Hot Soul & Cool Jazz Lightly Browned, On The Funk Side

2011-12-24T15:43:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas from Santa's Helpers.

Mad Mike And Northern Soul Collection Bought

2011-10-09T10:36:00.000-07:00

Last Week I bought a collection of 45's off a DJ that quit sixteen years ago and had these 2,500 singles sitting around. I went and looked them over I only had to look at around three hundred to know I wanted them. Out of the collection I pulled about 400 hundred. The other I will put into storage. There was alot of 1970's and 80's dance music, over 400 picture sleeves stuff like Micahael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, and hair bands amoung other dance music. I was happy when I saw several Mad Mike singles, like Ronnie Cook (The Goo Goo Muck), Swamp Rats (Louie Louie), and (Red Rose Tea) on Gink records. I found lots of Motown and Northern soul Like a sweet copy of (I'm On The Out side Looking In)by Eddie Holland on a white label promo Motown 1049. Another almost impossible record to find was The Enchantments doing (I'm In Love With With Your Daughter) on Faro 620 promo. One record that I forgot about was (I Can't Believe You Love Me) by the Ambassadors on Arctic 147, I love this song great tune. I made a video you see some of the records that I got.

The records that I bought varied in condition from VG- to M- they all seemed to play with no real problems, several were cracked, and a few were warped.
Here is some of the other gems that were in this find.
Julian Covay & The Machine-A Little Bit Hurt Philips 40505 .....rocker.
Earl Gains-I Have Loved And I have Lived HBR 510...northern.
Baby Earl & The Trini-Dads-Back Slop....Mad Mike.
Cobras-Restless Stax 148.....Mad Mike rocker.
Johnny Daye-I Need Somebody Stax 238....northern
Atlantics-Heartburn Amon 90590.....Mad Mike
Mad Mike & The Maniacs-The Hunch LEO 504....Mad Mike (reissue)
Ella Fitzgerald-Can't Buy Me Love Verve 10234....northern (Beatles Cover)
Bobby Newton-When The World's At Peace Atlantic 2992 promo
Roy Lee Johnson-Boogaloo #3 Josie 965....funk
Garry & Larry-Garlic Bread Goliath 600....Mad Mike
Thats just to name a few I will be show casing these and others in the near future.

Collecting Singles On The Enrica Label

2011-10-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

There are a few collectable singles on the Enrica label. One artist well known is Screamin' Jay Hawkins he had one single titled (Just Don't Care) killer tune, backed by (I hear Voices) on Enrica 1010. It's not the highest priced but the one that I like the most out of the four records at $26.00 to $48.00.

James Dee & A Piece Of The Action & The Primettes sing (Jealous Over Love) very nice northern soul tune, backed by (My Pride). Enrica 1020 it being the most sought after selling at around $150.00.

The next two I have in my collection Freddie Scott & The Symphonics singing (A Blessing To You) and (Come On Honey) both are nice songs but neither will bring the house down with stomping and dancing. The single is on Enrica 1002 it sells for $15.00 or less.

The fourth is by group that goes by The Butanes With Teddy McRae singing (Don't Forget I Love You) this song is hard to tag its a doowop sounding with soulful vocals, backed by (That's My Desire) another old doowop makeover. Never the less it's hot and in demand at the moment, selling around $25.00 to $50.00.

Oddell Brown And The Rest Of The Records That I found This Weekend

2011-09-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

I was doing a lot of running around this weekend and found some very cool and very collectable records. The first one I have had for a few years, the reason I am adding this one is that I found a good bit of funk records, and I have never seen another copy of it any place. It Joni Wilsons Debonairs-The Holly Lynn / Secret Love on Fenway 1712. I am not even sure if this is 1960's or 70's. Here it is any of you got there know this record please let me know.

