Soulfulsolutions

Todays classic northern winner is also a superb double sider ….. 7th Avenue Aviators – You should o’ held on / Boy next door – Congress 255 WD Ex £1600 SOLD Drawing on his Gospel roots, Frankie Karl used his US Air Force time like he did his youth, growing his musical talent and forming the Chevrons along with Herbert Holmes and Kenneth Calvert. Whilst Karl had experience performing and recording with the likes of Billy Preston and Gloria Jones, it was his pal Holmes who did the important bit, penning the uptempo “You should o’ held on” and the midtempo and under the radar flip “Boy next door”. Both sides were produced by Dave Chackler for Philtown Productions in 1965 and released for Frankie Karl and the Chevrons on the Philtown label. This Philly group changed their name to the 7th Avenue Aviators, possibly as a reference to their Air Force service or for obvious promotional reasons in advance of being picked up for a national release on the Kapp subsidiary Congress. Chackler went on to become a promoter, with successes for Mercury and Smash. After the Air Force Frankie Karl went back to LA where he worked with Eugene Dozier but was unbale to secure a contract. Very nice copy with minor handling marks and the very feintest of edge lift on rotation, with no effect on play. Clean labels both sides. I hadn’t picked up on the small star (denoting plug side) label variation but having looked around it appears less common than the big star copies but can’t see how that would influence anything. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £10.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Just one up for grabs, pm any questions or offers….. Al McCarther – His true love for you – Two Guitars 900 Ex Offers SOLD This just has to be one of the most subtle beat ballads known to the scene, luxuriously rich vocals, light drum intro, meandering flute and string backing on a wave of melancholy dreaminess, a gem and to die for. Remained remarkably hard to find over the years, so much so that it was booted to meet the demands of the “Popcorn” scene traditional to Europe, but don’t worry this is a genuine machine stamped original. We can safely assume it’s an east coast press because of its Rockaway, New Jersey pressing plant origins, however with what appears to be only one other release on the label by the Shirley Brothers and judging by the title “Sound of the bugles” it probably explains why the label didn’t survive! It’s the same old story with Northern though, these short-lived enterprises lead to so many 45s becoming obscure and sought after. There’s nowt on the artist I can find, the distributors an publishers are almost a mystery, but one producer Chip Taylor (James Voight) is in fact the brother of actor Jon Voight and uncle to Angelina Josie, whose been involved with many big hitters over the years including the Troggs, Chrissie Hynde, Jimi Hendrix and our own PP Arnold to name a few. A stamp of quality on this 45 in itself. Vinyl has light fingernail and sleeve marks, nothing to concern or affect feedback in any way, a lovely player at Excellent overall. Labels may not be sharp white, not sure the paper used ever was, but they are clean. A delight for a record of this stature in today’s world. I’m happy to take offers for a few days, keeping you informed of progress, but will sell if I get an offer I can’t refuse. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage - Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £10.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Just the one beauty today. Sound files available on request, PM any questions or to reserve. SOLD Silhouettes – Not me baby – Goodway 101 Promo M- £2000 SOLD It’s a fact that this 45 wasn’t released to sell on the open market and was simply used to promote the reinvention of this Philly doo-wop group, known mainly for their 1958 chart topper “Get a job”. The album titled “The Original and New Silhouettes” featured previous recordings by original members, including lead Bill Horton of Kayden label fame, and 3 new recordings by a mix of old and new members, including a “John Bootsie Wilson” vocal lead on “Not me baby” before he slipped back into the same obscurity associated with so many unheralded Northern artists. The 45 is a legacy of the intent to promote the New Silhouettes and kick start careers, and only available as a packaged insert in the album sleeve. It’s rarity was cemented even further through its production and marketing by Goodway, a printing company, rather than any well-known record publishing group, like Bell where it was recorded. It’s this typical down on your luck storyline and the style of music of course that resonates with Northern fans all over the world, making it one of a select bunch that still has DJs and collectors scouring the world for to the present day and beyond. Mint Minus vinyl. Immaculate mesmeric blue and green swirl labels, with the top side label only showing 1/2 the catalogue number due to casual label fixing at pressing plant, the scourge of a few copies I’ve seen. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details. Fully insured postage included. Overseas postage on Request. Cheers, Lee

Just one major label offering up for grabs today. Sound file and additional images available if you want. PM any questions or to reserve. Youth Opportunity Program – Of hopes, dreams and tombstones – Columbia 43407 WD M- £950 Titled more like a spaghetti western, but reality is soon restored with the unmistakable harmonica intro punctured by the stern vocals of Jimmy Fraser, all played out on the back of a rampant beat with occasional catch your breath pauses that will allow just enough time to regather your dance floor composure. A classic example of a Northern stomper that's in great shape and never out of sorts. For a major label, the pressing variations make this a very interesting recording. There exists a rarer vinyl demo (one went for nearly 1400 on JM's auction last month), and Jimmy Fraser credited styrene demos and red stock copies, but no red stockers of YOP that I am aware of? There's also the historically valued public message sleeve that accompanied the YOP release to coax those unruly nippers to stick with their education, but unfortunately no longer coupled with this particular 45. PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £8.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £1000) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

