RossyBoy

How sad that Boba has gone. So young. So unexpected. So unnecessary. Respect.

It's on a Japanese 2007 Re-issue CD on Blockhead BKHDCD-002 titled Kickin 1 - Heavy Funk & Soul From The '60s - '70s under the name Tommy Knight and The Knights Notes say: Originally released as a mix tape in 2000 without track listing to promote the "Searching - Playing The Real Stuff" / "SOSTokyo" club night. CD reissue includes track listing on back cover, Artist for track 3 ("Tighten Up") is credited as "Unknown" on the back cover.

Mike & The Censations - Don't Mess With Me - Highland

G MAN, here's what I know..... From L.A. - line up: Michael Kirkland (lead) Robert Kirkland (2nd tenor) Armand Postell (1st tenor) Lonnie Wade The roots of the 1965 recording of "Victim Of Circumstance" go back into the Missisippi delta where the Kirkland family originated, There were seven siblings in the musically gifted family. As the Seven Seals Juniors, the Kirklands performed on the gospel music circuit. Around the time Michael turned ten the family had packed up and moved to Los Angeles. After graduating from Dorsey High School, Mike started attending L.A. Valley College. It was around this period that Robert Kirkland put a group together, consisting of himself, Mike, their sister, her husband Armand Postell and Michael Trotter, called The Censations. They started working on a song Mike had written called "Victim Of Circumstance" and eventually ended up at Madelon Baker's Audio Arts Studio. Originally released on their own Brian label "Victim...." was eventually re-released on Sid Talmadge's Highland Records. The record got its first spin from DJ Al Scott at KGFJ - that was the push it needed. It started to get airplay throughout the West Coast and climbed L.A.'s soul charts at KGFJ to the No. 5 position by early March of 1967. By August the same year their second single "There's Nothing I Can Do About It" was also sitting at KGFJ's No. 5 spot. After six singles the Censations split with Highland and signed a deal with Revue that produced three quality recordings, all of which were released in 1969. (courtesy of Ruben Molina) Good luck with the project, looking forward to it !! RossyBoy

Here you go..... (L-R Jay Johnson, Bill Frazier, Vernon Williams, Sylvester Potts) RossyBoy

Hi, Flynny, Wasn't paying attention (rap my own knuckles!) - this one is actually out of Philadelphia. I suppose Ballads was a common enough name for groups across the country (...he said as a feeble excuse...). Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed it and I'm sure Michele has been put right by now!?! RossyBoy

Here you go, Michele, Thought I'd just post the link here in since a few others seem to be interested .....

Hi, again, Michele, Uploading now so will PM you link shortly - have included "Bless Our Love" also. Here's what I have on The Ballads From Berkeley, California Personnel: Nathan Robertson, John Foster, Rico Thompson, Lesley La Palma, Stan Harris The Ballads hit big in 1968 with "Bless Our Love" (Venture 615) a Chi-Town classic which was written by Billy Butler (brother of Jerry Butler) and was a hit for Gene Chandler in 1964. The Ballad's sultry version of "Bless Our Love" stayed on the R&B tracks for 12 weeks, peaking at No. 8. In Los Angeles the Ballads did a little better climbing to No. 4 on the soul chart at radio station KGFJ. Friends since the late fifties Foster and Harris met while attending Burbank Junior High School – soon after they started singing together as The Holidays. They were joined by Oakland High friends La Palma and Robertson and later by Rico Thompson who was from Delano, California. The group started recording in 1965 as The Fabulous Ballads. By the time the Venture single hit the streets it had been around for about a year. It was first released as Bay View 1142 in 1967, then on the Soul Trip label. (courtesy of Ruben Molina) RossyBoy

Hi Michele, I have Confessing A Feeling I Love You, Yeah The Gift Of Love This Is Magic Treat Me Like Your Woman Some nice stuff from a good group. Lucky you to get to talk yo them! Will upload them this evening and PM you a link. RossyBoy

Baz, there's supposed to be a listing for this label in Voices From The Shadows magazine Issue 7. One for sale for a fiver here: https://www.soulrecordsforsale.co.uk/acatalog/MAGAZINES.html RossyBoy

Here you go......... Cookie Jackson - Try Love - Progress 121.mp3

Thx, Boba, I love to see old farts enjoying themselves.....and I was too !!!!

Here you go.............in the absence of Refosoul............

Here you go, Chalky, ... a few crackles and pops.... don't reckon it had been played in 25 years when I ripped it today. ...LOL Cheers, RossyBoy Something_In_The_Way_She_Moves_James_Taylor.mp3

Foolish Fool - Dee Dee Warwick