Next I made a movie with music of some of the record that I found all this weekend. Some really nice funky organ playing and some great northern soul. One of my finds was sharon Soul-How Can I get To You / Don't Say Goodbye Love on Wild deuce 1001 that is one hard puppy to find. Another great northern soul 45 I found was Ola V. harper-I wanna Weep / Resisting on Jewel 797 promo in M- condition. One of the cool funk records I found was (Groove thang) by Jr. Walker and The All Stars on Soul 35097 promo M- as well. Here is the video i hope you enjoy it......happy Hunting.

The Obscure Donald Hines

2011-09-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have had these two Donald Hines singles in my record collection for many many years. I like the sound on both 45's one is a very swinging R&B tune titled (Baby, Tell It Like It Is) with sax and guitar. The other (You Had To Pay) is much more bluesy and moody. From my research there is very little to report. Hines seems to be packed away in collectors attics or in there one dollar box. I looked on allmusic all they had was his name and he was an R&B singer. no blogs have anything on him. There is one 45 for sale on ebay for $12.00. Hines had three singles on the Hi record label Hi 2043 Baby, Tell It Like It Is / I'm So Glad, Hi 2056 Stormy Monday Blues / Please Accept, and Hi 2068 You Had To Pay / Trouble Is My Name recorded in 1962-1963. I uploaded my two singles on Youtube so everyone can hear what they have been missing. Hines had another single on Starmaker 1001 Going Crazy in an old price guide I have prices it at $50.00 to $60.00. I have never seen a copy of this record or for that matter one that was up for sale. I hope my two videos inspire you to dig out your copies of these gems and put them on your collection between Z.Z. Hill and Joe Hinton.........Happy Hunting.

Jamie Coe & The Gigolo's

2011-09-09T16:12:00.000-07:00

Jamie Coe had several singles as a solo artist and some with the Gigolo's. He has the sound of Bobby Darin & Elvis and why not he was around singing at the same time and influenced by them. Bobby Darin liked him and when he started his own label Addison he put Coe on his first release Summer Time Symphony on Addison 15001. It's a great up beat rocker written by Darin. The affair was short lived, as Coe found other labels to recorded on. He released a single on Big Top 3107 (Cleopatra / But Yesterday) which is his most sought after record that sells between $70.00 & $110.oo. To be honest I have never heard of Coe until last weekend when I bought one of his 45's called The Dealer / Close Your Eyes on Reprise 0295 as: Jamie Coe & The Gigolo's. At first I thought it may be Jamie Coe & His Gay Cats Of Ryhthm and old R&B group from the early 1950's, but it was not. On The up side its a killer instrumental with a hard blowing sax and guitar to move and groove you along. It was released in 1964 as was the same song on Enterprise 5005. The Enterprise single sells for around $30.00 I can't find out nothing on the Reprise single as what it's worth. Coe had another single on Enterprise 5055 (I Was The One / Good Enough For A King) it sells around $30.00.

Freddy King Heads Up And Betty Harris Mo Jo Hannah

2011-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

I have got a brand new Lenovo laptop PC with Mircosoft word where I can make videos. Also I bought a Nikon Coolpix 14.0 camera that takes fantastic pictures. I have been playing around with it trying new things. I have put three videos on Youtube, I have been searching for songs that no one has did yet, it's not an easy task. Here is two I want to share with you. Betty Harris singing Mo Jo Hannah on Jubilee records, and Freddy King doing Heads Up on Federal 12443. I hope you enjoy them both.

