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Pied Piper - A New Concept In Detroit Soul

Pied Piper - A New Concept In Detroit Soul magazine cover

One Kent release many of us have been waiting for, The Pied Piper Masters. You will have to wait a little longer as it is scheduled for release on 28th January.

This CD heralds the biggest unearthing of Detroit and Northern Soul masters for decades. It is as important and thrilling as the Scepter, Wand and Musicor cache, the Dave Hamilton tapes or the unissued RCA treasure of the 80s and 90s.

On this volume alone there are previously unheard gems from the Cavaliers, September Jones, Lorraine Chandler, Nancy Wilcox and Willie Kendrick; not forgetting two great instrumentals from the Pied Piper musicians. There are also the original Giant label releases that were issued in 1966 on Tony Hester, The Sandpipers and Mike & Ray, while the first Pied Piper productions for indy labels like Mikki Farrow on Karate and Sam E Soul on Ruby are also included.

Working with the master tapes was a pleasure and to hear these wonderfully produced Detroit masterpieces as they were laid down has been a revelation.

The original, substantially faster version of Lorraine Chandler’s Northern Soul classic ‘I Can’t Hold On’ is a fresh and exciting take on a record that has been played solidly for nearly forty years. Her alternate vocal to ‘Mend The Torn Pieces’ is quite a shock. It is in a very different, deep soul style to the poppier, girly version that we issued on the Rare Collectible And Soulful CD in the mid 90s. Nancy Wilcox only had one 45 release but cut six tracks for the company and ‘Gambler’s Blues’ has been played to great acclaim at Northern dances over the past eight years from a very expensive publisher’s acetate.

The company’s own imprint was Giant, the earlier Detroit version as opposed to the slightly later Chicago label (which confusingly also had writer and saxophonist Mike Terry’s involvement). Tony Hestor’s first single before he teamed up with his writing partner Popcorn Wylie is a masterpiece of lilting, anguished soul that has grown in stature in recent years. The Sandpipers atmospheric ‘Lonely Too Long’ and Mike & Ray’s ‘If You Only Knew’ on the label also fetch big money, as does the Karate only release by Mikki Farrow ‘Could It Be’.

The reason Pied Piper has been so esteemed over the years is due to the number of Northern Soul classics played in the 70s heyday of the scene. The Hesitations ‘I’m Not Built That Way’ and Freddy Butler’s ‘That’s When I Need You’ were massive records back then and along with the previously mentioned tracks meant the words Pied Piper were spoken with reverence. What makes this CD so exciting are the new tracks by established Northern stars like the haunting ‘I Hear Music’ by Lorraine Chandler and Willie Kendrick’s unique vocal style applied to the Metros’ number ‘Time Changes Things’.

Mid 60s Detroit recordings rarely slowed below mid-tempo but Sam E Solo ‘Tears Keep Falling’ is a fabulous soul number with a lazy, catchy beat that bucked that trend. The Cavaliers ‘We Go Together’ is a very classy mid tempo take on a song that co-owner Shelley Haims co-wrote in the 50s for the Moonglows and was later cut by Jan & Dean. This 1966 soul version has excited the North’s top DJs and is certain to be a monster sound in 2013.

The most exciting discovery for a lot of people will be the original version of Rose Batiste’s ‘I Miss My Baby’ which Pied Piper recorded several months before the Revilot release. This recording is titled ‘This Heart Is Lonely’ as the song was originally written. Shelley remembered it as being by Telma Hopkins the Detroit backing singer who went on to fame with Dawn in the early 70s and recently as a top US actress. However the vocal style is so similar to that of Rose Batiste on Revilot, we are assuming it is her. How the tape ended up first with Revilot and secondly in an instrumental form as ‘Bari Track’ by Doni Burdick on Sound Impression another year later, is a mystery that is still unravelling.

Finally, almost in the Little Ann category for having her light hidden under a bush, September Jones gives us four of her eight Pied Piper sides that resulted in just one solitary 45 release licensed to Kapp. This expensive single ‘I’m Coming Home’ is as fine an example of Detroit’s soul craft as was ever committed to wax; tortured and moody, superbly produced and delivered with a hypnotic beat. The unissued sides are equally fine and with another four gems to be featured on the second volume, her time in the spotlight is assured.

