Guy actually started playing this in early '87, around the same time it was also played on his spot during Janice Long's radio show. If Stafford ended in early '86, he would likely have played it elsewhere, so it probably wasn't a "Stafford" sound.
The story behind this, from my point of view at least, is as follows. I was privileged to be able to guest spot at the 100 Club in November 1986. I played this halfway through my spot. Immediately, two DJs (who remain unnamed, but you can guess!) rushed to the stage to find out "what the f*** this was" - of course, they claimed not to have heard it before and said they really liked it! A few months later, one of them had found a copy and was playing it!
As a timewarp chapter, here's my spot I played that night in November 1986!
NOLAN CHANCE: Let Her Know You Care (c/u) (actually "Never Tell" by B J Thomas & The Triumphs)
THE CHAUMONTS: Now You've Gone (Bay Sound)
GORDON KEITH: Look Ahead (Calumet)
CLYDE McPHATTER: Lonely People Can Afford To Cry (Amy)
SAM COX: Life Is Love (Renfro)
ROYAL FIVE: My Baby Cares For Me (Cobra)
THE INVERTS: Time Will Change (Broadway)
BIG FRANK & THE ESSENCES: I Won't Let Her See Me Cry (Blue Rock)
THE VOLCANOS: (It's Against) The Laws Of Love (Arctic)
TY KARIM: Lighten Up Baby (Car-A-Mel)
JOHNNY BARTEL: If This Isn't Love (Solid State)
OTHELLO ROBERTSON: So In Luv (Era)
TAMI LYNN: You My Love (Atlantic acetate) - lent to me by Keb before he sold it!
THE AMBERS: I Love You Baby (Verve)
LOU ROBERTS & THE MARKS: Ten To One (MGM)
BOB BRADY & THE CON-CHORDS: Goodbye Baby (Chariot)
THE INVERTS: Time Will Chance (Broadway) - 2nd time round as requested.