J.D. The D.J. Jim Dudas In Memoriam

2011-09-03T12:48:00.000-07:00

On August 22, 2011 Jim passed away after having health problems over the past year. I knew Jim for about twenty years. We did lose contact for the past nine years or so. Long ago he owned a small record shop called The Atic II in Charleroi Pa. That is where I first met him. We became good friends I used to go with Jim Once in a while and help him DJ just for kicks. I bought many, many 45's from jim, even after he closed his record shop I would go to his home and buy records. Jim taught me that a great record does not have to be worth a thousand dollars, he would always steer me in the right direction, I was pretty green back in those days. I use to make some pretty bad trades in my younger days for instance swapping a mint Poets-Wrapped Around Your Finger on J-2 records for a Little Milton single on Jewel. He interduced me to groups like The Apollos-Mr. Creator, Smokey & His Sister, Johnny Barfield and His Men Of Soul, he was the king of Mad Mike singles. In fact he went out of his way to find out what some of my records were worth to help me out. For years he hosted the radio show called Mon Valley Memories, when he converted to CD's I bought his collection from him. You will be missed Jim. (On a personal notes why his death is a little hard for me is that my father passed away on August 22 also, eleven years ago.)
He had a great love for oldies and doowop here is one of his favorites.

Johnny Beecher AKA Plas Johnson

2011-09-02T11:43:00.000-07:00

Johnny Beecher better known as Plas Johnson has some very sweet sax music under Beecher. His beecher recordings seem to go by un-noticed and can be bought for very little money. His styles vary from blues, R&B, and hardbop. He worked with Johnny Otis and Charles Brown, and he recorded on labels such as Tampa, Score, Capitol, Ava, and Concord. Around the Pittsburgh area where I live Beecher's (Sax Fifth Ave) was played a lot by the local DJ's and can be found on Charter records as well as Astra 1019 (a local Pittsburgh labe)l. Beecher put out two LP's on the Charter label one being (Sax 5th Ave) catalog 102 with 12 slow misty tunes made to put your mind at ease and carry you off to slumber land. I think you get the geist of the tempo. The record is very easy going and I find it relaxing, not for the mosh pit crowd.

Sax 5th Ave on the Astra label pressed on green wax

Here is a nude cover copy of Beecher's Sax 5th Ave from Japan that is quite rare and hard to find.

As Plas Johnson (Beecher) has this single on Capitol 4251 that is much in demand by the northern soul collector and is worth aound $80.00 in near mint condition. It's a smoking instrumental, listen.

Richard Hayman Voodoo And A Game Called Bewitch

2011-07-31T15:36:00.000-07:00

I have had this Richard Hayman LP Voodoo for several years. He seems to be one of the pioneers of Erotic easy listening with a trippy sound in living stereo. The LP Voodoo is one of his harder to find my copy is in near mint condition. Today I was at the local flea market and ran across this board game called bewitch made by Selchow & Righter in 1964 and it is very hard to find as well. I will be honest I have not had the time to read the instructions. It a game of mind reading, what will be better than playing this game and listening to Voodoo at the same time........Happy Hunting.

Johnny Daye I've Got Soul

2011-07-23T11:59:00.000-07:00

Johnny Daye Pittsburgh breed blue eyed soul singer, (not really he looks to have brown eyes). He was a white singer discovered by Otis Redding where he took Daye to Stax records. He only recorded two singles for Stax Stay Baby Stay and the flip I Love Love, and What'll I Do For Satisfaction / I Need Somebody. The bigwigs at Stax and Redding liked Daye but after Otis Redding died so did Daye's recording career with Stax. He recorded on Jomada, Parkway, and Blue Star from 1965 to 1968 with six records to his credit.

Here is his six record discography and some of the prices they bringing.

I'll keep on loving you / One of these days - Blue Star 230 $50.00 to $90.00

Marry me / Give me back my ring - Jomada M600 * 1965

Good time / I've got soul - Jomada - M603 * 1966 $30.00

A lot of progress / You're on top - Parkway 119 * 1967

What'll I do for satisfaction / I need somebody - Stax 238 * 1968

Stay baby stay / I love love - Stax 0004 * 1968

Is Ebay Big Brother??????????

