"Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring The Mad Lads, 87th Off Broadway, The Moments, Lee Williams & The Cymbals, Jimmy Conwell, Ramona King, Four Tees, Natural resources, The Exclusive, The Soul Interiors, The San Francisco TKOs, The Diplomats, The Three Reasons, The Performers, Nightchill, Richard Caiton and more (31 January 2025 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters and Previously Unreleased Material) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATINGS:

Overall: *** to ****

Audio: ****

Presentation: *****

"…For The Love Of You…"

Probably not the prettiest or the most eye-catching artwork in the long history of CD Soul Compilations it must be said - and four or more were left in the can for obvious reasons too - no matter how much the liner notes may enthuse. But (in the main) this last day of January 2025 CD release from our archival pals over at Ace Records is still a lovely listen – and sees many rarities making their debut on CD. Kent Soul is shimmering for collectors once again.

Ace are celebrating the tradition of Balladry and Harmony Soul here – 24-Tracks scattered across more than two decades (1961 to 1984) – many from rare and deleted CDs of old, 2024 vinyl-only releases and at least a third of the haul – brand new. 

Mucho smooching to be done then and extra bottles of Talcum Powder to be lined up on the drinks trolly by the dancefloor just a backfield motion left of the telly. To the broken hearts and men who may not necessarily be true…

UK released Friday, 31 January 2025 - "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 513 (Barcode 029667111126) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of Remasters. It includes Six Previously Unreleased for 2025, Four UK 45-Single issues initially only on Vinyl in 2024 and other Rarities first time on CD - it plays out as follows (73:37 minutes):

1. I've Never Found A Girl – THE MAD LADS (from the August 1969 US LP "The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Lads" on Volt Records VOS-6005 in Stereo – an Eddie Floyd cover version)

2. Instant Replay – 87th OFF BROADWAY (an April 1972 recording first issued on Ace's new reissue label Soul Harmony – the A-side "Instant Replay" is their inaugural release for 25 October 2024 on SH 01 with Larry Sanders and his "I'm In Love" on the flipside – first issue here on CD) 

3. Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You) - MOMENTS (July 1972, US 45-single on Stang ST 5041, A-side – also as The Moments in the UK, 45-single released September 1972 on London HLU 10389, A-side)

4. I'll Be Gone – LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (April 1966, US 45-single on Carnival Records CAR-521, B-side of "I Love You More")

5. Let It All Out – JIMMY CONWELL (Mid 1967, US 45-single on Gemini 1003, B-side of "Too Much")

6. Mr. Lover Supreme – RAMONA KING (an Alex Palao mix of a Previously Unreleased 1970 Golden State Recording – Previously Unreleased)

7. The Wind Is My Only Friend – THE FOUR TEES (a Previously Unissued 1970 Kent recording – Previously Unreleased)

8. For The Love Of You – NATURAL RESOURCES (a Previously Unissued 1969 Bobby Swayne recording – Previously Unreleased)

9. I Still Love You – THE EXCLUSIVE (1970s Eddie Singleton recording – first issued 25 October 2024 in the UK on 45-single on Soul Harmony SH 02, A-side - first time on CD)

10. My Friend Heartaches – THE SOUL INTERIORS (a 1972 GSF Records written by Thomas Crawford first issued September 2024 in the UK on a 45-single, Kent CITY 096, A-side – first time on CD here)

11. Ooh, Baby, Baby – THE SAN FRANCISCO T.K.O.'s (1972 US 45-single on Golden Soul GS 7112, B-side of "Herm" – Lead Vocalist is Penny Lewis – a cover of The Miracles Tamla song of 1965 with Smokey Robinson)

12. Forever – THE DIPLOMATS (a 1963 recording for Arock Records, recorded by Van McCoy and written by Paul Griffin and Willie Denson – first appears as an unreleased track on the June 2004 Diplomats UK CD compilation "Greatest Recordings" on Ace/Kent CDKEND 232)

13. Moon Out There – THE PUFFS (February 1966, US 45-single on Doré 757, B-side of "I Only Cry Once A Day Now" – Female Vocal Group consisting of Joyce Pinkney, Rose Bell and Mary White - arranged by Gene Page)

14. Ain't That Kinda Sad – THE QUESTION MARKS (1964 US 45-single on Money 105, A-side – A.R.D. Production arranged by Hank Jacobs – Thomas Calhoun song)

15. The Greatest Love – THE FOUR SONICS (May 1968, US 45-single on Sport 111, A-side – featuring Anita Watson)

16. You Still Need Me – JOHNNY WESLEY And THE FOUR TEES (April 1966, US 45-single on Melic Records 4170, B-side of "It's The Talk Of The Town" – Arranged by Arthur Wright)

17. Something In My Eye – THE MUSIC CITY SOUL BROTHERS (1964 US 45-single on Music City 855, A-side – featuring Jimmy Norman on Lead with Freddie Hughes and Ken Pleasants on Backing Vocals)

18. Take Me Back – THE THREE REASONS (1971 US 45-single on Carnival CAR-551, B-side of "Just A Groove In "G"" by Wilbur Bascomb And The Zodiac – written by Kenneth Ruffin)

19. Girl I Tried – THE PERFORMERS (originally a 1973 recording first issued in the USA on the August 2011 Various Artists VINYL LP "The Music City Sessions Volume 3: Soul Show" on Omnivore Recordings OVLP- 38 – an Edit is presented here and is first time on CD in 2025)

20. Love Don't Let Me Down – NIGHTCHILL (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording from 1980 – a Nick Robbins Mix)

21. You Look Like A Flower – RICHARD CAITON (September 1964, US 45-single on GNP Crescendo GNP 327, A-side)

22. Palms Of Paradise – RAY & BOB (September 1961, US 45-single on Ledo 1151, B-side of "Air Travel" – Ray Swayne and Bob Appleberry)

