 45 in sight either!!

 

See you on 27th December for Filthy Soul.  

 

Good fella!

 

As it's JM Soul then it's another copy to include for those that keep count of who owns these things.....a top DJ and collector from London.

Edited November 12, 201311 yr by Steve G

Spoke to Ron about this awhile back. They pressed 300 copies more as a promotional tool than to sell, Wanda is Ron's sister. Ray Mitchell was the label owner, but sadly he passed some 20 years ago.

Most of us who danced to this & championed it initially have moved on.....tis a great record, but cost of the original, over finding something as good, but under the radar is a better proposition for me....any re issue legal or not will diminish its appeal anyway IMHO.

 

Best Russ

Spoke to Ron about this awhile back. They pressed 300 copies more as a promotional tool than to sell, Wanda is Ron's sister. Ray Mitchell was the label owner, but sadly he passed some 20 years ago.

I contacted Ron (via Facebook) and he has this to say about the track & his work with these artists ...............

...... The track was recorded by a band from New Castle, Pennsylvania called Reality band and Show. Wanda McDaniel is my sister (.... as Dave said).  She (sang lead) and the Ultimate Choice (a vocal group from Ohio who Ray also managed) sang the background, which I arranged. Wanda is married now and designs jewelry, she's living in New York state. Danny Friendly from the Ultimate Choice now sings with the Edsels (of "Rama Lama Ding Dong" fame). As regards Reality band, I hear that all but the drummer have passed into time !

 

So it seems that the Ultimate Choice were from Ohio, so they could easily have formed the basis of the group that soon after recorded for Heat & Montage. Danny Friendly (of Ultimate Choice) has been lead singer with the Edsels since 2007. New Castle, which is where Reality Band & Show came from, is to the north of Pittsburgh and just across the Ohio state boundary from Youngstown (where the original members of the Edsels hailed from).

Edited November 12, 201311 yr by Roburt

Same ultimate choice. None of them either remembered that session or had no idea it actually came out.

Edited November 13, 201311 yr by galaxy

Same ultimate choice. None of them either remembered that session or had no idea it actually came out.

I was sure it had to be BUT had no proof of that fact. So I just kept my remarks limited to 'could easily have been same group'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSZQY-5UKEg

FYI, the Ultimate Choice from Youngstown that performs backing vocals on Gangster Boy is not related in any way to the Ultimate Choice of Akron's Heat label and later of Montage.  Pure coincidence from two neighboring cities!

Some years ago, one sunny Manc. afternoon, in the santas grotto that forms El Dentistos record room, he played it saying it was a £30 jobby but that they'd all been purchased, and I'd missed it. So near yet so far.

dean