I should be at work but i'm having a day with the Queen as my old Dad used to say AKA pulled a sicky...lol
As promised here's a selection of five which just might do the trick.
The Whispers - Needle In A Haystack - Soul Clock 1004 - Not to be confused with the Motown girly thingy song, this is right up Mr Franklin's street, simply quality and you will be pushed to find a better 15 quid record.Possibly over looked because of the title, but when you consider The Whispers huge talent i.e. 'The Dip', 'Remember' etc. then this is a must record to check out.
The Festivals - You've Got The Makings Of A Lover - Smash 2091 - Much easier to locate than their brilliant double header Checkin' Out/Hey Girl for Blue Rock but quailty again all the same, sweet vocals and a great song and again you would be pushed to find a better record this time at 20 quid, 'Music' by them also on Smash is a nice Northern dancer also cheap and well worth a listen.
Cicero Blake - See What Tomorrow Brings - Success 108 - Great record, stunning vocal, moody and just does it for me also again it won't break the bank.
Jimmy Norman - I'm Leaving (This Old Town) - Mercury 72727 - This guy made some pretty awesome records for the likes of Little Star, Samar, Mercury etc. 'Family Tree' has become a pretty well known record in recent years which has it all for me, this one however needs some turntable action, simply brilliant, huge voice, thumping mid tempo back beat, it's hard edge SOUL made in heaven, seen this listed for around £100.00 which is a bargain in my book as it's quality suggests a much higher ticket price.
Buckner Brothers - Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart B/W A Change Is Gonna Come - Sanla 3001 - A Gem of a double header out of Chicago, i picked this up several years ago in a shop in Manchester for 15 quid, perhaps all it's money as i suspect there are plenty of copies out there, but when snapped up this will be yet another hard to find 45, again needs some plays out and about - BOTH SIDES.
Regards - Mark Bicknell.