Roburt

Was a very big record on the MS scene from the day it was originally released (over 24 years ago). Still has many fans & can fill the dance floor at events even now.

Some of the acts were given posthumous awards, whilst others were presented (the Temptations for instance) with their award ahead of time at a show they were undertaking. Family members accepted some awards on behalf of some singers who have passed (David Ruffin's family members being one such case). BUT, the awards are highly rated so the likes of Martha & Vandellas, the Dramatics & members of Enchantment + the Marvelettes traveled over from Detroit with others coming from different cities. Dazz Band, Sly, Slick & Wicked, Ohio Players & Hesitations members attended in person too.

A few pics from the ceremony (posted up on Facebook by S.S & W's John Wilson ............

I'm much rather listen to 100 'mid tempo magic' tracks than just one stompershite cut, but we're all different I guess.

Seems that some of the present cast are getting a bit restless & are wanting to move on. So the producers have organised 'open-casting' days at the NY theatre where the show is playing. Casting starts on Sept 13th. .. ALSO ....... a touring version of the show hits the (US) road next year. Casting for the folk who will appear in that will take place in Chicago (Oriental Theatre) on Sept 14th. Touring show is expected to open next April.

Label is of course from Gary Indiana ..............

. and this seems to come 2nd in popularity ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idbPdCTjrWQ There stuff seems to be really popular with collectors on the 'East LA soul scene' (the lowrider lot that put out all those bootleg CD's of obscure 60's soul cuts).

This track from the outfit seems to be their most popular on youtube ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hG4q7S_ke44 The track you're talkin bout forms the tuva side of this single. SHS book says this was a 1969 release.

Personally, I like (& buy) nearly all the Tom Moulton remix stuff. The originals are great to have (MUST-HAVES) but lots of the newer mixes add an additional dimension that is good to have as well. Tom will be involved in a 'slightly different' project in the near future ..... ........ an old skool / new skool thing on newly cut tracks that he will add his classic mixing skills to.

As you found it in Calif, probably a 12" remix version pressed up in limited quantities and sent out to a few select radio DJ's. If it had been played by a couple of those radio DJ's & it had taken off with their listeners, it would probably have gained a 'true release' as a Motown 12" Disco Single. The other side of the 45 ("Born Again" - 54285) was put out on a Motown 12" Disco single but it was coupled with "Tailgate" from 21st Creation (#0006).

Well it took Smokey a long time to come in on lead vocals so I guess he didn;t really want to sing the song. Daryl certainly did a good job at 'standing-in' for him. I certainly did 'enjoy it'. THANX for posting it up.

A new newspaper article on Swamp ...... the 1st Dogg on the Block ............ By Randall Roberts Los Angeles Times Pop Music Critic July 25, 2013, 11:08 a.m. Those not familiar with the iconoclastic soul artist Swamp Dogg might know him through his biggest hit, "Don't Take Her (She's All I've Got)," which hit the top five twice in the 1960s and '70s. If not for that, perhaps you've seen the singer, songwriter, producer, psychedelic soul music purveyor on some of the most surreal album covers of the 1970s. Dogg, born Jerry Williams Jr., also penned gems later recorded by Bob Dylan, Irma Thomas, Patti LaBelle and dozens of others. Williams will make a rare appearance at the Echo on Saturday night, where he’ll perform songs from throughout his career. The impetus? His tripped-out early 1970s albums “Total Destruction to Your Mind,” “Rat On!” and “Gag a Maggot” (the latter featuring a cover replete with Swamp's head floating amid a pile of garbage) have just been reissued by label Alive Naturalsound, bringing back to life work that combined lyrics about politics, race and psychedelia through frantic early 1970s soul. “Total Destruction,” in fact, was recorded at the legendary Muscle Shoals studios in Alabama, and its dozen songs are wild, singular gems. “Sitting on a corn flake, riding on a roller skate,” he sings to open the title track, a rollercoaster jam of wah-wah pedal, brass, humming organs and a choice break. Elsewhere on the album he offers stream-of-consciousness lines such as “Spirit dust your head color red/Sparkle your insides pink with pleasure/Waves splash, silver your sky” before moving into a series of “la la la” vocal melodies. “The World Beyond” is written about a time after the world has ended. “Tell me about the automobile,” sings Swamp. “How did it run, and what was a wheel?/Did children stand up all alone?/I think that you’re putting me on.” Some of the more out-there lyrics now sound dated, but the music stands up: This is serious soul music recorded by some masters of the genre. Though born in Virginia, Williams has lived in the Valley for decades, but seldom plays live. His gig at the Echo will be part of Jeremy Sole’s excellent regular event “Funky Sole,” and it offers a rare opportunity to witness an unsung master in a live setting.

