{"title":"Kent","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"stand-by-your-man","title":"Stand by Your Man","description":"\u003cp\u003eReleased in August 1970, as well as detonating hard and reaching #4 in the US R\u0026amp;B charts, \u003ci\u003eStand By Your Man\u003c\/i\u003e became a break-through single for Candi Staton, spending 14 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 24. When it came to the follow-up to ‘Stand By Your Man’, the formula was repeated with Candi taking on another country song ‘She Called Me Baby’. This song was written by country singer Harlan Howard and appeared on \u003ci\u003eHarlan Howard Sings Harlan Howard\u003c\/i\u003e released in 1961. It was first drenched in strings and sung from the female perspective as ‘He Called Me Baby’ by Jeanne Newman in 1965 and then, in more soulful form, by Ella Washington, whose version got to #77 in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969. As with Newman and Washington’s versions, Rick Hall dressed the song in strings as well as belting brass. Staton’s definitive southern soul version of ‘He Called Me Baby’ got to #9 in the R\u0026amp;B chart and #52 in the Billboard Hot 100 when released in January 1971. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth ‘Stand By Your Man’ and ‘He Called Me Baby’ – as well as their flips ‘How Can I Put Out The Flame (When You Keep The Fire Burning)’ and ‘What Would Become Of Me’ – appeared on Staton’s second album \u003ci\u003eStand By Your Man\u003c\/i\u003e, released at the end of 1970. As with her singles and debut LP, \u003ci\u003eI’m Just A Prisoner\u003c\/i\u003e Capitol’s promotional rodeo ran wild and one advert even included the line, “Stand by your radio. Stand by your racks. Stand by for Candi Staton, a new American singing star.” \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"Stand By Your Man” is one of the cornerstones of Southern soul. As well as the tracks listed above it features other ear-Candi such as ‘Mr and Mrs Untrue’, Freedom Is Just Beyond The Door’ and ‘Sweet Feeling’. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAce Records are delighted to put it out again on 180 Gram vinyl with liner-notes penned by Ace's captive scribe Ian Shirley.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50382768963915,"sku":"2056875","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Red LP","offer_id":50382769914187,"sku":"2056898","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50382769815883,"sku":"2056876","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/HIQLP_127_Candi_Staton_Stand_By_Your_Man_LP_0d0af67f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726258820"},{"product_id":"candi-staton-3","title":"Candi Staton","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1972, Rick Hall moved distribution of his Fame label from Capitol to United Artists. This was to give his label more heft internationally as well as Stateside. The first single from this new agreement was Candi Staton’s ‘In The Ghetto’ which was released in May 1972. Not only did the single do well, but Staton received a personal note from Elvis Presley telling her how much he had enjoyed her version of the songs.  Two more successful singles – ‘Lovin’, You, Lovin’ Me’ and ‘Do It In The Name Of Love’ – followed before her third Fame album – \u003ci\u003eCandi Staton \u003c\/i\u003e– became the first LP to be distributed under the new agreement with United Artists.  Containing all three singles and B-sides like ‘Do It In The Name Of Love’ and ‘The Thanks I Get For Loving You’ \u003ci\u003eCandi Stato\u003c\/i\u003en is a ten track beauty, a fantastic album and a cornerstone of Southern Soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Purple LP | Rough Trade Exclusive","offer_id":50385175347531,"sku":"2183103","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50385174233419,"sku":"2180624","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50385173807435,"sku":"2180623","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CANDI_STATON_ST_CDKENM_519_db10a63a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726309341"},{"product_id":"tobacco-road-north-nobody-but-me","title":"Tobacco Road North \/ Nobody But Me","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe\n Soul Of Tommy Youngblood\u003c\/i\u003e 1970 Kent LP had many fine tracks, especially\n ‘Tobacco Road North’ though it was not attributed to the rightful \nwriter, Jimmy Radcliffe, at the time. The music has been sampled for \nvarious hip-hop adaptations, including one by Ghostface Killah of the \nWu-Tang Clan, but the original stands on its own and deserves a 7” \nformat. The Other Brothers ‘Nobody But Me’ is another UK Kent exclusive \nthat sold out on its first Kent Select press and is still much \nsought-after and now expensive.