A grip full of across the board classics and semi-knowns proving that great soul doesn’t have to be 3 or 4 figures. Sound files and additional images available if you want. PM and questions or to reserve. Barbara Mason – Bobby, is my baby – Arctic 120 Ex £50 (Same backing as the Rotations – Dime on D-9, and why not share amongst friends in the same Philly stable) Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £275 (Lovely piano intro to this finger popping, girly backed dancer out of New Jersey, owned and operated by Artus Sutterfield) Funky Sisters – Do it, do it – Aurora 165 Ex £25 (Happy go lucky finger popper, with a bit of sass on the side) Clay Hunt – Your loves gone bad – Bay Sound 67005 Ex £65 3xol (Gritty, in your face dancer, see recently at 150, a giveaway) Jackie Wilson – Who who song – Brunswick 55354 M- £20 (Jackie at his best, pace, tonsils and menace, what a tune. Biro XOL) Otis Bush & Crusaders – So much love – Cha-Cha 766 Ex+ £40 (Rarer earlier release on the Cha Cha label, smooth group soul) Bobby Moore – Chained to your heart – Checker 1180 Ex+ £12 (Boisterous intro that gets the adrenaline going, pounding beat that keeps the legs working throughout – a classic) Sam and Bill – Trying to get back to my baby – Decca 32200 M- dh £20 (Beautiful black and rainbow stock copy of this superb mid-tempo vocals and what a catchy tune, don’t ignore, get it up on youtube) Bobby Bland – Ain’t nothing you can do – Duke 472 Ex (The sort of track that instantly mellows you out, typically Bobby “Blues”) Spandells – Say no girl – Dimension 1041 WD M- £30 (Very catchy finger popping girly dancer, perfect surface, juts red pencilled wavy line either side of top side centre, when an X would have done!) Fred Hughes – Walk on back to you – Exodus 1035 Ex+ £30 (Stunning example of cheaper end soul, twinkling ivories and anguished vocals) James Carr – Stronger than love – Goldwax 332 M- £20 (Gritty R&B influenced dancer) Spinners – Truly yours – Motown 1093 M- (A top, top Motown tune, looking swell on the electric blue and map label) Calvin Williams – Lonely you’ll be – Northern Del LA 501 Ex+ £75 (Brilliant vocals from one of Detroit’s finest, probably the best version for me) Monzas – Hey! I know you – Pacific 1998 Ex £30 (Very rare first release, on Manny’s for 100, only the later 104 release shows up on Popsike) Holidays – Loves creeping up on me / Never alone – Revilot 205 DJ Ex £25 (Fabulous double sider, not an easy to find DJ copy, writing on label doesn't affect 2 great sides) Renaldo Domino – Don’t go away – Smash 2127 WD M- £35 (Sweet, punchy and undulating vocal, backed by superb harmonies and horns. Pre-Twi-night recording from this Chicagoan soulster. Great copy) Brenda Holloway – When I’m gone – Tamla 54111 Ex £30 (A Motown standard, yellow twin globes label) Roscoe Shelton - What is it baby - Tee Jay 8701 M- £75 (70s Roscoe was still doing the business with a mix of sweet crossover, hard to find) Jamo Thomas – I spy (for the FBI) – Thomas WD Ex £25 (Raw original or cover of the Luther Ingram version on Smash, nice on demo, light ring wear) Fred Hughes – You can’t take it away – Vee-Jay 703 Ex £20 (Subtly delivered male solo in comparison to the equally good but uptempo and so classy Azie Mortimer version, you’d think it would be the other way round) PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £1.85 – 1st Class (covers to £50) £3.25 - 1st Class Signed For (covers to £50) £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Some tasty wax added, some reductions made to another mix of traditional Northern, Crossover and Latin. Sound files and additional images available if you want. PM and questions or to reserve. Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £300 Now £275 (Lovely piano intro to this finger popping, girly backed dancer out of New Jersey, owned and operated by Artus Sutterfield) David Coleman – My foolish heart / Drown my heart – Barry 1013 WD Ex+ £275 (Rarer white demo of this Hector Rivera piloted Latin infused double sider. Just a couple of tiny pops at start of “Foolish” away from M- playback. Massive interest last time out in Nov) Youth Opportunity Program – Of hopes, dreams and tombstones – Columbia 43407 WD M- £1100 (Wow, the unmistakable harmonica intro, then Jimmy Frasers stern vocals on the back of a rampant beat with occasional catch your breath pauses, who’d drop out of school on the back of this message, just late starts after long nights at the local Soul club. No official sleeve) Imaginations – Strange neighborhood – Fraternity 1001 Ex+ £375 now £325 SOLD (Fabulous group soul, on the rarer maroon stock label. Small sticker residue and nick on label) Pookie Hudson – This gets to me – Jamie 1319 WD Ex+ £600 SOLD (Philly magic, so laid back, floats along on gentle but persuasive lyrics and mesmerizing backing track, almost a in line with Larry Allen – Could we talk it over. Rarer white demo, vinyl is top end, labels show minor wear and ageing) Cody Black – I’m slowly molding – King 6148 Promo Ex £950 SOLD (Fabulous mid-tempo dancer from one of the most prolific artists on the scene. Label has removed sticker mark that looks like it has led to a small tear and repair) Herb Ward – Honest to goodness – RCA 9688 Promo M- £300 (More fantastic classic northern from the RCA stable. Very subtle edge lift, has no effect on play. Lovely copy) PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £8.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £1000) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Another tidy selection of vinyl gems up for grabs. Sound files available if you want. PM and questions or to reserve. Messages handled in order they arrive. Vel-Vets – I got to find me somebody – 20th Century Fox 6676 WD M- £550 (Woosh) Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £300 (Easygoing groover in tip top shape) Curtis, The Brothers – When love goes wrong – Bell 959 Promo M- £550 (Turned out to be harder than expected and less copies in the black text variant. “Love goes wrong” the standout, a sublime crossover dancer, nice flip too) Gene Chandler – Mr. Big shot – Constellation 172 Ex+ £200 (Heavyweight powerhouse) Imaginations – Strange neighborhood – Fraternity 1001 Ex+ £375 (Fabulous group soul, on the rarer maroon stock label. Small sticker residue and nick on label) Cody Black – I’m slowly molding – King 6148 Promo Ex £1000 (fabulous mid-tempo dancer from one of the most prolific artists on the scene. Label has removed sticker mark that looks like it has lead to a small tear and repair) Paul Anka – When we get there – RCA 9457 M- £300 (Still active in the music industry today. This highly regarded northern dancer comes n the immaculate black stock RCA) Herb Ward – Honest to goodness – RCA 9688 Promo M- £300 (More fantastic classic northern from the RCA stable. Very subtle edge lift, has no effect on play) PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £8.65 – Special Delivery (Fully insured to £1000) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Lovely stack of wax up for grabs, a mix of traditional Northern crossover and R&B sound files available if you want. PM and questions or to reserve. Volcano’s – It’s against the RULES of love – Arctic 115 WD Ex+ £325 (Fabulous 60’s group Northern, on the rarest format, mistitled first pressing. Comes with obligatory writing on label to correct the error, adds to authenticity in my opinion) Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £300 (Easygoing groover in tip top shape) Curtis, The Brothers – When love goes wrong – Bell 959 Promo M- £550 (Turned out to be harder than expected and less copies in the clack text variant. “Love goes wrong” the standout, a sublime crossover dancer, nice flip too) Terry Callier – Ordinary Joe – Cadet 5692 WD M- £850 SOLD (Had one on my July 20 sales list, had at least 15 enquiries from disappointed punters) Chandlers – Your love makes me lonely – Col-Soul 1152 M- Offers (Fantastic hall of fame oldie, dulcetly soulful so say the least, and that label is to die for, as good to looking at as a vintage motor. Very minor edge lift and almost discernable ring wear on flip label. Hard to value give the highs seen recently. Reasonable offers considered) Brand New – Thousand years – Du-Vern 4176 NM £800 SOLD (This is just slick, the coolest crossover dancer and another immaculate copy) Colt 45s – Lady, lady – Jerry 119 Ex+ £800 SOLD (Rampant floor filler, hardly seen for sale nowadays, this should never be consigned to memory) Harold Burrage – Fifty-fifty – M-Pac 7211 Ex+ £225 (If you’re looking for rock solid R&B artists, look no further, appealing to any crowd) PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £8.65 – Special Delivery (Fully insured to £1000) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Picked up a couple of CD's, haven't done so in a while, was surprised I still had some means to play them as my iPhone tech doesn't include a CD tray 😂, the Classiest Rarities 7 is absolutely superb, highly recommended and contains an unissued track which is probably the best thing I have heard for many many years, made my day being privy to music like that. Birth of Soul CD very pleasant too. Service, packaging, delivery time all spot on 👌. Cheers

