New Soul Direction 45 - Mind & Matter - My Love Is Like A Fire / Would Be Mine

Mind & Matter - "My Love Is Like A Fire / Would Be Mine - Soul Direction - SD003

This journey began when I first slapped my ears around these two sublime soul tracks back in 2013. The group from Minneapolis, Minnesota that gave you "I'm Under Your Spell" on M&M Records, a former Monster hit on the soul scene played under the guise of “Merlin & The Magicians” which remains pretty elusive to this day and still a dance floor winner. 
I had the feeling that with these 2 tracks from the previously unissued catalogue that they needed to be on the format that would give them the greatest platform.
Now the journey is nearly complete!!

PRE-ORDER COMING VERY SOON FOR RELEASE ON W/C 19TH APRIL 2021

Soul-direction has handpicked what we believe are the two stand out tracks from the 2013 Numero “1514 Oliver Avenue Basement” Album and unleashed them onto the DJ’s favourite format 7" Vinyl. We wanted to treat this release as a double A sided release due to the absolute perfection of both tracks, because when it comes to crossover/modern soul music this is just a prefect double sider and we hope you agree.

Promo Video

Boasting a perfectly calibrated vocal quartet, an aggressive rhythm section, and stacks of Rhodes, Rolands, and Hammonds, the danceable act failed to win favor with frigid Midwest audiences. Recorded  in 1977, a bundle of never-before-released basement demos throw Harris’ beloved Philadelphia Sound into an unfinished root cellar, pelting it with Clavinet attacks, disco skats, and infectious hooks. 

Named for the street address of its underground uptown building, 1514 Oliver Avenue (Basement) is James “Jimmy Jam” Harris’ first foray into songcraft has produced a unique and somewhat organic style of dynamic soul music.

Alto Vocals – Glenny "Ittiim" Hardge
Baritone Vocals – Lawrence "Sabu" Brown
Bass – Joe Ray
Drums – Don Turner
Electric Piano,Electric Piano,Synthesizer– James Harris III
Electric Piano, Organ, Gary McCray
Guitar – Rodney Clark
Percussion – Barry Dillard
Saxophone, Electric Piano - Troy Williams
Tenor Vocals, Vocals [Falsetto] – Turhan Bey
Tenor Vocals – Everett "Jawanza" Pettiford*

These tracks were licensed under and with the kind help and guidance of The Numero Group.