Alexsubinas

What's new on Soul4Real? Two highly collectable EPs by two fabulous singers and songwriters. Arthur Alexander’s finest tracks from his 70s album are available on 7" for the first time. All of Tony Joe White’s tracks are originally unreleased. PRE-ORDER NOW FOR 13th October https://soul4real.es/shop/ ARTHUR ALEXANDER – RAINBOW ROAD / DOWN THE BACK ROADS / IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL / COME ALONG WITH ME (S4R55) Arthur Alexander was born in Florence, Alabama in 1940 and in his formative years listened to both Country and R&B radio stations, which influenced both his singing and songwriting style. Two of his first single releases on the Dot record label in 1962, the self-penned “Anna” and “You Better Move On”, spawned cover versions by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones respectively, which elevated his prominence in the music world. Further 45 rpm releases on Sound Stage Seven and Monument followed before he was signed to Warner Brothers in 1972. A self-titled album was released in the same year, produced by Tommy Cogbill in Memphis and recorded at American Sound. Although two singles were released from the album, none of the four tracks featured on this EP were. Here you will find a fabulous take on the much-loved “Rainbow Road” and three other gems. Arthur died from heart failure in 1993, but his legacy as a unique and individual artist will never be diminished. TONY JOE WHITE – THIS GUY´S IN LOVE WITH YOU / JUST LOOK AT YOU / KEEP ON MOVIN´ TRAIN / MISSISSIPPI DELTA (S4R54) The music of Goodwill, Louisiana’s “Swamp Fox” Tony Joe White always had soul at its core. A songwriter of timeless classics including “Rainy Night In Georgia” and “Polk Salad Annie”, TJW never shied away from ‘outside material’ that suited his style – as demonstrated by two of the four rarities in this Soul4Real release. Of the 400+ versions of Bacharach/David’s “This Guy’s In Love With You”, just ten preceded TJW’s upbeat treatment, cut at Memphis’ Lyn-Lou Studio in October 1968 along with his own “Keep A Movin’ Train” during his Continued album sessions. His gutbucket essay on Bobbie Gentry’s “Mississippi Delta” and another original “Just Look At You” were recorded in Paris during TJW’s 1969 European tour – although audibly they could have been tracked closer to home. These recordings waited 35+ years for release on a now-deleted CD boxed set. This EP presents their 7-inch vinyl debut. Between 1968 and his passing in October 2018, TJW released 16 studio albums. These rarities from his 60s Monument sessions are integral to that long-playing legacy…

10 unreleased Motown tracks from the late ’60s and ’70s, available on vinyl for the first time. 𝗩𝗔𝗥𝗜𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗦 - 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗘𝗘𝗣 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗙𝗜𝗘𝗗 (S4RLP07) PRE ORDER NOW for 15th September: https://soul4real.es/shop/ Satisfaction comes in many forms. When the magical word Motown is uttered, most people are hard-wired to The Four Tops, the Temptations and The Supremes. But to reduce Motown to the effervescent sixties is only part of the label’s remarkable legacy. By the 1970s, a different sound was gathering. America was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. The Vietnam War had been a disaster, urban street crime was epidemic and the nation’s college campuses were alive with political resistance. The joyful hope that had inspired “Baby Love” now felt anachronistic and out of time. The music industry was changing too. The vinyl pop single on 45rpm which had been the staple of Motown’s success was being challenged by concept albums. This was the era of Edwin Starr’s anti-war album War and Peace (1970), The Temptations mind-bending Psychedelic Shack (1970) and Marvin Gaye’s state-of-the-nation classic What’s Going On (1971). By the early 1970s Motown had a stable of male vocalists that was arguably the best in the world, among them former lead singers from The Temptations – David Ruffin, Dennis Edwards and Eddie Kendricks. Alongside them singer-producers like Leon Ware and Frank Wilson were asserting their presence. David Ruffin’s “Crime in the Street” captured the epidemic of violence in Detroit allowing his exquisite voice to quietly rage against gun crime. Recorded a few years before his underground classic “Rode by the Place”, both sound more modern today than when they were recorded. If there is a common thread here, it’s the mid-tempo shifting soul soon to be christened as “quiet storm” including groups on the margins of Motown such as The Originals and The Fantastic Four led by the impassioned “Sweet” James Epps. Just to keep you satisfied, immerse yourself in the overlooked creativity of Detroit’s male voices in the early 1970s. STUART COSGROVE

Two exciting new 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗔 𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 releases! PRE-ORDER NOW FOR 14th July https://soul4real.es/shop/ RESERVA ESPECIAL: SOUND STAGE 7 / SEVENTY-SEVEN (S4R48) S4R48 is dedicated to John Richbourg’s iconic labels, SOUND STAGE 7 and SEVENTY SEVEN, featuring the main man Joe Simon and the much-missed Ann Sexton on two album tracks available for the first time on 7”. Completing the EP are two originally unreleased tracks: Roscoe Shelton’s well-known Northern Soul classic "You’re the Dream", and another Southern Soul gem by Geater Davis. RESERVA ESPECIAL: MUSCLE SHOALS SOUND (S4R49) S4R49 focuses on the legendary Muscle Shoals Sound Studio and features four previously unreleased tracks: two by the wonderful Katie Love; a fabulous version of Phillip Mitchell’s "Hitch Hike to Heartbreak Road" by Curtis Wiggins; and an exquisite song from Sandra Wright’s lost session at the studio, written by George Jackson and recorded in January 1978—proof that the magic was still alive.

