Teahouse In Chinatown by Jimmy Hart https://www.shazam.com/track/2932383/teahouse-in-chinatown?referrer=share

Stafford and Tony’s New Empress spin for Guy Hennigan in the 80’s - I’ve never heard anybody play it out then before him - but am sure I’ll be corrected 👍🏻

The song is a cover of a Four Tops track that's on their first album.

Did the Tops release it first? 

 

2 minutes ago, Alan T said:

The song is a cover of a Four Tops track that's on their first album.

We must have posted at the same time 

19 minutes ago, Ow31 said:

Did the Tops release it first? 

 

Tea House In China Town (William Stevenson-Ivy Jo Hunter) published Jobete 15-Sep-64

Four Tops; recorded Hitsville, completed 01-Jul-64 ; produced by William Stevenson, Ivy Jo Hunter ; [2nd odb, odb on the Temptations]

Jan-65; LP (M): Motown MT622 Four Tops
Jan-65; LP (S): Motown S622 Four Tops
16-Feb-93; CD (M): Rhino R2 71183 Until You Love Someone
22-Jul-96; CD (S): Spectrum 552 119 2 Early Classics [UK]
31-Dec-01; CD (S): Motown 013 359 2 Four Tops / Second Album [UK]
05-Aug-02; CD (M): Motown 017 277 2 Soul Satisfaction 03 - Motown Delights - Soft Centred Soul [UK]

Jimmy Hart; recorded Chicago ; produced by Andre Williams

1965; 45 (M): Blue Rock 4025 A

The Spinners; recorded Hitsville, completed 20-Aug-66 ; produced by Ivy Jo Hunter ; [v1]

30-Dec-16; MP3 (M): UMC Digital Release Motown Unreleased 1966
15-Dec-17; CD (M): Motown B0027684-02 Motown Unreleased 1966

The Spinners; recorded Hitsville-GW, completed 04-Jan-67 ; produced by Ivy Jo Hunter ; [v2]

25-Jun-12; CD (M): Kent CDTOP 371 Truly Yours ... Their First Motown Album With Bonus Tracks [UK]

Thank you to everyone who replied to my query