Baker Sound Acetate - Philly Tracks

Soulfulsolutions · October 27, 2023

Here’s a really obscure and delicious item up for grabs today…..

Happy to provide additional images. Sound files included. PM any questions or offers.

Ellingtons – The Agony of the Ecstasy / She's Mine – Baker Sound acetate Ex OFFERS (min £400)

Rare and collectable slice of soul history on a Baker Sound acetate, featuring a longer running and possibly slower paced take of the Ellington’s Northern beat ballad “The agony of the ecstasy”, backed with an unissued cool garage rock track “She’s mine”. I can identify there are 2 copies of this pairing on acetate, along with at least 1 acetate copy of “(I’m not) Destined to become a loser” paired with an unreleased group soul cut “Girl has gone”.

Originating from Westfield Acres in East Camden, New Jersey, it was inevitable that the Ellington’s would strike up a relationship with another musician from the area, Rob Russen who came to manage and produce some of the groups coming out of NJ, Phila and NY. Influenced by what was coming out of Detroit particularly Motown, and Memphis, this blue-eyed group moved away from garage rock to dabble in soul and group harmonies. This culminated with 2 releases on Castle Records titled “(I’m Not) Destined to Become a Loser” flipped with “The Agony of the Ecstacy”.

As Northern fans will know Castle Records is also famous on the Northern scene for the Millionaires monstrous “You’ve got to love your baby”. There is evidence of 2 full LP Baker Sound acetates containing many more recordings from the Ellington’s which for some unknown, but common to the Northern scene, never saw the light of day. Baker Sound was also Camden based, owned and operated by Norman Baker from a motel in the early days, and onto Philly’s Chestnut Street until a fire in 1980. The studios still operate from another address today catering of course for more modern artists.

“Agony” is an outstanding but overlooked flip for the Ellington's, superb sumptuous lead vocals, storyline and harmonies. If you’re like me and have a taste for Garage too, the flip appeals, and remember it never got released. The playback on both sides is Ex or better, the top side label has a small piece missing affecting “Agony” in the title, but not significant and the flip side label has lost 3 times the size of the top side, but all the credits remain intact.