A lovely clutch to brighten up your evening. As ever sound files available on request, PM any questions or to reserve. Beverly Brown - You got me helpless - ABS 108 M- £600 SOLD (Super rare NOLA soul, my first and only other copy flew out 6-7 years ago, only ever seen one other copy since then sell in 2018 at £500. Completely under the radar due to rarity and most likely never to emerge in numbers since the southern States including New Orleans went under water with Hurricane Katrina) Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £300 (Beautiful floater, great condition) Andy Fisher – My hearts beating stronger / A wee bit longer – Fat Fish 8009 M- £1250 (Glorious Californian mid-tempo soul and positioned right in amongst the front runners of that rich vocal style often overshadowed by the broad range of styles associated with the Northern genre. Awesome double sider, rare stock copy and in immaculate condition some 50 years on) Don & Juan – Heartbreaking truth – Mala 509 M- £450 SOLD (Look, rub your eyes, look again….. can’t see any Promotion Copy text on the label??? That’s because its an incredibly rare STOCK copy! Feel free to scour the internet, but every copy bar one I saw were Promotional copies. If it were like Tobi Legends yellow paper promo label it would be more obvious, but its not! Highly revered beat ballad from Roland "Don" Trone and Claude "Juan" Johnson, a fabulous duo that helped formed my interest in Northern over 35 years ago) Norris Vines & Luvlines - Give in - Smile 112 Ex+ £900 (Superb copy of this Canadian mid 70’s soul winner, glides along on a wave of rich vocal harmonies. I can never work out whether its the lead belting out high and low or the Luvlines taking turns, stunning good feeling soul. Date stamp on label) George Freeman – Down and out – Valiant 6030 Ex+ £200 SOLD (Fabulous big city beat ballad, top of its class on the Purple stock label and in great shape) PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details? Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £8.65 – Special Delivery (Fully insured to £1000) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Couple of spare long players, which I certainly wouldn’t let go if they weren’t duplicates. Graded cover first / vinyl second PM any questions or to reserve? Edwin Starr – 25 Miles – Gordy 940 Ex- / Ex+ £20 SOLD Mix of classic and LP only tracks from this lifelong Ambassador of Soul to the UK, fantastic LP in nice condition, including “25 miles”, “He who picks the rose”, “24 Hours (to find my Baby)”, “Soul city” and the rest. I dunno where you get more from your buck than this quality collection of Motown from the Soul Master himself. Cover seems intact, more wear on top, a slight crease bottom right hand corner. Vinyl plays and looks lovely, signature on both labels. Customs clipped. Barbara McNair – The Real Barbara McNair – Motown 680 WD Ex- / Ex+ £45 SOLD Mesmerizing collection of femme soul from one of the very best to parade for Motown. The whole LP is a trip to heaven, she has the voice of an angel, strong, crystal clear and uplifting. Another mix of classics and LP only tracks, pinnacled equally for me by “Forget you ever met me baby” and “It happens every time” 2 songs that just keep on giving, and Heaven is where I would be if they were sat in my Motown boxes on demo 45s. Seam split at the bottom where the vinyl naturally rests, and a corner crease bottom right, otherwise just minor wear and a customs hole. Clean vinyl, just the odd light pop so off a clean next. Clean labels. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details. Postage: 1st Class Signed For - £5 (fully insured) International Tracked and Signed, please enquire. Cheers, Lee