We launch the 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘢 𝘌𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 series with two EPs dedicated to Sam Cooke’s SAR Records and the Chess label (including its subsidiary, Cadet). The SAR EP shines a spotlight on the Womack family, initially known as the Womack Brothers before transitioning into R&B as The Valentinos. Three of the four tracks are originally unreleased, while the fourth is the Womack Brothers’ version of “Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray” (SAR 123)—a virtually impossible-to-find gem that predates “Looking For A Love” by a year. Thanks to Friendly Womack for his help on this project. The Chess/Cadet EP features songs by Laura Lee and Irma Thomas, recorded in the late ’60s at FAME Studios, along with some of the most sophisticated productions from Cadet, represented by Terry Callier. All tracks are originally unreleased and are making their debut on 7” vinyl. 𝗣𝗥𝗘-𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗙𝗢𝗥 20th JUNE https://soul4real.es/shop/ RESERVA ESPECIAL 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗦 / 𝗖𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗧 (S4R47) Terry Callier - Baby Take Your Time Irma Thomas - Let´s Do It Over Laura Lee - Sure As Sin Terry Callier - Lover (Where Have You Gone) RESERVA ESPECIAL 𝗦𝗔𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗦 (S4R51) Womack Brothers - Couldn´t Hear Nobody Pray The Valentinos - Put Me Down Easy The Valentinos - Rock In The Cradle Of Love The Valentinos - Don´t Go Away

What’s new on Soul4Real? S4R50 and JAR15 Two fantastic releases from Geater Davis (originally unreleased 70s recordings) and Lynn White, with all songs available for the first time on 7". Special thanks to Lula Toliver, widow of Geater Davis, for providing previously unseen photos for the cover. PRE-ORDER NOW FOR 13th MAY https://soul4real.es/shop/ GEATER DAVIS (S4R50) I´M SO IN LOVE WITH YOU / A WHOLE LOT OF MAN Here we have two slabs of hard-hitting southern soul. With their grit-infused vocals, tasty guitar and swelling horns, they should appeal to all who enjoy their soul with a touch of blues. Geater (pronounced JEE-ter) was born in East Texas as Vernon Davis in 1946, took childhood guitar lessons from T-Bone Walker, did stints as a sideman with Ted Taylor and Eddie Giles, and labored in Shreveport’s club scene before finding success with his first record, “Sweet Womans Love”, in 1970. He made the charts again in 1972 with “Your Heart Is So Cold” on John R’s Seventy 7 Records. The songs on this disc, unreleased at the time, are from Geater’s sessions for that label. Two modest hits provided years of one-nighters across the South, until the “disco crisis” (his words) dried up work for real musicians. He kept at it, though, in Jackson, Columbus, Little Rock and Dallas. Set for a career rebirth, Geater had studio time booked when his heart gave out at age 38. JEFF KUHN LYNN WHITE (JAR15) I DON´T KNOW WHY / IF I COULD OPEN UP MY HEART Lynn White hails from Mobile, AL and started singing at the age of six in her local church. She worked in Ike Darby’s record store where she would sing along to the sounds that were playing, and it wasn’t long before the owner decided to record her on his local label Darby Records in 1978 at the age of 25. Three singles and the highly collectable album “Am I Too Much Woman For You” ensued, but they didn’t bring much success to the label, which folded shortly afterwards. They did get married though. Her sultry bluesy Darby-penned/produced “I Don’t Ever Wanna See Your Face Again” was released in 1982 on another local label, Sho-Me Records, and it quickly came to the attention of Willie Mitchell, who signed her immediately to his Waylo imprint. A fruitful period followed with 7 albums and 12 singles released for the Memphis-based label during the rest of that decade. Her mid-paced “See You Later Bye” was a huge favourite with the modern soul scenes in Europe, and it was a pleasure to see White as part of Waylo’s A Memphis Soul Night – Live In Europe in 1990 when she appeared with Otis Clay, Ann Peebles and David Hudson, performing in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Berlin and London; each artist doing a solo spot then all four joining together for some rousing soul medleys. By now a Memphis resident, she switched to S.O.H. Distributions in 1990, which gave her more control of her output, and these two sides are from that period; “I Don’t Know Why” (1993), clearly her most popular track was only available as a 12” single, and featured the amazing but uncredited vocals of Farris Lanier Jr., who was lead singer of another Waylo act, Lanier & Co. Now very hard to find, this will be an eagerly awaited release as a 7” single. The flip is a gorgeous stepper written by George Jackson (previously recorded by Otis Clay) and from her CD only album The New Me (1990). White’s version just oozes with soul and makes for an essential double-sider. STEVE HOBBS

