Review: Oooh! Angie Stone's "Wish I Didn't Miss You" definitely belongs in the canon of all time modern soul classics. Taken from her 2001 second album Mahogany Soul, the Swizz Beats produced track made optimum usage of an O' Jays sample and was instrumental in that LP going gold and propelling the former D'Angelo collaborator to stardom. It also inspired countless official and under the counter remixes with Blaze's perhaps the most recognisable. So yes this reissue on 7" from Outta Sight is worthy if you don't have the original in your collection and features a housed up remix from Hex Hector on the flip.
Review: Texan soul man, Frank Wilson, receives a timely repress of his 1965 monster "Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)", a tune which remains highly sought-after in its original format, and one that is bound to fly off these shelves like hot cakes! Outta Sight's done a great job here, and the quality is class, offering the original cut in all its majestic, romantic glory...oh, do we love this! The flipside is the mellow "Sweeter As The Days Go By", a certified love ballad that is a pleasure to the senses, each and every time...
Corey Blake - "How Can I Go On Without You" (3:37)
Freddie Terrell & The Blue Rhythm Band - "You Had It Made" (1:52)
Barrett Strong - "Man Up In The Sky" (4:05)
Billy Harner - "I Got It From Heaven" (3:00)
Sydney Joe Qualls - "I Don't Do This (To Every Girl I Meet)" (3:07)
Crystal Motion - "You're My Main Squeeze" (part 1) (3:03)
Reuben Howell - "Can't Stop A Man In Love" (2:40)
Almeta Lattimore - "These Memories" (3:28)
Daybreak - "I Need Love" (3:39)
Eddie Owen - "Shake Off That Dream" (3:39)
Love Committee - "Tired Of Being Your Fool" (2:52)
Sonya Spence - "Let Love Flow On" (3:44)
Brenda Holloway - "My Baby Moves Me" (2:32)
Review: This new compilation on Outta Sight deals in some precious cuts of rare soul from names you may well not be familiar with, such is the long and winding nature of soul music through the ages. The main focus is the 70s and a rich treasure trove of tracks you'd be parting with serious cash to own in their original form. Even if you've been a dedicated soul digger for decades there's sure to be something on here you've not heard before - this is a compilation put together by the heads, for the heads.
Review: Alfie Davison's "Love is Serious Issue" was famously one of the only records that united both sides of the infamous Northern Soul divide. While the "modern soul" contingent - led, of course, by DJs Ian Levine and Colin Curtis - loved the track's overblown disco production, those still welded to the scene's original sound appreciated the song's driving back track, rousing horns and Davison's impassioned vocal. This timely 7" reissue not only includes the familiar edited version on the A-side, but also the phenomenally hard to find 12" version on the flip. It's this, with its extended instrumental sections and emphasis on the heavy disco-rock groove, which should have you reaching for your wallet.
Review: The Outta Sight label makes a noteworthy debut here with a fine first vinyl release. This reissued 7" gives you a great idea of what to expect froths label going forwards - timeless Northern Soul classics that were there are the birth of the scene and remain a vital part of it decades later. Eddie Billups has a buttery warm voice and a big soul sound. Firstly, 'Shake Off That Dream' is a free-flowing, feel-good sound with big strings and smooth grooves. On the flip, Eddie gets more vulnerable and tender with his effective and confessional 'Try Something New.' Two superb sounds.
Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band - "If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)" (2:40)
Stuart Smith - "The Drifter" (2:55)
Review: Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band were an U.K. based soul band, active between 1965 - 1968. Born William Francis Washington in Evanston, Indiana, Geno joined the airforce marching band and, after leaving high-school, was transferred to England - a week before his 18th birthday. His previously unreleased session recording featured here is 'If This Is Love (I'd Rather Be Lonely)' Also featured is 1965 Northern Soul number 'The Drifter', another unreleased Pye recording originally recorded in America in 1965. It was released in the U.K. the next year, where it was covered by English-Canadian Long John Baldry.
Review: Over the years, the rare West Virginian soul gem, Garnet Mimms' 'Looking For You', saw many different release iterations. Originally out in 1966, it was first pitted alongside Mimms' B-side 'I'll Take Good Care Of You', providing certain hitmakership for the R&B emoter and his then label, United Artists. Several versions later, however, and we come to now, with the song now appearing in stereoized glory with its true soulmate: 'As Long As I Have You'. From the change in track (and in turn, the track title) we get the sense that Mimms truly found love and intends to keep it; the song is a swinging barrage of sensual, monogamous joy, and is remastered here for our 7-inched pleasure. Winky face.
Review: Northern Soul fans will be well familiar with Darrell Banks, who is a proper scene legend. In 1966 he put out his Iconic Revilot single 'Open The Door To Your Heart', backed with 'Our Love (Is In The Pocket).' It is one of the most played, collected and revered 45s in the whole scene and when a copy was found in 2014, it was eventually auctioned off for L14,000 and helped cement his status. He had many other gems in his catalogue including this one. 'I'm The One Who Loves You' has it all - the swirling grooves, the big horns, the lush strings and aching vocal. 'Forgive Me' sinks into a slightly deeper and more tender vibe, and makes just as much of an impact.
Review: Two sides, two years, two source labels: This powerful soul blast 45 captures two sides of LA songwriter Nolan's criminally short recording career. The A is his famous northern soul / Joy Division-riffed favourite "Keep On Keeping On" from 71 on cult soul imprint Lizard while the B "If I Could Only Be Sure" is a smoother R&B cut from his time on MCA's ABC imprint. Loose limbed feel good funk and swooning bluesy soul with big harmonies, this represents Nolan's diverse range with respect and timelessness.
Review: On the latest edition of their excellent Soul Essentials series, Outta Sight has decided to bring together two versions of 'Ordinary Joe', a seemingly perennial favourite written by the late, great Terry Callier. His celebrated 1972 recording - all bold, sing-along choruses, organ stabs, jangling piano and lolloping grooves - breezes its way across side A, while Jerry Butler's earlier version, laid to tape in 1970, sits on side B. His version is much more expansive and musically detailed than Callier's take, with superb production from Gamble & Huff and some brilliant orchestral arrangements courtesy of Donny Hathaway. Both versions are, or course, incredible.
Review: The King Casuals and were founded in 1962 by the late great Jimi Hendrix and after the guitarist's death, he was in the late sixties replaced by Johnny Jones. He leads them in stomping and high energy fashion and here on the a-side is his interpretation of the Hendrix classic 'Purple Haze.' It's got all the things you need to get steamy on the dance floor and it always used to shake the floor at Wigan Casino. Gene Chandler is a bonafide Northern Soul legend who is well known to fans of the genre and his 'There Was a Time' is a real raw gem on the flip.
Review: Philadelphia-born singer and songwriter Tony Drake is best known for his super hit and Philly classic 'Living In The Footsteps Of Another Man,' That tune was a hit for Eugene Record who re-sung it with the Chi-Lites and had earlier written the 'Suddenly' tune for Drake in 1970. It was a hit, eventually, and is not in hot demand as copies are hard t find. Here it gets a vital reissue on 45rpm next to, for the first time on the format, Gene Chandler's Sublime 'My Baby's Gone.' Tow real soul classics that are short but devastatingly sweet.
We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services.