Soulfulsolutions

Lovely NY double sider up for grabs. Happy to send additional image and sound files. PM any questions or to reserve. Ambers – Blue Birds / Baby (I Need You) – New Art 104 Ex- £200 I spent years walking by the occasional sighting of this 45 thinking ‘Blue birds’ would be a take on Vera Lynn’s ‘White cliffs’ and not resembling Northern Soul in any way. As the adage goes ‘never judge a 45 by its title!’ In fact, the release by this reliable New Jersey outfit on a short-lived New York label hosts 2 fantastic sides covering the broadest gap in soulful tempos. ‘Baby (I need you)’ is going to completely satisfy the sweet, lowrider and Sunday chill out scene in 2 minutes 50 seconds, whereas ‘Blue birds’ which I have already confessed a level of historic self-ignorance for, has the most captivating drum roll and deep horn intro, bolstered by male harmonies before the lead kicks in with a commanding rich vocal which carries this great dancer form start to finish, wow, stunning. I’ve read that the tracks are backed by the ‘Shrine’ label house band, given the richness of what I hear on the Shrines and this 45, I’m in no doubt that the connection is true. Surface has lights marks from storage and handling, but it plays excellent or better on both sides. Light label ageing. PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) £9.85 – Special Delivery (Insured to £750) Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

One tasty slice of 60s brilliance Happy to send more images and sound files. PM any questions or to make an offer. Ty Karim - Lighten up baby / All in vain - CAR-A-MEL 1677 M- ON HOLD, accepted offer that met expectations Veatrice Thomas, better known to us as Ty Karim must be one of the top female artists to collect but just imagine what she would have achieved all those years ago given the same level of adoration the soulful masses show now, not a bad track on any of her releases and every one of them collectable. Taken far too young, but what a legacy this lady and her husband Kent Harris left with a handful of her 45s that remain hard to find all these years on. FANTASTIC copy of this West Coast dancer, no disappointment here. I must report the ink spot on top label to the left of the Artists name, a printing blip I have no control over! Otherwise unblemished. This one’s up for offers closing at 2000 BST on Thu 01 May 25. Minimum is £1500. Will keep bidders updated. Can have it out if all paid up on the Friday for delivery and play box duties on the Saturday…. OWZAT! PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or bank details for transfer. Postage: £18.75 - Special Delivery, Fully Insured Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Just the one for now and what a one..... Happy to send more images. PM any questions or to reserve. JJ Barnes - Please let me in / I think I found a love - Ric-Tic 106 WD Ex £750 Amongst the top 3 rarest White Demo's from the Ric-Tic catalogue and an iconic northern soul dancer that has stood the test of time. This copy has been stored beside something that has caused slight discolouration and print wear on the top side label, no discolouration on flip label, and whilst there are some light marks on the surface, it plays through a stunning Ex+/M-. In Jan I sold an Excellent play copy with cleaner labels at £800 for a friend, so I've adjusted accordingly here for the label. PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £9.85 – Special Delivery (Insured to £750) Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

US v UK on this super little male group soul double sider. Happy to supply additional images. PM any questions or to reserve. Dontells – In your heart / Nothing but nothing – Vee-Jay 666 WD M- £35 (White Demo! Feint ring wear on labels) Dontells – In your heart / Nothing but nothing – President 373 M- £35 (UK Demo!) PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £3.50 – 1st Class (Insured to £20 only, buyers choice) £4.60 – 1st Class Signed for (Insured to £20 only, buyer’s choice) £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) No overseas on these sorry! Cheers, Lee

Can’t believe it, just another ordinary Thursday, watching footy, looking at records for sale, catch sight of something that triggers concern, and then its real, one of the immortals gone. Nothing ordinary about Ted, he was extraordinary, he epitomised the birth, ups and downs and future of the scene, sleep tight

