“Don’t give up on me” / “Let me be a woman”
Label: Hit & Run Records
Catalog: HR1526
Release Date: February 2021
Brenda was Don Varner’s wife for a while, presumably around the time he was in Muscle Shoals recording at Broadway .
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“I lost someone (alternate version)” / “Nothing to look forward to” / “I Lost Someone”
Label: Hit & Run Records 7′
Catalog: HR1525
Release Date: February 2021
The great Otis Clay here with what was intended to be 2 previously unreleased as 45 tracks. .
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“I have no choice” / “My destination” (Hit & Run Records) 7′
Our 2nd release this time we’re entering classic territory. Simply an all-time iconic record which sounds as bright today as it ever did. For me, this is the best version of the wonderful Sharon McMahan song. The world-weary delivery from JM almost makes this a deepsoul wonder set at a mid-tempo dance pace.
Continue reading Johnnie Mae Matthews
“Cloudy days” / “Just a touch of your hand” (Hit & Run Records) 7′
One of what will be occasional deep soul 45s on the label. In 1967 Detroit’s Wheelsville group of labels took some artists down to Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studio in Memphis. Willie had the Hi house band in, he produced and Don Bryant guided the Detroit artists with his vocals.
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Good feelin’ / See the world (Hit & Run Records) 7′
Catalog: HR1522
Release Date: 23rd October 2020
A totally wonderful Memphis indie 45 from 1979. First brought to these shores by Arthur Fenn around 1982, very limited copies of this ever surfaced. Last seen on ebay over 7 years ago, now must be in the £1,500 region. Coco is alive and living in Memphis and the advance royalties have gone directly to her.
Continue reading Ben and Coco
“Heartache comin’ on” / “Hearts made of stone” (Hit & Run Records)
Catalog: HR1521
Release Date: 25th October 2020
Two totally wonderful mid-70s Chicago previously unreleased tracks –
A-side is a classic Chicago midpacer, B-side a super super ballad.
“Try My Love Again” /” Starting Tomorrow” (Hit and Run Records) 7′
Catalog: HR 1519
Release Date: 1st August 2020
Flying back from a US buying trip through Chicago, one afternoon I went to see Syl. He gave me a CDR with these 2 unreleased tracks on and they’ve been with me waiting on a release ever since.
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“All I Want Is You” / “When You Get What You Want” (Hit and Run Records) 7′
Catalog: HR 1520
Release Date: 1st August 2020
Most every soul collector has a Bill Brandon 45 in their collection. Due to no precise documentation, not possible to accurately date these 2 Quinvy Studio cuts – but from the 67-70 era.
Continue reading BILL BRANDON