Howdy music lovers!
After a flick through some of our 50s RnB last week how about a move onwards a decade looking at some of the output of Kent records? The premier soul and 60s RnB label. Remember this is a fairly random grab so take your time, over the weekend maybe, to dig through our Kent and Soul section.
Bobby Angelle – It’s Just Gotta Be That Way / There Goes My Baby – Kent
A rare soul record that suddenly became well known in the middle of the last decade as it was used on a Shredded Wheat advert. That in no detracts from how great it is. The flip has never been released on vinyl before so is OK for all the OVO crowd.
Clarence Carter – Unissued And Rare Fame Masters – Kent EP 45
Whilst the shop has been closed we have been digging around and found some copies of this rare Record Store Day issue from 2012. This EP brings Southern Soul fans a further vinyl treat via the first-ever UK EP from the great Alabama soul man Clarence Carter. We feature four masters from his 1971 sessions at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, recorded when he was looking for a follow-up hit to the global chart smash ‘Patches’. Incredibly, three of these have gone unreleased for more than 40 years. All will have great appeal for fans of Southern Soul. The title track has already had plays on the UK’s modern-crossover soul scene and is known to collectors via versions by Mary Wells and its composer, George Jackson. With a fantastic unpublished photo of Clarence on the cover.
SIDE 1: I Found What I Wanted / Johnny Poverty
SIDE 2: I’m The One / Say A Little Prayer
Darondo Pulliman / Darondo – How I Got Over / Lucious Lady – Kent 45
Darondo Pulliam has been the funk sensation of the past decade. His ultra-laidback approach belies a solid funk and soul beat, and his mesmeric vocals on ‘How I Got Over’, his debut single, have crossed over to the Northern Soul scene big time. The flip, ‘Luscious Lady’, is from the cache of tracks Ace acquired in the Music City label purchase – first time on a 45.
Tommy Hunt – New Neighborhood / I’m Lonely For You – Kent 45
The great soul singer Tommy Hunt has performed since the doo-wopping 50s and is still appearing all over the world today. The big beat ballad ‘New Neighbourhood’ has proved the most popular of his previously unissued mid-60s Scepter recordings Kent discovered in the 80s. Originally recorded as ‘Strange Neighborhood’ by Gene McDaniels, a 1967 update by the Imaginations became a Northern Soul favourite at the Wigan Casino, but this version tops them all. ‘I’m Lonely For You’ debuts here.
Eddie Parker / The Pace-Setters – Body Chains / Push On Jesse Jackson – Kent 45
This 45 features two big tracks from the funkier edge of Northern soul that are already hugely popular with forward-thinking DJs and dancers – both in new, improved versions. Gruff-voiced Eddie Parker’s ‘Body Chains’ is a very different take to its Prodigal release, with added girl chorus and appropriate metal chains bashed by Jack Ashford providing heavyweight percussion. The Pace-Setters’ politically motivated ‘Push On Jesse Jackson’ has also crossed over to the main Northern dancefloors. This extended version from a five-minute master tape will cause a major stir in progressive rare soul clubs.
Harold Burrage / Lee ‘Shot’ Williams – Please Love Me / Hello Baby – Kent
A couple of fantastic popcorn stomps from two guys well known to 50s Rock n Roll and Rhythm and Blues fans.
