"Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – 22 Seventies-Tracks That Includes Four US 45-Singles from 1971, 1972 and 1973 and Eighteen Previously Unreleased (May 2010 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Got A New Love..."

One that seems to have slipped through the reissue net – 22 Seventies cuts from the Sounds Of Memphis Studios (18 Previously Unreleased) – most in the tradition of Southern Soul. It's a mixed bag for sure - but there's more winners on here than losers. Here's the nitty gritty on the tape-box discoveries...

UK released May 2010 – "Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 339 (Barcode 029667233927) breaks down as follows (73:59 minutes):

1. If You Never See Me – WILLIE WALKER
2. I Won't Have To Cry No More – WILLIAM BOLINGER
3. Saturday In The Park – THE JACKSONIANS
4. Hook, Line & Sinker – THE MINITS
5. How Can I Get Next To You (Alternate Vocal) – GEORGE JACKSON
6. I'm Your Slave – OTIS WHEAT
7. You're Slipping Away – DAN GREER
8. I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know – THE JACKSONIANS
9. People Are Talking – WILLIAM BOLLINGER
10. Run Around – WILLIE WALKER
11. Love Letters – THE MINITS (1971 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 703, A)
12. Sparkle Eyes – THE JACKSONIANS (1973 USA 7" single on MGM 14640, A)
13. Always Treat Your Woman – ART JERRY MILLER
14. Chirpin' – LOU ROBERTS
15. Take A Look At Yourself – DAN GREER
16. Love Trying To Come – GEORGE JACKSON
17. Love Is Blind – ERMA SHAW
18. Steppin' Stone – LOUIS WILLIAMS
19. Lover Boy – THE MINITS (1972 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 706, A)
20. Guessing Game – JIMI HILL (1973 USA 7" single on Sounds Of Memphis 719, A)
21. Because Of You – TEKELIA KELLY
22. The Plumber – THE OVATIONS
NOTES: All tracks are STEREO except 2, 6, 9, 14 and 22 – which are MONO

For a Kent-Soul release – the 12-page booklet feels strangely slight – even with great detail from number one Soul Man DEAN RUDLAND with reminiscences from Linda Lucchesi who ran the Studios in the Eighties. There's a photo of the 3 ladies in The Minits, the 7-strong man-crew of The Jacksonians, an in-studio snap of Producers Bill Lucchesi, Tom James and Nick Paladina and a staged shot of little Jimi Hill smiling as he signs a recording contract (Dan Greer overseeing proceedings). The sound is uniformly brilliant – remastered by long-standing engineer DUNCAN COWELL – especially on the Stereo cuts with Audio Restoartion from ROB SHREAD.

As you can see from the track list above – only 4 of the 22 cuts were officially released as US 45-singles – the others are previously unreleased songs/versions from the vaults and tape boxes of the Sounds Of Memphis studios. And truthfully the quality count is shockingly high – it really is (track after track impresses).

It opens with two goodies "If You Never See Me Again" (Willie Walker giving it some Terence Trent D'Arby guttural vocals) and the softer "I Won't Have To Cry No More" which is a Northern Soul shuffle. It's unfortunately easy to hear why "Saturday In The Park" stayed in the can – the instrumentation is excellent but the vocal is all over the place – flat and almost out of tune. Far better is the wicked Ike Turner guitar-groove of "Hook, Line & Sinker" where The Minits blast out a funky winner. 

Things take a proper Southern Soulful turn with the alternate take of George Jackson's "How Can I Get Next To You?" – as lovely a tune as he ever put his stunningly emotional pipes to (superb Saxophone solo). It's the first of two new cuts from him – the other is the awkwardly titled "Love Trying To Come" - a slow groove with a good if not unconvincing vocal (both titles will be big draws for fans). Otis Wheat is new to me but he had a sweet almost talking-voice and the love song "I'm Your Slave" is very good indeed.

A genuine blast is a cover version of Al Kooper's Blood, Sweat & Tears masterpiece "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know" done to pleading Soul heartbreak perfection by The Jacksonians (named after Jackson in Mississippi) where lead vocalist Whitney Jebb, Jr. tears up a storm. As Rudland points out, the vocal bears more than a passing resemblance to Donny Hathaway's version of the song - and
William Bolling hitting those upbeat high notes on "People Are Talking" is akin to Jackie Wilson in his Sixties prime – a wicked inclusion and shocking "People Are Talking" wasn't issued as a single. 

"Chirpin'" by Lou Roberts isn't great – better is the beautifully produced "Take A Look At Yourself" from Dan Greer where he urges his lady to "...clean up her mess..." (what a guy!). We get a bit slap-bass funky on "Love Is Blind" where Erma Shaw seems vocally unsuitable to the tune – better is the sweetly string-laden "Lover Boy" by The Minits. Jimi Hill comes across as a young Michael Jackson circa The Jackson 5 (hardly great) but far better is the smooch of "Because Of You" by Tekelia Kelly (who's pictured in the booklet in the studio with Bill Lucchesi). It ends on the lead singer of The Ovations telling us he's ready to fix any lady's plumbing – which you have to admit – is very generous of him...

So there you have it – May 2010's "Steppin' Stone: The XL and Sounds Of Memphis Story Volume 3" was always going to be a mixed bag of the great and the not-so-great with such a huge number of unreleased. Thankfully the good stuff outweighs the filler. Well done to England's Kent-Soul for getting this rich mine of Soul material out there and tickling us pink...