Nice selection of tuneage from the sales box. As ever sound files available on request, PM any questions or to reserve. Barbara Mason – Bobby, is my baby – Arctic 120 Ex £50 (Same backing as the Rotations – Dime on D-9, and why not share amongst friends in the same Philly stable) Funky Sisters – Do it, do it – Aurora 165 Ex £30 (Happy go lucky finger popper, drill hole) Bobby Black – Right on – Axis 117 M- £325 (Beautiful floater, great condition) Clay Hunt – Your loves gone bad – Bay Sound 67005 Ex £85 3xol (Gritty, in your face dancer) Lovations – I can’t forget about you – Cap City 114 M- £50 (Nice femme crossover. Immaculate copy) Andy Fisher – My hearts beating stronger / A wee bit longer – Fat Fish 8009 M- £1250 (Awesome double sider, rare stock copy and in immaculate condition some 50 years on) Irma Thomas – What are you trying to do – Imperial 66137 M- £90 (outrageously good dancer, so good on lots of levels) Coasters – Love potion number nine – King 6385 Ex £40 (Bold and brassy oldie, subtle horns and rich vocals. Minor edge lift, DNAP) Lou Roberts & Marks – You fooled me – MGM 13347 Vg+ £50 (Classic Northern dancer. Vinyl has light marks, but plays through at least Ex-) Renaldo Domino – Don’t go away – Smash 2127 WD M- £35 (Sweet, punchy and undulating vocal, backed by superb harmonies and horns. Pre-Twi-night recording from this Chicagoan soulster. Great copy) Gloria Jones – I ain’t going nowhere – Sonopresse 40222 Ex+ £25 (Spain (I think?) w/Pic Sleeve) Roscoe Shelton - What is it baby - Tee Jay 8701 M- £75 (70s Roscoe was still doing the business with a mix of sweet crossover, hard to find) George Freeman – Down and out – Valiant 6030 Ex+ £220 (Fabulous big city beat ballad, top of its class on the Purple stock label and in great shape) Chris Clark – Love’s gone bad – V.I.P. 25038 WD Ex £60 (Gentile Chrissy giving it what for. Xol, harder Hitsville demo) PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £1.85 – 1st Class (covers to £50) £3.25 - 1st Class Signed For (covers to £50) £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Nice selection of tuneage from the sales box. As ever sound files available on request, PM any questions or to reserve. Lovations – I can’t forget about you – Cap City 114 M- £65 (Femme crossover group, all their releases worth picking up, immaculate copy) Andy Fisher – My hearts beating stronger / A wee bit longer – Fat Fish 8009 M- £1400 (Pure class, still underrated and rarer on stock than the white demo seen last at £1250. I will consider near / reasonable offers) Inconquerables – For your love – Flodavieur 803 M- £1500 Also released on a yellow vinyl copy, which is highly revered and very hard to find, this black vinyl copy may be the quickest route to own one this side of the next blue moon. Fabulous condition and playback. So rare. I will consider near / reasonable offers) Irma Thomas – What are you trying to do – Imperial 66137 M- £100 (Fabulous dancer, just glides along on strong vocals, drill hole and very minor hardly noticeable stain on very edge of label) Skyliners – Everything is fine – Jubilee 5506 WD M- £25 (Stunning track, mid=tempo but moody, lovely copy) Jackson 5 – ABC – Motown 1163 WD M- £250 (Rare gold vinyl special release, comes with VG Cover) Roy Hamilton – You shook me up – RCA 9170 WD Ex+ £200 (Heavyweight Artist and yet another classic oldie, remains popular) Big Dee Irwin – You satisfy my needs – Rotate 851 WD Ex £90 SOLD (Outstanding beat ballad, in my top 5 of the style, harder on the demo, XOL) Renaldo Domino – Don’t go away – Smash 2127 WD M- £50 (Smooth dancer, still semi-known?) Derek Martin – If you go / Count to ten – Sue 143 WD M- £80 (Fabulous double sider, beautiful condition vinyl, red Xol on flip) Roscoe Shelton - What is it baby - Tee Jay 8701 M- £80 (His unreleased “You’re the dream” was aired on the fabulous VIXEN101 last night, took me right back, but the one thing that can be said is even in the 70s Roscoe was still doing the business with a mix of sweet crossover, hard to find) Barbara Lynn – I’m a good woman – Tribe 8316 Ex- £130 (In your face femme R&B on the grey stocker, light marks on surface, nothing bad, signature on label) PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £1.85 – 1st Class (covers to £50) £3.25 - 1st Class Signed For (covers to £50) £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Reminder that these two are ending at 9 pm today (Jan 25th). Please PM any enquiries. Cheers, Lee