Ady Croasdell

Compilation and comprehensive sleeve notes by Ady Croasdell.

Pre order from Ace Free delivery in the UK

1. I Can t Hold On (Original Version) - Lorraine Chandler

2. Stuttering Sam - September Jones

3. Gamblers Blues - Nancy Wilcox

4. This Heart Is Lonely - Rose Batiste

5. She Won t Come Back - The Hesitations

6. Just Can t Leave You - Tony Hester

7. We Go Together - The Cavaliers

8. That's When I Need You - Freddy Butler

9. Give Me All Of Your Love - September Jones

10. That s What Love Is - The Pied Piper Players

11. Time Changes Things - Willie Kendrick

12. I Fell In Love (Can t Help It) - Freddy Butler

13. Could It Be - Mikki Farrow

14. I Hear Music - Lorraine Chandler

15. I m Coming Home - September Jones

16. Mend The Torn Pieces Of My Heart (Original Version) - Lorraine Chandler

17. He ll Be Leaving You - The Pied Piper Players

18. Chink A Chank Baby - September Jones

19. I m Not Built That Way - The Hesitations

20. In The End - Nancy Wilcox

21. If Only You Knew - Mike & Ray

22. Lonely Too Long - The Sandpipers

23. Tears Keep Falling - Sam E Solo

24. Tell Me Your Mine - Lorraine Chandler

http://acerecords.co.uk



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I have to say I've got as much from reading the sleeve notes as I have from listening to the CD a good few times so far. Really interesting thanks Ady and all those who helped you. Steve.

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I have to say I've got as much from reading the sleeve notes as I have from listening to the CD a good few times so far. Really interesting thanks Ady and all those who helped you. Steve.

It's about time Kent put all the sleeve notes in one big book, I keep pestering :)

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You want a cd player set up for friday ?

Only just coming to terms with decks mate, don't add any more buttons ffs!

Some spectacular tackle on it though, lovin it!

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Only just coming to terms with decks mate, don't add any more buttons ffs!

Some spectacular tackle on it though, lovin it!

We'll be putting out some 45s on a brand new Kent Pied Piper label starting in March. In the meantime if people want to cut any acetates or carvers for DJing purposes feel free to.

Ady

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We'll be putting out some 45s on a brand new Kent Pied Piper label starting in March. In the meantime if people want to cut any acetates or carvers for DJing purposes feel free to.

Ady

Cheers Ady, was gonna ask if you planned to. Top hole!

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Hi Ady, thought you might appreciate knowing that I received this notification from Amazon this morning:

We regret to inform you that your order will take longer to fulfill than originally estimated. Our supplier has notified us that there is a delay obtaining stock for the following items you ordered on January 26 2013.

Various Artists "Pied Piper Presents A New Concept In Detroit Soul"

We are awaiting a revised estimate from our supplier, and will email you as soon as we receive this information.

Any ideas what the problem is and, more importantly (and appreciating that you're not Amazon's customer service!), when stock will be available???

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Hi Ady, thought you might appreciate knowing that I received this notification from Amazon this morning:

Any ideas what the problem is and, more importantly (and appreciating that you're not Amazon's customer service!), when stock will be available???

Amazon seem to have it in stock, though it now says through Reissues Direct which is actually us, so I'd have another go and if it don't work out get it through us www.acerecords.com

We're sending them more stock, this seems to be a hot item :)

Thanks for letting us know

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Quality from track one onwards. KENT productions remain unrivalled. Many thanks to Ady and all concerned for unearthing these gems and putting em out for the masses to enjoy.

Gav

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I've had problems with Amazon before with new releases. When the Darrow Fletcher CD came out in October, I pre-ordered it.

A month later it was still unavailable from them and a week later I got an e-mail from them saying they weren't sure when it

would arrive. I finally cancelled my order and got it immediately from another web site.