"Lost Without You: The Best Of Kent Ballads 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS (30 October 2015 UK Ace Kent-Soul CD Compilation - 1963 to 1974 Tracks - Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review By Mark Barry...

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"...Don't Let Her Make You Cry..."

The first Volume in this series "Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" hit the streets of Soul-Mad Blighty in August 2010 – and lovers of (largely) unreleased torch-sung ballads have been dribbling in pools of talcum powder ever since. Never one to keep their eager punters waiting – Ace only took a piffling five years to come up with Volume 2 – "Lost Without You". 

It's most definitely not as immediate as its illustrious predecessor I'd have to say right off the bat - but after repeated plays – Volume 2 is a more than worthy follow-up. Here are the sob-stories...

UK released Friday, 30 October 2015 (November 2015 in the USA) – "Lost With You: The Best Of Kent Ballads 2" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 439 (Barcode 029667243926) breaks down as follows (74:45 minutes):

1. Stay Away – THE TURN AROUNDS (a Fraternity Recording from 1966 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
2. I Don't Need Nobody – JERRY WASHINGTON (an Excello Recording from 1974 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
3. I Love You More – LEE WILLIAMS & THE CYMBALS (a Joe Evans Production, 1966 USA 7" single on Carnival 521, A)
4. Lost Without You – LORRAINE CHANDLER (first appeared on the 2015 Various Artists CD compilation "Pied Piper: Follow Your Soul" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 429)
5. Don't Let Her Make You Cry – J.J. JACKSON & THE JACKAELS (a Brent Recording from 1962 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
6. After He Breaks Your Heart – THE WANDERERS (1963 USA 7" single on United Artists 570, A)
7. Lonely Girl – JULIUS WRIGHT (a Brent Recording from 1967 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
8. Nobody But You – THE EXOTICS (an Excello Recording from 1968 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
9. Apartment No. 9 – LITTLE JOHNNY HAMILTON (a Watts Way Recording from 1969 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
10. I Can Fix That For You – DORI GRAYSON (1968 USA 7” single on Murco 1045, A)
11. Everybody Knows – PEGGY GAINES (a Bob Holmes Production from 1965 – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
12. I Give A Damn – JOHNNY WATSON ('not' Johnny 'Guitar' Watson - a 1970s recording first issued in 1999 on a 45 - Valise 6915, A)
13. Crying Clown – EDDIE PARKER (1968 USA 7" single on Awake 502, A)
14. Messing Up A Good Thing – JOHN EDWARDS (1974 USA 7" single on Aware AW-037, A)
15. Sure Thing – JIMMY SCOTT (a 1984 Dave Hamilton Recording – Previously Unreleased, 2015)
16. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight – TY KARIM (James Taylor cover version - a 1973 USA 7" single on Romark 73-104, A)
17. Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed) – ALICE CLARK (A 1969 USA 7" Promo Single on Warner Brothers 7270, B-side of "You Hit Me (Right Where It Hurt Me)" and also on the Various Artists 1971 LP "Soul Black & Beautiful Vol.1" on GWP Records ST 2037)
18. How's Things With You – JOE MAYFIELD (a 1964 USA 7” single on Excello 2256, A – Jay Miller Production)
19. King For A Day – DANNY WHITE (a 1969 USA 7" single on Kashe 443, A – written by Eddie Singleton)
20. The Last One To Be Loved – LOU JOHNSON (a Bacharach/David song – a 1964 USA 7" single on Big Hill 553, A)
21. Give This Fool Another Chance – EDDIE WHITEHEAD (a 1967 USA 7" single on Black Jack 711, A)
22. Lonely Man – THE SOUL BROTHERS (a 1967 USA 7" single on Sho-Biz 401, A)
23. Take Another Look – THE TURQUINETTES (a Previously Unreleased A.F.O. Records Recording, 2015)
24. The Price – MARY LOVE-COMER (from the 1988 US LP "His Servant Am I" on CoLove Records 1001)
[NOTES: Tracks 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 11, 15 and 23 are Previously Unreleased, 2015 
Tracks 2, 3, 14 15, 16, 17 and 24 are STEREO - all other Tracks are MONO]

The 16-page booklet has track-by-track assessments by Soul Authority and Lifelong Genre Lover ADY CROASDELL (compiler too) – a name that has graced countless quality CD compilations for Ace and Edsel. In-between text is photos of those rare American 45s on long-forgotten labels like Carnival, Kashe, Murco, Awake, Aware and Sho-Biz, label publicity photos and even a snap of Croasdell with Nashville Producer Bob Holmes. DUNCAN COWELL has mastered the tracks from original analogue recordings and the audio quality is typically fabulous – even when some of the sources are obviously less than audiophile.

"Lost Without You" on paper seems like another classy outing from Ace's Kent-Soul wing (a compilation of ballads spanning 1962 to 1988) – but in truth – I found a lot of it simply refused to fly at first. Nine of the 24 cuts are Previously Unreleased and although some are very good – you can 'hear' why they stayed in the can. Musically songs like "Stay Away" by The Turn Arounds and "I Don't Need Nobody" by Jerry Washington fit all the criteria for torch tunes – but they never really grab you by the throat because they’re trying but not really succeeding. The first time I felt the feeling was the compilation’s title song "Lost Without You" by Lorraine Chandler – but that's already showed on a previous Kent-Soul CD I got this year – "Pied Piper" (see review). Of the unreleased stuff - "Nobody But You" by The Exotics is one of the nuggets on here as is J.J. Jackson's vocal-group melodrama of "Don't Let Her Make You Cry". Both "Everybody Knows" by Peggy Gaines and Jimmy Scott's alternate take of "Take A Chance On Love" from 1984 called "Sure Thing" is excellent.

