Released in 1972, the sole document between Rochester, NY vocalists The Darling Dears and backing band Funky Heavy resulted in one of the most unique sweet soul 45s in existence. As original copies have been known to fetch $3000, it is getting the full reissue treatment from Now Again and Orivious Records, it’s inaugural release. It took seven years for Orivious founder David Griffith to track down the master tapes, which were officially licensed from the band; lacquers were cut directly from the original master, and test pressings were discarded until perfect sound quality was achieved. A true labor of love available now at the Stones Throw shop.

Darling Dears – I Don’t Think I’ll Ever Love Another by Now-Again Records

Darling Dears – And I Love You by Now-Again Records

Came across this great poster designed by Pop Chart Lab meticulously charting the expansive world of rap names. I haven’t studied the poster that closely yet, but the attention to detail here seems pretty impressive. You can order a copy here.

I’m trying something new for this post. I’ve been on a sweet soul kick as of late, and the sad reality with many of these records is that they’re just too damn expensive to ever realistically obtain. I’ve realized that YouTube is an indispensable resource for music lovers like myself, as there are many users who happily share some of their rarest records with people who would never have the opportunity to hear or see a copy in person. The internet, as much as it de-fetishes the physical object, seems like the next best thing.

So I’ve put together a YouTube playlist of some sweet sweet soul 45s that I’ve really been digging lately, and that I will hopefully cross paths with somewhere down the road. If you press play on the video above it will play the entire mix in sequence, or you can go directly to the playlist link and pick and choose as you please.

I’ve had a few mix ideas swirling around in my head the past few months, and for whatever reason this one came to fruition the quickest. In keeping with my interest in African music, this mix is dedicated to the “deeper” side of things. The term “deep” is a bit of an ambiguous term, but in my mind it can be used to describe music that possesses soul and spirit. It can have personal significance, not necessarily religious but sometimes so. In selecting tracks for this mix I choose songs that felt like they could be classified this way, staying away from things that were overtly funky or clearly had outside influences. Most importantly, none of these songs are sung in English. I realize that they could be singing about any damn thing, but hearing songs sung in one’s native tongue automatically gives it a “deep” quality, at least to my ears.

A pretty eclectic selection here. I know a bunch of these tracks are available on other mixes or comps, but there are definitely a handful that, as far as I know, are unavailable anywhere else. I had trouble culling the selection down, so you’ll find that this mix is a bit longer than usual. But if you’re into this sort of stuff that shouldn’t be a problem. This mix is 100% recorded form original vinyl, so pardon the crackle and enjoy!

Tracklisting
01. Cissé Abdoulaye – Jeunesse Wilila
from “Djo” b/w “Jeunesse Wilila”  (Disques CVD, 1977)
02. Sandwidi Pierre – Yamb Ne Y Capitale
from “Mam Ti Fou” b/w “Yamb Ne Y Capitale” (Disques CVD, 1977)
03. Sir Victor Uwaifo – Omoseruwa
from Ekassa (Philips, 1972)
04. Sextet Camayenne – Bâra
from “Bâra” b/w “Kanimba” (Editions Syliphone Conakry, 1974)
05. El Rego Et Ses Commandos De Cotonou – Do Do Baya
from “Djobime” b/w “Do Do Baya” (African Songs LTD, 197?)
06. Uppers Chapter Two – Samari Bolga
from “Walahi Talahi” b/w “Samari Bolga” (Polydor, 1976)
07. Uppers International – Dankasa
from “Dankasa” b/w “Neriba Lanchina” (Polydor, 1976)
08. Orchestre Poly Rythmo De Cotonou – Houe Towe Houn
from “Kou Nawo” b/w “Houe Towe Houn” (Albarika Store, 197?)
09. Nyame Bekyere – Broken Heart-Aunty Yaa-Omo Yaba
from Broken Heart (Essiebons, 197?)
10. Orchestre Anassoua Jazz De Parakou Dahomey – Norou
from “Norou” b/w “Saka Ne He” (Albarika Store, 197?)
11. Orchestre Les As du Benin – Baba Na Ayele
from Tropicana Souvenir (Philips, 1973)
12. Pedro Gnonnas Et Ses Panchos – Okpo Videa Bassouo
from “N’gbahanouo” b/w “Okpo Videa Bassouo” (Disques Tropiques, 197?)
13. Andy Vans – Dofo Nyi Ekyir
from Come Closer (Polydor, 1975)
14. Vis-A-Vis – Kankyema Ntoaso Ne Awadee
from Obi Agye Me Dofo (Makossa, 1977)
15. K Frimpong – Aboagyewaa
from K Frimpong Backed by Vis-A-Vis (Ofo Bros, 1978)
16. Cross River Nationale – Nyong Eyen Unen
from Self Titled (Anodisc, 1977)
17. Alex Konadu – W’awu Da Ho No
from Asaase Asa (Makossa, 1979)
18. Mamo Lagbema – Sind N’Bassa
from “Sind N’Bassa” b/w “Incomparable Maman” (Disques CVD, 197?)
19. Orchestre Les Volcans de Porto-Novo – Salou
from “Salou” b/w “Seda Nou Mindé” (Palais Du Disque, 197?)
20. Leon Keita – L’amour Ne S’achete Pas
from Self Titled (Papa Disco, 197?)
21. Edzayawa – Obuebee
from Projection One (EMI, 1973)
22. Orchestre National Les Volcans de la Gendarmerie Republique Populaire du Benin – La Benin Socialiste
from Self Titled (Les Volcans, 1976)

Bibleway: Thank You Lord and A New Song
From Tears (BWC, 1977)

I want to apologize for the lack of updates recently. For those of you that don’t know, my wife and I recently became parents to an amazing baby boy, so not surprisingly, most if not all of my energy has been spent away from the computer. As crazy as things are, I’m trying desperately not to let this site fall to the wayside, as I’ve seen many of my favorite blogs fall victim to. I still get excited coming up with post and mix ideas, which seems as good a sign as any to keep on going, so hopefully I’ll be able to contribute more regularly once things settle down a bit.

Just a quick post here highlighting one of my recent finds, a gospel record I picked up from Chris over at Groove Merchant a couple of weeks ago. Now, I’m not a gospel guy by any means – actually, I think the only other gospel record I own right now is the T.L. Barrett LP – but Chris threw this on for me when I was over at the shop and I immediately fell in love with the track “Thank You Lord.” Recorded in 1977 in Gary, Indiana, it’s kind of a mix between sweet and modern soul, and while the religious leanings aren’t really my thing, the music was enough for me to pick it up. As far as I know, this record is fairly under the radar so I wanted to post it up for anyone that may be into this kind of thing. Big thanks to Chris for putting me on to this record.

Hopefully this will tide you over for a little bit while I continue doing the daddy thing and pull records for my next mix, which should be really really good! Stay tuned….