Wisconsin Rarity

[Soulfulsolutions]

Just the one tonight with a bit of a pitch…………. images and sound file included, PM any questions or to reserve.  Click on the player and listen while you read 

 

Al Jarreau – Shake up / Boom boom – Raynard 10024 M- £800

You’ll be familiar with a host of commercial soul artists, including the likes of Al Green, Barry White, George Benson, Lionel Ritchie, Smokey Robinson and Luther Vandross to name a few, and that all of those chaps would have had to fight their way through the rough 60s induction to establish any semblance of a money earning career let alone be vaunted by the rock and roll hall of fame.  One name not in that list but of the same ilk is Al Jarreau. 

Here’s a man who started out in 1961 and endured a dog eat dog music industry for an incredible 56 years, notching up the incredible accolade of being the only vocalist in history to win Grammy Awards in three different categories of Jazz, Pop, and R&B.  In terms of mainstream music Al was Royalty, in terms of the Northern scene, unlike some of his previously mentioned contemporaries he is a relative stranger.

It’s not surprising that as a Milwaukeean Al chose Dave Kennedys local Raynard label to record his earliest outings way back in 1964 and whilst this was accompanied by another release titled “Ska Bobbi / I am not afraid” they were not followed up by another recording anywhere before the early 70s. 

Here we have perhaps Al’s one and only Northern offering, and from intro to run off its a sparkling upbeat dance track that strikes a party vibe.  The deep horn intro and buzzing vocals scream out for chairs to be vacated and the floor to be filled as quickly as you can, this good time feelin’ track is a fizzer, bubbling over with energy and oozing excitement throughout.  The flip is more composed, not sedate, but brings out the quality of his vocals and it shouldn’t be sniffed at as decent side in its own right.

I know of one astute DJ with a copy, there’s probably others but not many, so here's a golden opportunity to grab relatively unknown dancer.  Rare to say the least, and a treasure trove piece for the Northern scene given his obvious absence from it and the enormity of his contribution to music over all those years.  It was a toss up between auction or set sale!  Vinyl is mint minus and those citrus infused labels are full of zest as they spiral on the turntable. 

  

 

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Postage:

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Regards, Lee

Edited January 12, 2022 by Soulfulsolutions