Ty Karim's cover of James Taylor's love song "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" somehow unintentionally strips the song of its Rock sweetness and stuff like the positively awkward "Take Another Look" by The Turquinettes and the funereal "How's Things With You" by Joe Mayfield are ruined by inappropriate instruments intruding on the tune. Far better is "Apartment No. 9" by Little Johnny Hamilton, the simple Soul of "King For A Day" by Danny White and the truly sublime rarely-heard Gospel B-side "Heaven's Will (Must Be Obeyed)" by Alice Clark – a stunning vocal and as Soulful as you're ever likely to hear a singer get (the A-side is a monster Northern Soul side). Speaking of the Lord – Mary Love-Comer gets all 80ts Soulful on "The Price" – a nice tune – but it partially works and is a weird and unsatisfying way to end this CD compilation.

To sum up - I've had to listen to "Lost Without You: The Best Of Kent Ballads 2" more than a few times to get used to it and enjoy its depths – and I'll admit it grows on me more and more. Just don't expect the usual first-time fireworks you normally get with Kent-Soul CD compilations of this kind...

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"You're Gonna Get Next To Me: The Complete Claridge Recordings" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS - Including the December 1976 US Debut Album "Bo & Ruth" on Claridge Records and more (December 2014 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation and Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Keep On Doing What You're Doing..."

I can recall when this rather dull-looking Soul/Disco album used to sit in secondhand racks around the UK and go nowhere. It was precisely the kind of average-looking Soul LP you used to get in the late Seventies that promised little other than filler fleshing out a single hit. 

But then DJs and Soul Lovers began to look under the hood (away from the obvious winner of the hugely popular club classic "You're Gonna Get Next To Me") - and found a quality Soul album with almost all of the tunes penned bv the smiling Californian singers on the cover - BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS. Here are next to you details...

UK released December 2014 - "You're Gonna Get Next To Me: The Complete Claridge Recordings" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 425 (Barcode 029667242523) contains one LP and six Bonus Single Sides and pans out as follows (64:30 minutes):

1. I Feel The Love In This Room Tonight

2. To Make You Love Me

3. Train of Desire

4. You're Gonna Get Next To Me

5. We Got The Recipe [Side 2]

6. Easy Loving

7. Sure Got A Thing For You - BO KIRKLAND

8. Can You Feel It

9. Grandfather Clock - BO KIRKLAND

10. Stay Out Of My Kitchen

Tracks 1 to 10 are the album "Bo & Ruth" by BO KIRKLAND and RUTH DAVIS - released December 1976 in the USA on Claridge 1002 and June 1977 in the UK on EMI International INS 3007

11. Loving Arms (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427, B-side of "That's The Way The Wind Blows")

12. That's The Way The Wind Blows (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427, A)

13. That's A Bet (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432, B-side of "Stay By My Side")

14. Stay By My Side (1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432, A)

15. Heartbreaker - RUTH DAVIS (1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434, B-side of "Love In A Love Zone")

16. Lost In A Love Zone - RUTH DAVIS (1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434, A)

This CD will allow fans to sequence the following US and UK 45's as follows:

1. Grandfather Clock [9] b/w Sure Got A Thing For You [7] - BO KIRKLAND

(1975 USA 7" single on Claridge 409)

2. Easy Loving [6] b/w We Got The Recipe [5]

(1976 USA 7" single on Claridge 414)

3. I Feel Love In This Room Tonight [1] b/w To Make You Love Me [2]

(1976 USA 7' single on Claridge 421)

4. You're Gonna Next To Me b/w Stay Out Of My Kitchen (If You Can't Stand The Heat) [10]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 424)

[Note: the 3:05 minutes single edit isn't on this CD, hence no track no provided]

5. That's The Way The Wind Blows [12] b//w Loving Arms [11]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 427)

6. Stay By My Side [14] b/w That's A Bet [13]

(1977 USA 7" single on Claridge 432)

7. Easy Loving [6] b/w Can You Feel It [8]

(August 1977 UK 7" single on EMI International INT 536)

8. Lost In A Love Zone [16] b/w Heartbreaker [15] - RUTH DAVIS

(1978 USA 7" single on Claridge 434)

As you can see from the lists above - you get the 10-track album with six non-album single sides added on as bonuses - all of it remastered onto CD for the first time. The 12-page booklet is festooned with those American Claridge label 45s as well as repro-ing the rare Promo-Only Picture Sleeve to the UK release of "Easy Loving" (Page 3) and an EMI International Press Sheet from June 1977 on the release of the UK platter. And while the NICK ROBBINS remaster is truly fabulous (great audio on every track) - it isn't going to take fans long to work out that there's a major omission here - the 7" edit of the album monster hit "You'll Get Next To Me". It seems like a major mistake to leave it off. Don't get me wrong - the extended album cut at 7:19 minutes is a DJ's dream really - but most folks are familiar with the shorter cut. Worth mentioning...

The album openers with the lovely mid-tempo "I Feel Love In The Room Tonight" and is followed by a stepper "To Make You Love Me". We go full-on smoocher with the strings and sway of "Train Of Desire" where their voices sound sweet. But the opening three are thoroughly trumped by the Side A finisher - the full album version of "You're Gonna Get Next To Me". Even now it's such a winner with that impish chant throughout and its good to hear the tune stretch out too.

