Frankie Beverly, Seven Souls, The Commands, Parliaments etc

[Diggin' Dave]

DIGGIN' DAVE 45s - NOVEMBER 2024 LIST

Full list with sound and photos can be checked here: https://mailchi.mp/86dc1d886da7/1nc6s8682q-18092911?e=a5e12671fc

 

Frankie Beverly & The Butlers – Because of my heart / I want to feel I'm wanted – Fairmount 1017

Something you don't see every day... an issue copy of one of the most iconic dancers ever in the history of Northern Soul. And it's a true double-sider as well. Unfortunately Mr Buzzy didn't care too much about the appearance of his labels. On the B-side all text has been scratched out apart from the label name. The good news is that this plays very strong on both sides.

Visual grade: VG

€2000

 

Nord Cameroun Rythms – Lamido / Astadjam dada sare – Sonafric 1621

Raw afro funk grail. Light scattered marks, fine for playing out.

Visual grade: Vinyl VG / Sleeve VG-

€500

 

The Seven Souls – I still love you / I'm no stranger – Okeh 4-7289

Stone cold classic Northern spin from LA. This copy has a 1/2" crack that has been fixed by an expert in order to not develop any further. Strong player overall as you will hear.

Visual grade: VG, fixed 1/2" crack

€400

 

Fritz Hale – Now I'm using love / Somebody help me – Detroit's Own 6715

Spiritual Detroit anti-drug outsider jam. Looks VG+ on first sight but downgraded a notch due to some pressure points that produce ticks here and there during the intro part.

Visual grade: VG

€400

 

Charles Clark – Make it right / If you just come back home – Ocean Wave 10110

Recently discovered private Florida funk 45. Found by Jimmy Trotter through the artist, I managed to grab one copy through David Haffner before they dried up, so it's probably now or never for this one. The flip is a brittle folk-edged soulful gem and the main reason I bought it. Very clean copy but a bit of dust in the grooves produces some background noise here and there.

Visual grade: EX, small to medium warp NAP

€400

 

100 Years Time – Woman of soul colour of coal / Put your hand in your mind – Merrecca 8236

DC deep funk double sider. Top side is a syncopated dancer for the left field floors, flip is a more laid-back affair that's impossible to listen to without nodding your head (try it!)

Visual grade: EX

€300

 

King Coleman – Down in the basement / Crazy feeling' – Togo 600

Big mod / R&B sound with recent surge in demand. Mint apart from one superficial mark NAP.

Visual grade: EX

€200

 

Gregory Washington – Whisper cool breeze / Here I come again – Paramecium 1000

Under the radar Chicago popcorn. Clean copy on the rare yellow label variation.

Visual grade: VG+ to EX

€200

 

400 Years Of What – Get down people / Do what you like – Counterpart 3790

Instrumental Ohio psych funk banger, recorded by some of the core members of The House Guests after that band dissolved. Flipside ain't too bad either.

Visual grade: VG

€160

 

The Commands – Don't be afraid to love me / Around the go-go – Dynamic 111

Uplifting San Antonio mid-tempo stunner in excellent nick.

Visual grade: EX

€150

 

Renaldo Domino – Not too cool to cry / Nevermore – Twinight 128

Seldom seen white demo of this Chicago double-sider.

Visual grade: VG

€90

 

Fantasia – Love is free / Life goes on – Fantasia

Mid-tempo DC modern that's still somewhat under the radar in spite of its obvious quality.

Visual grade: EX to M-, minor warp NAP

€90

 

Eddie Holland and The Shaydz Combo – But it's alright / I don't want to cry – A Talent Attraction 302

Super clean North Carolina northern. In case you were wondering, this is not the legendary Motown songwriter.

Visual grade: M-

€80

 

Micki Lynn – I've got the blues / Some of this and some of that – Capitol 5495

Clean copy of this Axelrod-produced femme soul jazz version of the Marvin Jenkins tune. Xol on B-side.

Visual grade: M-, short warp NAP

€80

 

T. Gill & Gill Singers – Lord lift me / In the end – Valberst 6116

Very rare Milwaukee gospel double-sider. A side is uplifting gospel R&B, the B side a remarkable female ballad with Helen Purvis on lead.

Visual grade: VG- to VG

€75

 

The Parliaments – Poor Willie / Party boys – Apt 45-25036

Detroit doo-wop from1959 which can be considered as the start of a legacy as it's the first ever release from Parliament / Funkadelic, featuring both George Clinton and Grady Thomas on vocals.

Visual grade: VG

€70

 

The Firebolts – Everybody party (Get down) / Hum along song – Greenback 1006

New Jersey disco funk banger.

Visual grade: EX

€70

 

United 8 – Getting uptown / Ain't it good – Atlantic 45-2896

Killer 70s funk breaks 45 that was unplayed until I recorded the soundfile for this list.

Visual grade: M-

€50

 

Curtis Ballard – Everybody likes what I got / Instrumental – Curtis Ballard 3852 HOLD

Largely unknown Detroit funk 45. Has an area near the outer edge with audible marks but this only affects play during first three revolutions. Looks strong VG after that and plays even better.

Visual grade: G+/Strong VG

€45

 

Brutal Force – Dreams for sale / The number for groove – Phil-La of Soul 384

Philly disco funk classic. Sure shot to get the floor movin'

Visual grade: EX

€40

 

Esther Phillips – Fever / Try me – Atlantic 45-2370

Quite rare version by one of the greatest female voices to ever grace the soulful realm. Plays above grade.

Visual grade: Strong VG

€40

 

Gospel Continentials – Tell me wht you say / I must tell Jesus – GC-969

Invisible private R&B gospel. Pressed off-center, needs some adjusting to play in key.

Visual grade: VG

€40

 

The Peddlers – Comin' home baby / On a clear day you can see forever – Epic 5-10531

One of the best versions out there. Soul-jazz workout with breaks galore.

Visual grade: Strong VG+

€35

 

Michael Hunter – You know what to do lord / Jesus will see you through – Carrie 10002

Obscure vocal gospel harmonies on the collectable Detroit/Nashville label.

Visual grade: Strong VG+, storage warp NAP

€35

 

Larry Williams & Johnny Watson – Find yourself someone to love / Nobody – Okeh 4-7300 DJ Copy

Gritty big room sound. Minor scuffs but plays excellent.

Visual grade: VG to VG+

€35

 

The Sensational Starlight Singers – You can't change what God has made / Love lifted me – HSE 436

Deep and elusive Virginia gospel. VG- because of a feeler mark but plays through quite well.

Visual grade: VG-

€30

 

Betty Johnson – It ain't supposed to be that way / A little bit longer – Decca 32244 DJ Copy

Cute, yet almost completely overlooked femme fingersnapper that oozes soul.

Visual grade: VG+

€30

 

Billy Butler – My sweet woman / Nevertheless – Okeh 4-7207

Chicago classic in clean condition.

Visual grade: VG+ to EX

€25

 

Paul Varisco – Hey girl / She's a big girl now – Morceau from New Orleans 5000

Soulful Louisiana popcorn that you may not have heard before.

Visual grade: M-, minor warp NAP

€25

 

Saul Malapane – You are my love / I'll never be the sameself again – RTS 94

Uplifting South African funky crossover that is still pretty much unknown at this point.

Visual grade: M-

€20

Edited November 3 by Diggin' Dave