BTW, no relation at all to the Detroit fella who ran a record label ........... https://www.discogs.com/label/Diamond+Jim

The Jap Sundazed comp CD ' Get Low Down' features 5 of his Sansu / Deesu cuts, including "Hurry Back To Me". Ain't got the CD though. Info on the P-Vine Jap LP ......... "Hurry Back To Me" also on that (+ 9 of his other cuts). https://www.discogs.com/Diamond-Joe-Willie-West-Moanin-Screamin/release/3005333

. AND ........ "Look Way Back" ........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yRFEgHIWHU

........ anuda .......... "Don't Send Me Back" ............ ....... one of his Sansu gems ........ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1tqp5kItB4

Here he is with "Help Yourself" .......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUAKU7mZHP0

I'm told that the B side to "Gossip Gossip" ("It Doesn’t Matter Anymore") is worth acquiring but don't think I've heard it ... "Gossip Gossip" ain't shabby either ........... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzWMFapIENU

Here's the two cuts included on the CD I posted a link to above. Diamond Joe with "Moanin & Screaming" ....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u80agStc-8w AND here's ... "Fair Play" ....... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cAyD4At8V0

There are a few bits on the net about the late Diamond Joe (Joseph Maryland) who started recording in New Orleans back in the very early 60's. His output on vinyl wasn't enormous but it was enough for a CD of his work from down the years (especially if any unissued tracks are lurking out there). I first became aware of his tracks when the 'Bell's Cellar of Soul -- Vol.1' LP was released here back in 1968. I instantly fell in love with "How to pick a winner" (I was partial to the Allen Touissaint NOla sound anyway). Apart from this lot ... https://funky16corners.com/?p=850 https://funky16corners.blogspot.co.uk/2005/05/diamond-joe-fair-play.html https://homeofthegroove.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/more-goodbyes-diamond-joe-solomon-burke.html https://desosquichante.blogspot.co.uk/2010/10/how-to-pick-winner-or-two.html ............ is there anything else on the net about him & his music career ?? Two of his earliest tracks were included on this CD package ....... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-Of-New-Orleans-1958-1962/dp/B00BTEAXOE/ref=pd_sim_m_h__4 ........... BUT I need more of his stuff (& don't want to splash the cash to get all the vinyl) ... ......... Were any otherwise 'unissued' cuts included on the Jap album that included his stuff ?? Here's the gem that is "Winner" ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm0NnNXWqT8

A Bob & Earl cut ("Don't Ever Leave Me") included on this new 2fer CD set ....... ... https://www.amazon.co.uk/Soul-The-West-Coast-Volume/dp/tracks/B00DQF1XBQ/ref=dp_tracks_all_2#disc_2

Howard Huntsberry also did a version (its a bit too dramatic for me) ...... https://www.whosampled.com/cover/54854/Howard-Huntsberry-Higher-and-Higher-Jackie-Wilson-(Your-Love-Keeps-Lifting-Me)-Higher-and-Higher/

As well as the 'secondhandsongs' web site, there's this one that plays the Beau Williams modern version off against Jackie's 1967 version. I really like many of the tracks that Beau cut down the years (lots with Johnny Pate & similar decent producers). His version of H&H is off one of his gospel LP's (as the backing vocals illustrate) .............. .. https://www.whosampled.com/cover/54849/Beau-Williams-Higher-and-Higher-Jackie-Wilson-(Your-Love-Keeps-Lifting-Me)-Higher-and-Higher/

A cut 'is pants' Bob means it's awful. And I go with you, a cover really is a quick copy done at the time of the original version to try to steal sales with a soundalike crap copy. Loads of UK beat bands did 'covers' in the 60's after white Yanks had done similar (to the 'black' original version) back in the 50's. A white version sold (as a R&R tune) coz it got played on all the US radio stns whereas the black original sold few coz no-one ever knew (back then) that it existed.

Kegsy, the only thing I can recall being 'hard to handle' is you old chap !! Off to 'Sandbanks' with Mr. Temple in just over two weeks ....... life can be 'hard to handle' at times.