Joe Graham / John Edwards 

‘Higher Than High’ / ‘It’s Got To Be The Real Thing For Me This Time’

Label: Kent-City Records
Catalogue Number: CITY 087
Release Date: 25th August 2023 
Format: 7’

The recent find of four Joe Graham recordings in the GRC/Aware tapes has shown there was much more to Joe’s talents than the southern soul of his 60s Chant recordings and the synthesiser, electro pop he recorded for various Atlanta labels in the 80s. ‘Higher Than High’ is a soulful disco number featuring a relentless beat. The track already has a strong following, thanks to advance plays in Europe and the UK from DJ Dave Thorley. This track, along with three other numbers, were recorded around 1976 for the GRC stable – just as the company was floundering so badly that the songs were left as unmixed multi-track tapes.  Now mixed the demand for this one will be high.

We’ve taken the opportunity of including another excellent, unreleased at the time, recording from the revered John Edwards. ‘It’s Got To Be The Real Thing For Me This Time’ is an uptempo Sam Dees song, unheard until the 1990s release of the first batch of GRC/Aware tapes.

Label: Kent-City Records
Catalogue Number: CITY 088
Release Date: 25th August 2023 
Format: 7’

‘Hope For Love’ turned up on a one-off master tape which arrived at Ace HQ courtesy of Grapevine Records, who knew we were working with Darrow. Darrow thought the tape was one he and his stepfather Johnnie Haygood made to interest Ray Charles. Ray eventually signed Darrow to his Crossover label. Darrow remembered cutting it in the early 70s, a period when he was relatively inactive recording wise. It has proved to be very popular with the two-step crowd and a vinyl single version will be very welcome.

Darrow’s original recording of the Grey & Hanks’ song ‘No Limit’ was issued by Kent in 2012 on CD and as a single. That limited-run 45 sold out quickly but demand has continued to grow, making the current price upwards of £100. ‘No Limit’ was also recorded and released by both Jean Terrell and Breakwater in 1979.

Label: Kent-City Records
Catalogue Number: CITY 091
Release Date: 25th August 2023 
Format: 7’

Clydene Jackson’s 1975 debut LP for Ray Charles Crossover imprint failed to make much noise on its release. It is largely a smooth jazz-based album, half the tracks of which were written by Clydene. One track, in particular, broke the sophisticated music mold and was picked up by UK DJs on the Modern Soul scene. ‘I Need Your Love’ became popular in the UK and eventually Europe, leading to the track’s release on a single-sided 45 in 2001 That pressing did not satisfy demand however and the song’s popularity has continued to grow and grow. Kent are making it available with the excellent ‘We’re In Love’, another self-penned track from the same LP, on the flip.

Label: Kent Records 
Catalogue Number: REPRO 13
Release Date: 25th August 2023 
Format: 7’

“You can’t beat the classics” and in the Northern Soul world, no label is more renowned than Mirwood. The Sheppards ‘Stubborn Heart’ has been played since the early days of the scene but is still a guaranteed floor-filler. Its flip ‘How Do You Like It’ has also picked up many spins in more recent years. As is our habit, to distinguish from the originals, we have changed the label colour – this time we’ve gone for a fetching purple and gold.

Ady Croasdell