A lovely selection of Northern dancers up for grabs. Happy to send more images or sound files. Please PM and questions or to reserve. Joanie Sommers – Never throw your dreams away – Columbia 43567 Ex+ £100 (Crisp femme vocals on this gorgeous silky smooth mid-tempo groover. Just one light scuff that DNAP stopping it being M-) Joe Simon – I see your face – Hush 101 Mint £75 (One of the more prolific soul artists on the Northern scene. Emerging from challenging Louisiana roots to gather all the skills needed to sing, write and produce. Sprightly little west coast dancer in spotless condition) Little Irvin – Who’s loving you – Ivory 711 M- £100 (Light R&B dancer out of Houston, Texas, the powers by like a steam train, very nice) Carol Anderson – It shouldn’t happen to a dog – Mid-Town 270 Ex+ £80 (Don’t let the title mislead you, its nowt to do with anything unfortunate befalling a Cockapoo, just a classy mid-tempo Detroit crossover dancer from the girl that gave us ‘Taking my mind off love’ and ‘Sad girl’. I’ve also had a thing for the flip ‘Holding on’) Ikettes – What ’cha gonna do – Phi-Dan 5009 Ex £150 (Sassy, punchy, rhythmic girl group soul dancer, totally absorbing) Roger Pace – The minute my back was turned – Select 744 Ex £100 (Captivating big voice vocals and angelic girly backing, which grows and grows to deliver a punchy Northern feel-good dancer. Some light grubbiness to the labels) Holidays feat Billy Wicks – I’m the one who really loves you – Thunder 2628 Ex+ £150 (This mid-west obscurity, recorded at Golden Voice studios in South Pekin, Illinois thrives on great lead vocals, pulsating male group backing and one hell of a sax break. Still not many around after all these years) Volumes – I got love / Maintain your cool – Twirl 2016 WD Ex £100 (Yet another Duke Browner interest, and a great little Detroit double sider, not so easy on demo. Labels are of white through ageing, 2 red X on ‘Cool’ side) George Jackson – I found what I wanted – Verve 10658 Ex+ £80 (Such an understated crossover track from an artist with more than a dash of southern states tone to his voice, this soulful gem is as smooth as a baby’s bum, such a catchy finger popping dancer) Counts – Ask the lonely – Yes 103 M- £150 (One of the better covers of the untouchable original. Horn pulses on intro that grab the attention, solid vocals and great backing that do the tune proud. Love the mix of deep red text on a sky-blue label. Light edge lift, DNAP) PayPal by friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage: £3.50 – 1st Class (Insured to £20 only, buyers choice) £4.60 – 1st Class Signed for (Insured to £20 only, buyer’s choice) £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) No overseas on these sorry! Cheers, Lee

Here’s a handful of less prominent but great Northern tunes from the Capitol catalogue. Happy to supply additional images, or sound files. PM any questions or to reserve. Lou Rawls – Dead end street – Capitol 5869 Ex+ £15 (Spoken intro captures the imagination then boom off the scale gritty R&B builder, brilliant. Los Angeles pressing with Daisy Star machine stamped in run out) Lou Rawls – Dead end street – Capitol 5869 Ex+ £15 (Ditto above (of course!). Scranton, PA pressing with IAM Triangle machine stamped in run out) Willie Hightower – Because I love you – Capitol 5916 Ex+ £50 (Self-penned, but Robert Banks produced dancer, with sharp girly backing) Lou Rawls – When love goes wrong / Show business – Capitol 5941 Promo M- £25 (Tidy little double sider. Show business like ‘Dead end street Magnificent Men – Babe, I’m crazy ‘bout you / Forever together – Capitol 2062 Ex+ £20 (Another cracking double sider, with 2 upbeat sides, the wonderfully catchy piano and bongo driven ‘Crazy ‘bout you, and the group harmony dancer ‘Forever’) Willie Hightower – Nobody but you – Capitol 2266 Ex- Promo £15 (Dee Clark penned with girly backing. Grade is visual, due to scattered light marks and light label wear, plays clear Ex) PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £3.50 – 1st Class (Insured to £20 only, buyers choice) £4.60 – 1st Class Signed for (Insured to £20 only, buyer’s choice) £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) No overseas on these sorry! . Cheers, Lee