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\" - 2164141","offer_id":50390026387787,"sku":"2164141","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/REPRO_12A_Tommy_Youngblood_45_fae3272d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726380109"},{"product_id":"i-can-see-him-making-love-to-you-what-did-i-do-wrong","title":"I Can See Him Making Love To You \/ What Did I Do Wrong","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis pairing was slated to be Event 218 in late 1974, but as no copies have emerged, it can be assumed that the single was pulled. It is hard to know why, but judging by its rarity the Anderson Brothers GSF release of ‘I Can See Him Loving You’ was a commercial failure - perhaps Event didn’t want to suffer a similar fate. This reading of producer Ray Dahrouge’s song is more soulful and vital than the Anderson Brothers which was huge on the Northern Soul scene, but without this take for competition at the time. Maybe the steamy finale to the Mayberry’s version was a bit too much for radio play, but surely the brilliance of the ballad A side would have compensated for that. Their loss; our gain.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\" - 2164140","offer_id":50391044718923,"sku":"2164140","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_090A_The_Mayberry_Movement_45_7d451f03_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726396758"},{"product_id":"detroit-s-secret-soul","title":"Detroit's Secret Soul","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the last two decades, Little Ann’s music has gone from being almost unheard to celebrated widely across the world. Initially known only as a footnote for having one side of one Ric-Tic single in 1968, the discovery and playing of her acetate of \u003ci\u003eWhat Should I Do\u003c\/i\u003e at Wigan Casino in the late 70s meant her name become important to rare soul fans (when it was revealed that Little Ann was the real singer of the song erroneously attributed to Rose Valentine at the time). \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce Ace Records acquired Dave Hamilton’s Detroit studio tapes, through the auspices of researcher Richard Gilbert, more previously unheard gems came to light and eventually there were found to be nine songs recorded in 1967 and 1968 with Dave and his partner Darrell Goolsby. The dancers \u003ci\u003eWho Are You Trying To Fool, Sweep It Out In The Shed\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eLean Lanky Daddy\u003c\/i\u003e, proved to be perfect additions for the Northern Soul dance scene, while \u003ci\u003eI Gotta Have You\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003ePossession\u003c\/i\u003e wowed the funk crowd, and the beauty of \u003ci\u003eDeep Shadows\u003c\/i\u003e got through to every type of soul fan. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2009 Finnish label Timmion Records licensed a vinyl LP of the nine songs from Ace which was well received by soul collectors around the globe, especially in the USA. Since then more tape research has revealed a noticeably alternate take of \u003ci\u003eWho Are You Trying To Fool, I Gotta Have You\u003c\/i\u003e with added backing vocals, and a cleaner version of \u003ci\u003eWhat Should I Do\u003c\/i\u003e. For this LP Ace were able to access Ann’s only other known recordings, which she cut under her real name of Ann Bridgeforth in Canada in 1972 and 1973. Her self-penned \u003ci\u003eThat’s All I Want From You\u003c\/i\u003e is right up there with\u003ci\u003e Deep Shadows \u003c\/i\u003eas a truly great ballad. Ann’s cousin provided us with a great colour shot of her from her high school days and the artwork and presentation of the album makes it a desirable object on many levels.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50407709311307,"sku":"1066778","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/77d3bac5-c59e-4d80-ba46-835abf6140df_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726600272"},{"product_id":"northern-soul-classiest-rarities","title":"Northern Soul Classiest Rarities","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Northern Soul's Classiest Rarities series has showcased high quality soul dance records from the 60s to the early 70s, beloved of collectors and dancers who have had their fill of the Top 500. Having put out six CDs in the series, Kent thought it was about time for a vinyl release, and here it is - 14 tracks of the absolute crème de la crème. Enjoy this strong selection in a classic Kent LP format and, if you've avoided digital up to now, remember there are another 130 equally fine tracks out there waiting for you on CD. It features Karmello Brooks, Marva Holiday, Salt and Pepper, Mary Saxton etc.