The Bo Kirkland solo cut "Sure Got A Thing For You" is fabulously slick and slinky Seventies Soul  - very Marvin Gaye "Here, My Dear!" territory. It gets into a groove and shuffle that just won't quit and the remaster brings this out to the full with lyrics "Tried to think of something cute to say...but all that came out of my mouth was Hi..." Of the singles "Stay By My Side" is a more sophisticated Disco tune than the market of the time was used to (it's equally chipper B-side is good too). Her solo 45 "Lost In A Love Zone" is the funkiest of the lot.

It's not all genius by any means and that missing edit of the huge hit is a bit of an oversight - but with the great presentation and especially the upgraded audio quality - fans should dive in and enjoy...

"Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY(January 2015 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Nick Robbins Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...Somebody Special..."

Now here's a CD compilation that will warm the cockerels of even the most jaded Soul listener. In fact in reviewing this gorgeous listen - the word 'class' keeps coming to mind. Kent-Soul have produced some absolute corkers when it comes to Sixties/Seventies Classic Soul CD compilations - but this really is a sweetheart of a release (and to my ears boasts the best audio for JIMMY HOLIDAY material that I've ever heard). Here are micro detailed Minits...

UK released January 2015 - "Spread Your Love: The Complete Minit Singles 1966-1970" by JIMMY HOLIDAY on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 427 (Barcode 029667242721) pans out as follows (73:29 minutes):

1. Baby I Love You (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, A)
2. You Won't Get Away (July 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32002, B)
3. The Turning Point (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, A)
4. I'm Gonna Move To The City (September 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32011, B)
5. In The Eyes Of My Girl (1966 US 7" single on Minit 32014, A, scheduled but cancelled)
6. Give Me Your Love (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, B)
7. Everybody Needs Help (December 1966 US 7" single on Minit 32016, A)
8. Ready, Willing And Able - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, A)
9. We Got A Good Thing Goin' - JIMMY HOLIDAY and CLYDE KING (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32021, B)
10. I Wanna Help Hurry My Brother Home (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
11. We Forgot About Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32023, A)
12. The Beauty Of A Girl In Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, A)
13. Everything Is Love (1967 US 7" single on Minit 32028, B)
14. Spread Your Love (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, A)
15. We Got A Good Thing Goin' (June 1968 US 7" single on Minit 32040, B)
16. I'm Gonna Use What I Got (To Get What I Need) (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, A)
17. I Don't Want To Hear It (scheduled B-side of 32053, but withdrawn, replaced with 18)
18. I Found A New Love (1968 US 7" single on Minit 32053, B)
19. Baby Boy's In Love (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, A)
20. If You've Got The Money, I've Got The Time (March 1969 US 7" single on Minit 32058, B)
21. Yesterday Died (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, A)
22. Would You Like To Love Me (1969 US 7" single on Minit 32079, B)
23. A Man Ain't Nothing With A Woman (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, A)
24. I'm In Love With You (1970 USA 7" single on Minit 32097, B)
25. I've Got Live While I Can (from the 1966 US STEREO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-40005)
26. Nobody's Fault But Your Own (from the 1966 US MONO LP "Turning Point" on Minit LP-24005)
Tracks 1, 3 to 5, 7 and 8, 11 and 12, 14 to 17, 21, 23 to 25 are STEREO
Tracks 2, 6, 9 and 10, 13, 18 to 20, 22, and 26 are MONO
By including tracks 25 and 26 from the LP as effectively bonus tracks - this CD will also allow fans to sequence his lone album on the Minit label.

The vinyl album "Turning Point" was issued 1966 in the USA in both Mono (Minit LP-24005) and Stereo (Minit LP-40005)
Side 1:
1. The Turning Point [3]
2. Baby I Love You [1]
3. In The Eyes Of My Girls  [5]
4. I Don't Want To Hear It [17]
5. Everybody Needs Help [7]
6. We Forgot About Love [11]
Side 2:
1. I'm Gonna Move To The City [4]
2. I've Got To Live While I Can [25]
3. Give Me Your Love [6] (Mono)
4. Everything Is Love [13] (Mono)
5. Nobody's Fault But Your Own [26] (Mono)
6. We Got A Good Thing Goin' [15]
Above are all Stereo except where noted

The 12-page booklet pictures the labels of American Minit 45's and some of their UK equivalents on Liberty (including some tasty demos - full colour spread on the back page), both the American and British sleeves of his lone Minit Records album "Turning Point" (called "Spread Your Love" in the UK), trade adverts and press articles. But best of all are the typically fab liner notes from Soul aficionado TONY ROUNCE that flesh out the sequence of hits and misses (three songs charted on the American R&B charts - track 1 at 21, track 7 at 36 and track 14 at 35) with his knowledge and quotes from interviews of the period. But the big news for fans has to be the audio - done by NICK ROBBINS at Sound Mastering in London - the remasters are fantastic. There's a wonderful clarity on these transfers (Stereo or Mono). Some have hiss for sure - but far more evident than that is the warmth to the voices and the instruments that feel better to me than my "Imperial/Minit" CD set of old (90s EMI CD).

It opens with a belter and one of his most famous songs "Baby I Love You" - which made 21 on the American R&B charts in 1966. The Stereo cut is fantastic - full of that great Sixties Soul feel. His next effort is the title track to the album "Turning Point" where he pleads "...my love went wrong and my heart got burnt...now I stand alone...at the turning point..." As Rounce quite rightly enthuses about his passionate delivery - the slow string-laden melodrama pace and his hiccupping crying singing (ala Jackie Wilson) don't so much labour the point as wring its neck (a fabulous Soul track). It's flip "I'm Gonna Move To The City" is a Northern Soul dancer if ever there was one.

