Category Archives: Record Labels

The Ellis Hall Group

“Those Passing Words” / “What Will I Do”

Label: Ellis Hall Records
Catalogue Number: SDE68
Release Date: November 2023
Format: 7’

We are back after a fairly quiet summer. A case of me playing too much golf and just not being able to find the quality i like when releasing new music. But stop the press, after about 7 years of trying we have finally secured this amazing modern soul winner from 1978 by The Ellis Hall Group. Hailing out of Boston Massachusetts the group recorded a show reel for tv music show “Nightshift”. This is where we first heard the incredible “Those Passing Words” and straight away knew we had to have the original studio version.

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Soul Prescription- Various Artists

Label: Soul4Real Records
Catalogue Number: S4RLP04
Release Date: 7th December 2023
Format: LP

Whatever condition your condition is in, Soul4Real have huddled together a team of the finest soul physicians to make you feel good.
We scoured all the shelves in the soul pharmacy and discovered some potions that were only just through the trial stage. Just one listen to the brilliant Aretha, Gladys, Walter Jackson and the Purify’s tracks convinced us not to wait for FDA approval, so we took the plunge and shared them with the world on vinyl for the very first time.

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New Kent Records 45’s

The Mayberry Movement
“I Can See Him Making Love To You” / “What Did I Do Wrong”

Label: Kent Records
Catalogue Number: CITY 090
Release Date: 24th November 2023
Format: 7’

This pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure – perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate. This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful and vital than the Anderson Brothers which was huge on the Northern Soul scene, but without this take for competition at the time. Maybe the steamy finale to the Mayberry’s version was a bit too much for radio play, but surely the brilliance of the ballad A side would have compensated for that. Their loss; our gain.

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Julian Jonah

Julian Jonah Featuring: Dutch Robinson A-Side & Sugar Rainbow B-side “If You Wanna Know (What’s Missing)”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP96
Release Date: November 2023
Format: 7’

We are proud to announce Julian Jonah’s highly anticipated follow up to last year’s Now’s The Time For Us b/w Coming Back For Your Lovin’. This time around there are two incredible versions of the same song – If You Waanna (Know What’s Missing) One featuring the lead vocals of Dutch Robinson, the other Sugar Rainbow. Julian Jonah was originally known as one of the main producers and influencers of the early-house scene. He is now focussed on an early 80s U.S. styled soul / funk sound, reminiscent of labels such as Prelude.

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The Natural Soul Brothers Ltd / The Four Thoughts

“Cement, Plaster & Gold” / “Kisses & Roses”

Label: Soul Direction
Catalogue Number: SD019
Release Date: 24th November 2023
Format: 7’

Staying in my favourite state of Philly, we continue with 2 sublime tracks from the Wally-O- Production stables.
The home of Herb Johnson & The Impacts, The Topics and the soul duo of Jeri Payne and Joe Freeman aka. Jeri & Joe. The two tracks featured in this latest Soul Direction Release are both prime examples of the forgotten and obscure talents from this Wally Osborne production line.

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Alvarez

‘I Can’t Make It’ /‘I Can’t Stop Loving’

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP94
Release Date: 20th Oct 2023
Format: 7’

IZIPHO SOUL in association with SOUL SESSION are extremely proud to present the 7” release of ALVAREZ’s ‘I Can’t Make It’ and ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ – two exceptional pieces of previously unissued music, taken from the only known 1977 Columbia Promotional Test Pressing LP, courtesy of Tamas Bogyo (Soul Session). These tracks are from the same session that spawned the Polydor 7” ‘Sooner Or Later’, however the album never gained a release.

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Jewel Bass

“In And Out Of Love”

Label: Soul4Real Records
Catalogue Number: S4RLP03
Release Date: 20th September 2023
Format: LP

Jewel Bass’ recordings have, over time, developed a global underground following. The fact that Malaco Records used Jewel as a backing singer on so many of their A-Listers recordings (Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Bobby Bland, Z.Z. Hill, Dorothy Moore, etc.) speaks far more to her talent than I can ever write in 300 words!