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50408844984651,"sku":"1040638","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/595f6688-e3fd-41fb-8e92-993a5da17597_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726607738"},{"product_id":"shrine-northern-the-60s-rarest-dance-label","title":"Shrine Northern - The 60's Rarest Dance Label","description":"\u003cp\u003eAce Records is proud to announce the purchase of the Shrine label and Eddie Singleton’s independent productions. To celebrate they have compiled an album of the very best dance recordings the label made in 1965 and 1966, primarily in Washington DC. The business’s failure made this music incredibly hard to find for record collectors and Shrine is rightly known as the rarest soul label. It is much more than that though. The music was made by some one of the original founders of Motown, Raynoma Liles Gordy and her Motown-schooled cousin Mike Ossman, New York music business luminaries Eddie Singleton and Harry Bass and the up-and-coming talents of Washington’s Keni St Lewis and Maxx Kidd. The acts included the hugely respected Ray Pollard and fellow New Yorker J.D. Bryant, talented and established Washington and Baltimore acts Eddie Daye \u0026amp; The 4 Bars, Bobby Reed and the Enjoyables. Importantly, they discovered and developed the local talent of the area in the shape of the Cautions, Les Chansonettes, the Prophets and Shirley Edwards. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt took decades for UK Northern Soul fans to realise the significance of the label. It finally clicked for Stafford’s Top Of The World all-nighter DJs who searched out the incredibly hard to find later releases and played them to the cult-following of the rare soul scene. The scarcity was caused by Shrine pressing up a batch of fourteen future singles but only getting a handful released before they folded. The vast majority of the later releases were destroyed in a warehouse fire or simply binned as stillborn commercial failures. Such was the scarcity that when the first Shrine compilations were issued in 1990, the Prophets tracks from Eddie Singleton’s master tapes were assumed to be unreleased - until Shrine sleuth Andy Rix later obtained one from a group member. The music captures the exuberance of soul music in its peak years. The rhythms are pounding, the vocals soaring and the  songs positive and cleverly composed. Undeniably Motown-influenced, they never copy others’ songs but feature the  group harmonies of New York City on the Counts, Enjoyables and Prophets singles, while the Ray Pollard and J.D. Bryant tracks have that city’s big ballad soul sound. Les Chansonettes and the D C Blossoms are shimmering femme group sounds at their most tantalising.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSide One 1. Guess Who Loves You - Eddie Daye \u0026amp; The 4 Bars 2. No Other Way - The Cautions 3. Baby Don't Leave Me - Bobby Reed 4. Don' T Let Him Hurt You - Les Chansonettes 5. Hey Boy - The D C Blossoms 6. If I Had (One Gold Piece) - The Prophets 7. Dream My Heart - Shirley Edwards Side Two 1. Stop Overlooking Me - The Cairos 2. Shame - The Enjoyables 3. I Won't Be Coming Back - J.d. Bryant 4. My Only Love - The Counts 5. I Won' T Believe It Till I See It – Little Bobby Parker 6. Takin' My Time - Leroy Taylor \u0026amp; The Four Kays 7. This Time (I'm Gonna Be True) - Ray Pollard\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCD tracklisting: 01 Stop Overlooking Me - The Cairos 02  Guess Who Loves You - Eddie Daye \u0026amp; The 4 Bars 03 Don' t Let Him Hurt You - Les Chansonettes 04  I Won' t Believe It Till I See It - Little Bobby Parker 05  Watch Your Step - The Cautions 06  I'm So Devoted - The Epsilons 07  Huh Baby - The Prophets 08  Wait Till I Get There - Tippie \u0026amp; The Wisemen 09 I Won't Be Coming Back - J.D. Bryant 10  Mind In A Bind - The Epsilons 11 Do What I Want - The Cavaliers 12  I'll Never Let You Get Away - Bill Dennis 13  I'll Take You Back - The Enjoyables 14  No More Like Me - Ray Pollard 15  Take It From Me - Traci 16  I Know About Her - The D.C. Blossoms 17  Dream My Heart - Shirley Edwards 18  My Only Love - The Counts 19  Fall Guy - The Cautions 20  Mystery - Jimmy Armstrong 21 The Weekend - Sidney Hall 22  I'll Understand - Leroy Taylor \u0026amp; The Four Kays 23  She Went Away - Linda \u0026amp; The Vistas 24  Let Me Walk Away - Tippie \u0026amp; The Wisemen\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50409445654859,"sku":"2019982","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50409446113611,"sku":"2053260","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/KENT_526_SHRINE_NORTHERN_LP_eb9efc44_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726614175"},{"product_id":"that-beatin-rhythn-cigarette-ashes","title":"That Beatin' Rhythn \/ Cigarette Ashes","description":"\u003cp\u003eLittle needs to be said about these two Mirwood Monsters, but to have\n both tracks on the same 45 is a righteous luxury. ‘That Beatin’ Rhythm’\n is the epitome of the Northern Soul dance scene and has been a call to \nthe floor for fifty years now.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe instrumental flip (credited to the \nactual singer of the A side) was equally massive at the time, but has \nbeen somewhat neglected in recent years - the vocal version gaining most\n DJ spins.