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With regard to the Great Expectations release on The Pheonix label. Besides the Nate Fortier connection there is also Tim Lawson and another more telling reference of Masterpiece on the label which all tie in nicely with the Sandy Golden 45. The plot thickens! But sadly the pot of Sandy Golden 45s is still pretty thin! Dave H.

Just a few points to throw into the pot There are a number of Masterpiece labels, one I believe is a reissue label, so IF Soussan was involved he may of copied one them? Baby Washington had something on Masterpiece as well not sure if same label though. The Masterpiece lettering typeface is similar to the Masterpiece label out of Greenville & Columbia South Carolina circa 1964, so back then it seemed the style was widespread. Sandy Goldens other known release on The Pheonix label is also a Nate Fortier item and is out of California so it might be safe to say the Masterpiece 45 is defo California based? As a footnote one release on Masterpiece (out of South Carolina) was The Confidentials with a release date 1964. This also came out on Mod Art in 1974 so a gap of 10 years and a different part (Chicago) of the USA,so it could well be that the backing track on Sandys release may well of had an updated production from its original and came from a different part of the USA for all we know. IMHO I think it's out of California and is an original pressing as more would of surfaced over time if it was a boot? As no other label has turned up with this track on you have to take the Masterpiece issue as an original first release whether SS was involved or not. I also think both her known releases are 1964/65 so before SS got involved and if the record was rare before he got too California he may never of come across one to boot in the first place. There will be a story behind it which will link it too it's rarity....... Perhaps using the backing track was unlicensed and the record pulled or indeed the label name itself being a clash with another established Masterpiece label and a law suit ensued?????. Just my thoughts Dave H.

Had the great pleasure of meeting Al in the early 90s at one of the Southport weekenders and had more than my fair share of time with him and he was more than happy to autograph items for me. All still safety here. Like so many artistes he was quite taken aback by the knowledge and passion the UK soul fans showed him. Another talented person joining that ever increasing list of artistes that are now gone but not forgotten. God has one hell of a choir up there! RIP Mr Johnson Dave H.

Another sad loss to our music and a very underrated artiste like so many. We only seem to really appreciate them when they are gone! RIP Al Dave Halsall

The 2 copies I got back in the early 90s were intact with no strike outs, while some that came through some dealer outlets had names and addresses struck out, nudge nudge wink wink. It may well be that after the release by Jade in 1983 spare copies with blacked out info were used or handed out????. Just a thought no defo info on that tangent!

Senior moment and then some , apologies!

Dave Just heard a cut from the Coalitions album this afternoon while in the office doing paperwork........well it stopped me in my tracks, had me wondering where I had heard this as it sounded so familiar and after a while thought why I have I not got this already.........then was informed its from the upcoming Coalitions album on Soul Junction Records. Put me down for a white demo signed by the group mate. You don't need me to say how good your taste is as the label bears witness to that Oh by the way spun the new JR Bailey track at Bilbao weekender as well as I blagged the only copy from your courier!!!! Dave H

Boba Thanks for that, as you say its possible, but being a "trainspotter" just wanted to tie down a release date to move things on from a definite start date. Cheers Dave

Both sides top releases, dropped the slower side into our duet set on the Friday afternoon session at the Bilbao weekender a couple of weeks ago and it went down well. Dave Halsall

John Hope you well mate Thanks for that will try and dig them out to see if its mentioned. Dave

Peter If it was 1980 begs the question as to how the A side "One down and you to go" got a Budweiser release, as I believed these releases were for newcomer winners of singing competitions? If this is the case then there's a 3 year gap between them, I wonder if they blagged it because the initial release on Kayo flopped? Might also account for the change in name to Jade. Dave

Hi Peter It's a year I'm after for defo as it's key to a couple of questions/answers I want to explore/solve. Do you know that it's defo 1980 release as I can't find anything that pins down the date, I had thoughts it could be as late as 1984/85, but again no definite info just bits and pieces like a jigsaw. Dave

Has anybody got any information as to what year this little beauty got released? There's nothing on the 45 itself and didn't want to guess at a release date? TIA Dave