23. Who Do You Love – THE IMPERIALITES (Previously Unissued 1964 George Semper recording – first time on CD)

24. The Story Says – THE TOKAYS (Previously Unissued Dave Hamilton recording)

NOTES:
All Tracks in STEREO except Tracks 5, 10, 12 to 18, 22 to 24 in MONO

The 20-page booklet is the usual Ace Records dream-fest crammed with knowledgeable and well-researched liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY OUNCE – each artist represented by publicity photos if available (The Moments, Ramona King and The Diplomats get whole pages – 5, 8 and 12). There are label repros of hard-to-find US singles in Stock or Demo form and even Trade Adverts alongside the occasional archival Tape Box. Rounce goes deep on facts – names you have never heard of – singers remembered and rightly so. 

The Audio is half-and-half – 12 in STEREO with most of the 45s not surprisingly in MONO. Long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL has once again done a sterling job with the Remasters – only one of two betraying their demo-ish origins. When for instance you are playing the unreleased 1970 cut by The Four Tees – great STEREO Audio – same goes for the 1964 MONO of The Music City Soul Brothers - pleading for you to disregard their tears (singers Ken Hughes and Ken Pleasants are pictured in a Trade Advert for an upcoming gig on Page 15). Great stuff. To the tunes…

"Soul Harmony…" opens on a hip-swaying high – The Mad Lads doing a 1969 cover version the Eddie Floyd Stax hit "I've Never Found A Girl" – an LP deep cut – it hears our harmonizing boys giving it some microphone shuffles while smooth guitar soloing and brass punctuate that lovely song. First issued as an Alec Palao Mix on UK 45 in 2024 on Ace's own label imprint Soul Harmony (their debut release) – 87th Off Broadway smooch the eight-piece voices across your speakers – very, very pretty. Falsetto voices akin to The Stylistics and Chi-Lites – The Moments ad a huge chart history and in 1972 their warning ballad "Just Because He Wants To Make Love (Doesn't Mean He Loves You" was typical of their sound. 
Clever choice and top pick (for me) comes in the shape of the arm-shuffling "I'll Be Gone" by Lee Williams & The Cymbals (misspelled as Symbols on original 1966 US 45s) – a fabulous winner and surefire inclusion on Soul Ballads CD-Rs of future home entertainment (the obscure US 45 goes for serious dosh). 

The goodies continue with "Let It All Out" – not the greatest audio for Jimmy Conwell – but man what an emotional punch its 1967 oohs and sways pack (you're gonna stay, a shoulder to cry on). The Ramona King track may be unreleased, but unfortunately you can hear why its weakness and her cloying delivery of it was canned - "Mr Lover Supreme" is more irritating than good and with lyrics that have not worn well. Full-on Brass and String Arrangements threaten to overwhelm "For The Love Of You" but the classy Harmony Vocals of Nature Resources keep you listening and swaying.

Time for some serious smooching – a low Bass eases in the foolish-man oohs of The Exclusives who are glad (nonetheless) that they held onto her. A fabulous find with a disarmingly lovely trumpet solo amidst the pleading vocal pyro-techniques – it was issued as 45-release number two on Ace's Soul Harmony label in October 2024 (this is its first time on CD and will be a welcome addition to digital). The Soul Interiors cut seems to feature an unknown vocalist on "My Friend Heartaches" – but what a voice – might be the song-writer Thomas Mitchell. Speaking of great singers - I would swear that Linda Ronstadt zapped right into the feel of The San Francisco TKOs cover of The Miracles Tamla hit "Ooh, Baby, Baby" for her version in 1978 on Elektra Records – Ronstadt slowing it down to the same funerial pace which in some way enhances the Soulfulness even more. 

Not that enamoured with The Diplomats cut "Forever" and despite serious effort - The Puffs US 45 flipside "Moon Out There" is let down by muffled and worn audio. Better is The Question Marks who go back to 1964 and feature a very Four Tops Motown vibe with their lovely "Ain't That Kinda Sad". Neither hurt nor humiliation will keep Johnny Wesley & The Four Tees away – their "You Still Need Me" a great weepy. I mentioned the haw-haw melodrama of The Soul Brothers earlier as they crawl from the emotional wreckage of "Something In My Eye" (give that lucky guy a hello from the boys). Much going on with "Take Me Back" – the lead vocalist practically shredding his pipes as his backing singers sway and pray. 

The later sound of Nightchill feels out of place and even with Dave Hamilton involvement is not that good to my ears. We head home with Richard Caiton comparing his lady to a flower – but like Ray & Bob song that follow (the oldest cut here from 1961) – the lyrics are weedy and the Vocal Group tradition is more in evidence rather than Soul (and not in a good way). The Imperialites mix up Doo Wop and Soul with their should-we-raise-a-family smoocher "Who Do You Love" while the compilation ends on the weirdly eerie "The Story Says" – a Tokays demo with a Tambourine and Piano and Voices. I can see why it is included, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be playing it again any time soon.

So, to sum up - 31 January 2025's "Soul Harmony: Sweet Soul Vocals 1961-1984" CD has some gems for sure - plus Rarities on Digital that are welcome too. But a lot of these out-of-work chunes were chancing their arms in the first place and haven't weathered well since – so four stars at the most. But the good stuff in-between – oh yes – and the reason why we love Kent Soul compilations to the max...