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50412995019083,"sku":"2222778","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/REPRO_21_Richard_Temple_45_A_327f4e34_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726670246"},{"product_id":"let-it-all-out-im-so-glad","title":"Let It All Out \/ I'm So Glad","description":"\u003cp\u003eJimmy Conwell is a big name in Los Angeles soul music, either as a \nsolo singer on 4J, Gemini and Mirwood or as lead singer of the Exits on \nGemini and Kapp, the Tripps on Soundville or with Smoked Sugar on Teri \nDe. ‘Let It All Out’ was written in conjunction with his two main \nproducers Len Jewell Smith and Hank Graham, though Jimmy couldn’t \nremember Hank’s contribution. It is a stunning ballad that was \noriginally overlooked by Northern Soul fans for the stomping 'Too Much' \nflip.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA similar situation has occurred with his\n Kapp 45, the mid-tempo ‘Another Sundown In Watts’ attracting much of \nthe attention and the superb ‘I’m So Glad’ ballad only recently picking \nup deserved admirers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth sides of our 45 will go down well in the Lowrider stronghold of Conwell’s native city. No coincidence, I’m sure.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50413013893451,"sku":"2222776","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/SH_03_Jimmy_Conwell_45_A_aae5c951_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726670346"},{"product_id":"the-souls-of-black-folks-extra-extra","title":"The Souls Of Black Folks \/ Extra Extra","description":"\u003cp\u003eSoul connoisseurs are adventurous folk and the emergence of a \npreviously unknown singer\/songwriter is big news among the cognoscenti. \nThe only trace of Atlanta’s Kenneth Wright is a handful of unrecorded \nsong titles on BMI represented by Aware’s publishing company Act One. At\n least a dozen of his recordings have recently been found in the Aware \ntape vaults and ‘The Souls Of Black Folks’ is the pick of them. It \nfeatures Kenneth’s vocals and an equally impressive unknown female lead \nwho adds more mystery to the project.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the same Atlanta label source comes \nMiss Louistine’s take on the Sam Dees’ song ‘Extra, Extra’. Originally \nrecorded by Ben E King as an album track, Louistine’s punchier take \nfeatured on a recent 100 Club Anniversary 45 and is well in-demand.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50413021659467,"sku":"2222772","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_097_Kenneth_Wright_45_A_8af7ca1a_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726670413"},{"product_id":"dont-try-to-tell-me-laughing-on-the-outside","title":"Don't Try To Tell Me \/ Laughing On The Outside","description":"\u003cp\u003eBernadine or Berna-Dean Washington recorded seven singles for \nproducer Dave Bartholomew in New Orleans in the early 60s. A protégée of\n Earl King, her final single was released on Los Angeles’ GNP Crescendo \nlabel in 1964 and is stylistically similar to her previous Imperial and \nPost 45s. ‘Don’t Try To Tell Me’ and ‘Laughing On The Outside’ were cut \nfor GNP but the company never followed up on her ‘This Is The City’ \nsingle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth tracks are in a more soulful style \nthan her released sides and are attracting much attention on the current\n retro R\u0026amp;B scene and with the rare soul crowd also. This is their \nfirst public hearing.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50413024936267,"sku":"2222771","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_095_Berna_Dean_45_A_d450a9dd_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726670435"},{"product_id":"best-of-the-wand-years","title":"Best Of The Wand Years","description":"\u003cp\u003eMaxine Brown has been popular in the black music world since her 1960 debut hit \"All In My Mind\". That was credited as one of the first soul records but it was not until she moved to Wand Records in 1963 that her career really took off. This golden period for her included her signature hit \"Oh No Not My Baby\u003ci\u003e\" \u003c\/i\u003eand other beautiful ballads like\u003ci\u003e \"\u003c\/i\u003eIt’s Gonna Be Alright\u003ci\u003e\"\u003c\/i\u003e and \"Gotta Find A Way\". These are loved in the UK but it was the more obscure uptempo Wand releases that turned her from an admired artist into a soul goddess on the Northern Soul scene. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe first 70s “discovery” was \"One In A Million\", quickly followed by \"Let Me Give You My Lovin’\" and \"One Step At A Time\". In the 80s the depth of her catalogue was appreciated and the LP-only Van McCoy beauty \"I Wonder What My Baby’s Doing Tonight\" gained plays along with the raucous \"Yesterday’s Kisses\", and the pulsating \"Little Girl Lost\". \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThen, at just the right moment, Kent Records raided the Scepter-Wand vaults for the sublime dancers \"It’s Torture\", Ashford and Simpson’s \"I Want A Guarantee\" and Otis Redding’s self-produced stomper\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\"Baby