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McArthur - It’s So Real - Soul Junction 45

McArthur - It’s So Real - Soul Junction 45 magazine cover

Soul Junction latest release feature a group formed by former Royal Joker Willie Jones with the groups solitary mid 70's release on Mainstream Records subsidiary Brown Dog.

 

Press Release: McArthur   “It’s So Real/I’ll Never Trust Love Again    SJ534

Release Date:   Monday June 27th 2016

McArthur were an all male vocal quartet founded by former Royal Joker, Willie Cornelius Jones during 1974. Willie had begun the early 1970’s as the lead singer and founding member of vocal group The 21ST Century who later, due to a name clash with The 21ST Century on RCA, became known as just The 21ST.

Following the disbandment of The 21ST during 1974 Willie set about forming a further group that he vaguely remembers featured Cheslawn Vickers at the time a serving Police Officer who timed his annual leave to coincide with the groups tours. A guy called Larry and a fourth member who Willie couldn’t recall his name. Willie again was the lead vocalist and the elder statesman of the group at the ripe old age of 35 years.

Willie Jines & The 21st1.jpeg

Willie’s new ensemble needed a name and they finally chose what they perceived to be a strong and instantly recognizable name when they became ‘McArthur’ in honor of the United States Supreme Commander of the Allied Pacific Forces during World War II, General Douglas McArthur.

Through his previously made connections as part of  The 21ST, Willie returned to Canada  with his new ensemble ’McArthur’ securing two performing dates at The Arrows Club in Halifax, Nova Scotia. ‘McArthur’ finally broke up after a period of circa 18 months together with their lasting legacy being a solitary 45 single “It’s So Real/I’ll Never Trust Love Again” which gained a release on the New York based Mainstream subsidiary label, Brown Dog (BD9006) in 1975.

Willie Jines & The 21st2.jpeg

Both sides of the 45 were produced in Detroit by Clyde Clay and Charles ‘Teddy’ Johnson for Funhouse Associates, with Teddy Johnson being an old High School friend of Willie Jones.

SJ534-a.jpg

The A-side “It’s So Real” was written by the late legendary baritone Saxophonist Andrew ‘Mike’ Terry and William Marvin Smith a respected bass guitarist and one time child protégé of Johnny Mae Mathews and Dave Hamilton. William had previously been a member of Lou Beatty’s La Beat labels house band, The LPT’s (La Beat Production Team) and was later briefly associated with the ill fated Lemon’s families Gold Records. Mike Terry had previously worked with Willie Jones during his time with the 21ST over at Joy Records as a songwriter and arranger but it is the former owner of Joy Records Joe Terrell who is credited as the arranger on McArthur’s ”It’s So Real” side ?

SJ534-b.jpg

The B-side had begun its life under the working title of “If I Live For A 100 Years” but was eventually released using the second part of the hook line “I’ll Never Trust Love Again” written by the songs co-producer Teddy Johnson and late former lead singer of the Falcon’s (Big Wheel) Carlis Sonny Munro. The String arrangements on both sides were provided by The Detroit Symphony. The result is two excellent mid 70’s soulful ballads that have of late been gaining some belated attention and has now become very sought after.

SJ534 - AcArthur Promo.mp3

To Purchase the 45 visit Soul Junction at

http://www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk/SJ534.html

Also available from other good stockists listed on the above page in the links down the right.

For further information please contact Soul Junction at: 

Tel: +44 (0)121 602 8115 or E-mail: sales @souljunctionrecords.co.uk

 



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Just a friendly reminder to say this is out on Monday get your order in today.

Oh...and the group photos are  Willie Jones with the 21st.

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1 hour ago, chalky said:

Just a friendly reminder to say this is out on Monday get your order in today.

Oh...and the group photos are  Willie Jones with the 21st.

A top class release within the genre, with some excellent background info. Nice one. Given the double sided original copies are tough to find, it's a' must buy'.

Andy

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On Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 13:29, chalky said:

Article Highlight:

Former Royal Joker Willie Jone's group McArthur with two Soulful tracks with Detroit greatness involved in its production.

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Fantastic write up etc...gotta ask is this the same as Nelson Saunders track sounds it to me albeit slower with slightly different lyrics maybe?...

J....

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Hi Guys

Thank you for comments, it's appreciated.

McArthur is out today from all the usual suspects or directly through the Soul Junction website:

www.souljunctionrecords.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support of our products. :thumbsup:

Dave

SJ

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