"This Is Goldwax 1964-1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Features Mono US 45-Singles and CD Compilation Rarities by James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, Percy Milem, Louis Williams, 'Wee' Willie Walker, Gene 'Bowlegs' Miller, Phillip & The Faithfuls, Barbara Perry, O.V. Wright, The Merits, Timmy Thomas, Dorothy Williams, Jeanne Newman, George Jackson & Don Greer and more (August 2024 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation with Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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RATING: 

Overall: ****

Presentation: *** to ****

Sound: *** to *****

"…Hiding In Shadows Where We Don't Belong…"

A joyful release this for end of August 2024 – the USA's Goldwax label being the home of huge faves amongst Mod and Northern Soul nutters – intensity purveyors like James Carr, Spencer Wiggins, O.V. Wright, George Jackson – all of whom Ace has covered in extensive solo CD compilations across the last three decades.

What you get here in this overview of the Goldwax Label is twenty-eight Mono cuts of varying salivation (most are US 45s), and at seventy-minutes-plus, it's a generous dollop of known vs. unknown Sixties R&B. Another clever trick is to pepper the listen with unissued tracks you probably missed on CD compilations of old (see list). Once more unto the bowlegged heartache…

UK released Friday, 30 August 2024 - "This Is Goldwax 1964-1968" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDTOP 530 (Barcode 029667111225) is a 28-Track CD Compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (70:43 minutes):

1. The Dark End Of The Street – JAMES CARR (December 1966 US 45 on Goldwax 317, A-side – a Dan Penn and Chips Moman song)

2. Up Tight Good Woman – SPENCER WIGGINS (April 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 321, A-side – a Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham song)

3. To Me It's Storming – GEORGE & GREER (a James Carr and Spencer Wiggins duet under pseudonyms – an Original Unissued Recording first UK issued 27 April 2009 on "Goldwax Northern Soul" on Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 313 (Barcode 029667231329)

4. Call On Me – PERCY MILEM (December 1966 US 45 on Goldwax 315, B-side of "Crying Baby Baby Baby" – a George Jackson song)

5. I'm Living Good – THE OVATIONS featuring LOUIS WILLIAMS (August 1965 US 45 on Goldwax GW-117, A-side – a Dan Penn and Oldham song)

6. I Don't Want To Take A Chance - 'WEE' WILLIE WALKER (Original Unissued 1966 Recording, a George Jackson song, first UK released 2 February 2004 on "The Goldwax Story Volume 2" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 225 (Barcode 029667222525)

7. Toddlin' – GENE 'Bowlegs' MILLER (December 1964 US 56 on Goldwax 117, B-side of "Bow-Legged")

8. Freedom Train – JAMES CARR (October 1968 US 45 on Goldwax 338, A-side)

9. I'm A Poor Man's Son – SPENCER WIGGINS (February 1968 US 45 on Goldwax 333, B-side of "That's How Much I Love You" – was issued 1970 in the UK as the A-side to Pama PM 794 – his second and last 45 there)

10. Ticket To Ride - 'WEE' WILLIE WALKER (August 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 329, A-side – a Beatles cover version)

11. What'cha Gonna Do – PHILLIP And THE FAITHFULS (featuring Phillip Reynolds and Timmy Thomas (of "Why Can't We Live Together" fame) – an Original Unissued Recording first UK released 27 April 2009 on "Goldwax Northern Soul" on Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 313 (Barcode 029667231329) – was also issued March 2010 in the UK as a 45-single on Kent Select CITY 014, A-side)

12. Say You Need It – BARBARA PERRY (January 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 318, A-side)

13. When You Look In The Mirror – EDDIE JEFFERSON (December 1966 US 45 on Goldwax 316, A-side)

14. That's How Strong My Love Is – O.V. WRIGHT (June 1964 US 45 on Goldwax 106, B-side of "There Goes My Used To Be")

15. Love Attack – GEORGE and GREER (George Jackson and Dan Greer – original 1960s recording first issued 26 January 2015 on the UK CD compilation "At Goldwax" on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 428 – Barcode 029667242820)

16. Once In A While (Is Better Than Never At All) – SPENCER WIGGINS (November 1968 US 45 on Goldwax 337, A-side)

17. A Man Needs A Woman – JAMES CARR (December 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 332, A-side – Obie McClinton song – see Track 18)

18. They Say – THE OVATIONS (October 1966 US 45 on Goldwax 314, B-side of "Me And My Imagination" – an Obie McClinton song)

19. A Lucky Loser - 'WEE' WILLIE WALKER (November 1968 US 45 on Checker 1211, A-side – Allen Jones and Homer Banks song)

20. Arabian Jerk – THE MERITS (February 1965 US 45 on Bandstand USA 1002, A-side)

21. Have Some Boogaloo – TIMMY THOMAS (March 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 320, A-side)

22. The Well's Gone Dry – DOROTHY WILLIAMS (June 1965 US 45 on Goldwax 115, B-side of "Country Style")

23. Spoonful – THE PLAYBOY FIVE (October 1964 US 45 on Bandstand USA 1001, A-side – Willie Dixon song, Howlin Wolf cover)

24. I Don't Know What You've Got (But It's Got Me) – PERCY MILEM (August 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 326, A-side)

25. A Man Is A Mean Thing – BARBARA PERRY (Originally unissued recording first released February 2008 on the UK CD compilation "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right in Today's Groove" on Ace/Kent Dance CDKEND 291 – Barcode 029667229128)

26. Will I Ever Be Free – JEB STEWART (1965 US 45 on Bingo 1001, A-side)

27. She's Better Than You – OBOE with THE KEYS (1964 US 45 on Goldwax 104, B-side of "Too Slow" – an Obie McClinton song)

