Back in what now feels like a golden period in music and creativity, in the 1970s, many bands were formed by students. It almost seems like so many people could either sing, play, dance or write songs! This was also the case of several Woodland High School students in New York, who created Newban with fellow classmates.
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PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES
“How can you throw my love away” / “When Joe touches me”
Label: Soul4Real
Catalog: S4R17
Release Date: 25th November 2021
Format: Vinyl 7’
The Patti LaBelle and The Bluebelles period in Atlantic wasn’t a success story. According to Jerry Wexler, neither the material nor the promotion was right for Patti, Nona and Sarah, pigeon-holed into some sort of Supremes role which did them no good, especially after Cindy Birdsong, the fourth Bluebelle, left the group to replace Florence Ballard.
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Ursula Ricks
“Sweet tenderness” / “Make me blue”
Label: JAI ALAI
Catalog: JAR02
Release: October 2021
Format: Vinyl 7’
Having spent half a lifetime reviewing and playing new soul music I still get excited about the prospect of finding new artists. In this day and age, the internet has replaced the good hard graft of getting out there and doing the digging, but the end result is no less gratifying. Our beloved specialist record shops may have become virtual (or disappeared altogether) but social media has increased one’s exposure to our music.
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The Rance Allen Group
“Stay with me” / “Living witness”
Label: JAI ALAI
Catalog: JAR01
Release: October 2021
Format: Vinyl 7’
After hearing them win a local Detroit gospel talent competition it was no surprise veteran promotions man Dave Clark took brothers Rance, Steve and Tom to Stax Records and they were signed to the subsidiary label Gospel Truth.
Continue reading The Rance Allen GroupBettye Swann
Label: Soul4Real Records
Catalog: S4R16
Release Date: Sept 2021
Format: 7’
Bettye Swann’s heart has been broken lots of times; we know this because we’ve heard it break on many of her records. Bettye’s voice captures these moments perfectly, her delivery is soft and sensitive, almost country, giving it a realness that you can almost touch.
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Bobby Barnes
‘Super high on your love’ / ‘I´ve had my share (of loving you)’
Label: Soul4Real Records – Catalog: S4R14 – Release Date: May 2021 – Format: 7’
Two previously unreleased tracks from the vaults of Raina Records. Produced and arranged by Lewis Carroll. “I´ve Had My Share (Of Loving You)” is an unheard version from 1984 and “Super High On Your Love” a lost recording from 1977.
JIMMY GRESHAM
‘A million things’ / ‘No way to stop it’
Catalog: S4R13
Release Date: 18th March 2021
Format: 7’
A Million Things” has been a huge collaborative effort, meticulously pieced together in 2020 from an unfinished vocal track. Jimmy’s trademark rich, velvet voice, imbued with soul and inflected with a large pinch of southern grit, has been complemented perfectly by the addition of multitalented Marc Franklin’s evocative vibes, horn and string arrangements. Clayton Lancaster laid down the gorgeous, choppy guitar licks which drive the whole mid-tempo groove, and the absolute pinnacle is formed by the glorious, soaring backing vocals of Jimmy’s sister, Mary.
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JERRY WILLIAMS / SWAMP DOGG
“Oh Lord, what are you doing to me” / “If you´re leaving (Take me with you)” (Soul4Real) 7′
Catalog: S4R12
Release Date: 5th October 2020
Collectors of black American music have long revered maverick genius Jerry Williams Jr. a.k.a. Swamp Dogg. His brilliant songwriting and unique voice have left indelible imprints on soul for decades, and Soul 4 Real Records are proud to add a Swamp 45 to their ever-growing catalogue.
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The Masqueraders
“Make me think you love me” / “When trouble calls” (Soul4Real) 7′
Catalog: S4R11
Release Date: 15th June 2020
The celebrated history of the Masqueraders has given us two of soul music’s most memorable recordings with “I Ain’t Got To Love Nobody Else” and “I’m Just An Average Guy”. Through the years they have left us many classic gems that are heavily sought after by collectors and some that have yet to be mined.
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The Masqueraders
“Oh my goodness” / “We fell in love” (Soul 4 Real S4RO2-S4RO3) 7′