Still Diggin

I find these threads regarding ''Low Rider'' soul thought provoking but somewhat anoying. The first slow harmony record by a lesser known group (certainly to me at the time) that really grabed me was the Festivals 'So in love' on Gordy, that came from an old second hand store in 1979 for 25p. However at that point I was collecting all kinds of soul, however by the late 80's I was looking for more group stuff like the Festivals and single artist ballads to boot., by the end of the 90's, 50 percent of my purchases were slow soul, by the end of the 2000's 80 percent at least were slow soul. So your'e probably thinking were is all this going, point is i'm not the only one, there are numerous collectors both over here Japan and in Europe having followed a similar path just getting on with it and have done it for years, nothing new. I don't think it was untill the late 90's sombody talked about ''Low Rider'', I had no clue what they were on about, only to realize there was a parrallel scene of a knowledgeable bunch of good guys with smilar taste in California. As for 'sweet soul' term being used to ramp up prices on the net, anyone who has being looking for this stuff for any length of time pretty much knows whats rare and what isn't. It does not help when it would appear there seems to be a poor understanding of what sweet soul actually is. For the most part the lead is sung in Falsetto or counter/high tenor. Obviously group or single artist. There have been thousands of soul records listed since the bandwagon jump in ''Low rider'' in the last ten years that due not fit this cryteria, but listed as sweet soul, there are some group records that that would follow a similar lyrical portrail or concept that some would argue should fit this crytria, I dont. Records on my turntable like Longstreets on Mighty oak, Essence of life on Sir Ran Rap, Arterials on Mary and common favorits like Touch of Class 'I'll be your rainbow' Smokey Robinson 'Wev'e come to far to end it now' are SWEET SOUL and i know those guys in California dig these records. As for the Ace CD, IMO there are some nice unreleased tracks. You will notice there is a picture of the Nightchill group featured, with sleeve notes eluding to not knowing who the group were other than Dave Hamilton only knowing the lead singers first name. The group sent me the same photo over twenty years ago, however it was signed by the group. they were - Anthony Robinson, James Smith, Tyrone Marshall, Nathaniel Harriot.

So I assume one bloke has his headphones on dancing to High Frequency 'Summertime' and the bloke next to him has his headphones on dancing to Ray Pollard 'The drifter'. surely the Drifter guy is gonna like he's had a stroke! then get a few lifesize cardboard cut outs of Tommy Cooper riding a donky to make the dance floor look busy, what could go wrong?

Great photo Chris, amazing the pictures you can take sun bathing in the dunes on new years eve!

I find it difficult to accept some of the accreditations made on discogs to certain artists, more so when the time frame between releases spans nearly a decade. Productions change dramaticaly so vocal delivery accomadates this in such a way it can sound like a different artist. IMO Bobby King on Motown and Warners does not sound like the chap on the Luna 45, however the chap on the Lunar 45 does sound like the chap on Reprise with the Stevie Wonder cover. Like I say maybe it's just a time frame thing.

I also thought it was a slightly different mix, however the point I was making is it is Bobby King singing, with no evidence of it being Rudy Love.

A good captivating soul record is often it's simplicity. often wondered if it was Al 'alonzo' Wilson as it does sound like him. But that was from down south.

Given the fact this record is the same as Bobby king on Lunar then it would be reasonable to think King Superfly is just a play on Bobby's surname to negate contractual issues. Where is the provenance this has anything to do with Rudy Love. I stand to be corrected as my time spent at school was limited.

Just dropped you a line. Andy

Great choices Kev, as expected!

Excellent thread to start, however it may have been best to limit the suggestions to American based artists, as I can see this decending into numerous biddu type productions based on carribean and islands acts that lived over here, of which there are several hundred some mentioned already, not saying their all crap but it could go on forever. Car;l Douglas mentioned above also had a different flip in the Uk with his Buddah release, in the States it was 'Marble and iron' in the uk it was 'Do you need my love to get better', off to play the flip 'Lean on me' a soulfull piece if ever there was one. Thanks for the nudge on Carl.

Just wondered if you have the group members for the Four Wonders?

Great subtle harmony, busy chap back then was Ronnie Mcneir.

It saves them from bringing a stick.

To be fair Chris even the thickest of skined collector was reluctant to spend a shed load of cash on most titles like that for the simple fact most of us thought in the end they would slowly start to drift over from the states and end up being a fiver as most were relatively knew, even after the best part of forty years you could probably fit all the known copies of those titles you mention ever found in a bucket and still have room for your shoes! but the thing is if you wanted to hear it you had three options, buy it, turn up, or scrounge a hissy cassette off ya mate! , no youtube mixcloud discogs spotify re-issue etc. Everybody's an expert now without going out of the front door. Good times back then for sure and credit to Poke, Sam Arthur, Robin, Richard etc for the inspiration.

