This Cleveland Ohio band recorded "Lets Make Sweet Harmony" on Solid Foundation 103 in 1973, which was taken from the album "Be Happy". Did this album ever see a release, if so is it worth hunting down.

In 1974 also on a Solid Foundation 45 they released a strings and brass funk filled alternative version of what sounds like a melody and chorus of "Sweet Harmony" entitled "9th Street". Do copies of this exist with "9th Street" parts 1 and part 2 recorded onto both A and B sides, or were they all pressed with "Never Be The Man My Big Brother" as the reverse side onto the released stock copies on Solid Foundation 107.

Thanks.

Nikolas .

Edited November 10, 201113 yr by Nick Harrison

Nick I have had a copy 9th Street Parts 1 and 2 45...some time back.

Solid Foundation a very underestimated label ..never seen an album they often put from forthcoming album in those days....

  On 10/11/2011 at 12:03, glynthornhill said:

Nick I have had a copy 9th Street Parts 1 and 2 45...some time back.

Solid Foundation a very underestimated label ..never seen an album they often put from forthcoming album in those days....

Hi Glyn, thanks for that information/confirmation. Sure would agree - the Solid Foundation label is still a very underestimated label ,including it's sister labels of "So Jamm" and "Way Out" (Jesse Fisher). I would love to see an actual label listing, including lesser known other's than Richard Lackey ?, The Imperial Wonders and the Four Wonders etc. Whats the chances !! Anyone - Thanks.

Edited November 10, 201113 yr by Nick Harrison

I'm pretty sure those two 45s are the only 9th street exit 45 and there was no LP released. I know this guy who swears he read a review of the LP in a 70s music magazine but all the ohio experts I know say there's no LP.

Random info: the four wonders actually have no connection to the imperial wonders, and are from indiana.

9th street exit why this never made it is beyond me I played it about 15 years ago local do's Hinckley and the like never did much.I've alway's looked for the album and never had anything concrete if it does exist and the music is on a parr with sweet hamony it would be a masterpiece ......great piece of mucic regards Simon.

9th St Exit was led by Dunn Pearson (who later recorded as half of the duo Dunn & Bruce Pearson -- with Bruce Gray).

The group got its name from the freeway exit that leads to downtown Cleveland.

Solid Foundation label listing here ...........

https://www.ohiosoulrecordings.com/s.htm

No LP's were actually released (due to lack of cash to finance pressing of albums) and even the 45's followed a pretty random numbering system (the last 45 on the label from Cleveland Robinson featured 2 cuts lifted off his earlier Nosnibor album).

  On 10/11/2011 at 10:25, Nick Harrison said:

This Cleveland Ohio band recorded "Lets Make Sweet Harmony" on Solid Foundation 103 in 1973, which was taken from the album "Be Happy". Did this album ever see a release, if so is it worth hunting down.

In 1974 also on a Solid Foundation 45 they released a strings and brass funk filled alternative version of what sounds like a melody and chorus of "Sweet Harmony" entitled "9th Street". Do copies of this exist with "9th Street" parts 1 and part 2 recorded onto both A and B sides, or were they all pressed with "Never Be The Man My Big Brother" as the reverse side onto the released stock copies on Solid Foundation 107.

Thanks.

Nikolas .

..and what a cracking track "Let's Make Sweet Harmony" is when I first picked one up I wasn't too sure bout it due to the lack of a vocal, but these days I think it's an awesome dance track. see on the disc it even mentions the LP release number of "To Be Happy".... E5SF101 ??

steve

  On 10/11/2011 at 18:53, Roburt said:

Solid Foundation label listing here ...........

https://www.ohiosoulr...dings.com/s.htm

No LP's were actually released (due to lack of cash to finance pressing of albums) and even the 45's followed a pretty random numbering system (the last 45 on the label from Cleveland Robinson featured 2 cuts lifted off his earlier Nosnibor album).

A huge sincere thanks for these lists - well done and thanks again - Roburt .

i first heard lets make sweet harmony about 4 years ago and totally BLEW me away...been playing it out when i get a chance,....fabulous record!

Here's a (beat up) piccy of 9th Street Exit .....

Dunn Pearson (piano) is on the far right.

Other group members are Kenny Redd (Kenneth Redon -- guitar), Benny Slocum (drums), Ernest Cary (bass) & Kenneth Hollins (percussion).

The group, who were originally known as 'Shades Of Soul', cut an LP full of tracks for the label

.. PLUS they backed up Jessie Fisher on enough tracks to release an album on him !!!

Both albums were due for release in June / July 1974.

Edited April 1, 201213 yr by Roburt

BTW, The Imperial Wonders pissed off the Solid Foundation people by signing a national deal with Musicor in 1973.

So the label signed up a random group, called them the Four Wonders, cut tracks on them & released a 45.

Seems (as always) that the label owners wanted everything their own way & got frazzled when a group did the dirty on them.

  On 31/03/2012 at 06:17, Roburt said:

BTW, The Imperial Wonders pissed off the Solid Foundation people by signing a national deal with Musicor in 1973.

So the label signed up a random group, called them the Four Wonders, cut tracks on them & released a 45.

Seems (as always) that the label owners wanted everything their own way & got frazzled when a group did the dirty on them.

I noted this above -- the four wonders aren't even from ohio, they were from indiana

Bob, do you know the names of the guys in the group & if they cut any other tracks (in Cleveland or closer to home) ??

Back to 9th Street Exit .............

Kenny Red aka Kenneth Redon tells me that . ... "2 members (of 9th St Exit) died; Benny Slocum (the drummer) in 1980 in a shoot out and Ernest Cary (the bass player) of a heart attack in 2001... I went on to play with a band called the Force. I produced 2 singles with them...and Dunn Pearson went on to become a well known arranger / producer in New York with Mtume.

We only made the 3 45 singles with Solid Foundation in 1973 & 74. In 2009 Dunn & myself made a MP3 called "Magic Touch" line dance.

Also on a Internet Site called Record Scout we 're doing pretty good"

BTW, Kenneth also tells me that the group's Solid Foundation LP never even made it to the acetate stage as the remaining tracks (those not put out on 45) were never even mixed down to releasable standard.

Edited April 1, 201213 yr by Roburt

Imperial Wonders......It's all here......fascinating read.

https://www.imperialwonders.com/bio.html

Kenny Redon (ex of 9th Street Exit) confirmed that the group backed up Jesse Fisher on his proposed So-Jamm album tracks.

As is stated on Jesse's 45, the LP was to be titled "Baby, I Can't Stop Loving You".

His cuts were produced by Dunn Pearson.

Yet more 'lost' Cleveland (Way Out) tracks for us to dream about !!!

BTW, Kenny also tells me that Jesse ended up driving a truck for CDL.