2011-07-20T15:29:00.000-07:00

I went on my ebay account this afternoon I am selling 8 items and last month I only sold a few records. I get this message saying that I can only sell twenty items or $500.00 which ever comes first. Or you could upgrade your selling account. I am getting ahead of myself I have 100% positive feed backs with a high rating. I clicked on the area where you can up grade your account to sell more items. First it said they can call you, and you give a four number pin or 2. you can answer four questions. I picked to answer the questions. My account is in my girlfriends name, which it had all that info, Question 1 was I guess to throw you off track, it asked where did someone that I have never heard of lived and it gave you one place close to where I live, and two in eastern Pa which is miles from here, the fourth option was (you had never heard of this person) that is what I picked. Question 2 It asked where does my girlfriends ex-mother in law live by her married name, ok my question is, how the hell do they even know that they are related? The state was Florida were she lives. Question 3 Which street did my girlfriend live on at one time again we got that right, but again where did they get this info? Question 4 which of these corporations where you ever associated with, and again we got it right where she use to work. I have no clue how they got this information from, makes me wonder maybe than George Orwell had it pegged that BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU.

There's Solid Gold Soul on Fraternity Records

2011-07-17T16:21:00.000-07:00

Fraternity records has went from doo-wop, rock, rock-a-billy, soul, modern soul, garage and northern soul. I have over looked this record label for many years. Most of the records I have found been groups like The Casinos, 2 Of Clubs, Lonnie Mack, and Cathy Carr, which bring low to modest prices. To my surprise their are some rare and high priced gems on this label. I have comprised a discography and price for some of the better soul and funk records. Here is some of the best singles on the label.

Fraternity
3430 S.j. & Friends-This Song / Woodey Wopin' .........$500.00
1001 Imaginations-Strange Neighborhood promo......$500.00
3422 Manzel-Midnight Theme / Sugar Dreams............$465.00
3401 Manzel-Space Funk / Jump Street.......................$282.00
3450 Saturn Symphony Orch.-Capricorn Flight / Sugar Dreams.....$203.00
376 I.C. Hot-Do You Want My Love / Love Calculator.....$130.00
3511 Touche-Only Dance / Hypnotic State...................$100.00
3373 Westbound Freeway-Right Or Wrong / Jamaican Man.....$90.00
3461 Gerald Brown-Good Morning Sun / I'm Gonna Wear A Smile...$83.00
1008 Bill Locke-Someone To take Your Place..............$69.00
1002 Albert Washington & The Kings-I'm The Man / These Arms Of Mine...$77.00

The Real Barbara McNair Motown 1968

2011-07-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

I have had this promo LP of Barbara McNair titled The Real Barbara McNair, on Motown 680 in my collection for some time it was recorded in 1968. To honest I have not listened to it for many months, so I did this morning. The first thing that I noticed on the first listen was she did a lot of standards such as The Supremes "I Hear A Symphony", The Marvelettes "The Hunter Gets Captured By The Game" which she does a very good job on both tunes. There are two songs that seems to be last minute throw-ins "You Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" and "What Now My Love" (this is the weakest song on the LP). Then comes the classic northern soul sound that you can't find on 45rpm records by McNair, "Just One Teardrop", "It Happens Every Time", and "If You Can Want". My favorite on the LP was done by Mary Wells and Brenda Holloway "When I'm Gone" McNair makes it sound like a classic northern soul tune, outstanding job this LP is well worth having in your collection it sells between $30.00 & $50.00.

More on Mcnair she is even better know for being an actress than a singer. She appeared in many TV shows such as, I Spy, Hogan's Hero's, Dr.Kildare, The Eleventh Hour, among others. She also was in several major motion pictures like, They Call Me Mr.Tibbs, Spencer's Mountain, Change Of Habit w/ Elvis, Venus In Furs, and others. Beauty and a voice what more can you ask for.

I have not covered her singles she has many that are very collectable and worth nice money. Here is some of the labels she recorded on, Roulette, Signature, Motown, KC, and Coral................Happy Hunting.

