Joe Garland, Johnny Andrews, Cyre, Special Touch +++

George M · December 15, 2023

Scroll down for scans & full audio taken from the copies for sale.

Email ruralconcourse@yahoo.com to reserve.

Grading: M- / VG++ / VG+ / VG / VG- / G (VG++ is used to mean the same as EX in UK Record Collector terms). Post prices are £4 UK recorded / £9 UK special delivery / £6 airmail to EU (cheap items only) / £7 rest of the world (cheap items only) / £12 tracked & signed service outside the UK.

The mail system seems to be working well at the moment, touch wood, but If you want to buy something and fear it being trapped in the seasonal pile-up at the depots, just let me know and I can send in the new year if you prefer.

Thanks,
George

Alphabetical by Label

Freda Wells “You Believe in Me / Move Me” (Big Willie) VG £60
Oddball sound from Detroit – the featured side here being an excellent ’70s dark ballad. Obscure and recommended. (Ballad has a scratch causing tics late in the song. Move Me has a single pop immediately before the music starts, then plays great.)

Special Touch “This Party is Just For You / Just What is Forever” (Brackett) VG+ £175
In-demand 1981 dancer with 2-step flip. (Has a few scuffs, but plays great. Very faint edge lift not affecting play & barely noticeable)

Terry Callier “I Just Can’t Help Myself (I Don’t Want Nobody Else) / Gotta Get Closer to You” (Cadet white demo) VG++ £120
A lovely copy. (Virtually M- with dish not affecting play, not apparent when A side is playing)

J. Jay & The Dell Tones “Just A Matter of Time” (Cobra) nice VG £200
Rugged yet slinky dancer from San Antonio, funky but with a dark R’n’B-popcorn sound. (Labels have small, discreet and very faint signatures. Flip is VG)

Joe Garland with Little Dave & The Soul Peppers “That’s His Girl / Sound of Love” (Eastwind International Artists) VG+ £600
Beautiful early ‘70s crossover dancer from Queens, NY with great drums. Quite obscure, and has only ever been up for sale a couple of times. (Ballad flip.)

Solicitors “Music For The Brothers / Acid” (Excello) VG £35
Music For The Brothers is solid uptempo funk, only found on the issue copy – and it’s a different version of the song to the one on the extremely rare local pressing, which is messier. (Very faint ringwear)

Johnny Andrews “My Amazing Dream / I’m Not Just Pretending” (Post) VG- / G £200
Heavy ‘60s midtempo banger from Ohio, which remains extremely rare. (Lots of wear & small scratches, but as you can hear, it plays pretty well. Deep soul B side is G)

The Positive Gospel Singers “Where Will It End / I Stop By” (Roy) VG+ £70
Excellent obscure 70s midtempo / ballad. Destined for headier pricing once people get to hear it.

El Shobey & Co. “Never Missed What You Got / Whole Thing” (Shout) VG+ £75
I wish more records sounded like this: pathos-laden crossover in minor key, with rugged production, amazing drums and serious mobility. Pitch it up to gain maximum dancefloor benefit. Funky soul at its very best, there’s also a break on the flip.

Alex Williams & The Mustangs “Moon Dust / The Thrill Ain’t Gone” (Soultrack) VG++ £70
Still bangs. A great copy on the original label.

Spectrum “Let’s Fall in Love / If You Wanna Party” (Spectrum Enterprises) VG+ £100
Nice 70s sweet soul, rarely found like this on the original Virginia label in properly listenable condition (funk flip).

Cyre “The More The Man / The More The Man” (Spectrum Records) VG £175
Obscure midtempo modern stepper / rare groove, with the B side being a part 2. (A side is more like VG+. B side has a small scratch causing some light tics, not terribly intrusive. Check full clips)

Image “We’re Movin / Promises” (Verdy) VG+ / strong VG £40
Underrated modern dancer with a huge vocal. The ballad flip is also good. Tough to find clean.