28. He Called Me Baby – JEANNE NEWMAN (October 1967 US 45 on Goldwax 331, A-side)

The 16-page booklet has typically packed liner notes from the hugely knowledgeable DEAN RUDLAND – but it foregoes Ace's usual song-by-song paragraphs for one long block of text instead – and I think that's a mistake. The former method allows you to locate the in-depth info quickly (Tracks are numbered, pictures correspond) – this way you must wade through the blocks of text (Rudland discusses the songs (roughly) in appearance order) making it hard to find the song info you want. Apart from four lovely full-page promo photos of O.V. Wright, Willie Walker, Timmy Thomas and Barbara Perry (rear page) – the rest of the text is peppered with small US 45-single repro labels but it somehow feels like a lot less than we are usually used to. Audio comes by way of NICK ROBBINS – a Remaster Engineer Ace have been using for probably more than three decades. This guy knows his way around a tape box and it shows. All the MONO stabs at moochers and dancers sound punchy and alive. To the tunes…

The underlying current/theme is that much of the listen was Produced by the dynamic duo of Quinton Claunch and Rudolph Russell with many of the tunes provided by Obie McClinton. Moochers sit beside Dancers and it opens with the balls-to-the-wall Southern Soul classic "The Dark End Of The Street" by James Carr – one the Memphis label’s truly great moments. The second funerial organ-grinder that comes-at-ya is Spencer Wiggins looking for a mighty good lady with two loving arms to keep him safe - "Uptight Good Woman" shuffling out of your speakers like James Brown leaving the stage in stop-start pain. Things soon liven however with a genius inclusion – the fabulous shuffle-New-Breed-dancer "To Me It's Storming" by  George and Greer. The first of six unreleased tracks that appeared on previous CD compilations - it's a cracker and hard to believe it was canned back in the day. 

Very Otis Redding meets Wilson Pickett – the pace increases with the kicking Midnight Hour vibe of "Call On Me" – Percy Milem giving it some 1966 shimmy while the girls go mm-hm in the background. You might be a betting man, but you are going to lose money when you swear to all and sundry that as Louis Williams sings with his group The Ovations – that it is Sam Cooke. The similarity is staggering – his gorgeous tone and phrasing – even the RCA beat to Sam’s Soul-Pop outings – you must look again at the back inlay to see it says Louis Williams and not Sam Cooke (Williams crops again on Track 18). Another CD compilation unreleased winner comes in the smooth "I Don't Want To Take A Chance" - but for me it's whomped by the fantastic and infectious Brass Instrumental "Toddlin'" from Gene Miller of 'Bowlegs' fame – his shuffler having a very Mar-Keys "Last Night" party joy about it.

Things start to reflect the politics raging all about them – the frantic "Freedom Train" by James Carr channelling his inner Otis Redding – his vocals straining with real emotion – getting it together – taking it to the man – taking it no more. Unfortunately for me Tracks 9 and 10 see things slide – a lame Spencer Wiggins dancer followed by a funked-up cover of The Beatles classic "Ticket To Ride" by Willie Walker. Northern Soul fans have long lusted after the great shuffler vibe in "What'cha Gonna Do" by Phillip and The Faithfuls featuring Phillip Reynolds and a pre-1973 "Why Can't We Live Together" fame Timmy Thomas. To satisfy demand, Ace Records of the UK even gave it a 45-release on their Kent Select label in March 2010 with The Additions doing "Until The End Of Time" on the flip-side. Gorgeous production values on the loving-bopper "Say You Need It" – Barbara Perry ably supported by baby-baby backing singers. Things go back to mooch with the brass-and-guitar-flicking shuffler "When You Look In The Mirror" – Eddie Jefferson getting his aching moment.

Fans of hug-your-baby Soul will know O.V. Wright getting all deep on "That's How Strong My Love Is" – his great pipes elevating an often-repeated pacer into Redding-like greatness. Demo quality comes at you with George & Greer doing "Love Attack" but the lame lyrics do its vocal passion no favours. Far better is the Spencer Wiggins wailer where our Spence passes by her house and sees that her used-ta-be is gone - so The Wig suggests from a payphone that "Once Is A While (Is Better Than Never At All)". The slow set continues with a classic - "A Man Needs A Woman" - James Carr telling us that windows need paint and highways need two lanes and a man needs… Finally, things pick up pace with The Ovations fronted by the mighty pipes of Louis Williams giving it some Motown meets Sam Cooke bop in their "They Say". Blues meets with Soul in an Albert King-stylee for the excellent "A Lucky Loser" – Willie Walker not in the least bit wee as gets stuck in. But again a drop with the gimmicky "Arabian Jerk" – fast forward button. 

On the homeward stretch we get a cha-cha organ-dancer - "Have Some Boogaloo" by Timmy Thomas has our giddy-soul shouting encouragements and jokes throughout the hipshaker – cool tune. But much better is Dorothy Williams telling her man he can't get rain from a cloudless sky in her nerk-jerking dancer "The Well's Gone Dry" – itself followed by a rather cool organ-shuffler where The Playboy Five do an early instrumental cover version of the Chess Records Howlin Wolf classic "Spoonful". Things slow when Percy Milem bemoans the lady who parties all the time while he moans in the shadows - but the man is obsessed – he'd leave her if he could in "I Don't Know What You've Got (But It's Got Me)". 

Back to boppers that tick - "A Man Is A Mean Thing" by Barbara Perry was one of eight Previously Unreleased cuts on the 2008 Ace/Kent Dance CD compilation "New Breed R&B with Added Popcorn: Early 60s R&B Dancers Right in Today's Groove" – itself one of seven comps in the hugely popular New Breed Series. Barbara provides a cool one and I'm sure some DJ will dig this gem with its great Guitar and Sax solos as the band goes all Ike Turner on the shimmy. The last three feel tagged on – Jeanne Newman being the cream of the trio – a sort of female Tony Joe White groove with fab production – "He Called Me Baby" is definitely a tune that's turning up on a cool period-conscious TV episode near you someday real soon.