Cakes\". \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50413625114955,"sku":"309597","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"LP","offer_id":50413625246027,"sku":"1048535","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9eaa1c5b-004d-4979-850c-c45502bc7567_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726675449"},{"product_id":"modernists-modernisms-sharpest-cuts","title":"Modernists - Modernism’s Sharpest Cuts","description":"\u003cp\u003eModernism goes vinyl! After two successful CD volumes, Kent’s look at the sort of R\u0026amp;B and club soul that could have been danced to by the original mods – if only they had known about it – arrives with a special vinyl edition. Gathering up favourite discoveries from the CDs, this 14-track LP is augmented by other tracks culled from the mod jazz series together with a couple of exclusives. This compilation is a selection of high spots, with something for every mod fan whatever the style. Classic club soul from Bob and Earl, Bessie Banks and Jeb Stuart jostles with jazzy R\u0026amp;B from Floyd White and Clarence Daniels plus some almost-funk from Chuck Higgins and Chet Ivey.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50414014103883,"sku":"1011721","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/84aa3c43-facc-40b5-b4c8-c3005e1acd84_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726680970"},{"product_id":"aint-no-telling-its-no-fun-being-alone","title":"Ain’t No Telling \/ It's No Fun Being Alone","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Houston Outlaws ‘Ain’t No Telling’ is re-released due to the constant demand for this atmospheric dance track. It has been coupled with their in-demand harmony ballad ‘It’s No Fun Being Alone’ from the same year; though they were originally two separate US releases.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50417301651787,"sku":"2004013","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/TOWN-175A_885b655d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726725357"},{"product_id":"funky-way-venture-recordings-1967-1969","title":"Funky Way - Venture Recordings 1967-1969","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is the first album of Mickey Stevenson’s Venture material. \u003ci\u003eFunky Way\u003c\/i\u003e was the label’s first release and a hit in 1967, despite limited airplay due to having the word “funky” in the title. It went on to become an early funk classic, covered by Rufus Thomas for Stax, Tommy Strand for Fame, Jimmy Bee for Kent, Ray Johnson and others. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough mainly recorded in Los Angeles, Calvin Arnold was a southern soul singer from Atlanta, Georgia and the material is in that vein – there are Mighty Hannibal produced tracks, recorded in Atlanta. Apart from the eight released sides, Mickey Stevenson’s tapes have provided five previously unreleased numbers including the up-tempo mover ‘Your Love Is Too Much’ and the superb southern funk grooves of ‘Trying To Fly My Kite (In Rainy Weather)’ and ‘Fool Me Baby’. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe package features never before seen photos and a 5,000-word biography of the revered singer from Atlanta musicologist Brian Poust. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e The LP and CD have the same tracks, the CD is chronologically ordered by release, whereas the LP is programmed for optimum listening pleasure for that format.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50419039994187,"sku":"2169717","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50419039338827,"sku":"2169716","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CDKENM_528_Calvin_Arnold_CD_09a1eea0_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726745179"},{"product_id":"you-make-me-happy-give-me-one-more-day","title":"You Make Me Happy \/ Give Me One More Day","description":"\u003cp\u003eDee Ervin suffered collateral damage from GRC \/ Aware’s bankruptcy. He only got to release two mediocre sides on Hotlanta but these recordings match anything he created in a successful career throughout the 60s and 70s. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy 1974 he was as much a composer as artist, but he excels at both on these two numbers that were fully produced and ready for release. ‘You Make Me Happy’ is a terrific uptempo dance track that recently featured on \u003ci\u003eMasterpieces Of Modern Soul; Vol 6\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e‘Give Me One More Day’ was issued erroneously in 1975 as a Tribe LP track on ABC, but the session details clearly have it as a Dee Ervin recorded number.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50426145079627,"sku":"2164139","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_089A_Dee_Ervin_45_bb461bda_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726802727"},{"product_id":"dave-godin-s-deep-soul-treasures-taken-from-the-vaults","title":"Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures: Taken From The Vaults","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe LP includes selections from each of the 4 volumes in the series: Dave thought each of his selections had equal merit. When a soul music website recently ran a thread on collectors' personal favourites from the CDs, the results were as wide-ranging and sometimes contradictory as he would no doubt have hoped. The Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures series began life sixteen years ago. The last volume hit the shops nine years ago, just in time for Dave to see his final creation before his death which he knew was imminent. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDave had notated all the sides he considered worthy of inclusion in his series and once some awkward licensing problems are cleared it's likely a final volume will be issued, using mainly Dave's own words to describe the music. In the meanwhile Kent are releasing a vinyl LP to keep Dave and the series memory alive; something we feel he would have approved of as it was his proudest achievement in a life that touched so many issues and people. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50430052467019,"sku":"366332","price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/HIQLP-008_1_1200_1200_3fe21270_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726843277"},{"product_id":"etta-is-betta-than-evvah","title":"Etta Is Betta Than Evvah!","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eEtta Is Betta Than Evvah!\u003c\/i\u003e Was released in 1976, at a time when she wasn't ruling the charts but wasn't adverse to climbing back into the Top 40 either. The 10 funky cuts on this record do not lack bravado and she certainly sings her heart out on what would be her last studio album for Chess Records. This is the first official U.S. vinyl reissue.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP","offer_id":50437892112715,"sku":"2004629","price":34.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50437890867531,"sku":"358712","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Etta_Is_Betta_Than_Evvah_e53b45e7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726936213"},{"product_id":"evidence-the-complete-fame-records-masters","title":"Evidence: The Complete Fame Records Masters","description":"\u003cp\u003eCandi Staton's recording's for Fame records are some of the most essential moments in Southern soul's history. For the first time ever all 48 of the tracks she made for Rick Hall's label between 1969 and 1974 are together in one place. 22 have never been on cd before and 12 are previously unreleased. This collection contains 12 r\u0026amp;b chart hits, four of which went top 10, including her peerless version of Tammy Wynette's Stand by your Man.  Also included are every track from her three albums released on Fame. This is the first time that Candi's Fame recordings have been reissued by anyone with access to the Fame studios tape archive. This allows us to present everything in stunning sound as well as the previously unreleased tracks which are all of a high quality. The booklet has an extensive note based on exclusive interviews with Candi and producer Rick Hall as well as many of the musicians involved. Access to Fame's own photo archive means that we are able to include many wonderful and previously unseen photos of Candi.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CDx2","offer_id":50437925142859,"sku":"339234","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Evidence_The_Complete_Fame_Records_Masters_6877fb33_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726936481"},{"product_id":"what-are-you-doing-to-me-the-complete-a-bet-recordings","title":"What Are You Doing To Me - The Complete A-Bet Recordings","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo complement the collection of respected songwriter \/ arranger \/ producer Bob Holmes’ work this month, Kent also brings to catalogue a long-overdue anthology by Holmes’ fellow Nashville resident Freddie North. For more than a decade North combined his day job as Head of Promotion for the Nashboro group of labels with a career as a singer on the company’s A-Bet and Mankind imprints.\u003cbr\u003e Most of his earlier Mankind releases, including the hit single \u003ci\u003eShe’s All I Got,\u003c\/i\u003e have long been resident in the Ace catalogue. \u003ci\u003eWhat Are You Doing To Me\u003c\/i\u003e backtracks to bring all of his 1960s recordings for A-Bet, including unissued material, to CD for the first time. By way of a bonus, the collection also adds a helping of North’s later Mankind sides – most of which are also making their CD debut, including three unissued goodies. As you would expect, the booklet is filled with rare photos, label shots and an extensive note. North’s warm, Jerry Butler-like baritone has long been a favourite among fans of vintage soul. They will welcome the chance to add this long-unavailable repertoire to their collections, as will any lover of quality 1960s and 1970s southern soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438084165963,"sku":"1008381","price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7a6b29df-554b-447a-a534-afa66aa2207c_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726938032"},{"product_id":"jack-ashford-just-productions","title":"Jack