Two New Releases From Soul Direction - July 2022

Father’s Children – Everybody’s Got a Problem / In Shallah – Soul Direction SD-010

The Universal Togetherness Band – I Want You / Call For Love - Soul Direction SD-012

Release Date – Pre Order now for delivery W/C - 11th July 2022

Father’s Children – Everybody’s Got a Problem / In Shallah

Mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes. Recorded around 1972, these tracks were a result of Band Manager Robert Hosea Williams who had the foresight to preserve the master tapes from those early sessions and these masterful tracks were released on a 2011 Numero LP.

Permission was given for Soul Direction to Master these two tracks from the original master tapes. Soul Direction have made this release a Double AA Side and the reason is clear. “Everybody’s Got a Problem” having a powerful message about political conflict surrounding the Nixon administration and “In Shallah” having the Arabic translation of if “Allah wills” or “God willing” it’s clear the bands influences and beliefs but is celebrated in strong vocals and sublime harmonies respectively and for that reason each side is celebrated equally.

Hailing from Washington DC, the original members Nick Smith, Billy Sumler and Ted ‘Skeet’ Carpenter started like most, a street corner doo wop trio but after Jackie Peoples joined, they soon became a tight quartet. After a few high school dances and local talent shows they got a backing gig with Frankie Karl and became “The Dreams”. Frankie would go on to keep the name and put another band together called The Dreams. The guys were very much against the Vietnam War and would try to protest it through their brand of fine soulful harmonies. Eventually they were helped along by Norman Hylton and Larry Bell (Formerly of the Argo famed Carlton’s) who had set up ‘Pure Street Production’ a management company for up-and-coming hopefuls as part of an economic development grant. Hylton took a real shine to the band but he also wanted to add to the group to make a larger ensemble, so he tasked the band with adding new talent. Bassist Michael Rogers and Drummer Donald Radcliff were added, and later guitarist Steve “Tai” Woods was recruited, eventually Zachary Long would replace Radcliff. After several spiritual experiences Hylton, who was already a convert to Islam helped them transgress to the fold and there the “Father’s Children” were born, and the “Dreams” were no more. In 1972, Saleem (Formerly Hylton) was introduced to studio magnate Robert Hosea Williams, who owned several small studios and worked with Gil Scott Heron and Van McCoy. Hylton decided to pass the band over to ‘Fly Enterprises’ who would hopefully drive the band to better things. They already had the tracks “Everybody’s Got a Problem” and later that year added “In Shallah” which are the two tracks on this release.

These tracks and others allowed them to tour to Texas and as far afield as Bermuda before eventually returning to DC. Eventually in 1976 Fly Enterprises went bust with no funds to pay for the master tapes of the bands recordings Robert Hosea Williams took the masters adding them to his portfolio. The band were in the musical wilderness for a year or two with members trying to pursue personal projects which sadly never really ended up coming to much. A strange but chance meet with a guy named ‘Raheem’ and under the guise of a band member managed to get the band signed to Mercury Records which led to their 1979 self-titled Album release. With a few members being replaced they released the single “Hollywood Dreaming” bw “Shine On” which failed to chart and ultimately led to Mercury pulling the plug on their short-lived career. The band slowly dissolved with some of the group staying lifelong friends as they had previously. In 2005 the group reformed and released a self-funded album titled “Sky’s The Limit” for a brief chance of the limelight. Luckily Robert Hosea Williams had the foresight to preserve the master tapes from those early sessions and these masterful tracks were released on a 2011 Numero LP from which these 2 tracks were lifted for a 7” release. Soul Direction have made this release a Double AA Side and the reason is clear. “Everybody’s Got a Problem” having a powerful message about political conflict surrounding the Nixon administration and “In Shallah” having the Arabic translation of if “Allah wills” or “God willing” it’s clear the bands influences and beliefs but is celebrated in strong vocals and sublime harmonies respectively and for that reason each side is celebrated equally.

The Universal Togetherness Band – I Want You / Call For Love

Mastered for vinyl from the original master tapes.

These two tracks were recorded between 1979 and 1982 and after Andre began circulating cassette tapes of the band’s material (most of which were written by Andre) they were finally given the light of day by The Numero Group in 2014.

Soul Direction have been given permission to master these tracks for 7” vinyl from the original master tapes. The songs were recorded at Zenith db and Universal Audio in Chicago Illinois and under licence from Andre Gibson & The Numero Group and with the permission of Andre Gibson.

The Band:

Andre Gibson – Lead Vocals, Piano & Organ

Arnold Gibson – Drums,

Bass Paul Hanover – Piano, Harmonica & Backing Vocals

Fred Misher – Bass Guitar, Vocals

Leslie Misher – Lead Guitar

Louis Sanford – Percussions Dawn Brooks.

Andre Gibson was born in 1956 in Chicago. His mother from Bessemer AL. was married to Robert Lee Gibson, a labourer at a steel foundry and a fellow southerner hailing from Ashland Mississippi. His first musical experience that would carve his love of music was at the age of six witnessing a performance from the great Jackie Wilson at the Regal Theatre. He would also be shaped by performances from The Temptations & Stevie Wonder to name but a few. Also having many musical artists sharing the same apartment block would leave Andre’s ears ringing from the sounds of Vandy Harris a jazz Saxophonist, but it was his high school maths teacher Artie “Duke” Payne that helped him mature his love of music. Artie was the reedman for Cadet records Odell Brown and the Organ-Izers. Andre then went on to form his own band for a spell, playing talent shows and by the late 60s had recruited his brother. They continued for a while and the family having moved to a larger home to allow for the evergrowing family. He moved to Chicago Vocational School joining the jazz and marching band of this more progressive music-based school. Andre then got more serious and outside of school formed another larger band named “Blue Flame”. The guy’s pooled money together to buy an organ and an amplifier, then later his brother Arnold helped out and later took over the bands managerial duties leaving Andre to graduate in 1973. A few additional members joined the band and they bounced around gigs for a time until Andre married his high school sweetheart Cynthia Tabb in 1977.

Andre then took a job at CBS Musical Instruments in the R&D dept. but also demonstrated the fine instruments at trade shows for the company. He then enrolled at Columbia College where he formed Universal Togetherness Band. They did a few sessions for Malcom Chisholm at Universal/Columbia as it was then around 1979 and with the addition of Dawn Brooks and Louis Stanford completed the band and they recorded the tracks “Ain’t Gonna Cry” & “Taken By Love”. They then went onto various club shows around Illinois and played on the bill with Jerry Butler, Ramsey Lewis and many others. UTB did pretty well in the area and featured on some TV dance shows but ultimately some band members (Notably Louis Stanford & Paul Hanover) left the band and others joined, but in the four years together, they had fun and recorded other tracks alongside the two featured on this release.

Both are available to order from the Soul Direction Website.

ORDER HERE