Many thanks for getting in touch Peter, your best bet would be to contact Steve Guarnori, he has just brought out the wonderfull book which is All Platinum the making of a sound. In the book are scans of the Maple 45's, Collector Greg Tormo let Steve have a scan of the Prescott 45. I still have the 45 which plays reasonably well, but had sadly been in a basement which at one point in time been underwater, this has rendered it unfit for what you would need it for, some info on the label is ok, but some missing. A very rare 45 indeed,

Yes, I recall several folks playing this back in the early 90s, we used to play it down the mucky duck in Norwich, I say we in that I knew at lease 4 local people who spun there owned a copy. It's great to see collectors and dj's take on this subject, but in reality the halcyon days of the rare modern soul scene (given most of the tracks that have been mentioned) was between 1980 and 88, for the simple fact most of the tracks mentioned did at the time sound relatively modern due to being recent releases or a couple of years old ie Curtis Anderson and Ronnie Barns were not a million miles away from new releases being played in the better end clubs around Londons north circular,it was a subculture of club culture. Even back then the people I knew who were really on it never classed Melvin Moore or Earl white junior modern, even back then they sounded dated, I still have both and are fantastic records, but had either got 1975 written on the label I doubt too many would have questioned it. The term Modern Soul should have been well and truly been dumped for these releases in and around the early nineties as record productions changed and in turn call them for what they infact are, which is rare 80s. There have also been too many records on this thread made well before the term modern soul was to my knowledge ever used! I mean surely Sammy lee and the Nialations are just seventies dancers, I have the Sammy Lee 45,supposed to be from 78, sounds more like 71 to me, that's not modern. For example a proper modern soul record is Anthony David feat Kiesha Jackson 'Lady', came out last year ON CD so it sounds modern!. Back then there were also a few tracks played that only appeared on 12" , many of these have remained elusive like the Purple Gang, Bachelor, James King, Pike, Juice on Outlet the list goes on. There have been hundreds of 45's which failed to make it back then or had yet to be found, many of similar rarity and quality of most mentioned above. There seems to be several small fractured scenes for this output now, So sadly many will get little attention. Has Larome Baker, Glenda Mcloed,Raj, Brothers Gilmore,SPG had a mention?. One record I must mention that I had purchased in the early 90's was Darrell Johnson's 'Days gone past' on DTJ productions, it actually came out in 1980, such a great production for the period, way ahead of it's time. Sorry about the terminology rant, unable to contain myself. By the way Steve I used your post to thank you for excellent work that is ALL PLATINUM the making of a sound. For a group harmony fan like miself a real treat. Never knew Jay player was in the Optamistics, every day's a school day. Oh, Jay player on 45 is no easy piece in 2024.

Yep, same guy who was flogging the Charmels 'Ive done it again' on Volt! a few years back, with the release number convienently crossed out, because the type face used for this boot is from a release three years previous and had not been recorded at that point in time.

Have we had James Fountain 'Seven day lover' yet? memorable start if ever there was one. Or The Quantrells 'Show me the game of love' pure kitchen sink stuff ! Just cant wait for the best ending thread to start

Yes, you are infact correct, I failed to see the bit about 'before the singing starts' perhaps the lyrics play a major part in my appreciation of soul, hense my oversight. Not sure I would call it the opposite, just a misinterpretation of the thread.

From a perspective of 45's played on the northern/ rare soul dance scene, the two which had me the most capyivated on that first hearing had to be - Harold Melvin 'Get out' Melvin Moore 'All of a sudden' Opening lines on both are lyrical genius IMO.

Fair dues, if you you were not around back then, however it was most certainly not a 'southern thing' you would have that in Nottingham (rock city) circa mid eighties along with several other venues up and down the country. Within a six month window around that period some would say a top five modern soul want that's never really turned up.

Probably Silver platinum Gold 'Loveland' on Magic which should probably be in a different thread, as that's comparing an obscure 60's 45 with something from 83 of similar rarity. Bit like comparing rare funk or Sweet soul with Northern.

I am convinced what you are alluding to will sadly one day play its part in the making of a record aimed at the soul scene and one of it's many styles, however how AI can replicate the passion and conviction we have all grown up to deeply understand within the portrail both lyrically and emotionly in an Afro American voice I am yet to be convinced. we have enough nonsense to deal with regarding the numerous cover versions that some people think will make them rich! Just wish Jan Jones and Ray Pollard could hear the covers or not!

I have played the flip a few years back at a local downbeat gig before they became the norm, but in reality just another southern soul curiosity. As for 'Come on', well in my opinion there are a whole load of tracks like that on the likes of early Gwen Mcrae and Betty Wright LP's which in my little world are far superior in every department, but they would never get a look in, due to being album tracks by well known artists.

Special Delivery ! Geez, I record having at least two copies for re-sale every year for the past five, and I could hardly class myself as a dealer. Could never bring myself to charge more than thirty squid, boy is that a common record!