Sebastian

Craig Moerer has got 177 M- copies in stock at the moment at $40 each: https://www.recordsbymail.com/search.php?keywords=190895

Craig Moerer has got 19 M- copies in stock at the moment at $35 each: https://www.recordsbymail.com/search.php?keywords=98204

I don't have a copy for sale, but just a suggestion if you're going to splash a bit of cash on this one: go for the US issue on BLUE CANDLE instead of the Colombian issue on INS. The sound quality is much clearer and about twice as loud on the Blue Candle 45.

Great sunshine pop on both sides of that 45. Wouldn't personally ever think of bringing it to a soul event, but horses for courses.

Rare indeed! But I've noticed that there are pictures of 4 other copies on Popsike though. It's quite interesting to note that 4 of the 5 copies has got two "X"s on the label written with what seems to be the same pen (probably done by the record company).

Only 1-2 hours to go on these auctions now: https://shop.ebay.com/pushkings/m.html Thanks for looking!

There's now about 2 days left on these auctions: https://shop.ebay.com/pushkings/m.html

I didn't expect it to be an original either, I just wanted to know the exact matrix details on the bootleg so that it was documented somewhere and so that it can be avoided for those who want the original.

Thanks for your pictures. I compared the FWTC scratch in your scan and on my own original 45 (which i bought more than 5 years ago). Yours is a good counterfeit, but it's not exact. Check out the scans below and note the distinct differences on the letters "F" and "W" in the two scans. Also: On the bootleg the scratchings are placed in the groove closest to the playing area. On the original there is an "empty" groove between the playing area and the scratchings (if that makes any sense...). ORIGINAL: "ITALIAN" BOOTLEG:

Would be great if you could post up the matrix details for this one. Thanks in advance.

Hello! I've listed a bunch of records on eBay. There are label/sleeve scans and soundclips to everything. Check them out at: https://shop.ebay.com/pushkings/m.html SOUL / FUNK / R&B 45s: Renee Geyer, Charles Moore, Artie Skeppard, Rodd Keith, Kings Go Forth, Earl Connelly, Bobby Parker, Joneses, Final Seconds, Devotions, Bill, Leevert Allison, TFO, Notations, Mandrill, Wall Bros Band, Jimmy Soul Clark, La Vern, Sisters Love, Magictones, Kalebass, Jimmy Robins, Funkhouse Express etc. Thanks for looking! Take care. /Sebastian

Check out Joe Murphy's version as well, it's another good take on that tune:

By the way, here is the old Soul Source post where the "fast" and "non-fast" versions of MMHOTY was explained: The 45 with (FAST) under the title was apparently made 14 months after the first one. Scan of the "non-fast" 45:

The flipside on the so called "fast version" has got (SLOW) written under it. I suspect that the FAST and SLOW notations were added to make it easier for radio DJs to know which side to play, NOT to denote that the "new" version of MMHOTY was in any way "faster" than the old one (in that case it would mean that the flipside had been made "slower" as well and that just doesn't make sense).

I don't know if it is the groove or the vocal similarities that you're after, but many of the beach scene tunes has got a similar groove to the Skip Jackson and Matt Brown tunes posted above. If it's the groove you're after, try these: I might be miles off ofcourse...

Spruiker, eh? I had to look that one up... Yes, I got $305 for a copy that I sold in November 2009. Obviously a fluke, because the 3 other copies I've sold since then have averaged about $50-$60 (which still is quite a lot though). A fantastic record in any case!

Bevreley is, for those who might not now, the same Beverley who later married UK artist John Martyn and also issued records together with him as John & Beverely Martin on ISLAND. Picture sleeved Denmark issue of the DERAM 45 below:

As far as rare jamaican releases are concerned, my vote goes to Blues Busters "Ohh Baby" on BMN which was mentioned earlier in this thread. Definitely deserves further spins.

...why not just play the original (and in my opinion far superior) version by Bettye Swann?

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If it looks like an "L" in instead of a "C" then it is definitely a bootleg. The "C" on the original is very distinct and can't be mistaken for being an "L".

I guess it would be if they don't have the rights to use the design/pattern, but perhaps they do? Can't see these reissues fooling anyone into thinking that they are originals.

Why? A recent and as far as I understand perfectly legal re-issue by UK label Outta Sight, isn't it? Their logo is even clearly visible on the label on all of their releases!

You probably mean the "ARP" stamp. Many of the locally released VEE JAY and EXODUS 45s has indeed got an ARP stamp (i.e. the mastering and/or the pressing plates were made at American Record Pressing Co. in Michigan). But the 45 you're asking about was most likely pressed somewhere down south and the plates were not manufactured at ARP (hence not having an "ARP" stamp in the run-out groove). I don't know the name of that particular pressing plant, but many US labels used it and many of those 45s have got fairly scant details in the run-out grooves (sometimes just a scratched in matrix number and a signature). Here's a FAME label 45 by Dan Penn under his pseudonym "Lonnie Ray" that was pressed at the same plant as your Fred Hughes 45:

I was so surprised that you included The Cars in the bunch of groups you mentioned above that I just had to do it.