Eddie Hubbard

2 New Releases from Soul City label ,via Charly Records. Kenny Smith - Lord What’s Happening To Your People / Lord What’s Happened -Soul City SC2503 Robert Thomas -Salvation / Cresa Watson - Salvation - Soul City SC2504 Two excellent new releases on the recently revived and iconic Soul City logo ,with both versions of two classic Rare Soul songs on each disc .Firstly we have the still socially relevant “ Lord What’s Happening To Your People “ by Kenny Smith on GAR Records ,a massive sound on the scene in the early 70’s ,plus the earlier 1971 Goldspot take on the flip .The Goldspot version is shorter and the bass etc is more noticeable.In my experience,this version seems more popular on the scene lately . Robert Thomas - Salvation was a popular sound from Major Bill Smith’s Charay label in the mid 70’s ,a great label out of Texas ,with many fine releases .The very rare Cresa Watson femme version has always remained an extremely rare 45 ,though was issued under the artist title of Rita Lee in the mid 70’s .Both versions are excellent ,and very popular dance floor favourites currently .Both records are available from Charly Records . https://charlydirect.com/ Video

Land Of A Thousand Dances -The Twisted Wheel Club - 60th Anniversary CD ( Charly790CD) Following the recent vinyl issue by Charly Records to celebrate 60 years since the The Twisted Wheel opened ,at its then new venue on Whitworth Street in Manchester ,we now have the record released in CD format,with the bonus of 5 extra tracks . Kicking of the set is Jackie Lee’s great dance sound “ The Duck “ from Los Angeles Mirwood Records ,also released in the UK on Fontana and London .The Whispers - “Doctor Love “from Dore’ Records is next ,a great group version of the Bobby Sheen classic .Track 3 is The Olympics - “Baby ,Do The Philly Dog “,another storming dancer from Mirwood ,issued in the UK on Fontana and Action .Robert Parker “ Lets Go Baby “ is next ,the fantastic flip side to “Barefootin’ “ issued in the UK on the iconic Island label in the mid 60’s .Track 5 is The Esquires “And Get Away “ ,issued here on Stateside SS 2077,and an infectious Chicago sound .Track 6 is also from Chicago ,The Sharpees with the brilliant “ Tired Of Being Lonely “ ,also released in the UK on Stateside ,the epitome of a Twisted Wheel classic .Some blue eyed Soul next ,with the catchy “Girl Watcher “ ,again a UK Stateside issue ,a lot of these tracks were virtual new releases ,though pretty obscure and deleted quickly .Track 8 is the ever consistent Gene Chandler with “ Nothing Can Stop Me “ from Constellation Records in Chicago ,and yet another release from UK Stateside and later Soul City ,where it actually charted in the UK.Track 9 is The Mood - Mosaic ,with “ A Touch Of Velvet - A Sting Of Brass “ an infectious instrumental ,issued in the UK on Columbia and a theme tune on Pirate Radio Caroline.Next is a real classic ,Bobby Wells -“ Let’s Copp A Groove “ released in the UK on Beacon Records .Track 10 is The Kelly Brothers “ Love Time “ from Sims Records ,a thumping dancer which remained a dance floor favourite long after The Wheel closed .Track 12 is The C.O.D’s with “ Micheal “ ,a smooth group sound from Chicago ,reminiscent of The Impressions ,culled from Kellmac Records and issued over here on Stateside .Earl Harrison - “Humphrey Stomp” is up next ,a classic dancer from Garrison Records ,and also rare on Wand .Chris Farlowe appears next with his take on Garnet Mimms “ Looking For You “ ,Chris was a regular live act at The Twisted Wheel of course .Into Chicago again for track 15 ,it’s The Due-Ettes with with the classic “ Every Beat Of My Heart “ a neat Chicago sound issued on the superb President label over here .Jimmy Robins “ I Can’t Please You “ is the next inclusion,a pounding R & B dancer ,still very popular and rare on UK President .The title track to the CD “ Land Of A Thousand Dances “ by Chris Kenner is next ,the original New Orleans version of the song made famous by Wilson Pickett,and the title to Dave Godin’s famous Blues & Soul article about his first trip to The Wheel .Bob & Earl “ Harlem Shuffle “ is track 18 ,a classic among classics and issued on UK Island at the time .Little Hank “ Mr Bang Bang Man “ from Monument is next ,a great record which was withdrawn on UK London because of its risqué lyrics ,but later issued by UK Monument as listeners became more opened minded .Round Robin “Kick That Little Foot Sally Ann “ a very infectious dance record from Domain Records an early Wheel Classic is track 20.On to the closing track ,The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band with “ Spreadin’ Honey “ on Fred Smiths Keymen label ,a finger clicking instrumental reminiscent of Ramsey Lewis’s “ Wade In The Water “. This CD has great packaging to accompany the music ,quality label scans and superb anecdotes about The Twisted Wheel ,from people like Elton John ,Dave Godin,Roger Eagle ,Brian “ 45 “ Phillips ,Richard Searling ,John Farrell ,Ian Levine ,and Pete Roberts .

Land Of A Thousand Dances -The Twisted Wheel 60th Anniversary LP The Twisted Wheel started life on Brazennose Street in Manchester as The Left Wing Coffee House ,but by the end of 1962 it had been acquired by The Abadi brothers and changed its name to The Twisted Wheel .With a diet of hip jazz and blues ,with the highly influential DJ Roger Eagle and top class live acts like Spencer Davies ,Graham Bond ,John Lee Hooker ,Bo Diddley ,John Mayall etc ,it soon became THE club to visit . However towards the end of 1965 ,the Blues and Jazz sound was sounding a little stale ,accompanied by the emergence of Mod ,and the punters wanting to hear the more uptempo and Soulful sounds of Motown and Stax , which probably led in some part towards the move to a new Twisted Wheel venue on Whitworth Street . This great new compilation from Charly Records reflects that later ,more uptempo Soulful sound with 16 tracks selected by legendary Wheel DJ and record dealer / Collector Brian 45 Phillips .Many of the selections were pretty obscure and deleted soon after release ,despite receiving UK releases on labels like Stateside ,President ,Fontana and Sue .The title of the album was inspired by the heading in The Dave Godin column in Blues And Soul magazine ,which really brought The Wheel nationwide attention .As well as a diet of ever rarer records served up by DJs like Brian Rae ,Brian Walker ,Phil Saxe ,Les Cockell and the already mentioned Brian Phillips ,the Wheel also played host to the top Soul acts of the day like Edwin Starr ,Junior Walker ,Ben E.King and Ike & Tina Turner .It’s great that a quality compilation like this has been released on the 60th anniversary of The Twisted Wheel , thanks to Richard Searling for the concept ,and Black America for the music .