Not quite 5-stars but with enough to satisfy my Soul-cravings – and as ever – another classy release from Ace Records of the UK. Recommended...

PS: There is also a UK 2LP VINYL variant issued 6 September 2024 as "This Is Goldwax 1964-1968" on Ace/Kent Soul KENT2 530 (Barcode 029667027319). It contains all 28-songs of the CD compilation (7 tracks per side) and is a Limited Edition.

"Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Featuring The Show Stoppers, The Delfonics, George Tindley, Jerry Butler, Honey & The Bees, Executive Suite, Cliff Nobles, The Ambassadors, Lou Jackson, Brenda & The Tabulations, Moses Smith, Sonny Boss, The Intruders, Barbara Mason, Peaches & Herb, Winfield Parker, The Ethics and more (May 2017 UK Ace/Kent Soul 24-Track CD Compilation with Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nothing-But-House-Party-1967-71/dp/B06Y5M39TH?crid=1PMDZLQ98USMO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.DsFxjx0Mb1HYGkBF9fM5TQ.0KPjEql3yRp1rKJzHDM4AxIeF_mFDAnuiZ0Ul9lXahU&dib_tag=se&keywords=029667083829&qid=1721146323&sprefix=029667083829%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=mabasreofcdbl-21&linkId=7656ef4387cdc82ff6040c5d978b669e&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

This Review Along With 226 Others Is Available in my

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"SOUL GALORE!" 

60ts Soul, R&B, Northern Soul

Mod, New Breed, Funk, Rare Grooves

Atlantic, Chess, Motown, Stax Labels and many more...

 

Your Guide To The Best CD Reissues and Remasters 

Thousands of E-Pages

All Details and In-Depth Reviews From Discs 

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"...Don't You Understand What You're Doing To The Man..."

Having thoroughly enjoyed the Thom Bell Ace Records/Kent Soul CD compilation "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" issued 31 May 2024 – I decided to root back further and unearthed this wee peach (from seven years back) dealing with early Philly pointers.

A typically cool release from Kent Soul of the UK in May 2017 and heralded on their rear inlay as 'Classic 60s and 70s soul from the City of Brotherly Love, recorded before the Philadelphia Sound went International' - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" has the usual Mono and Stereo 24-track MO, a beautifully annotated 20-page booklet festooned with label repros (TONY ROUNCE liner notes), promo photos and period memorabilia and corking Remastered Audio from their longstanding sound-engineer DUNCAN COWELL. 

It's All Over But The Shouting, and as they say, let's get to the detailed nitty-gritty…

UK released 26 May 2017 - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-71" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 466 (Barcode 029667083829) is a 24-Track CD Compilation of US 45-Single Remasters that plays out as follows (65:22 minutes):

1. Ain't Nothing But A House Party – THE SHOW STOPPERS (USA 1967 1st issue on Party Time PT-1002, A-side, 2nd issue March 1967 on Showtime STR-101, 3rd US issue October 1967 on Guyden 2131 – also UK March 1968 on Beacon 3-100, January 1971 UK on Beacon BEA 100 and others)

2. You're Been Untrue – THE DELFONICS (April 1967, Cameo C-472, A-side, Thom Bell co-writer and Producer)

3. It's All Over But The Shouting – GEORGE TINDLEY (July 1969, Wand WND 11205, B-side of "Ain't That Peculiar" - a Gulliver cover version, song by Len Barry and Tim Moore)

4. Never Give You Up – JERRY BUTLER (April 1968, Mercury 72798, A-side, written by Gamble & Huff and Butler)

5. Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover) – HONEY AND THE BEES (April 1970, Josie 45-1020, A-side)

6. Christine – EXECUTIVE SUITE (October 1970, Jubilee 45-5705, A-side – Gulliver cover version – song written by Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates), Len Barry and Tom Sellers)

7. Love Is All Right – CLIFF NOBLES (February 1968, Phil-L.A. Of Soul 313, A-side)

8. Ain't Got The Love Of One Girl (On My Mind) – THE AMBASSADORS (March 1969, Arctic 150, A-side, written by Barbara Mason)

9. Peace To You Brother – LOU JACKSON (January 1971, Spring 110, A-side)

10. My Balloon's Going Up – ARCHIE BELL And THE DRELLS (August 1969, Atlantic 45-2663, A-side – a Gamble & Huff Song and Production)

11. That's The Price You Have To Pay – BRENDA And THE TABULATIONS (March 1969, Dionn 512, A-side – Bobby Martin and Thom Bell Production)

12. Rainmaker – THE MOODS (August 1970, Wand WND 11224, A-side – written by Tim Moore during his stint with the Rock Band Gulliver (that also featured Daryl Hall) but first issued by The Moods who would later evolve into the Disco Inferno famous Trammps)

13. Keep On Striving – MOSES SMITH (July 1970, Cotillion 45-44075, A-side)

14. Piper Must Be Paid – SONNY ROSS (March 1971, Event EV 202, B-side of "Alakazam" – also July 1971 in the UK on Mojo 2093 001, A-side – written by George Tindley (see Track 3) and Gerald Smith)

15. You Better Stop It – BARBARA MASON (June 1969, Arctic 154, B-side of  "Happy Girl" – both sides written by Barbara Mason)

16. Goin' Home To An Empty House – SUNSHINE (1972, Phil-L.A. Of Soul 359, A-side – song written in 1969 by Northern Soul fave Herb Ward but only released in 1972 under another name (Sunshine) without his permission, Produced by Thom Bell)

17. Every Day Is A Holiday – THE INTRUDERS (December 1969, Gamble G 240, B-side of "Old Love" – both sides written by Gamble & Huff and Produced by Thom Bell)

18. (You) Got What I Need – FREDDIE SCOTT (July 1968, Shout S-233, A-side – a Gamble & Huff song also Produced)