As promised earlier this week, here’s a handful of good un’s up for set sale. Sound files available on request, PM any questions or to place an offer. Towanda Barnes – You don’t mean it – A&M 1141 Ex+ £500 SOLD Harlem’s own Gloria Barnes of course, and produced much in the likeness of the Flodavieur’s mentioned latterly, intentional off-key piano ivories and rasping horns, a hint of femme fatale menace over the sparse uncomplicated instrumentation, all guided by the astute Johnny Brantley. Delivered at an upbeat pace and just the most incredible vocals. With single releases limited to this and “If I’m guilty” on Groovy, it comes as no surprise that those seeking more sass for this NYC diva, look to her incredibly rare LP “Uptown” on the Maple label. £500 I hear you say, and you’d be right to challenge that for the more common white demo, but for a brown stock copy, well, they don’t come around very often, hence the uplift for rarity. A beautiful copy, just sleeve marks withholding a M- grading, a joy to behold in an A&M birth sleeve. Andy Fisher – My hearts beating stronger / A wee bit longer – Fat Fish 8009 M- £1400 Glorious Californian mid-tempo soul and positioned right in amongst the front runners of that rich vocal style often overshadowed by the broad range of styles associated with the Northern genre. Who would have thought with the opening line “Like the little boy standing outside of the pet shop” would grow into one of the most engaging and meaningful vocal and lyrical performances to grace the scene? The Encores pitching in to do what only girl backing groups normally succeed in, and a bold preference for a plucky guitar chord break rather than horns which flattens the tune before the final chorus culminates in its punchy ending. An inconspicuous sub division of Hollywood’s Vault records, bringing together an otherwise unknown artist, group and the studio genius of Arthur Wright, and Cliff Goldsmith who worked alongside Fred Smith at Mirwood. If I were lucky enough to have stumbled across this in any shop back in the day, it would have been a no brainer to pick up, if for nothing else the sheer attraction to that half blue and white label sporting my nickname before the diet! Its pure class, still underrated and rarer on stock than the white demo. Inconquerables – For your love – Flodavieur 803 M- £1500 Flodavieur was a small typically independent label, with only a handful of its releases falling into the Northern genre, which most notably were the 2 group cuts, the Antellects – Love slave, which is probably the rarest release on this Los Angeles imprint, and the Inconquerables. What we know about the label’s owner Dave Polk who also had a hand in Vistone is that his brand of music was pressing new boundaries, not conforming to the principles of preciseness and perfection associated with mainstream music, but he showed a tendency to create an almost disjointed, awkward, and out of key style that are the hallmarks of much more rarer and obscure Northern 45s. Whilst the flip “Wait for me” is a highly sought after doo-wop side, “For your love” sits firmly in the under produced, raw and obscure stable on the Northern Soul mews. Also released on a yellow vinyl copy, which is highly revered and very hard to find, this black vinyl copy may be the quickest route to own one this side of the next blue moon. Fabulous condition and playback. So rare. Thee Midniters – You’re gonna make me cry / Making ends meet – Whittier 711 Ex+ £1500 SOLD There is no greater mark of respect in the music industry, than to be likened to the Beatles for the influence this group had in bringing their own Chicano style of music to the 60s scene, in particular the youth of East LA. This Mexican-American outfit blazed a new trail in the wild west, influenced by surf, R&B and Mexican music, trying rarely used combinations of trombones, sax, conga drums, electric keyboards and guitars, a mix that would serve them well as a host of releases on the Chattahoochee and Whittier labels demonstrate. The Whittier label honours the famous Boulevard that Little Willie G (Garcia) and his band mates used to cruise up and down in their highly prized, what we would call now, souped up classic cars, listening to their own low rider cuts of music. “You’re gonna make me cry” would fill any traditional Northern floor, its incessant pace is a dancer’s delight, and then the flip “Making ends meet”, transports us to another time and place, the low rider scene of East LA, and reminds me of The Webs – Little girl blue, Devotions – Can you explain it, Martineques – If you want me call me, so purely pitched, laid back, and no fuss vocals, telling a story as it should be told. Apparently voted in Chris Andertons DAB of Soul end of year top ten, so one to watch out for, but then its already rare and gonna get even more sought after. Just shy of M- due to a few sleeve lines. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage: £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