Jimmy Shaw Aka Hannibal, King Hannibal, Mighty Hannibal

2011-07-02T16:08:00.000-07:00

Jimmy Shaw grew up in Atlanta Georgia where he first started singing in doowop groups back in 1954. His first solo single was done under his real name Jimmy Shaw "Big Chief Hug-Um An' Kiss-Um" and the flip was " Take A Chance On Me" on the Concept label. He had a few other releases under his name as well, "The Biggest Cry" and "I Need A Woman (Cause I'm A Man)" (these labels I am not sure of). He worked with the likes of Johnny Otis, and he was in a group with H.B. Barnum and Jimmy Norman, he was friends with Johnny "Guitar" Watson, and Larry Williams suggested that he used the pen name "Hannibal" which he did adding a front name to it time from time. He cut four singles on the King record label and was working as a pimp. Soon after King records dropped him from the label. He returned to Atlanta and was recruited as the front man by Dennis St. John And The Cardinals, who backed Tommy Roe for one concert. The Vietnam war was going in full force and Hannibal wrote a few songs about it after he saw on the evening news how many of the soldiers were coming home addicted to heroin and opium he wrote "Hymn No.5" and "I'm Coming Home". He was fighting his own addictions and failed to pay his taxes were he served 18 months in prison. He started his new career as King Hannibal in the 1970 and recorded on the Aware label.

After some time of researching I'm attempting to put together a discography on Hannibal. I am sure this is no where complete he seemed to have recorded for many labels. Here it goes with with I have found and some the prices his records are bringing.

As Jimmy Shaw
Concept 100 Big Chief Hug-Um An' Kiss-Um / Take A Chance ...$25.00
Imperial 5603 Big Chief Hug-Um An' Kiss-Um / Take A Chance..$48.00

As Hannibal
King 5837 My Kinda Girl / I'm Alone.....................$303.00 stock copy
SAME...............................................PROMO.........$131.00
King 5780 The Door Is Still Open / Help Me.........$25.00
King 5706 I Think We Met Before.........................$
Pan World 517 Love Is Funny / Please Take A Chance On Me....$25.00
Pan World 521 Sputnik 69 / Mother Goose Break Loose.............$
Pan World 523 Fall In Love With Me / My Name Is Hannibal.....$
Sue 751 The Biggest Cry / I Need A Woman..................$50.00
Venture 636 I'm Your Man / I'm Getting Ready..............$25.00

As King Hannibal
Aware 027 It's What You Do / The Truth Shall Set You Free....$15.00
Aware 032 The Party Life / Wake Up................$15.00
Miracle 1001 Rerun / ?......................................$75.00
Aware 1001 Truth LP..........................................$30.00

As Mighty Hannibal
Decca 31867 Jerkin' The Dog / I Found A Way.......$40.00
Josie 964 Fishin' Pole / Hymn No.5............................$10.00
Josie 977 Trying To Make It Thru / Shame Shame....$10.00
Loma 2093 Get In The Groove / Somebody In The World For You.....$
Loma 2102 Good Time / I Just Want Some Love.......$30.00
Kent 397 I'll Come Back To You / Sing-A-Long w/Hannibal.....$15.00
Romack I'll Come Back To You / ?..........$
Surefine 011 Jerkin' The Dog / I Found A Way...........$30.00
Surefine 021 Fishin' Pole / Hymn No.5..........................$25.00

