Robbk

I'm sure that someone else took a copy of our tape and sped it up. When I heard that "new" version, it sounded like mine sped up a bit. THAT so-called "version", had nothing to do with the other two alternate takes. We heard at least 2 different vocal and instrumental versions in The Vaults, and neither of those 2 were the "Baby Have Mercy On Me" version, shown above.

I think that Sepe-Krasnow and Brooks were the owners or part owners of the Domain label.

I remember the Carol Slade coming out on Domain in very late 1962 or early 1963(the latter being more likely). Domain was nationally distributed by Rust (Laurie). I don't remember seeing a Domino pressing before 1964-65. That must have been The Domain people re-issuing it. They leased in to L.A.'s Highland in late 1963 or early 1964. Highland was distributed by Malynn. The Malynn re-issue was around 1966. So, if you have a Malynn pressing with a Monarch code from 1970, that must be a second Malynn re-issue of the Highland rights.

The Darrell Banks, J.J. Barnes, Roz Ryan all sound like they were recorded at United Sound, in Detroit (but, in 1967-69), The strings on William Bell, Johnny Taylor and other Stax/Volt artists sound like Detroit players (Detroit Symphony Orchestra players used by Motown/Golden World/Solid Hitbound). I'm sure all those Stax singers' vocals were recorded in Memphis. Maybe Don Davis recorded some Detroit artists' vocals in Memphis after 1969 (but, I don't follow '70s music). The Dynamics recorded in Tennessee before the end of the '60s (but that wasn't Don Davis). The Dramatics recorded in Memphis (maybe starting in 1969?-or was that 1970 or 1971?)

No! This was a 3rd different take. Ours had a different vocal, and the instrumental was different as well. I remember hearing 3 different takes on this song, with 3 different instrumental recordings (not just different mixes). Unfortunately, I'm in Denmark now, away from my records and tapes, so I can't play it. But Rod (ModernSoulSucks) should be able to play his original tape, and see which version we chose.

That wasa different acetate. We had a standard 7 inch Jobete Music 45 rpm acetate. This was an alternate take (done, I Believe, a little later than the one we found.

The acetate we had was a Jobete Music ownership reference acetate with no artist listed. It had a cream-coloured label, which only had "Suspicion" written on it in red ink from a typewriter. "Our version", was different from the recording now available on You-Tube. I believe our take was a nicer version (tighter- with better vocal and better instrumental mix.

I don't think that was their biggest seller ("Their greatest hit").

Nope! Bought both white DJ and store stocker of "Sandra" in 10 cent bins, and That Dubs' record in a 3 for a Dollar bin, within one year of their releases.

I seem to remember Rick Gianatos being a member of this forum, and making a few posts here and there, he was one of our main producers and arrangers, and half-owner of Altair Records (which he continued after Tom died and Airwave was over). He could answer a lot of your questions. Maybe he'S STILL LOOKING IN HERE?

Ha! Ha! -And I thought you were a lot younger than I!

It got a LOT of sales in Germany and Belgium, as well. It was our biggest seller, by far. Maybe Mel Carter's "Love Test" was 2nd, with its UK sales. But the only money we ever saw was the original rights lease upfront payment.

Yes, it does bring up a lot of memories. Unfortunately, I can't help with who ran UK Airwave. That happened after I left Airwave in late 1984. We had acontact in London, whom I visited, trying to market Mel Carter's Love Test, Linda Kendrick and a few others in 1983. But we didn't finish a deal. Tom DePierro was already suffering a lot from his cancer by late 1984, so it may have been Terry Brown, who made the deal with the British lessee.

Not if he's from USA.

The Soul Walking blurb doesn't mention the Columbia release before Cameo, but it also doesn't mention that Gamble had a contract with Columbia. So, the jury is still out.

Yes you CAN blame the seller. He KNEW it was pressed at Monarch in the mid '70s, and that the original was a mid '60s release. He SHOULD have stated that it was a re-release. Further, he emphasized the NR as Nashville Matrix, to IMPLY that providing this information PROVES it was an original pressing. That is FRAUD, pure and simple. When one is selling something, IF he knows it is not an original, it is his duty to say so. I can't believe that this experienced dealer really thought it was an original mid '60s release.

Upon listening to The Romeos' 45 once again, it's clear that Kenny Gamble is not on lead. So it is either Gamble's Romeos with another lead, or without him altogether, or another group entirely. I don't remember where I read it or heard that, so I can't say for sure that the source was reliable.

I've read that those are Kenny Gamble's Romeos. Gamble had a contract with Columbia. He had a minor decent seller: "No Mail On Monday"-Which I like very much.

That's right. No relation whatsoever.

The older Derby label was located in New York, and had mostly R&B and Doo Wop and a little Pop and Jazz on it. The later Derby was a subsidiary of Sam Cooke and JW Alexander's SAR Records. It has some nice records on it in addition to Mel Carter and Johnny Taylor. It was located in L.A., and ran in the early to mid '60s.

Hildale Music was the publisher of Dorothy Pierce's (man she fronted) labels (Hi-Lite/REM/Pillar). As far as I know, Raldo never released a Hildale song. The Elites appearing on Hi-Lite and Raldo, and Pat Meehan appearing on both, are the only real connections. But Meehan was a free-lance songwriter, so that is a tenuous connection. From what we have so far, I'd guess that Raldo had a different owner and chief producer from that of the Hildale labels. I don't think they were any more connected than any other 2 Detroit record companies during 1962-64.

Sorry! I meant Elites on Hi-Lite, rather than REM.

Does anyone have any other Raldo records, so we can find out if there are any connections to Hi-Lite/REM/Pillar?

I was around in Chicago and Detroit in the mid '60s, and never saw that record, or that label. I'd guess it is a bootleg. Those Clifton Records were probably pressed in the late '70s, so the Like It Is record may have been pressed then, as well.

Yes. Please DO ask her if she remembers The Andantes singing background on "I've Got A Right To Cry". That will help us a lot. Also, ask her if she's ever heard of a song or instrumental track titled "Lead Me Guide Me". Ask her if she knows if The Velvelettes or another group (or La Brenda Ben) sang it.