Back in 1971 or so I heard the song "Dont You Think The Times A Comin" by Lucifer on the radio for a while. I don't think it was really a hit, just something that got play on local radio. I always liked it.

So...who was he? It doesn't really sound like the typical Invictus / H-D-H sound - more jazzy and light.

I know this is not really a 'Northern Soul' artist/record but I woke up this morning thinking about this song and this is the best source I know of for soul artist info, so...

TIA

George

Played this out three times this year - and every time a minimum of 5 punters ask who it is - startling record.

Lucifer was a combo rock group who cut one album for Invictus - also released on a 45 ' Don' t You ' - I have three customers queuing up for one , not easily located although still relatively cheap.

Edited December 2, 201113 yr by glynthornhill

Agree with Glyn unusual and brilliant! got the 45, but think the Lp has a longer (better) cut

https://youtu.be/pvmwZG-4RqA

steve

  On 02/12/2011 at 18:16, Soul-Integrity said:

Agree with Glyn unusual and brilliant! got the 45, but think the Lp has a longer (better) cut

steve

Another contender for a Backbeats comp methinks. By the way Steve I need to talk to you. Can you PM me ya number again mate?

Best,

Ian D

  On 02/12/2011 at 19:30, Ian Dewhirst said:

Another contender for a Backbeats comp methinks. By the way Steve I need to talk to you. Can you PM me ya number again mate?

Best,

Ian D

go for the LP cut Ian! I've pm'd ya a couple of times lately Ian about a track you was after, not sure if ya was getting em?

will try again bud

steve

I remember when I collected soul LPs finding this more than once, forgetting what it sounded like but noticing the invictus, playing the LP and being like "what is this rock garbage!" and putting it back. Now I may or may not have a different opinion.

Thanks for the response. I have the 45 and LP, but I don't know where the LP is, I haven't had it in hand for years and several moves/collection sort outs. I don't remember it being really solidly rock or soul, more like a group along the lines of poppier Blood Sweat and Tears. I suppose they were a Detroit area act. The singer's inflection is a bit odd. I would never had thought about this as a record to play at a dance night...at least the US dance nights I know, so that was interesting.

Canadians.

Here's another.

gary

  On 03/12/2011 at 11:48, gazman said:

Here's another.

gary

Don't know that one Gary, what's it like mate?

steve

Also not to be confused with the UK band of the same name.........

Ian D

  On 03/12/2011 at 12:10, Ian Dewhirst said:

Also not to be confused with the UK band of the same name.........

Ian D

well guess that track didn't have much of a chance to chart!

steve

Ian did ya get pm?

These tracks were probably not recorded at Invictus. They were probably recorded independently or for another label and leased to Invictus. Just like the Satisfaction Unlimited album.

I doubt that Lucifer on Nico is the same act.

Here is the Invictus group's main guy, with something of a storied history in music.

https://www.islandmusicfest.com/performers/past-performers/2011-performers/eugene-smith/

His voice is a dividing point for me, but I can see why others rate this 45.

  On 02/12/2011 at 22:18, George G said:

I haven't had it in hand for years .

...10 minues in the bathroom with a Freda Payne or Vanessa Willams LP cover should cure your problem...

  On 03/12/2011 at 12:10, Soul-Integrity said:

Don't know that one Gary, what's it like mate?

steve

Steve

Two good sides, e-mailed you.

gary

  On 03/12/2011 at 11:48, gazman said:

Here's another.

gary

i got one of these off pat brady about 6 or years ago

and probably not listened to it since then, will have to dig it out tonight for a listen

Thanks again for the replies. I suspect I heard the record on CKLW from Windsor, Ontario just across the river from Detroit. It's likely they played it to satisfy Canadian Content (CanCon) requirements that were put in place around the time that required Canadian radio to play a certain amount of Canadian recordings.

I don't know anything about the other Lucifer record, it's probablt something I heard during the past 30 or so years but I long forgot.

I have the invictus 45 and feel it's a great cut gunna play it nexed time I guest on drystone radio more people need to hear this choice tune!!

  On 06/12/2011 at 10:09, George G said:

Thanks again for the replies. I suspect I heard the record on CKLW from Windsor, Ontario just across the river from Detroit. It's likely they played it to satisfy Canadian Content (CanCon) requirements that were put in place around the time that required Canadian radio to play a certain amount of Canadian recordings.

I don't know anything about the other Lucifer record, it's probablt something I heard during the past 30 or so years but I long forgot.

don't they still have the canadian content requirements? I think they did in the 80s, I would visit relatives there and the "muchmusic" channel (their equivalent of MTV) had to play some percentage of canadian music.

Edited December 6, 201113 yr by boba

Just realised I've got a scan of this 45.

Not my copy, although I do have one, but it's got some sort of reviewer notes on the sleeve that look interesting and may just make sense to someone!

Oh yes!!, they still have Canadian content rules. University of Toronto have a Funk show on a Friday morning and they still have to do Canadian content, even on that.

I think it is 20% but not totally sure.

I sent the lead singer/writer a text. He's not online. I can call him, if you want. Can you tell me what it is you are looking for ? He lives on Vancouver Island now. He had some other great successes. Here's a sample of a personal favourite. 

 

Here's some another documentary on his later work: https://tinyurl.com/ml3tzzw

I might add that Eugene is very entwined musically, historically and socially with The Band (Robbie Robertson...Levon Helm et al) and Janis Joplin's Cosmic Blues Band and Full Tilt Boogie Band in that he was a member of Ronnie Hawkins' Hawks at the same time as these bands were also members of the Hawks before they hooked up with Dylan and Joplin. He still plays with John Till (Joplin) and has had quite a following. I think he did some work with Natalie Cole too or maybe they were just pals...I don't know.