I can understand why Minit chose "Everybody Needs Help" as the A with it's "help a blind man...life is rough..." lyrics - but personally one of the best tracks on this compilation for me is its flip - the mid-tempo neck-jerker "Give Me Your Love" that sports a wicked keyboard riff throughout sounding not unlike Clarence Carter on Atlantic circa 1968/1969 (a few years before the event). I bought the bopper "Ready, Willing And Able" on one of those Stateside £3.99 LPs back in 1989 - what a great tune - his voice combining with Clyde King to 'sock it to me' perfection. The other chart hit on here is "Spread Your Love" - a frantic passed dancer once again adopted as a favourite by Northern Soul floor shapers in the mid Seventies. "Baby Boy's In Love" gets all James Brown & The JB's funky while his cover of Lefty Frizzell's "If You Got The Money, I've Got The Time" complete with yodels is probably the weirdest song on here. At the tail end I find "Yesterday Died" is among the best.

He passed away aged only 52 in 1987 having suffered from coronary problems for most of his life (including having open-heart surgery in 1968). With his great voice and heartbreak songs - Jimmy Holiday is remembered with such affection and on the evidence presented so superbly by Ace's Kent-Soul here - it's easy to hear why...

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"One In A Million: The Songs Of Sam Dees" by SAM DEES (covered by VARIOUS ARTISTS) - 22-Tracks from 1971 to 1983 including Clarenter Carter, Rozetta Johnson, Corey Blake, Ray Crumley, The Temptations, Johnnie Taylor, Frederick Knight, Loretta Holloway and more (March 2014 UK Ace/Kent-Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry....

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"...Standing In The Wings..."

Totalling maybe a dozen singles across five or six American labels and one rare album in 1975 on Atlantic Records ("The Show Goes On") – SAM DEES (born in Birmingham, Alabama) doesn't have a massive Solo catalogue per say. But Dees is one of those hep cats (rather like Allen Toussaint) who wrote great songs made famous by other people – especially women. And that's where this superlative CD compilation comes in. 

Comprising of 22 cuts put down between 1971 and 1983 – "One In A Million..." celebrates his prolific songwriting talent in style. And listening to this classy Ace Records CD compilation (on their much-loved Kent-Soul imprint) – it's easy to hear why Dees is held in such respect and affection by both Producers in the industry and fans alike. 

Expertly and affectionately compiled/annotated by lifelong Soul Nutter Number 1 TONY ROUNCE – by the end of this generous listen (nearly 80 minutes playing time) you're left with the same admiration he clearly feels for one of the many unsung heroes of the genre. Here are the Soulful spoils...

UK released March 2014 – "One In A Million: The Songs Of Sam Dees" by SAM DEES [Various Artists] on Ace Records/Kent-Soul CDKEND 411 (Barcode 029667241120) breaks down as follows (79:55 minutes): 

1. My World – SAM DEES (1977 US 7" single on Polydor PD 14455, A)
2. Stop This Merry-Go-Round – JOHN EDWARDS (1973 US 7" single on Aware AW 035, A)
3. Girl Overboard – DOROTHY MOORE (1978 US 7" single on Malaco 1052, B-side of "Special Occasion")
4. Your Love Is Like A Boomerang – COREY BLAKE (1975 US 7" single on Capitol 4057, A)
5. A Woman's Way – ROZETTA JOHNSON (1970 US 7" single on Clintone CT-001, A)
6. Vanishing Love (UK Remix) – THE CHI-LITES (February 1977 UK 7" single on Mercury 6167 485, A)
7. Cry To Me – ESTHER PHILLIPS (1981 US 7" single on Mercury 76103, A)
8. Standing In The Wings Of A Heartache – TED TAYLOR (from the USA album "Ted Taylor 1976" on Alarm LP 1000)
9. Just As Soon As The Feeling's Over – JACKIE WILSON (from the 1975 US album "Nobody But You" on Brunswick BL 754212)
10. Changes – CLARENCE CARTER (from the 1970 album "Patches" on Atlantic SD 8267)
11. I Betcha Didn't Know That – FREDERICK KNIGHT (1975 US 7" single on Truth TRA-3216, A)
12. Run To Me – SIDNEY JOE QUALLS (1975 US 7" single on Dakar DK 4546, A)
13. Mess On Your Hands – MILLIE JACKSON (2014 previously unreleased 3:07 minutes edit of a track from her 1982 US album "Hard Times" on Spring SP-1-6737)
14. Good Guys Don't Always Win – RAY CRUMLEY (1976 US 7" single on Alarm 113, A)
15. So Your Love Finally Ran Out (For Me) – LES McCANN (from his 1979 US LP "Tall, Dark & Handsome" on A&M Records SP-4780)
16. The Show Must Go On – LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (1975 US 7" single on Aware AW 050, A)
17. What A Way To Put It – THE TEMPTATIONS (from the 1983 US LP "Surface Thrills" on Gordy 6032GL)
18. Spoiled By Your Love – ANITA WARD (1978 US 7" single on Juana 3417, A)
19. Where Did We Go Wrong – L.T.D (1980 US 7" single on A&M Records 2250-S, A)
20. Save The Overtime (For Me) – GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS (1983 US 7" single on Columbia 03761, A)
21. Seconds Of Your Love – JOHNNIE TAYLOR (1983 US 7" single on Beverly Glen Music BG 2016, A)
22. One In A Million You – LARRY GRAHAM (1980 US 7" single on Warner Brothers 49221, A)
Notes: All tracks are STEREO except 1, 5, 15 and 19 - which are MONO

The 16-page booklet is the usual fact-filled, photo-strewn event – pictures of American and UK 45s, album sleeves for Jackie Wilson, The Temptations, Les McCann and Loleatta Holloway as well as track-by-track info from the ever-brilliant TONY ROUNCE. The remasters from DUNCAN COWELL are beautifully realised – most quality Productions in the first place. It does dip a bit on the Mono mixes of say L.T.D. – but overall this is a real pleasure to listen to for all the right reasons. 