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Quality from track one onwards. KENT productions remain unrivalled. Many thanks to Ady and all concerned for unearthing these gems and putting em out for the masses to enjoy.

Gav

Seconded.

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Just checked the status of my order from amazon, showing as "In Stock" but not yet dispatched, which as a pre order i find strange ........ but noticed that they've increased the price by 0.50 to £9.50.

No doubt the price will slowly creep up if they can't get enough copies in stock !

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Well what can i say,this is a fantastic product both tracks and booklet are the business,oh and that Cavaliers gob smacked,well done Ady and all concerned,wouldnt of minded being involved in this little product,bloody fantastic.So if you aint got one,sort it because you wont regret it,oh and that Cavaliers,i must stop repeating my self.Top Man Ady. Gilly and Nicola

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WELL I GOT MINE THIS MORNING VIA AMAZON PLAYING IT AS I TRY TO TYPE AND KEEP MY FEET STILL.

THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE HEARD SINCE MY FIRST HEARING OF THE JUMPING AT THE GO GO LP IN THE 70,S.

WELL DONE ADY I MUST ADMIT TO SHEDDING A TEAR A WHILE BACK WHEN I FIRST HEARD THE ERIC PURCELL STORY,BUT THIS MORE THAN MAKES A MEND.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 45'S A FANTASTIC JOB WELL DONE SIR.

KEV :hatsoff2:

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WELL I GOT MINE THIS MORNING VIA AMAZON PLAYING IT AS I TRY TO TYPE AND KEEP MY FEET STILL.

THIS IS THE BEST THING I HAVE HEARD SINCE MY FIRST HEARING OF THE JUMPING AT THE GO GO LP IN THE 70,S.

WELL DONE ADY I MUST ADMIT TO SHEDDING A TEAR A WHILE BACK WHEN I FIRST HEARD THE ERIC PURCELL STORY,BUT THIS MORE THAN MAKES A MEND.

CAN'T WAIT FOR THE 45'S A FANTASTIC JOB WELL DONE SIR.

KEV :hatsoff2:

I shed a tear when i played that Cavaliers on the way to work and i work for gypsies
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Way Hey! Pied Piper Productions finally get a UK hit record after some 45 years! New entry @ No.108 today! :thumbup:

NEW 108 136 PIED PIPER PTS A NEW CONCEPT IN DETROIT VARIOUS ARTISTS ACE

Well done to all @ Ace! One could argue that Pied Piper has a bigger audience today then ever before.

Ian D :D

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Ian

Totally agree awesome CD been playing it all day. As a side issue whatever happened to your release of the early Philly Gamble and Huff recordings

Dave

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Way Hey! Pied Piper Productions finally get a UK hit record after some 45 years! New entry @ No.108 today! :thumbup:

NEW 108 136 PIED PIPER PTS A NEW CONCEPT IN DETROIT VARIOUS ARTISTS ACE

Well done to all @ Ace! One could argue that Pied Piper has a bigger audience today then ever before.

Ian D :D

Great stuff. Does that get me playing it on Top Of The Pops? The make-up department will be busy.

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Great stuff. Does that get me playing it on Top Of The Pops? The make-up department will be busy.

Not quite Top Of The Pops, but if you've got a PR person they should be yelling from the rooftops! For a deep-specialist album like this to even be in the Top 200 is a f*ckin' miracle plus it's holding today as well which is brilliant.

Ministry Of Sound are probably on the phone now asking who these Pied Piper guys are and how did Ministry miss 'em.......... :lol:

Ian D :D

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I just got mine from Amazon this morning, all of the above then!!! very enjoyable and its been really fun waiting for the release, what makes Northern soul fun, from a music point of view...

Only down side, we have to wait a year for Vol 2..

well done Ady and all at Kent / Ace, a job well done...

Ps question, the Gamblers Blues track, Tim Brown gave a strange comment when he auctioned an Acetate of this track late last year, he mentioned it was highly unlikely that the track would ever be released due to legal wrangling, I have no idea what that actually relates to, but its obviously its not the case, but his recent Tim Brown speaks column mentions a deal he did with the source, which did not include that track??

what that all about

Mal.C

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Where's Lorraine BTW, is she seeing this feedback?