Sound files available on request, PM any questions or to place an offer. Silhouettes – Not me baby – Goodway 101 Promo NM OFFERS / SOLD It’s a fact that this 45 wasn’t released to sell on the open market and was simply used to promote the reinvention of this Philly doo-wop group, known mainly for their 1958 chart topper “Get a job”. The album titled “The Original and New Silhouettes” featured previous recordings by original members, including lead Bill Horton of Kayden label fame, and 3 new recordings by a mix of old and new members, including a “John Bootsie Wilson” vocal lead on “Not me baby” before he slipped back into the same obscurity associated with so many unheralded Northern artists. The 45 is a legacy of the intent to promote the New Silhouettes and kick start careers, and only available as a packaged insert in the album sleeve. It’s rarity was cemented even further through its production and marketing by Goodway, a printing company, rather than any well-known record publishing group, like Bell where it was recorded. It’s this typical down on your luck storyline and the style of music of course that resonates with Northern fans all over the world, making it one of a select bunch that still has DJs and collectors scouring the world for to the present day and beyond. Near Mint copy on the mesmeric blue and green swirl labels, LUSH! Minimum £1700. PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage: £10.65 – Special Delivery (Fully Insured up to £2500) Overseas on Request

Nice selection of white demos and promos up for grabs. WATCH OUT for other listings this week, some rarer Northern coming. As ever sound files available on request, PM any questions or to reserve. Lovations – I can’t forget about you – Cap City 114 M- £80 (Femme crossover group, all their releases worth picking up, immaculate copy) Phil Terrell – Love has passed me by – Carnival 523 Promo Ex £225 HOLD (Fabulous oldie, instantly recognisable and catchy) Chevrons – Love, I love you – Independence 88 Promo M- £400 SOLD (Lovely mid tempo mal group dancer) Skyliners – Everything is fine – Jubilee 5506 WD M- £25 (Stunning track, mid=tempo but moody, lovely copy) Jackson 5 – ABC – Motown 1163 WD M- £250 (Rare gold vinyl special release, comes with VG Cover. Will listen to reasonable offers) Roy Hamilton – You shook me up – RCA 9170 WD Ex+ £250 (Heavyweight Artist and yet another classic oldie, remains popular) Willie Kendricks - Change you ways / Whats that on your finger - RCA WD 9212 WD Ex £475 HOLD (Outstanding double sider, SOL top side and light grub to labels) Renaldo Domino – Don’t go away – Smash 2127 WD M- £50 (Smooth dancer, still semi-known?) Bobby Williams – You’ve only got yourself to blame – Sure-Shot 5031 Promo Ex £475 HOLD (Powerhouse dancer on a stunning graphic label, light ring wear on labels) PayPal as friends or add 4% please or I can send bank details Postage (Latest 2021 Prices for up to 250g): £1.85 – 1st Class (covers to £50) £3.25 - 1st Class Signed For (covers to £50) £7.65 - Special Delivery (Fully insured up to £500) Overseas on Request Cheers, Lee

A lovely example of Michigan quality up for grabs PM and questions or to reserve. Rose Battiste – I can’t leave you / Someday – Thelma 102 WD M- £180 One of the select Pied Piper artists who for everything her talent promised only released a small number of tracks on what we now recognise as the crème de la crème of Detroit’s recording labels, Golden World, Revilot, Ric-Tic and of course the source of this release – Thelma. Rose’s rich and flirty tones have been etched in Northern folklore by the likes of “Hit and Run”, “That’s what he told me”, “Come back in hurry”, and this punchy piano and horn laden outing is no different. Brilliant artist and vocals, and it wouldn’t have been any other way with the driving force of Don Davis and others at Solid Hitbound and Groovesville behind her. Graded conservatively. Just a felt tip X on top side label and light ring wear on flip label to mention otherwise, it’s a prime piece. Condition, condition, condition. PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage: £3.00 – 1st Class Signed For insured to £50 (at buyer’s risk for higher value items) £7.50 – Special Delivery full insurance up to £500 Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

Spare just a MINIT to consider this one! PM and questions or to reserve. Herman Hitson - Yes you did - Minit 32072 DJ M- £150 You won’t find a better copy of this Liberty subsidiary 45 this side of 1969! The playing surface is immaculate, fostering the best possible audio feedback of this classic Northern track, which is underpinned by a classic horn intro, unmistakable gruff vocals and an incessant piano and guitar beat. Condition, condition, condition. PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage: £3.00 – 1st Class Signed For insured to £50 (at buyer’s risk for higher value items) £7.50 – Special Delivery full insurance up to £500 Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