Johnnie Taylor Full Discography

2011-07-01T13:48:00.000-07:00

A complete discography of Johnnie Taylor singles & LP's

Get it here -----> http://www.melingo.com/thesoulnet/jt.htm

Wilmer Alexander Jr. And The Dukes, A Soul Aphrodisiac

2011-07-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

The band originated in 1957 in Geneva, New York, formed by Wilmer Alexander Jr. The band played most of the black clubs that shocked many of the people that came to see them play. Alexander was the only black member of the band all the other members were white. They were primarily a short lived cover band doing songs by The Steve Miller Band to the Rolling Stones. The band was saxophone based much like Junior Walker And The All-Stars. Some of their songs sounded a lot like the All-Stars. One of their most popular covers was Lee Dorsey's "Get Out Of My Life Woman". The bands first single was "Give Me One More Chance" where it was popular in New York and eastern Pennsylvania, nationally the single only peaked at #78 in Cash Box and #80 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Their second single titled "Heavy Time" failed to make the charts. However the B side a Rolling Stones cover "I'm Free" did get airplay in Syracuse & Rodchester made their top 30 hit list. The band did have one LP titled (Wilmer And The Dukes) on Aphrodisiac 6001 released in 1969. The LP consisted of ten songs including Give Me One More Chance, Get Out Of My Life Woman, Get It, and Living In The U.S.A. The song on the record is St. James Infirmary, I have always liked this song by other artists like Joanah Jones, this was the first time that I got to hear it done by The Dukes I was very impressed well done. (By the way this LP is out on CD it can be downloaded off Legal Sounds for 90 cents)

Here is a discography and some of the prices there records are bringing.
Aphrodisiac 6001 LP Wilmer And The Dukes.........$30.00 to $50.00
Aphrodisiac 260 Give Me One More Chane / Get It...$27.00 promo
(stock copies of above single sell for under $10.00)
Aphrodisiac 262 Living In The U.S.A. / Count On Me...$10.00

Collecting Notes On The Persians More than One Group

2011-06-27T13:22:00.000-07:00

As far as I can tell there are at least three soul groups that used the name the Persians. I have looked in several record guides and here on the net. And still its had to pinpoint what record goes with what group. So I divided them into Two Parts (Persians 1 & Persians 2) I hope this helps you out there in the collecting trenches.

Persians 1 dates from 1962-63 here is a discography and prices the singles are bringing in better conditions.

1962 Gold Eagle 1813 Love Me Tonight.........$90.00
1962 RSVP 114 Tears Of Love......................$ ?
1962 RTO 100 Sunday Kind Of Love..............$ ?
1963 Gold Disc 1 Teardrops Are Falling..........$10.00
1963 Gold Disc 17 When You Said Let's Get Married...$45.00
1963 Music World 102 Let's Get Married.........$40.00
1963 Pageant 601 Steady Kind......................$40.00
1963 Sir Rah 501 Don't Let Me Down.............$

Persians 2 1968-1972
1968 ABC 11087 Too Much Pride......$15.00
1969-70 GWP 509 I Don't Know How (To Fall Out Of Love)...$20.00
1970 Grapevine 201 I Can't Take It Anymore .....$27.00
1971-72 Capitol 3230, 3333, 3414, 6569.....$8.00 to $25.00

The GWP single I don't Know How (To Fall Out Of Love) is another one of my all time favorite songs.

Gloria Lynne Two Records That You Need In Your Northern Soul Collection

2011-06-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Gloria Lynne is best known for being a jazz vocalist. In 1961 she did an answer song to Gene McDaniels-Tower Of Strength on the Everest label, where she recorded many many jazz recordings. With this one Northern soul gem. So here is the short list, that you need for your collection.

Everest 19428 You Don't Have To Be A Tower of Strength / I Will Follow You 1961 ........sell around $75.00 (I love this song, one of my all time favorites)

Fontana 1538 Speaking Of Happiness / Sometimes It Be's That Way 1966........sell around $25.00 (this comes with a bonus the B side is very good as well)

The Soulful Jaggerz On Gamble Records

2011-06-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was at the local flea market and spotted a boxful of paper advertising among this was several promo photos of the Jaggerz. I bought these along with some other non music related items. The first photo showed the group appearing at the Sunken Bar, Geneva on the Lake, Ohio. Fourth of July to Labor Day.

A nice 8 x 11 Photo of the band swinging in concert, sporting their white tux's.

A small 4 x 5 group photo more than likely a fan mail in picture.

I like this 8 x 11 photo the best a very Beatles looking band, showing off their instruments. in the corner it's signed (Best wishes The Jaggers) notice (s) not a (z).