Jewel started singing in church but began her career in secular music when a friend approached her to ask if she would replace a singer in his band who was ill. She was only required for one song, and she agreed to do the gig on a one-off basis to help out. It was all that was needed to start her career. She joined the band and went on the road with them.

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Heart Soul & Inspiration

“I’m Gonna Love You More” (Parts 1 &2)

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP98
Release Date: 22nd September 2023
Format: 7’

Mythical band ‘Heart-Soul & Inspiration’ and their band leader, L.A. drummer and producer Vince Howard cut their self-titled (and only) album in 1974 for the Los Angeles-based Viscojon label. The result was an astonishing collection of music filled with playful sexy moans, climaxing grooves and soulful hooks.

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Dwayne Scivally

“Point O f No Return” / “So Good”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP97
Release Date: 22nd September 2023
Format: 7’

We are delighted to announce our second 7” release with Nashville smooth soul man Dwayne Scivally.

Prior to his highly respected LPs with French music maestro Thomas G, Dwayne recorded an album in 2016 entitled ‘Stay Until The Morning’. The CD has virtual invisible status, with no sales documented on Discogs.

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Richard Hartley & Soul Resurrection

“Jesus Makes Me Happy” / “Heart And Soul”

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP099
Release Date: August 2023
Format: 7’

Izipho Soul Records are thrilled to announce the 7” release of the Modern Gospel Soul Banger Jesus Makes Me Happy by Richard Hartley & Soul Resurrection – Presented on vinyl is ‘The Joyful Exaltation Edit’, this excludes the rap from the original version.

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Unity

“The Other Side of You” / “Going To A Carnival”

Label: Soul-Direction Records
Catalogue Number: SD018
Release Date: 4th August 2023
Format: 7’

Following on from the enormous success of the first two releases by The Decisions on Soul Direction and courtesy of Fred White and the Decisions we give you another double sided masterpiece from master tapes kindly provided by the band.
The 5 young men who formed The Decisions, originally started their own Record Label – York Records in the late 60s and recorded two releases on the label which to this day are still very sought after amongst soul collectors. They then went onto record for Sussex Records in the early 70s. The Los Angeles-based label founded by Clarence Avant and distributed by Buddah Records.

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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.

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Kinsman Dazz Band

“Ghetto Preacher” / “Saved”

Label: Creative-Soul Records
Catalogue Number: CS-1004
Release Date: October 2023
Format: 7’

Michael J. Calhoun has accomplished greatness in music for over 30 years. He was influenced by such luminaries as B.B. King, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, The Beatles and Motown, and of course his Cleveland soul brother and early days mentor, the legendary Lou Ragland. Michael’s career launched as a founding member, singer, composer and guitarist of ‘Kinsman Dazz’.

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Tommy Rodgers

“United Hearts of America” / “Pass The Word”

“Give Me My Freedom” / “Tell It To The Wind”

Label: MD Records
Catalogue Number: MD122/ MD123
Release Date: July 2023
Format: 7’

Well, here we are now bringing out on two releases from the great Tommy Rodgers, a name many will know from his own musical prowess and that of his Brewster Crew association amongst others. These releases will each hold a never-before released A side backed with alt recordings of a released track. As usual they are remastered for today’s vinyl production methods by the great JJ at Goldenmastering, to bring the recordings back to life.

Next up we have ‘United hearts of America’ backed with ‘Pass the word’. United Hearts is a powerful call to action song that captures the sentiment of time, seeking harmony and unity following the Detroit riots. Backing up this is the powerhouse of ‘Pass the word’ that just ignites as the needle flicks out of the ‘run in’ to the music.

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TEN-63

‘You & me’ /‘Say We’ll Stay’

Label: Izipho Soul Records
Catalogue Number: ZP-93
Release Date: 9th June 2023
Format: 7”

Legendary Memphis soul brothers William, Bertram and Randy Brown released an album under the group name TEN-63 entitled Facing The Music,it was published in 2009, but recorded sometime earlier.
You & me and our pick for the flip Say We’ll Stay are beautifully constructed songs with each of the Brown brothers serving up a solo part, it cannot be denied their contrasting vocal styles and harmonies are supreme in the extreme!

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