What's new on Soul4Real? S4R45 and S4R46. Two fantastic singles with 70s soul recordings by JOHNNY ADAMS and KIM TOLLIVER Thanks to Tomo for his kind help on the Kim Tolliver release Pre-order now for 14th March https://soul4real.es/shop/ JOHNNY ADAMS (S4R45) IT´S YOU BABY, ´IT´S YOU / THINK ABOUT YOU New Orleans has always spawned a potpourri of musical styles. Native Johnny Adams, fondly nicknamed "The Tan Canary" due to his multi-octave range, epitomised the soul/blues ballad genre. However, he is probably best remembered for his late 1960s country-oriented hits "Release Me" and "Reconsider Me", the latter of which demonstrated his stratospheric falsetto. Adams' recording career commenced a decade earlier on Joe Ruffino's Ric set-up, for which he released several 45s including "A Losing Battle", a Top 30 R&B chart entry. It culminated with a series of excellent Rounder albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including the much-acclaimed One Foot In The Blues. Pitched roughly in the middle period (late 70s) was a tenure with producer Senator Jones and his Hep' Me imprint. "It's You Baby, It's You", a horn-led mid-tempo swayer, and the beat-ballad 'Think About You", were originally unreleased tracks, only appearing on the US Ace compilation Greatest Performance in 1993. This soulful pairing now receives its debut release on a 7" single and is a most worthy addition to the Soul4Real canon. RAY ELLIS KIM TOLLIVER (S4R46) CAN´T GET INTO YOU / THE SHOW MUST GO ON Born outside Nashville in 1937, Kim Tolliver was a truly dynamic singer. Despite her long career, she never once enjoyed a hit release. Raised in Cleveland, Kim joined the Metrotones (1954) before establishing herself as a solo artist. By the early 60s, she was a major player on the Ohio club scene (Lou Ragland got his start in her band). Her first single, cut at Royal Studios in 1967, escaped on Sure-Shot. By 1975, further releases had followed on Rojac, Superheavy, Fantasy, Chess, Gar, Pathfinder and Castro but they didn´t sell well, her recordings only ever appearing in the USA, Venezuela and Spain. After working live with Sam & Dave, she relocated to Miami and quickly established herself there. In the 70s she secured bookings in Australasia and immediately impressed local audiences. On one visit to New Zealand (1979), Zodiac Records licensed some recordings and released “Can't Get Into You” / “He Touched Me” (Key K101). We've now coupled that 45's top side with “The Show Must Go On” (previously unreleased). JOHN SMITH

Glad to announce the first JAI ALAI compilation album, including four originally unreleased tracks by Earth Wind & Fire, Phyllis Hyman, Glenn Jones, and Gladys Knight and the Pips. VARIOUS ARTISTS "ONE MORE CHANCE" LP (JAI ALAI) SAMUEL JONATHAN JOHNSON - YOU EARTH, WIND & FIRE - CLUB FOOT Originally unissued Columbia recording GLENN JONES - SHARE MY LOVE Originally unissued RCA recording GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS - HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE Originally unissued Columbia recording ARETHA FRANKLIN - HERE WE GO AGAIN PHYLLIS HYMAN - FOREVER WITH YOU Originally unissued P.I.R. recording TYRONE DAVIS - NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU DON COVAY - RIGHT TIME FOR LOVE GARLAND GREEN - I KNOW WHAT LOVE IS THE DELLS - SOMEBODY´S GOTTA MOVE PRE ORDER NOW for 24th February www.soul4real.es Videos ONE MORE CHANCE (JARLP01) If you have been following the subsidiary label of Bilbao’s Soul4Real Records, you will know they have delivered fourteen singles over the last three years and now comes their first compilation. The album opens with the rarer 12” mix of Samuel Jonathan Johnson’s seventies disco funk offering, “You”. And if you thought you owned every track by Glenn Jones, Earth Wind & Fire and Gladys Knight & The Pips, all three will delight with previously unreleased recordings. It’s astonishing how the mid-pacer “Share My Love” was omitted from Glenn’s 1983 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘈 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘳. Indeed, who decided that Gladys’s “How Deep Is Your Love” should not make the final line-up of her 1985 set, 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦? As EWF’s “Club Foot” was not included on the 1983 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤 𝘜𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 album, it does make you wonder how many other unreleased gems could be unearthed from the Sony Music vaults. And then there’s Aretha…nothing more needs to be said! Side two opens with Phyllis Hyman’s joyous dancer “Forever With You”, recorded in 1991 (released posthumously in 1998 on her final CD of the same name) and where her hallmark vocals have never sounded better. There are also some spectacular downtempo moments; “Never Stopped Loving You” from Tyrone Davis, “Right Time For Love” from Don Covay, and Garland Green’s “I Know What Love Is” are long forgotten knee-tremblers that have always been out there, but many may have been missed. The album closes with the mighty Dells, clearly at their very best on the gorgeous Gamble & Huff penned and produced “Somebody’s Gotta Move”. Originally included in their 1992 set 𝘐 𝘚𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘦 𝘠𝘰𝘶, it was a CD-only release in the US and very hard to find on the Jamaican vinyl-only version. STEVE HOBBS