19. Girl You're Too Young – LEN BARRY (2005, That Philly Sound TPS-R101, A-side – written and recorded 1968 – writers Archie Bell, Thom Bell and Kenny Gamble – Len Barry is ex The Dovells - "Girl You're Too Young" was recorded by Archie Bell & The Drells, their May 1969 issued US 45-single on Atlantic 45-2644 made No.13 on US Billboard R&B charts)

20. Your Fool Still Loves You – OSCAR WEATHERS (February 1970, Top And Bottom 402, A-side – Written and Produced by Van McCoy)

21. What You Gave Up – THE CONTINENTAL 4 (May 1971, Jay Walking JW-011, B-side of "Day By Day (Every Minute Of The Hour)" – Written by Norman Harris and Albert Felder and Produced by Bobby Martin) 

22. Let's Make A Promise – PEACHES  & HERB (October 1968, Date 2-1623, A-side, also issued November 1968 in the UK on Direction 58-3829, A-side – Written by Thom Bell, Mikki Farrow and Kenny Gamble – Arranged and Produced Gamble & Huff and Tommy Martin)

23. I'm On My Way – WINFIELD PARKER – PREVIOUSLY UNISSUED Take of Spring 116 recorded in 1971 - Arranged by Bobby Martin)

24. Standing In The Darkness – THE ETHICS (March 1970, Vent V-1008, A-side - Written by Norman Harris, Arranged by Thom Bell and Norman Harris)

NOTES: 

All Tracks are MONO except STEREO on Tracks 5, 8, 14, 17, 18, and 24

The floorfiller-song this CD compilation derives its name from - "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" - came out three times in one year in the USA (and on three 1967 different labels) and saw almost as many British reissues follow suit too. The Show Stoppers were brothers Alex and Laddie Burke (siblings of Solomon Burke over on the equally mighty Atlantic Records) – the foursome completed by another set of brothers Earl and Timmy Smith. Penned in part by future Jazz-Funk hero Joe Thomas - "Ain't Nothing But A House Party" seemed ready made for British Northern Soul and Mod Clubs – thereby reaching No. 11 on reissue in 1971 on Beacon Records when NS was exploding all over Blighty. Prior to their breakthrough "La-La-Means I Love You" hit in 1968 (an R&B No.2) and in the dying bankruptcy throws of Cameo Parkway – The Delfonics pushed out the Thom Bell and William Hurt gem "You've Been Untrue" – the same duo who penned the infectious "La-La…". Stylistically close to the (well) Stylistics – the criminally unsuccessful "You've Been Untrue" is the Sound of Philly Soul fans tingle to and it sounds just juicy here. 

In the superb TONY ROUNCE liner notes, he clumps the George Tindley and Sonny Ross entries together (Tracks 3 and 14) – Tindley singing his own 45 of course whilst producing the latter. Philly singer Tindley went all the way back to the 1953 Vocal Group The Dreams and Kenny Esquire & The Starlites. Written by Len Barry and Tim Moore (later with US Rock group Gulliver which also housed an uppercoming Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates) – the Soulful B-side "It's All Over But The Shouting" is a corker while "Piper Must Be Paid" is another flip that in another world could have been an A-side. Class (and that is the right word) oozes out of every note in the Jerry Butler caress that is "Never Give You Up" – a co-write by the silken-voiced Butler with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff – the main men for Philadelphia International Records and a whole other 20-CD Box Set of hits. 

The four gorgeous gals of Honey & The Bees are pictured on Page 7 in silver dresses that amplify more than their pearly whites – lead vocalist Nadine Felder being the Honey in the Beehive (Gwen Oliver and Cassandra Wooten would go on to become a part of The Ritchie Family who had a No.1 Dance Chart hit in 1976 with "The Best Disco In Town"). Their Honey & The Bees contribution here is the oh-so-hip "Help Me (Get Over My Used To Be Lover)" – an infectious bopper from 1970 on Josie Records. Rounce pairs the 1970 entries for Executive Suite and The Moods again because of songwriters – this time with Tom Sellers, Len Barry (ex Dovells) and John Madara. Along with Tim Moore and Daryl Hall, Tom Sellers had been in Gulliver – a Rock Group mostly remembered because of the Hall & Oates connection (before they started their career with Atlantic Records). Rounce calls "Christine" by Executive Suite top-tier Vocal Group Soul (Vincent Unto is the lead Tenor, sharing lines with Hall) even if it failed to make waves past New Jersey and Philadelphia on initial release. The Moods and their "Rainmaker" is a joyful discovery for me – one of the hidden gems here that features ex Volcanos singers who would later morph into The Trammps come the Saturday Night Fever explosion in the late Seventies.

The Cliff Nobles A-side "Love Is All Right" has a reverse-face history – DJs ignoring it for the vocal-less backing track on the flipside which the Phil L.A. of Soul Records label had dubbed "The Horse". Played as a throwaway lead-in to News Reports and Traffic Bulletins and essentially featuring MFSB of Philly Fame in all but name, "The Horse" nonetheless elicited huge public interest and before Phil L.A. of Soul knew it, the B-side went to No.2 on the US Billboard R&B charts. Ace and Kent-Soul have decided to give us the brassy what-your-love-has-done-to-me A-side instead (Cliff Nobles is pictured on Page 9 of the booklet) – the path less travelled and a bopping dancer sweetie it is too. Soul heroine Barbara Mason is the connection between Tracks 8 and 11 – The Ambassadors and Barbara Mason – her "You Better Stop It" a seriously prized US 45 amongst Blighty aficionados. Lou Jackson wants to get rid of shame and hate is his Slow Soul message march song "Peace To You Brother" – got to be a brighter day. We move to Atlantic Records for Archie Bell and The Drells and the strings-and-bop sound of "My Balloon's Going Up" a - joyous Gamble & Huff concoction that made Northern Soul fans tingle and mingle. 