The emphasis is on love songs and ballads – and nine times out of ten – Dees will move and impress you. The beautiful "My World" was initially released 1977 on the tiny New London International label (1003) in the USA as "In My World". And while Polydor liked the singing they thought the Production wasn't up to snuff so they had Dees recut it with Tommy Couch at Malaco and that's the version presented here ("Say Yeah" is the flipside – recut at the same sessions). The brilliant love groove of "Cry To Me" by Esther Phillips features an uncredited Sam Dees singing 'improvised vocal lines between Esther's lead' and is a first time on Kent-Soul CD (superb transfer too). You're then hit with the tortured beauty of "Your Love Is Like A Boomerang" (a winner) - while the "...you'll cook his supper...but he'll find complaints about something..." lyrics of "A Woman's Way" feature a fantastic sassy and street-smart vocal by Roszetta Johnson (credited as Rozetta on the label). 

After her full-on hardcore songs - Millie Jackson's gut-wrenching vocals on the newly compiled edit of "Mess On Your Hands" comes as a shock – a hurting tune about (would you Adam and Eve it) a cheating man. It's a clever compiler choice because it focuses on the song's strengths and what people forget – her great voice. Another cool inclusion is Les McCann's impassioned Teddy Pendergrass vocals on "So Your Love Finally Ran Out On Me" from his underrated "Tall, Dark & Handsome" album of 1979 which contains an impressive five Sam Dees songs (this track is first time on CD too). "Where Did We Go Wrong" by L.T. D. (Love, Togetherness & Devotion) is a co-write with Jeffrey Osbourne. And on it goes to the full-on smooch of Larry Graham's "One In A Million You" – a single that shifted just that in 1980 (it was a USA R&B Number 1). 

I must admit that despite the obvious quality on offer here, by the time you get halfway through, you may feel that if you hear yet another set of lush strings – you may indeed want to kill someone instead of giving them a cuddle. But don't let my cello phobia put you off – this is a class act through and through (Sam Dees' talents are still in demand to this day). Well done yet again to Kent-Soul for giving the man his dues...

"Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS - Singles, Album Tracks and Unreleased From Later CD Compilations Tracks from 1964 to 1975 (August 2010 UK Ace Kent-Soul CD Compilation of Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"…Cry To Me…"

Twenty-Four slices of Sixties and Seventies moaning and wailing and pleading for a second chance – sounds like my cup of Soul Tea. Some have said this set isn't as good as previous 'Deep Soul' compilations by Ace’s stunning Kent-Soul imprint label - but I beg to differ. 

Even on the previously unreleased stuff like "You Must Leave Her Because You Love Her" – the quality is shockingly high. This compilation is a slow burner and full of nuggets (Little Ann graces the cover with her title song – a big fave on YouTube these days - 2019). Here are the nitty gritty details first…

UK released August 2010 (September 2010 in the USA) – "Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 342 (Barcode 029667234221) is a 24-track CD compilation of Remasters that breaks down as follows (77:21 minutes):

1. Cry To Me – LOLEATTA HOLLOWAY (1975 US 7" single on Aware AW 047, A-side)
2. I've Done It Again – THE CHARMELS (A Volt Label Recording first issued September 1999 on the CD compilation "Let's Crossover Again: Stax/Volt Vibes To Blow Your Mind" on Ace Kent/Soul CDKEND 174)
3. What Have You Got To Gain By Losing Me – JEANETTE JONES (Previously Unissued Golden State Recorders recording)
4. Gotta Find A Way – THE HESITATIONS (A GWP Recording first issued July 2005 on the CD compilation "GWP NYC TCB" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 249)
5. There's Another In My Life – PHILLIP MITCHELL (1975 US 7" single on Event 223, A-side)
6. You Must Leave Her Because You Love Her – THE PARAMOUNT FOUR (Previously Unreleased Bob Holmes Recording)
7. Showdown – THE SHALADONS (A GWP Recording first issued October 2007 on the CD compilation "Larry Banks' Soul Family Album" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 284)
8. Seeing is Believing – L.V. JOHNSON (A Volt Label Recording first issued September 1999 on the CD compilation "Let's Crossover Again: Stax/Volt Vibes To Blow Your Mind" on Ace Kent/Soul CDKEND 174)
9. You Didn't Love Me Anyhow – ACT 1 (edited version of a track on their 1974 US debut LP "Act 1" on Spring Records SPR 6704)
10. Whether It's Right Or Wrong – JACKIE LEE & DELORES HALL (1966 US 7" single on Mirwood 5528, A-side)
11. You Got Me – JAIBI (Previously Unissued GWP recording, Rob Keyloch mix)
12. I Won't Be Such A Fool Anymore – THE MODETTES (An Alex Palao Mix of a GWP recording first issued on the October 2009 CD compilation "GWP NYC TLC Volume 2" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 326)
13. No More Like You – RAY POLLARD (1965 US 7" single on Shrine SR 0103, A-side)
14. It Can Happen To You – THE QUOTATIONS (April 1968 US 7" single on Di Venus Records DV-107, B-side to "I Don't Have To Worry")
15. Can't You See I’m Busy – AUSTIN TAYLOR (1964 US 7" single on Sprout Artist 731, A)
16. No One Can Take The Place Of You – THE RAVINS (A Dave Hamilton Production, 1965 US 7" single on Demo Ristic AR 857, A) 
17. I Love My Baby – TOMMY & EDDIE (1966 US 7" single on Money Records 124, A)
18. Tag Tag – SAM DEES (A GRC Recording from 1965 first issued September 1995 on the Sam Dees CD "Second To None" on Ace/Kent-Soul CDKEND 125)
19. Sweet Loving Woman – GARLAND GREEN (1974 US 7" single on Spring 146, A)
20. You Make Me Feel Like Someone – JOHNNY GILLIAM (1968 US 7" single on Modern M 1052, A)
21. You Must Be Losing Your Mind – JIMMIE RAYE (A JRE Production supervised by Matt Parsons, 1967 US 7" single on Garrison 3008, A)
22. I'm A Lonely Man – BOBBY BURN (1968 US 7" single on Chant Records CH-522, A)
23. How Long Can This Last – DEBBIE TAYLOR (1969 US 7" single on GWP Records GWP 510, A)
24. Deep Shadows – LITTLE ANN (First appeared on the April 1998 CD compilation "Dave Hamilton's Detroit Dancers Vol.1" on Ace Kent-Soul CDKEND 154)
[Note: Tracks 3, 6 and 11 are PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED]

