Finding The First Copy with Ady Croasdell

Bernadine or Berna-Dean Washington recorded seven singles for producer Dave Bartholomew in New Orleans in the early 60s. A protégée of Earl King, her final single was released on Los Angeles’ GNP Crescendo label in 1964 and is stylistically similar to her previous Imperial and Post 45s. ‘Don’t Try To Tell Me’ and ‘Laughing On The Outside’ were cut for GNP but the company never followed up on her ‘This Is The City’ single.

Both tracks are in a more soulful style than her released sides and are attracting much attention on the current retro R&B scene and with the rare soul crowd also. This is their first public hearing.

Miss Louistine’s version of ‘Con Me’ was one of the best Deep Soul finds of recent years. The Paragons smooth Chicago reading of Dees’ composition that came out in 1975 has long been admired, but this southern soul treatment of the now-classic is jaw-dropping.

To really focus on the masterpiece of a song, we have added Dees own take as the flip. That also remained unissued until Kent accessed the tapes in 1998 and is finally a single.

Eddie Singleton had a musical career in Los Angeles after his Shrine Records venture had bloomed then died. He cut this heart-felt soul ballad on an undocumented group called the Exclusive around 1969, but it was left on tape only until now.

Some three years earlier in 1966, Eddie and his production team of Keni St Lewis and Dale Warren recorded Washington’s DC Blossoms on ‘This Is Your Last Chance’, the third track from a Shrine session that didn’t make it to the single. Since it was released on the Kent CD “Shrine, The Rarest Soul Label Vol 2” it has picked up a strong following, particularly among Latin American soul fans on the West Coast: now at last a 45.

Soul connoisseurs are adventurous folk and the emergence of a previously unknown singer/songwriter is big news among the cognoscenti. The only trace of Atlanta’s Kenneth Wright is a handful of unrecorded song titles on BMI represented by Aware’s publishing company Act One. At least a dozen of his recordings have recently been found in the Aware tape vaults and ‘The Souls Of Black Folks’ is the pick of them. It features Kenneth’s vocals and an equally impressive unknown female lead who adds more mystery to the project.

From the same Atlanta label source comes Miss Louistine’s take on the Sam Dees’ song ‘Extra, Extra’. Originally recorded by Ben E King as an album track, Louistine’s punchier take featured on a recent 100 Club Anniversary 45 and is well in-demand.

We follow up Carolyn Crawford’s recent big selling Kent 45 ‘Get Up And Move’ with another top class Mickey Stevenson production on ‘It Takes A Lotta Teardrops’.
The Leon Ware and Vicki Basemore song was also covered by Kim Weston but neither version was released at the time. The recording is in a classic Motown style and this could have been the reason why it was shelved in 1972, being somewhat dated – though still perfect for Motown and Northern Soul devotees.

The flip is from Carolyn Crawford’s collaboration with Hodges, James & Smith in 1971 when the foursome released two 45s on the M’Pingo label. ‘I’m In Love’ was a more current sound for the time and is perfect for Modern and Crossover rooms today.

The mysterious and oddly named Soul Interiors recorded two terrific sides for Mickey Stevenson in 1972, ‘The Inside Guys’ – a sublime dancer and the deep soul harmony of ‘My Friend Heartaches’.

Nothing is known about the group’s line-up, but they really do have a feel of fellow Los Angelenos the Exits. The musical backing to ‘The Inside Guys’ was also used on the Classic Example’s ‘Right On’, this variation is even more pertinent to the rare soul dance scene, with lyrics akin to ‘The In Crowd’ and the track has been a 100 Club floor-packer for a couple of years now. This is its first release.

The flip will appeal to lovers of deep soul harmony.