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. 

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’.

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.

Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers

“What Will You Leave Behind”(Digital Out Now) / “Bang, Bang, Bang”

Label: LRK Records
Catalogue Number: LRK-19 
Release Date: 26th May 2023  
Format: 7’  

The new single by Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers and B side to the new vinyl 45 release!
Right on the heels of the success of their previous single “What Will You Leave Behind”, LRK Records is proud to announce the digital single follow up by Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers!! Bella Brown & The Jealous Lovers are a Los Angeles based, transplanted from Chicago, unit that specializes in 60s/70s soul and funk. The band is fronted by the dynamically charismatic Bella Brown. A fiery female lead singer that is a mixture of Tina Turner and Sharon Jones, with a persona that is reminiscent of the empowered female leads of 70s Blaxploitation films.

The Intruders 

“You’re My One & Only Baby” / “I’ve Got Love For You”

Label: Soul-Direction Records
Catalogue Number: SD015
Release Date: Mid/Late February 2023  
Format: 7”

The original group consisted of five members who formed in 1959. When that group broke up, Phil Terry joined three remaining members: Robert (Big Sonny) Edwards, Samuel (Little Sonny) Brown and Eugene Daughtry. “Little Sonny” and “Big Sonny” both worked at a barber shop on Ridge Avenue in North Philadelphia and called Main Line Record Distributor owner Barry Golder to hear the group sing over the phone. Barry sent his 19 year old brother Michael over to the barber shop to hear them audition, liked what he heard, and took the group to Reco Art Studios to record some tunes for his newly formed Gowen label.

James Lately

“What you’re doing”

Label: MD Records
Catalogue: MD-120
Release Date: Sept
Format: 7’

Here you have the first release of the previously unissued version of the Johnnie Mae Mathews flip to ‘Two Sided Thing’ sung by James Lately. This was uncovered in the Pioneer vaults being digitised as part of the MD Pioneer project.
Interestingly we have also uncovered the original recording of the ‘Two Sided Thing’ which was also recorded at Pioneer Studios.

Tomangoes ft The Gambrells

 “Love’s gotta hold on me” / “Since you’ve been gone”

Label: MD Records
Catalogue: MD-119
Release Date: Sept
Format: 7’

So, the story of the Tomangoes keeps growing and unfolding. For years it has been rumoured that the band may have been a studio band with Dusty Williams heading up on the vocals. MDs wor with Pioneer Studios has evidenced that there were in fact three members of the band; Claude ‘Dusty ‘Williams and two guys where we only currently have the names James and Lamar.  We are continuing our search for more information on this and will bring you the story in full as soon as we can. You can always keep up to date on the story as we publish in the Soul up North fanzine by Howard Earnshaw.

Mary Gresham

‘Use me’ / ‘Nobody’s going to turn me against you’

Label: MD Records – Catalog: IRSC GX3HE2100003 / ISRC GX3HE2100004 Release Date: End of April 2021 – Format: 7’

Mary, Jimmy Gresham’s sister, was recording for Fame, Broadway and Wishbone studios. These 2 tracks come from an album recorded in 1973 that did not see the light of day until 2008 on a CD release “Voice from the Shadows”. Despite some other tracks also making it onto 45 release from this labium, these 2 tracks never did. Mary is a full-on Southern Sister funk bomb on these outings, “Use me” is mean and moody, deep and funky, flip it over for something lighter but packs the soulful punch of a classic mid paced southern crossover dancer. She is still recording and playing to this day and expect to see more of her work on future MD releases.

Bottom and Company

‘You’re messing up a good thing’ / ‘I’m Sorry’

Label: MD Records – Catalog: IRSC GX3HE2100001 / ISRC GX3HE2100002 Release Date: End of April 2021 – Format: 7’

Following the discovery and purchase of a mixdown master tape for Wishbone Studio in Muscle Shoals, USA. Led to a search to talk to former studio owner Terry Woodford.