In 1969 (Introducing The Jaggerz) was released on Gamble SG 5006. The cover is misleading it looks very psychedelic but on the inside of the cover on the wax is some very soulful crossover recordings. Here are the tracks (*) means most sought after by the northern soul collector. 1. Gotta Find My Way Back Home, 2.* (That's Why) Baby I Love You, 3.Give A Little, 4. What Now My Love, 5. Higher & Higher, 6. Forever Together, Together-Forever, side B 1.* Let Me Be Your man, 2. * Bring It Back, 3. * Here's A Heart, 4. Ain't No Sun, 5. * Need Your Love, 6. * Together. There's not a bad song on the record. It sells between $35.00 & $100.00 depending on condition and the buyers mood.

Stanley Turrentine The CTI Years Four Of His Best 1970-73

2011-06-26T08:20:00.000-07:00

Stanley Turrentine recorded several LP's on the CTI label four of his best recordings came in 1970 to 1973. Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh Pa. in 1934. He began his career playing for various R&B bands, Illinois Jacquet was a huge influence Stanley. He played with the likes of Lowell Fulsom, Ray Charles, Earl Bostic, Jimmy Smith, Max Roach, where he met Shirley Scott an organist the woman in ended up marring and divorced. In 1970 he released four soulful / jazz recordings with a host of stars. His first was titled "Sugar" CTI 6005 that featured Ron Carter-bass, Billy Kaye-drums, Lonnie L. Smith-electric piano, Butch Cornell-organ, George Benson-guitar, Freddie Hubbard-trumpet, and Stanley on tenor sax. Three songs appear on the recording, Sugar, Sunshine Alley, and Impressions, there is a CD that features a live version of Sugar that is 13:32 long on the LP it's 10:00 long. The All Music Guide gives this record 4 1/2 stars. 1971 he released "Salt Song" CTI 8008 very soulful and mellow. Turrentine's sax playing is right on the mark, on guitar is Eric Gale he plays with soulful precision, not to forget the outstanding organ playing Eumir Deodato. The first three songs blow you away, Gibralter, I Told Jesus, Salt Song. This record may be the best of the four All Music Guide gives it 4 stars. 1972 he released "Cherry" CTI 6017 with Milt Jackson on vibes, this is mixed bag of songs AMG gives it 4 stars, Last but not least is "Don't Mess With Mr.T" CTI 6030 and it came in Quadraphonic stereo. Bob James-keyboards, Idris Muhammad-drums, Ron Carter-bass, Eric Gale-guitar, Pepper Adams & Joe Ferrell-sax among many others. Four very cool songs The title song: Don't Mess With Mister T., Two For T, Too Blue, & I Could Never Repay Your Love all well executed songs. Here is the best part all four of these LP's you can buy for under $10.00, so if you are looking for a soulful / jazz collection this is a great start....................Happy Hunting.

Chris Clark (White Negress) Of Soul

2011-06-19T09:17:00.000-07:00

Chris Clark was born February 1, 1946 in Santa Cruz California American soul singer that recorded for Motown records on there V.I.P. label. She became famous in England and name the (White Negress) for her outstanding soul style and vocals. Clark was a blue eyed Platinum blonde standing six foot tall who toured with her fellow Motown artist that were mostly black. She was Americas answer to England's Dusty Springfield. Chris only had one charted hit Love's Gone Bad on V.I.P. 25038 which made it to #105 on the pop charts and #41 on the R&B charts in 1966. In 1967 she released an LP called "Soul Sounds" on Motown 664 but it never made much of an impacted on the music world. In 1969 she released another LP on the Weed label another major flop. Her records are always in demand by the northern soul crowd that admires her music. Here is what some of her singles and LP's are selling for.