The 16-page booklet has a 4000-word essay on each track by Britain’s best Soul authority TONY ROUNCE – a name that has graced countless quality CD compilations for Ace and Edsel. In between text are photos of those rare American 45s (the mere sight of the 'Shrine' label will make Northern Soul fans weak at the knees and reach for the wallet), label publicity photos and even a rare Tape box. DUNCAN COWELL has mastered the tracks from original analogue recordings and the audio quality is typically fabulous. 

Musically songs like "Showdown" by The Shaladons and "Seeing Is Believing" by L.V. Johnson are torch tunes of the highest quality – not just schmaltz – but touching. The truly gorgeous and powerful "You Got Me" by Jaibi is a song they've used before – but here we get a better remix by Rob Keyloch that brings the backing vocals to the fore – what a gem. It doesn't say who the lead female vocalist on "I Won't Be Such A Fool Anymore" by The Modettes - but what a great performance and such a lovely ballad. The Production values on the Ray Pollard 'Shrine Label' track is low key but what a song and what bubbling-under passion – it's no wonder Northern Soul fans cream their shorts over stuff like this. 

I know there are those that say the moment you exit the Sixties – the Soul Ballad takes a nosedive into schlock way too often – all production values and no heart. There is of course an awful truth to this – but then there's tracks like Phillip Mitchell's "There's Another In My Life" and Garland Green's "Sweet Loving Woman" which despite their cheesy spoken bits – have loveliness at their core that transcends. The opener "Cry To Me" by Loleatta Holloway is another - a lovely Sam Dees/David Camon song in the vein of those breathy pleaders ("...baby I see you packing…") and despite its slightly dated Seventies feel – when she finally launches into the vocal – it so works. Both 1968's "I'm A Lonely Man" by Bobby Burn and 1969's "How Long Can This Last" by Debbie Taylor are gorgeous stuff too – so pretty with their down-tempo rhythms and string arrangements that go down like a fine wine (or two). 

"Deep Shadows: The Best Of Kent Ballads" is a compilation that creeps up on you – I find I return to it more and more. Wonderful stuff – and as ever – another classy winner from those British Soul nuts at Ace and Kent-Soul…

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"Behind Closed Doors: Where Country Meets Soul" by VARIOUS ARTISTS – Featuring Tracks from 1965 to 1993 by Aaron Neville, Solomon Burke, Percy Sledge, Ann Peebles, Tami Lynn, Esther Phillips, Bettye Swann, Tony Borders and more (June 2010 UK Ace Records/Kent Soul CD Compilation – Duncan Cowell Remasters) - A Review by Mark Barry...

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"...My Love Keeps On Growing..."

A clever one. You wouldn't credit Soul Artists doing Country cover versions – but of course a good song (especially a moaning ballad) is a good song – and Soul Music variants will bring an even deeper groove/feel to it. So before the next teardrop falls – here are the backdoor details…

UK released June 2012 – "Behind Closed Doors: Where Country Meets Soul" by VARIOUS ARTISTS on Ace Records/Kent Soul CDKEND 375 (Barcode 029667237529) breaks downs as follows (76:58 minutes):

1. The Grand Tour – AARON NEVILLE [George Jones cover] (1993, from the CD album "The Grand Tour" on A&M 540 100-2)

2. He'll Have To Go – SOLOMON BURKE [Billy Brown and Jim Reeves covers] (1964, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2218, A)

3. Take Time To Know Her – PERCY SLEDGE [Steve Davis cover] (1968, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2490, A)

4. I Saw Her – ESTHER PHILLIPS [George Jones cover] (1965, USA 7" single on Atlantic 2304, A)

5. My Elusive Dreams – MOSES & JOSHUA DILLARD [Curly Putnam cover] (1967, USA 7" single on Mala 575 and October 1967 UK 7" on Stateside SS 2059, A-side)