Magnificent example of west coast Northern Soul, with 2 great sides for double bubble. Happy to send more images or the sound files. PM any questions or to reserve. Ruby – Feminine ingenuity / Deceived – Gold Token 100 M- £1350 Everything about this Californian double sider screams class, the artists name with seductive undertones, 2 glorious higher pitched but smooth vocals and a brilliant label design drenched in gold and adorned with four leaf clovers. Whoever gets this, your luck will definitely be in! It’s a rare opportunity to box a spotless high-fidelity copy from a very discreet label catalogue that shares one of 3 slots with Verma Lewis and Sarah James. Ruby was Ruby S. Johnson for real but used the alias Ruby Jean for releases on Monster Masters and SBK, and Ruby Sherry for the ‘feminine ingenuity’ cut on the Take 6 label which sports a different flip to Gold Token. I did wonder if Ruby had to adopt various names to avoid any copyright associated with Ruby Johnson of Neb’s and Volt fame. Beautiful copy, both sides immaculate, just a couple of light marks on each label from handling and storage. PayPal by friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Insured postage included. Ta, Lee

Here’s a handful of less prominent but great Northern tunes from the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer catalogue. Happy to supply additional images, or sound files. PM any questions or to reserve. Marlina Mars – Put my love on strike – MGM 13482 Promo Vg+ £25 (Lovely girly upbeat dancer. Light marks on top side but plays great, flip is Vg and not so good. Drill hole) Ritchie Adams – Better off without you – MGM 13629 Ex £25 (Teddy Randazzo influenced big city beat ballad that builds and builds in drama, a stark contrast for the guy that gave us ‘I can’t escape you’. Seems to be gaining some attention. Couple of pressing bubbles that DNAP) Johnny Nash – I’m so glad you’re my baby – MGM 13805 Promo Ex+ £80 (Classy rich vocals from Johnny on this timeless Northern dancer, finger popping, toe tapping, head nodding, feet shuffling brilliance) Johnny Nash – I’m so glad you’re my baby – MGM 13805 M- £60 (Ditto above, but a cool black stocker with rainbow logo. Drill hole) Partnership – Not for love nor money / Baby, if I had you – MGM 13854 M- £30 (Up-tempo male group dancer, full of harmonies. Drill hole) Formations – Lonely voice of love – MGM 13963 M- £40 (Misleading operatic intro launches into a fabulous male group dancer, full of harmonies, what a track. Beautiful gold and sky-blue stock copy) PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £3.50 – 1st Class (Insured to £20 only, buyers choice) £4.60 – 1st Class Signed for (Insured to £20 only, buyer’s choice) £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) No overseas on these sorry! Cheers, Lee

One of the Finest What can I say, other than the fabulous Jackie Wilson has one of the best voices you’ll ever hear so all 3 of these 45s are gonna host stunning tunes. All double siders, although I am fibbing a bit, ‘This love is real’ is same on both sides (mono / stereo) but they are equally as good, so it’s a double sider . Lets not forget he was a top entertainer with surprising skills, like Boxing, in which he earned Golden Gloves. Promos are harder to find, and all spares, otherwise they'd be staying put. *** If you fancy all 3 they can go for £60 *** ON HOLD Happy to send additional images, or sound files. PM any questions or to reserve. Jackie Wilson – The who who song / Since you showed me how to be happy – Brunswick 55354 Yellow Promo Ex+ £30 (X on flip) Jackie Wilson – I get the sweetest feeling / Nothing but heart aches – Brunswick 55381 Yellow Promo Ex+ £25 (Very short edge wave, DNAP) Jackie Wilson – This love is real / Same – Brunswick 55443 Blue Promo Ex+ £20 (Small sticker residue on flip label, no tears) PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £3.50 – 1st Class <250g (Insured to £20 only, buyers choice) £4.60 – 1st Class Signed for <250g (Insured to £20 only, buyer’s choice) £5.30 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour <750g (Insured to £150) No overseas on these sorry Cheers, Lee