But even that mirth is whomped into pure Soul submission with the gorgeous Brenda & The Tabulations 1969 gem "That's The Price You Have To Pay" – a Gamble & Huff production that has become legendary amongst lovers of the genre. Moses Smith is earnest enough in his "Keep On Striving" but followed shortly after by Barbara Mason, her invitation to arm-folding "You Better Stop It" is so Northern Soul it hurts. Deep-Soul legend Herb Ward does not want to go home where only loneliness and solemnity await – his mellow-drama overload "Goin' Home To An Empty House" put out by his record label without his permission and under the pseudonym Sunshine to hide their dodgy deed. The Intruders dancer "Every Day Is A Holiday" is so late-60ts Philly Sound – Freddie Scott the same – not surprising with Gamble & Huff behind both. Len Barry worries what her parents might think – his girl too young to hold his hand – mama not going to allow it. And on it goes to The Ethics getting all Stereo with their "Standing In This Darkness". 

Ace Records of the UK know their audience and punters know what to expect when they buy one of their CD compilations. But every now and then, you have dip your cloth-cap to their genius at listens like this. 

Great choices, tasty packaging and quality audio into the mushy bargain - bit of a belter frankly...

THOM BELL and some PHILLY SOUND CD Compilations

From Ace Records and Kent Soul of the UK (all reviewed)

1. Thom Bell by Various Artists - "Ready Or Not: Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions 1965-1978" 
UK released 25 June 2020, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 488 (Barcode 029667098021)

2. Thom Bell by Various Artists - "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983"
UK released 31 May 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 522 
(Barcode 029667110624)

3. Various Artists - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-1971"
UK released 26 May 2017, Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 466 (Barcode 029667083829)

4. Various Artists - "Psychedelic Soul Produced by Norman Whitfield" 
UK released 27 August 2021, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 504 (Barcode 029667103121)

5. Earl Young - "Groove Machine: The Earl Young Drum Sessions"
UK released 24 February 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 1629 (Barcode 029667109925)

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by THOM BELL [Various Artists] - Featuring The Delfonics, The Chargers, Spinners, Eloise Laws, The Stylistics, Ronnie Dyson, Elton John, New York City, Deniece Williams, Lou Rawls, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis, Jerry Butler and more (May 2024 UK Ace/Kent Soul CD Compilation of Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Everything He Does Seems To Come Out Right..."

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" is entry number two in Ace's compilation appraisals of Philadelphia Sound legend THOM BELL (the first was "Ready Or Not..." in 2020, see CD list below) - a hugely influential and commercially successful Soul and R&B Producer and Songwriter.

In his sweet-thang travels, Bell roped in the talents of other hip arranger-names like Tony Randazzo and Burt Bacharach and along with songwriters like Linda Creed, Deniece Williams, Norman Harris, Kenneth Gamble and others - Bell poured on the lush strings, subtle horn charts, plaintive oboes and tinkling chimes - matching them with expressive singers and lurve lyrics. The results across 20-songs and almost eighty-minutes playing time is a lovely listen that only ever slightly falters in a few places. Mostly, you're whomped with a wall of classy tunes presented in that Philly Sound way. To the kissin' details...

UK released Friday, 31 May 2024 - "Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound Of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by THOM BELL (through Various Artists) on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDTOP 522 (Barcode 029667110624) is a 20-Track CD compilation of Remasters that plays out as follows (79:47 minutes, all tracks US 45s unless otherwise stated):

1. Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time) - THE DELFONICS (December 1969, Philly Groove 161, A-side)

2. You Gotta Be A Lady - THE CHARGERS (December 1971, Vanguard VRS 35146, A-side)

3. The Rubberband Man - SPINNERS (August 1976, Atlantic 45-3355, A-side)

4. Got You Into My Life - ELOISE LAWS (from the 1980 US-LP "Eloise Laws" on Liberty Records LT-1063)

5. You Are Everything - THE STYLISTICS (October 1971, Avco AV-4581, A-side)

6. Give In To Love - RONNIE DYSON (from the 1973 US LP "One Man Band" on Columbia Records KC 32211 - CBS Records S 65551 in the UK)

7. Nice And Slow - ELTON JOHN (from the 1989 US LP "The Complete Thom Bell Sessions" on MCA Records MCA-39115)

8. Take My Hand - NEW YORK CITY (October 1975, Chelsea CH 3031, A-side)

9. Silly - DENIECE WILLIAMS (July 1981, ARC Records 18-02406, A-side - November 1981 UK on CBS Records A1535)

10. Then You Came - DIONNE WARWICKE & SPINNERS (July 1974 as Atlantic 45-3029 - re-released August 1974 as Atlantic 45-3202, A-side)

11. Will You Kiss Me One More Time - LOU RAWLS (June 1982, Epic 14-02999, A)

12. Lazy Susan - LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS (from the 1973 US LP "On A New Street" on Avco AV-11012-598)

13. Betcha By Golly, Wow - THE STYLISTICS featuring Russell Thompkins Jr. (February 1972, Avco AV-4591, A-side)

14. Joe - NANCY WILSON (from the 1970 US LP "Now I'm A Woman" on Capitol ST-451 in Stereo)

15. Loving You-Losing You - JOHNNY MATHIS (February 1977, Columbia 3-10496, A-side)

16. Walking Around In Teardrops - JERRY BUTLER (from the 1969 US LP "Ice On Ice"on Mercury SR-61234 in Stereo)

17. Nobody Knows It - BELL & JAMES [LeRoy Bell and Casey James] (from the 1979 US LP "Only Make Believe" on A&M Records SP-4784)