Lovely stack of wax up for grabs, sound files available if you want, hopefully bring you some cheer on this dull day. PM and questions or to reserve. David Coleman – My foolish heart / Drown my heart – Barry 1013 WD Ex+ £250 SOLD (Rarer white demo of this Hector Rivera piloted Latin infused double sider. Just a couple of tiny marks away from M- visually) Chico Lamarr - What do you think I am / How about you - Fuller 1004 Ex £1500 SOLD (Fantastic LA double sider, with same backing as Penetrations – Sweet sweet baby on “How” side, but its “What” that’s the real prize here, and I think this backing track is used elsewhere too but can’t place it, credentials are everything “Leonard Jewell Smith, Arthur Monday, Cal-Full Productions”, Smith reputed to be Chico! Couple of very light handling marks, otherwise deep luster and plays beautifully. X on “How” label) Blenders - Your love has got me down / Love is a good thing goin’ - Mar-V-Lus 6010 Ex+ £475 SOLD (The 2nd rarest on the label, mixed group double sider in the best condition I’ve seen one in, they normally come beat up) Dee Dee Warwick – Worth every tear I cry – Mercury 909 M- £350 SOLD (UK only 45 release, although on her US album. Outrageously good Femme Northern dancer on a great condition copy. Centre intact) Herman Hitson - Yes you did - Minit 32072 DJ M- £170 (Liberty subsidiary, lovely horn intro and unmistakable vocals on a riving Northern piano beat, immaculate copy) Jackson 5 - ABC - Motown 1163 Ex+ Gold Vinyl’ w/ Picture Sleeve £350 (Motown recognised 1 million sales with its first Gold Vinyl press with complimentary sleeve. A Motown collector’s must. I’m open to reasonable offers) Paul Anka - When we get there - RCA 9457 YDJ Ex £125 SOLD (Household favourite and what a Northern catalogue this so called mainstream artist has) Roscoe Shelton - What is it baby - Tee Jay 8701 M- £100 (So hard to turn up, 70s Roscoe doing the business in a mix of sweet crossover) Maxine Brown - Let me give you my lovin’ - Wand 1128 DJ Ex+ £100 SOLD (Lilting femme soul, flitting between vocal plateaus, so graceful and compelling. Drill hole) PayPal as friends or add 4% please, or I can send bank details. Postage: £1.70 - Good old 1st Class (Proof of Posting) £3.00 – 1st Class Signed For insured to £50 (at buyer’s risk for higher value items) £7.50 – Special Delivery full insurance up to £500 Overseas on request Cheers, Lee

Seriously hard to find Amy-Mala-Bell rarity sat waitin’ for a new home….. Any questions or offers please PM. Hy-Tones – You don’t even know my name – Bell 627 Promo – £2000 My previous listing for OFFERS didn’t see this wonderful slab of Northern Soul sell, so here it is again for set sale, but I’ll listen to sensible under offers! This Bell 627 release is visually in very good condition, and whilst it has numerous light paper marks, there is nothing that can described as a scratch that impairs the audio feedback, so playback is at least excellent or better. There is a single pop on the run in but it’s over well before the intro. Molded labels look excellent, with the odd scrape here and there, but the dark blue colouring obscures any visual depreciation. See photos. Content with PayPal by friends or add 4%, alternatively bank transfer. Fully insured postage included. Overseas to be determined. Cheers, Lee Hy-Tones - You don't even know my name.mp3

A very highly collectable Motown 45 up for grabs PM any questions or to reserve. Jackson 5 – ABC – 1163 WD Gold Vinyl Ex+ £400 It’s a nice tune to have on a regular stock copy, even better on a white demo, and even then - west is best (IHMO), but on gold vinyl its almost legendary amongst Hitsville aficionados and the wider soul fraternity. It may not be an early Motown release, they do attract most attention, but it did come at a time when the world was entranced by the newly emerging Jackson 5 and MJ hysteria was just beginning to hit the streets! Issued to recognise the pace at which Alpha Bravo Charlie (sorry can't ignore proper military radio procedure!) passed the one million sales mark, faster than any previous Motown output and therefore appropriately honoured with a gold vinyl press, and sent to radio stations with a special title sleeve, therefore it’s a limited promotional not commercial release. Vinyl is EX+ on both sides, (same flip), labels are M-, and the sleeve is still respectable albeit with a left seam split and 2 minor tears at the top. Only last month a similar conditioned copy went for just short of £800. Probably a gap for anyone looking to fill their Motown collection. Happy for PayPal friends or add 4%, alternatively I can send bank details. Postage is £7.50 special delivery, fully insured. Overseas on request. Cheers, Lee

Very rare and obscure sweet soul infused Northern dancer up for grabs….. PM any questions or to reserve. SOLD - Nialations – Every time / I’ll take you just as you come – BRC 105 Ex £500 - SOLD A division of the Brunswick conglomerate BRC (Brunswick Record Corporation) was created to provide new artists with an opportunity to sell themselves and make it to the main label imprint. BRC covered the more productive Wales Wallace of Bashie and Dakar fame, and the lesser known Promises and the Eliminators amongst others who didn’t quite make it. It’s unfortunate that the Nialations only appear to have these 2 recordings against their name anywhere on record, although the flip “I’ll take you” does appear on a 1977 Sound Investment – Brunswick LP, so maybe they had a resurgence under a different name or it was covered, but nothing more than that. Credited both as writer and producer Alonzo Tucker was actually quite prolific, not only as a guitarist, but a singer songwriter, appearing on several labels from Detroit, Chicago and New York. His early career in Hank Ballard’s group the Midnighters and collaborations with the awesome Jackie Wilson, writing some of his early 60s hits saw him become and established player at Brunswick. Maybe it was the latter relationship that opened the door for the Promises to record the brilliant cover of Jackie’s “this love is real”? More common is the same flip stereo / mono release of “I’ll take you” but it is “Every time” that’s the pick of the pair and only shows up on the rarer 2-sider once in a blue moon. The surface is in lovely shape, just the occasional light paper sleeve lines. Spectacularly colourful and clean labels. The last I saw was in G / Vg-, so it may be some time before another high grade copy shows up. Happy for paypal friends or add 4%, alternatively I can send bank details. Postage is £7.50 special delivery, fully insured. Overseas on request. Cheers, Lee Nialations - Every time.mp3