Couple of cracking West Coast 45s still up for grabs. Happy to send a sound files for Pentagons. PM to ask any questions or reserve. Gene Townsel – I’m walking away / There’s no use hiding – Balance Town 138 Ex+ £800 Outstanding modern come crossover soul that I first learnt about when Darryn Kerr let the cat out the bag, but it lingered in the back of my mind before my interest was sparked whilst listening to Carl Hedberg’s brilliant Stockholm Weekender set. Both sides are great, but its ‘Walking’ that wins it for me with an almost melancholic vocal recounting a relationship break up, fabulous lyrics on a gorgeous down turning then uplifting tempo, before an atmospheric end. Dancefloor perfection to my ears. What a twofer, the flip side is a cracking tune too. A rare original 45 Gene Townsel - I'm walking away.mp3 Gene Townsel - There's no use hiding.mp3 Pentagons – Gonna wait for you – Sutter 100 M- £300 Brilliant west coast dancer, full of upfront and brassy male harmonies from start to finish. These guys could possibly be the most understated group on the scene, choosing to change the group name more often than most artists moved managers and labels, performing as the Chesterfields with ‘You walked away’ and the more recent discovery ‘Think it over’, 21st Century on the local Noel and nationally distributed Dot labels, then the Themes on Minit who were ‘All bent out of shape’, and just when you think they might have retired, the Soul Patrol on Highland. Boy, these lads left a legacy to be proud of. The 45s in great shape. PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £9.85 – Special Delivery (Insured to £750) Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

Got quite a few, over a hundred I think

Tempests – Would you believe – Smash 67098 (St) Ex- / Ex £200 These Carolina boys couldn’t have earnt much doing what they did, the money had to be shared between at least 10 in the band, jeez that’s some split, before you get to the manager and crew. And to think 1 of the 10 was there purely for the 10 second flute solo in ‘Would you believe’ and ‘I don’t want to lose her’… LOL. All joking aside, there’s not a not a bad track on this slab of vinyl. What this ensemble did, was leave a fantastic legacy of mid-tempo dance floor winners compiled in 40 minutes of joy on one single and so collectable album. From the off, the tempo and style is set by ‘Would you believe’, followed by a great cover of one of the most recorded soul tunes in history ‘Ain't no big thing’, then there’s the monster unreleased on 45 ‘Someday’, a mix of melancholy vocals from the lead Hazel Martin punctuated by upbeat horns that Guy Hennigan reputedly broke to the masses. Then there’s the superb ‘What you gonna do’ with the unmistakable lead vocalist laid bare. My only observation, which might be the equivalent of a complaint is they left out the fabulous ‘Out of my life’ which for me is a gap in the compilation, especially when they put 5 tracks on one side and 6 on the other. Good news though, you can pick it up on 45 for 20-30 quid. Cover is Ex- has a small crease bottom left, dh top right with some staple holes, general light wear. Couple of light marks on vinyl. Ex all round. PayPal by friends, or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage: UK Tracked and Signed - £7.00 (Insured up to £150) Special Delivery - £9.85 No overseas, sorry! Cheers, Lee

Came from a Pal in Canada along with a few others many years ago. Not the usual publicity shot, but its cool to be able to put a face to his work.

Okeh, Okeh, Okeh, here’s a few cheaper but great tunes off this fine label and its huge Northern content. 2 Walter Jacksons in here that are off the scale beat ballads, superb tunes and harder on white demo. Happy to supply additional images, and I can provide sound files again having resolved the tech! PM any questions or to reserve. . Walter Jackson – I’ll keep on trying – Okeh 7229 WD M- £25 Vibrations – Finding out the hard way – Okeh 7230 WD M- £20 Azie Mortimer – You can’t take it away – Okeh 7336 WD M- £25 Walter Jackson – Its an uphill climb to the bottom – Okeh 7247 WD M- £75 Walter Jackson – After you there can be nothing – Okeh 7256 WD M- £60 Vibrations – Soul a go-go – Okeh 7257 WD M- £25 PayPal by friends please or add 4%, or bank transfer. Postage: £5.20 – UK Tracked and Signed 24 Hour (Insured to £150) Overseas on request Cheers, Lee