LP's
Motown 664 Soul Sounds....................$113.00
Weed 801 C C Rides Again..................$40.00
Singles
V.I.P. 25038 Love's Gone Bad / Put Yourself In My Place..$71.00
V.I.P. 25041 I Want To Get Back There Again / same DJ....$25.00
V.I.P. 25041 Stock copy w/ I Love You....................$25.00
V.I.P. 25041 rare miss credited to Berry Gordy Jr. ......$60.00

Collecting Notes On Tommy Neal Goin' To A Happening

2011-05-31T10:03:00.000-07:00

Buying notes on the northern soul classic released in 1968 by Tommy Neal a real floor shaker. This record can be a little confusing it was released on several labels which are all very collectable, but not all valued at the same price. Lets start with Pameline 100 yellow label vs. Pink Label I have always been told that the pink label is the most obscure and worth the most money. From my research you in fact do see less pink labels come up for sale. The top price I have seen for a pink label Tommy Neal is $108.00. On The yellow Pameline label I have seen them sell for $164.00. Tommy Neal on Palmer 5024 I have seen selling for $230.00 which out sells the Pameline singles. It was released also on Vault 938 the stock copy sells for around $100.00 the promo has sold for $176.00. The UK put out the single on Vocallion 9290 they sell between $35.00 & $50.00. To find any of these single for under $50.00 GRAB IT. There is a reissue on Pameline 016 the label is dark green and the flip is Spaceland by Tony Hestor the single sell for about $15.00.
There are two CD's that feature Tommy Neal's Goin' To A Happening the first is on Outta Sight titled Goin' To A Happening (The Northern Soul Of Richard Popcorn Wylie)
The second is titled LA Happening soul from the labels of Vault, Fat Fish and Autumn on Kent issued in 1995.

Get Ready For The Funk And Soul Of Ella Fitzgerald

2011-05-22T15:22:00.000-07:00

Ella Fitzgerald queen of the jazz vocalist had a trio of very collectible funk and northern soul 45's. I just picked this up last weekend I bought around 1,300 45's from a man who's parents owned a bar in the 1960's and 70's these came from the jukebox. This was one of the record I found, to be honest a lot of the records were country I ended up taking about 1,000 to the local goodwill store, my record room is overflowing as it is. I just can't house records that I don't collect or listen to. Anyway the first is Ella doing a Temptations tune (Get Ready) on Reprise 0850, She tears this song up Jodie and I must have listened to this song twenty times and it just gets better each time. The next one is a Nancy Sinatra classic (These Boot Are Made For Walking) on Salle 63736 I have never heard it but it gets great raves from the northern soul collectors. The third is (Sunshine Of Your Love) A Cream Classic, a very funky version by Fitzgerald on Prestige 715. All three records sell right around $100.00 in mint minus condition.

The Flame

2011-05-22T14:27:00.000-07:00

The Flame a rare find by Al Jardine of the Beach Boys while in London England. The Flames were originally from South Africa, Jardine told Carl Wilson and he signed them to the Brother label in 1970, which is the only band other then the Beach Boys to be on the label. This band was a great find with a lot of talent too bad this was the first and only LP. Their sound is a cross of the Beatles and Bad Finger with a hint of southern rock thrown into the mix.This was the first LP to be sold commercially to be released in Quadraphonic, many listeners find many similarities between the Beatles White album and this one. Two members of The Flame Blondie Chaplin and Ricky Fataar wrote all the songs for the LP. Soon they disbanded were inducted into the Beach Boys. Chaplin went on to play with The Band, The Byrds and The Rolling Stones, Fataar joined the Rutles a mock Beatles band.

The LP consisted of 11 songs side 1 See The Light (should have been a charted hit, a better known would have had this song on the charts) 2. Make It Easy 3. Hey Lord (this reminds me a lot of the Beatles sound) 4. Lady 5. Don't Worry Bill. Side 2 song 1. Get Your Mind Made Up 2. Highs And Lows 3. I'm So Happy 4. Dove 5. Another Day Like Heaven 6. See The Light (reprise).
The LP The Flame Brother 2500 Quad/Stereo released 1970. The original LP came with a poster of the band my LP is missing it. There is a CD out of this record, sadly I have heard its very poor quality.
The LP sells around $50.00 in nice condition, do yourself a favor a find a copy ....................Happy Hunting.