Slab of soul up for grabs, simply Mar-V-Lus stuff….. Joseph Moore - I can’t get to you / I’m lost without you - Mar-V-Lus 6008 Ex OFFERS Can’t remember exactly, but years many ago, I got a regular paper magazine drop from a US dealer called Rookie Ricardo (still active now I think). His thick A4 sized pictorial sales list was packed cover to cover with 100’s of US Soul labels, listed A-Z with popular, lesser known, collectable and a spattering of rare 45s. In one edition I had to rub my eyes, because there before me was the legendary Joseph Moore on Mar-V-Lus, minty at $10. I must have spent the next 24 hours constantly e-mailing and ringing his number, but to no avail, and as time went by my sense of “right time right place” waned and I gave up, never to have and behold a copy for many years after! Owned by George Leaner, the fabulous catalogues of One-Der-Ful, M-Pac and Mar-V-Lus capture the broad spirit of Chicago’s R&B and Soul scene from the early to late 60s, with roughly 100 vinyl releases between them and boasting numerous talented artists. Their closure in 68 led to the rise of the shorter lived but still productive Toddlin’ Town and Midas labels under George’s brother Ernie. Now I know many collect label runs, like Ric-Tic, Revilot, D-Town as obvious examples, but you’re a smart and lucky cookie if you ever went about Georges trio, AND got them all. Whilst there are quality tacks on each label, we are focussing on 2 on Mar-V-Lus in particular , the label designated for the teen orientated market, which could have fooled me! Mora Joseph Moore, or Joe, hailed from North Carolina but moved to New York, joined the Dell-Vikings before going solo, with labels like CB, Tru-Glo-Town and Verve, “I ain’t” being a corker on the latter. Predominantly a writer, his most sought-after output is his vocal “I can’t get to you” written by the awesome Jesse Herring Jr on what happens to be (as far as I know) the rarest Mar-V-Lus 45. It has a great flip too and reputedly only 500 were pressed, which seems to be a common figure bandied about when only a few copies of a rare and collectable 45 exist! Condition wise, the 45 is graded Excellent, displaying minor handling marks or paper lines. Plays with very minor audible feedback, not background noise, just the occasional scattered light pop, almost hidden by the track itself and has a little crackle on run out. Labels show very minor signs of ageing wear. FINE EXAMPLE of a rare soul 45. Content with PayPal by friends or add 4%, alternatively bank transfer. Cheers, Lee

Up for grabs a DING DONG rarity from the Amy-Mala-Bell stable! Any questions or offers please PM. Hy-Tones – You don’t even know my name – Bell 627 Promo – Offers Nashville, the country music capital of the world, wasn’t renowned for its Soul and R&B output but the signs were there. Radio station WLAC could be heard in over 40 States at night, prime time for John R. (Richburg) on air playing vast swathes of the full inventory from Ernie’s Record Mart, picked daily by Ernie’s manager Jane Tabor. Ernie’s was an incredibly successful mail order company, with tunes being sold and mailed out all over the US on the same day or night they were ordered after being heard. It was a phenomenon and the backdrop for a buzzing Nashville music scene, in which many Nashville artists including the Hy-Tones flourished in comparison to the grind for other artists across America. It’s possible the Hy-Tones lack of recordings was due to their involvement as the backing group on Nashville’s television music show “Night Train”, which hosted big names, including soul stars such as Otis Redding, Percy Sledge and James Brown and is regarded as the forerunner of “Soul Train”. This full time and most importantly paid commitment explains how we come to see footage of the Hy-Tones backing teenager Sandra King’s – Leave it up to the boys and very few trips to the recording studios. Robert “Bob” Holmes, a prolific writer and producer in Nashville and connected to William Justis Jr. who owned Tuneville Music, are the main drivers for the Hy-Tones and King’s nearly sequential Bell label releases in 1965. Holmes spotted the Hy-Tones at a Cameron High School talent show, turning manager for Freddie Waters, Eddie Frierson and Arthur 'Skeet' Alsup and Sandra King. He is credited on many Nashville labels, notably A-Bet, Excello, Ref-O-Ree and influential for the likes of the Avon’s, Peggy Gaines, Gene Allison, Roger Hatcher, Wendell Watts and the Paramount Four to name a few. Whilst the Hy-Tones released “You don’t even know my name” on Southern Artists, also the original release source of Jimmy Church’s “Right on time”, it was almost immediately released by Bell. This catchy melodic floater exposes the smooth experienced vocals of all 3 group members, who lead us through a somewhat dreamy story of rejected affection. It may not be for some hardened Soulie’s who like it grittier, but both label releases are bona fide rarities filling dancefloors for years. Mr. Manship quoted seeing less Bell copies than Southern Artists in his time. “Bigger & Better” on A-Bet is a wonderful support act, and evidence of studio time did eventually surface with 2 acetate tracks “Runaway Girl” and “Good News” both achieving vinyl imprint on the Kent Anniversary label. This Bell 627 release is visually in very good condition, and whilst it has numerous light paper marks, there is nothing that can described as a scratch that impairs the audio feedback, so playback is at least excellent or better. There is a single pop on the run in but it’s over well before the intro. Molded label looks excellent minus, with the odd scrape hear and there, but the dark colour obscures a visual depreciation. See photos. Minimum £2000, letting this run until 8pm on Tuesday 17 November unless I get an offer I can’t refuse in-between. Content with PayPal by friends or add 4%, alternatively bank transfer. Fully insured postage included. Cheers, Lee