18. Let Somebody Love Me - PHYLLIS HYMAN (from the 1983 US LP "Goddess Of Love" on Arista AL 9619)

19. One In A Million (Guy) - DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER (from the 1980 US LP "Dee Dee Bridgewater" on Elektra 6E-306)

20. Brandy - THE O'JAYS (August 1978, Philadelphia International ZS8 3652, A-side)

The 16-page colour booklet offers liner notes from BOB STANLEY that includes a 2020 interview with THOM BELL. Each artist and song are discussed in detail, the single label repros and LP covers displayed on the left and right of the text along with other memorabilia like sheet music and trade paper adverts (there's a lovely photo of Bell smiling beside Dionne Warwicke as side-by-side heroes grace the front cover of the 'Blues & Soul' magazine - yours at the time for the princely sum of one dollar or 30 new pence UK). It's the usual classy affair from Ace - and the fantastic audio from long-standing Audio Engineer DUNCAN COWELL only sweetens a very cool listen. To the chunes...

The CD opens with an acknowledged classic of the Philly genre - "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)" by The Delfonics lending the compilation its recognisable title. Not so sure The Chargers (from 1971) would pass much muster with 2024 women by singing their "You Gotta Be A Lady" - more likely to get cancelled for an opinion way too outdated. The Spinners (known at The Detroit Spinners in the UK) do their thing - lyrics from "The Rubberband Man" titling this review. The Disco-Soul-Funk of "Got You Into My Life" has Eloise Laws milking that Philly Disco rhythm for all its worth - a relentlessly upbeat dancer. But if I'm honest I prefer the swoon of The Stylistics - such memories of that girl that whomped your senses - their "You Are Everything" being one of those 'each face that I see brings back memories of being with you' songs - the Remaster may be a teeny bit hissy in places, but for 1971 Avco Soul it's pretty much definitive. This is followed by another slice of 'lurve' gorgeousness with Ronnie Dyson wrenching emotion out of every line in the string-laden "Give In To Love" - the Ronster asking his gal to have faith (sweet Remastered audio).  

There's an unfortunate repetitiveness to Elton John's "Nice And Slow" - better is the Bop Soul of "Take My Hand" - a great Remaster giving New York City's moment a quietly luscious oomph - ex Five Satins, Cadillacs and Moonglows members giving their vocals fabulous expressiveness. Deniece Williams puts in a sweetly delicate vocal on the clear-as-a-bell "Silly" - a plea for love to stop making her do foolish things - a deserved No. 11 Billboard R&B chart placing (check out those staggeringly skilful arrangements). Genius is what you would call the pairing of Dionne Warwick with the perfect-match of lead vocalist Philippe Wynne of The Stylistics where he shadows her powerhouse voice rather than outdo the lady - like a match to Diana Ross and Marvin at their duet best. 

But while I normally can't get enough of the cavernous vocals of Lou Rawls, his "Will You Kiss Me One More Time" is too cheesy by far – and Little Anthony with his Imperials sound uncomfortable with the song and themes of "Lazy Susan". Better by a long oar is a tasty twosome from The Stylistics doing the lovely Prince-covered "Betcha By Golly, Wow" followed by a breathy Nancy Wilson doing a classy number on "Joe" - a man she pleads with the public to find saspo. Chasing that Disco dollar, one-time crooner and LGBTQ-icon Johnny Mathis makes a good fist of the ache in "Loving You, Losing You". Another huge persona in the history of Soul, Jerry Butler blasts your speakers with primo 1969 Soul lushness – his typically dramatic delivery in "Walking Around In Teardrops" making you feel like the man might die any second now. Clever follow and comp genius-choice comes with the 1979 uber-smooch of "Nobody Knows It" from Bell & James (ex-Special Blend songwriters LeRoy Bell and Casey James). From the second of three albums "Only Make Believe" - this is surely the discovery on this CD for fans like me – a beautifully produced winner. "Nobody Knows It" by Bell & James is a Ronn Mattlock "Love City" moment for me (check out that stunning album also from 1979 on Atlantic Records reissued on CD by Rhino).

The compilation romps home with a pleasing trio – Eighties times two with Phyliss Hyman and Dee Dee Bridgewater – but culminates with bona fide class from The O'Jays and their fabulous "Brandy" – the kind of emotive memory-jogging Seventies Soul that me reaching for the tissue box – "...played a few bars of a melody and it sounded so sweet to me..." indeed.

"Didn't I Blow Your Mind? The Sound of Philadelphia Soul 1969-1983" by Thom Bell comes close to perfect, but I personally could have done without some of those 80ts cheesy offerings (so four stars). But make no mistake, if you ever wanted proof of Philly Sound classiness and what a warm-sounding legacy Thom Bell has left us – then look no further my Afro Lovers than this. Gotta shimmy in babycakes…my lurve can't wait (oh dear)…

Other THOM BELL CD Compilations from Ace Records/Kent Soul of the UK

And Philly Soul Sound recommendations (all reviewed):

1. Thom Bell - "Ready Or Not: Philly Soul Arrangements & Productions 1965-1978" 

UK released 25 June 2020, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 488 (Barcode 029667098021)

2. Various Artists - "Nothing But A House Party: The Birth Of The Philly Sound 1967-1971"

UK released 26 May 2017, Ace/Kent Soul CDKEND 466 (Barcode 029667083829)

3. Various Artists - "Psychedelic Soul Produced by Norman Whitfield" 

UK released 27 August 2021, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 504 (Barcode 029667103121)

4. Earl Young - "Groove Machine: The Earl Young Drum Sessions"

UK released 24 February 2024, Ace/Kent Soul CDTOP 1629 (Barcode 029667109925)

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