>>> Fontella Bass <<<

Yes, I have a copy of Rescue Me which I bought way back in the 60s.

However, I have recently been picking up her other recordings, now a treasured part of my collection.

Why did I wait so long?

With this thread appearing, now seems an appropriate time to make mention of the fact that a couple of old (mid 70's) previously unreleased tracks by Fontella may be escaping in the UK in the near future.

In the early days Fontella worked with the likes of Ike Turner cutting for Bobbin / Prann in her home town; St Louis. She also performed shows with the likes of Oliver Sain & Little Milton before she started recording in Chicago for Chess. For the label she cut loads of fine 60's soul, including all her big hits. In the early 70's, she was with Paula, cutting more southern soul styled tracks.

By the mid 70's, she was back in St Louis and there she recorded some more tracks. These were cut at Gold Future studios with Westmoreland Co. handling the backing. The city's 'hot producer' (back at that time) was brought on board to sort out the strings & horns (he even played sax on these cuts himself). To complete the tracks (You Can Bet'cha In Love" & "Testify") he undertook the final mixing at Technisonic Studios. But at the time they failed to escape and for many years the master tapes just languished in the vaults.

HOWEVER, now, with Fontella herself in very poor health, it seems likely that these two cuts may finally get to escape --- watch for probable news that a UK label has licensed them for release here on 45.

Absolutely lovely track that I thank Kev Briscoe for introducing me to. Sublime!

Fontella Bass - I'm Leaving The Choice To You - Paula

With this thread appearing, now seems an appropriate time to make mention of the fact that a couple of old (mid 70's) previously unreleased tracks by Fontella may be escaping in the UK in the near future.

In the early days Fontella worked with the likes of Ike Turner cutting for Bobbin / Prann in her home town; St Louis. She also performed shows with the likes of Oliver Sain & Little Milton before she started recording in Chicago for Chess. For the label she cut loads of fine 60's soul, including all her big hits. In the early 70's, she was with Paula, cutting more southern soul styled tracks.

By the mid 70's, she was back in St Louis and there she recorded some more tracks. These were cut at Gold Future studios with Westmoreland Co. handling the backing. The city's 'hot producer' (back at that time) was brought on board to sort out the strings & horns (he even played sax on these cuts himself). To complete the tracks (You Can Bet'cha In Love" & "Testify") he undertook the final mixing at Technisonic Studios. But at the time they failed to escape and for many years the master tapes just languished in the vaults.

HOWEVER, now, with Fontella herself in very poor health, it seems likely that these two cuts may finally get to escape --- watch for probable news that a UK label has licensed them for release here on 45.

Yep, heard these both last week and they're both good tunes, "Testify" being a slab of great Deep Soul Diva wailing and "You Can Betcha In Love" sounding suspiciously like what we'd describe as 'Funky Northern' these days. Could see these two sides as being signicant adds to the lady's stunning discography!

Ian D

A little snippet of one of the unreleased tracks from this wonderful lady.

Should be out later this year ....

Fontella Bass - You Bet You're In Love - Unissued

Here's a rare one:

...Jamaican-only 45 (as far as I'm aware), both tracks from Fontella's 'The New Look' album of course.

IMHO a very under rated artiste

She's in my Top 10 Femme Soul choons with R E C O V E R Y - GR8 GR8 CHOON

Some DEMOs Single Sided

i cant rest is a personal fave,great voice that makes you almost believe shes telling her story....can remember watching an interview with her when she was talking about her move to chicago saying she wanted to sing gospel and didnt really want to do soul apparently it was down to motowns sucsess she got so many soul tunes to sing...thank god for motown ...again !

dean

although some of the uptempo gospel comin on the scene nowadays is pretty good too

Absolutely lovely track that I thank Kev Briscoe for introducing me to. Sublime!

Fontella Bass - I'm Leaving The Choice To You - Paula

Blimey Dave! this one passed me by mate! superb! and one I had sat tucked away unplayed.... until now!

steve

Absolutely lovely track that I thank Kev Briscoe for introducing me to. Sublime!

Fontella Bass - I'm Leaving The Choice To You - Paula

I agree - a fantastic tune, which also got a UK release on Contempo. Some of the other Paula tracks are great too, especially "Now that I found a good thing"

Here's a nice pic of Fontella, from the Jan '66 issue of Pop Weekly

This is my copy of 'Rescue Me'...VERY rare on Japanese Globe...great sleeve as well!

I have this one spare if anyone fancies it...great dance track...rarer demo copy.

Press this link: >>> Sales Pages <<<

This is outside the scope of Northern Soul to be sure, but one of my favorite Fontella Bass performances starts off this album. Funk fans who don't know it should check it out ASAP.

Absolutley Brian! Wonderful wonderful stuff. And of course not forgetting the material she cut with The Cinenmatic Orchestra a few years back. What a wonderful and varied career flitting from jazz to soul to gospel. Always rated her Paula material over the Chess group recordings but then thats just me.

Always rated her Paula material over the Chess group recordings but then thats just me.

Such a shame some idiot scratched out the promotion copy, not for sale

Probably just me, but don't you think "Recovery" has the same sort of feel to it as Carla Thomas- Never stop Loving you ??

Tony