Mine just arrived, playing it while doing me ironing :huh:

Fantastic Ady :thumbup:

Kent just gets better

Hi Steve,

I'm here basking in this warm glow of being part of a charted album after all these years. I always knew we had talented artists, writers, arrangers and musicians. I'm sorry that it took so long for the recognition (outside of you all) and I hope it keeps selling and selling and selling.

I know I don't have to thank you, but I do. I know I don't have to say how much I love my Soul Source family, but I do. The CD still has a way to go and it's much too soon to get emotional, but I am. :wub:

Lorraine

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Got mine this morning and have just finished my first play .... jaw dropping stuff , the first takes of i cant hold on and mend the torn pieces are fantastic , who'd have thought you would hear better (IMO) versions of old favourites all these years later

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Also got mine this morning - thanks Ady :thumbsup:

It's a lovely promo copy with a really nice embossed promo stamp on the cover - brilliant stuff

The booklet and other artwork is just fabulous - love it - very smart

Just about to give it a first play - and I can't wait to read all the info in the booklet :yes:

Cheers

Richard

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Ps question, the Gamblers Blues track, Tim Brown gave a strange comment when he auctioned an Acetate of this track late last year, he mentioned it was highly unlikely that the track would ever be released due to legal wrangling, I have no idea what that actually relates to, but its obviously its not the case, but his recent Tim Brown speaks column mentions a deal he did with the source, which did not include that track??

Mal.C

I don't think he knew we had accessed the original masters from the original production company at that stage. To be fair it was a surprise to us after all these years of people searching for them.

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OK - I'm up to track 10 - The Pied Piper Players "That's What Love Is" - what an absolutely awesome track - it's got me tingling with gosebumps - brilliant :thumbup:

That Rose Batiste is also sooooo good!

Cheers

Richard

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Picked up a copy in Tokyo today...fabulous informative sleeve-note, as per usual...congratiulations Ady.

Don't 'spose the instrumental of, 'Chink A Chank Baby' was on the tapes by any chance...would like to wrap my ears around that if it does exist/can be mixed down!

Roll on vol.II.

:hatsoff2:

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Just like the first toke of a crack pipe, its clear you will be back.

On toke 2 of this CD and I will be back.

Stunning, although just to keep Ady on his toes, and I appreciate the last two tracks are historically relevant, but they are kack, so 100% hit rate for vol 2 please (although I should say thanks for putting them both at end, makes the ff much less hassle)

Kent I think I love you....

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I'd concur with Jock wholeheartedly and also add that I continue to be impressed with Ace's mailing.

I ordered on line early last week only to receive the Etta James comp despatched by mistake a day or two later.

e mailed Ace and their despatcher, Phil Stoker, mailed correct order which arrived the following day.

Nice one Phil.

Pete

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The test pressings just arrived on my desk, I'll let you know if they play the Damned Smash It Up by mistake :ohmy:

If so send one to me Ady :D

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The test pressings just arrived on my desk, I'll let you know if they play the Damned Smash It Up by mistake :ohmy:

The Damned in their early phase - pre TOTP - were great - and great live too

Good to see Ace releasing more of this kind of stuff.

Cheers

Richard

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Going slightly off topic here but... wasn't "Can't Shake It" by Etta James supposed to be in this batch of 45's ?

It was but after saving the tape for the record company they said they had plans of their own! However I'm strill hopeful and will try and get it in the next batch

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The Damned in their early phase - pre TOTP - were great - and great live too

Good to see Ace releasing more of this kind of stuff.

Cheers

Richard

The stuff Ace is releasing is from when they actually made their TOTP debut and promoted 3 or 4 singles!

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The Damned in their early phase - pre TOTP - were great - and great live too

Good to see Ace releasing more of this kind of stuff.

Cheers

Richard

i

caught them down the Roxy, marquee and Vortex and was a big fan. 'New Rose' was probably the best of all the punk singles, amazing energy. The Members did the best punk/New Wave LP

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