6. Hangin' On – ANN PEEBLES [Gosdin Brothers cover] (1974, USA 7" single on Hi 2265, A)

7. My Shoes Keep Walking Back To You – BOBBY SHEEN [Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys] (1965, USA 7" single on Dimension D-1043, A)

8. Wings Upon Your Horn – TAMI LYNN [Loretta Lynn cover] (from the 1972 LP "Love Is Here And Now You're Gone" on Cotillion SD 9052 (USA) and Mojo 2916 007 (UK))

9. Before The Next Teardrop Falls – THE LIMELITES [Duane Dee cover] (1975, USA 7" single on Creative Funk 12008, A)

10. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry – AL GREEN [Hank Williams cover] (1973, from the "Call Me" LP on Hi Records XSHL 32077)

11. Life Turned Her That Way – JAMES CARR [Mel Tillis cover] (1968, USA 7" single on Goldwax 335, A)

12. He Called Me Baby – CANDI STATON [Harlan Howard/Patsy Cline cover] (1971, USA 7" single on Fame 1476, A)

13. The Chokin' Kind – Z.Z. HILL [Harlan Howard/Waylon Jennings cover] (1971, USA 7" single on Mankind 12007, A)

14. Yours, Love – JOE SIMON [Harlan Howard/Waylon Jennings song] (1970, USA 7" single on Sound Stage 7 2664, A)

15. Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad – COOKIE JACKSON [Tammy Wynette cover] (1967, USA 7" single on Okeh 4-7279, A)

16. Detroit City – ARTHUR ALEXANDER [Mel Tillis cover - "I Wanna Go Home"] (1965, USA 7" single on Dot 45-16737, A)

17. Gentle On My Mind – TONY BORDERS [John Hartford song/Glen Campbell cover] (September 1969 USA 7" single on Revue R 11054, B-side to "Polly Wolly")

18. Don't Touch Me – BETTYE SWANN [Garland Perry & Hank Cochran song – Jeannie Seeley cover] (January 1969 USA 7" single on Capitol 2382, A)

19. Set Me Free – CLARENCE CARTER [Curly Putnam cover] (1967, from his USA debut album "This Is Clarence Carter" on Atlantic SD 8192)

20. Behind Closed Doors – LITTLE MILTON [Kenny O'Dell song/Charlie Rich cover] (1974, USA 7" single on Stax STA-0210, A)

21. If You're Not Back In Love By Monday (Alternate Vocal) – MILLIE JACKSON [Merle Haggard cover] (first issued as a Bonus Track on the 2007 CD Reissue of "Feelin' Bitchy" (a 1977 album on Spring 6715) on Ace Records/Southbound CDSEWM 242)

22. Skip A Rope – JOE TEX [Henson Cargill cover] (1968, from the USA album "Soul Country" on Dial Records SD 8187)

23. She Even Woke Me Up To Saw Goodbye – BROOK BENTON [Mickey Newbury cover] (1971, from the USA album "Story Teller" on Cotillion SD 9050)

The 20-page booklet has amazingly detailed annotation by long-time Ace associate TONY ROUNCE – a man who’s liner notes have graced a huge number of quality Soul, Funk, Disco and Jazz Funk reissues. DUNCAN COWELL has handled all the remasters and done a typically bang-up job. The audio varies from period to period – but the 'feeling' is never compressed away – these songs breathe and many sound glorious.

"Behind Closed Doors..." opens with the relatively new – Aaron Neville doing a respectful version of "The Grand Tour" by George Jones (complete with pedal steel guitar and Eagles pacing). But things start to get more interesting when Solomon Burke does a Soul take on the classic third-man song "He'll Have To Go". Even better is Percy Sledge's "Take Time To Know Her" with its churchy organ and pleading 'mama says' vocals. Next is a rare Esther Phillips outing – sparse and slow – she puts in a great vocal on a 'picture of a fool' song. Moses and Joshua Dillard do their best Sam & Dave duet with Curly Putnam's "My Elusive Dreams" – a welcome upbeat dancer.

John Hartford's gorgeous and lilting love song "Gentle On My Mind" (made famous by Glen Campbell) gets tapped by Tony Borders – a 1969 US 45 you don’t see nor hear too often on Revue Records. Soul Siren and all-round vocal class act Bettye Swann brings her golden throat to a Hank Cochran tune Jeannie Seeley first aired - "Don’t Touch Me" – a cut from Bettye’s "The New Soul View!" album issued as a 45 in January 1969.  Another very tasty pairing and brilliant compilation choices... 

I raved about the Ann Peebles take on "(You Keep Me) Hangin' On" on Hi Records – totally transforming the Gosdin Brothers classic into something Al Green soulful (lyrics above) – while the amazing vocals of James Carr does the same with "Life Turned Her That Way" by Mel "Don't Be Quick To Condemn Her" Tillis. Tempo picks up with "The Chokin' Kind" as Z.Z. Hill makes Waylon Jennings sound like a pleased-with-himself Bobby Womack. Joe Tex cleverly picks "Skip A Rope" about children playing - but it has marital breakdown lyrics (Mum and Dad fighting at night) and racial overtones about "...hate your neighbour for the colour of his skin..." Millie Jackson Alternate Vocal on "If You're Not Back In Love By Monday" is another heartache highlight.

"Behind Closed Doors" is a very clever Kent-Soul CD compilation from a reissue label (Ace Records) that keeps spotting connections we either missed or need to be woken up to. Woke me up for sure... 

This Review Along With 230 Others Is Available in my

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