5 x New 45s Via Kent - Valerie Simpson, Pretenders, Albert Washington, Hesitations...

The last weekend of the month, which as usual means it's a Release Day for Ace/Kent Records

And it's a busy one this month, with 5 brand new quality soul 45s unleashed, that's two Repro 45s, 2 Select 45s and 1 Pied Piper 45

Details follow below, along with other Kent release news

Valerie Simpson - Look Away - It's Just Love - Kent Select 102

Release notes

This is a previously unheard, Kent Records exclusive release from the great singer/songwriter Valerie Simpson. ‘Look Away’ by the Shirelles on Sceptre was a big 100 Club play in the 80s. Now we have found the original version by the song’s writer - complete with a sensitive girl backing group, no doubt featuring some of those legendary NYC studio vocalists.

The flip is possibly even more relevant. There has never been a known US production of ‘It’s Just Love’ which is adored by collectors and dancers through the UK’s John Andrews’ super-rare and expensive 1966 Parlophone release. To have a female version by the song’s co-writer is exciting and advance DJ plays of this have already built big demand.

The Cheques - The Merits - In The Groove - Arabian Jerk - Kent Select 101

Release notes

...is a double dancer’s delight. The Cheques infectious ‘In The Groove’ comes with
instructions over a pulsating organ-lead track. That singing Louisianian organist, Tony Nardi, would go on to form Salt & Pepper in Thailand where he recorded the funky ‘Man Of My Word’. This very 60s-style mover has crossed over from the mod scene to northern soul dancefloors and beyond.

 ‘Arabian Jerk’ by the Merits was a Goldwax production out of Memphis. It is a mod meets exotica gem; perfect for the belly-dancer in your life. Both of these tracks were issued at the time but now fetch very high prices – if ever available.

The Hesitations - That's What Love Is - Soul Superman #2 - Piper 014

Release notes

Last month’s Eddie Parker ‘I’m Gone’ 45 release reused the Pied Piper backing track
from the Hesitations album-only recording ‘That's What Love Is’. Both versions of this great 60s Detroit soul stomper are adored on the northern soul scene; to see it on our Pied Piper label will be quite a buzz.

We’ve plundered another of the group’s LP-only tracks for the B side. ‘Soul Superman #2’ has never been on a 45, though its brother ‘Soul Superman’ was one of the few Pied Piper chart hits. #2 has a similar macho theme with a different, though recognisable, Pied Piper track.

Albert Washington    I'm The Man / Case Of The Blues - Repro 22

Release notes

Cincinnatian blues stalwart Albert Washington was a prolific recording artist from  the 60s to the 90s. His ‘I’m The Man’ has become a New Breed R&B classic, which despite several US and UK releases, including our Kent one in 2003, is still eagerly sought out by people willing to pay whatever it takes.

'Case Of The Blues’ is a similarly hip R&B dancer that was first issued on the Rye label in 1971. This slightly earlier Fraternity version is very similar

The Pretenders - A Broken Heart Cries - For The Rest Of My Days - Repro 19

Release notes

When we accessed Joe Evans’ master tapes in the mid-90s we were pleased to find the superb ‘A Broken Heart Cries’ by the Pretenders as it had never been released. Over time enterprising Crossover DJs picked up on it from our CD, causing demand for a Kent Select release in 2007. Once that had sold out demand continued, making that original Kent 7” so in demand that prices are now into the low hundreds of pounds.

 We took the opportunity to add the group’s beautiful harmony ballad ‘For The Rest Of My Days’ for its debut UK vinyl release.

Cd and Lp Releases

Also out today, more info soonest

CDTOP 1660 ISAAC HAYES HOT BUTTERED SINGLES VOLUME 2: 1972-1976 CD ACE / STAX

HIQLP2 154 ISAAC HAYES HOT BUTTERED SINGLES VOLUME 2: 1972-1976 2LP ACE / STAX

BGPD 1120 VARIOUS ARTISTS  THIS IS NORTHERN SOUL LP BGP NORTHERN SOUL

BGPD 1121 VARIOUS ARTISTSTHIS IS FUNKY JAZZ LP BGP JAZZ / FUNK

Availability

Availability

All the above items are now available via Ace Records website (tap here), and various record stores including our very own Source Store (tap here to visit)