Chalky Great stuff mate, those where the days you could write "new wants" on the back of flyers. Who bloody was responsible for printing both sides of flyers.....they should be hung! Nowadays with phones etc there's no need for pen and paper. Shit they'll be doing away with vinyl next!!,!,

Considering the content of this 45, The choice of label makes me wonder if the artist choose this by design or by accident without any thought to any connection with the war? He could of put it out on the Love label which would really of had me guessing! TMIB

Male Mr Jackie Wilson Curtis Mayfield Female Maxine Brown Gladys Knight I rest my case your honour! TMIB

Hi Had the same thoughts but never got the time. got a full set of Home of The Blues and all B&S issues up to around 700 all bound in my record room. Which over the years I have used as reference. Your welcome to have access or I can photocopy up charts from issues and send on to you if you want. Just pm me. Have loads of duplicate B&S and have moved a few on, i think 1 to 100 Dave Greet had a few years back and a spare set of H of the B Went too Japan via a dealer for 1k so they are pretty in demand. Got loads of soul fanzines as well which I must shift sometime .........it's just finding the time. The offers there if you want to take it up, or if you live local possibly pop round as this kind of book would be a project worth doing, subject to permissions etc. Dave Halsall

Mark Sad your leaving the Family mate hopefully we can carry on the banter when we bump into each other Here's looking up at you kid! Dave Halsall

Hi Flynny Yeah Im fine for my age mate hope your well and still swallowing up those white demos!!,!,!

Dave your right on the title mate , my mistake as I was looking at another copy of the same song by the same artist, have it also on the "Roaring 20s" label..........which beggars the question which came first as I haven't any info or other releases on Roaring20s. Is the Roaring a reissue or perhaps one of those Beach scene labels as it certainly looks like that type or indeed a very odd label title for this type of music? Any info on either would be another piece of the jigsaw in this life encompassing world of soul music record collecting.

Yeah Thanks guys the Electostats and Walter Washington releases are basically the ground stone of most info but nothing as to wether this is basically it or if there is more? The WW release is the tune and like loads of records you have owned for a while, its not till you play it out or nowadays CD it, that you really become aware how rare/obscure or better still,how lucky you are to own a copy that you realise what a gem you have! Like some of my pet labels, I tend to form a mental lightbulb on when I see them in the flesh or in print. Eventually , trying to keep a low profile in your world,(until you gleem all the available info on it ) reaches its limits and you have to start asking fellow collectors, dealers etc. but when those olive branches reach dead ends, its either give up or "let the cat out of the bag" as your secretive collecting mental status would put it. Must admit Chalky not heard of the James Booker? And that leaves you with a mental dilemma. Is it a rare/hard to find as the others? if so does that just compound your already frustrating collecting status or put a fresh spring in your step? Must admit James Booker...........sounds pretty damn interesting????.? ........ah well can't waste time here E chatting..records to find! See ya when I get back on. DAVE

Right the lets be having you as Delilah Smith would say Need info on the above label out of New Orleans..... Don't want the typical wise cracks due to the flooding, as this label was pretty obscure before that, and I don't usaully go public in looking for info or product , but phew this is a label that is beating this dinosaur! Only have 2 on the label and have at least 6 people looking for one of those releases which is becoming a bit popular among the deep/real soul crowd TIA Dave H

I don't know why I have never noticed this before, maybe it's because most labels when the 45 is spun around have to be spun the right way up to read the flip side. However, on one occasion recently ! I noticed that the reversed label is almost identical on axis to what's on the reverse side.i.e don't have to adjust the viewing axis to read it! This may be that my collection is virtually "infested" with misaligned labels, so was just wondering if A. Anybody has noticed this mis or perfect alignment? Or B. Have I a unique collection of mis aligned labels.............my pension fund relys on your answers. lol Unlike me you may not of noticed this anominly in your collection......feedback much appreciated In case your wondering the record in question is Eddie Holloway "smooching on your love" Dealers Choice TMIB

Steve Or even related to Rene Bailey? Dave H