Ashford - Just Productions","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhen Jack Ashford and Shelly Haimes Pied Piper Productions folded in late 1967, Ashford continued to produce soul music in Detroit with Pied Piper artists and songwriter and artist Lorraine Chandler taking on a producer's role. Ashford's contacts from his time as one of Motown's Funk Brothers were considerable and he continued to work with some of the city s top musicians and singers. His new set-up, Just Productions, found a brilliant new talent in the gruff-voiced Eddie Parker whose\u003ci\u003e Love You Baby\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eI'm Gone\u003c\/i\u003e made a little noise in the Motor City but stunned UK Northern Soul fans in the 70s with the soulful intensity of music and vocals. It was perfect for adrenalin-charged youths and took uptempo soul to a new level; the records were heavily bootlegged. Like\u003ci\u003e I'm Gone\u003c\/i\u003e, the Four Sonics \u003ci\u003eTell Me You're Mine\u003c\/i\u003e and Al Gardner's \u003ci\u003eSweet Baby\u003c\/i\u003e creatively utilised tracks from the Pied Piper days. Billy Sha-Rae was a Pennsylvanian-based singer whose band, the Soul Congress, became the nucleus of the Just Productions musicans. Their song \u003ci\u003eDo It \u003c\/i\u003ewas a hit but the instrumental version by ex-Funk Brother Billy Griffith was even more powerful and is hugely popular in soul clubs nowadays. Sha-Rae was an exciting vocalist whose excellent take on Parker's beat ballad \u003ci\u003eCrying Clown\u003c\/i\u003e is featured. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438159040843,"sku":"398898","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/1d19f254-4090-4595-b119-69191e8d6138_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726939039"},{"product_id":"play-the-game-the-xl-and-sounds-of-memphis-story-vol-2","title":"Play The Game - The Xl and Sounds Of Memphis Story Vol 2","description":"\u003cp\u003epart 2 in the mining of the vaults of xl and sounds of memphis labels, and again another storming compilation of deep soul, ranging from the minits to deeper ballads from the likes of rudolph taylor and carroll lloyd. sublime - what else from kent?\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438187745611,"sku":"303611","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d985d4b2-7047-48a4-ac00-53831fca8a56_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726939616"},{"product_id":"birth-of-soul-special-detroit-edition-1960-64","title":"Birth Of Soul - Special Detroit Edition 1960-64","description":"\u003cp\u003e Detroit gave the world soul music through the success of Motown Records, who were scoring hits from 1959 onwards. Their latest sound would be studied and aped by hundreds of acts around the city. \u003ci\u003eBirth Of Soul – Detroit Special Edition\u003c\/i\u003e has many Motown connections, including a previously unheard early Martha and the Vandellas track from their Del-Phis years – one of the songs was co-written by Berry Gordy’s first wife Thelma. Influential writer, producer and early Motown artist Richard \u003ci\u003ePopcorn\u003c\/i\u003e Wylie features on two tracks and Funk Brother Joe Hunter co-wrote another pair. Detroit soul heroes J.J. Barnes with \u003ci\u003eJust One More Time\u003c\/i\u003e, Gino Washington’s \u003ci\u003eI’m Comin’ Home\u003c\/i\u003e and Melvin Davis with \u003ci\u003eWedding Bells\u003c\/i\u003e represent the city’s evergreen stars who sang there right through the soul years. There are unissued gems from Norman Whitfield’s group the Sonnettes, Tony Clarke, who would go on to success at Chess, and Leon Peterson. Mike Hanks and Dave Hamilton’s stables of acts are represented through James Lately, La Wanda William, Geraldine Hunt, the Penn-etts and others. More successful was Barbara Lewis, whose glorious \u003ci\u003eThink A Little Sugar\u003c\/i\u003e featured on the flip of her \u003ci\u003eHello Stranger \u003c\/i\u003ehit. Timmy Shaw’s \u003ci\u003eI’m A Lonely Guy\u003c\/i\u003e also sold well as the flip to his hit \u003ci\u003eGonna Send You Back To Georgia\u003c\/i\u003e. The Falcons and Volumes were big male vocal group acts in the city; the Pyramids less so. Like Melvin Davis, Betty Lavett was there at the start and performs to this day. The Donays’ \u003ci\u003eDevil In His Heart\u003c\/i\u003e earned international fame when the Beatles included it on their second LP. It was produced by the Correc-Tone stable that also provides brilliant early soul from Marva Josie and Laura Johnson. The vast majority of tracks are new to CD; some are new to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438210617675,"sku":"1007301","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b9caec49-e057-49bb-80df-e27df4792577_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726940079"},{"product_id":"whatever-you-want-bob-crewe-s-60s-soul-sounds","title":"Whatever You Want - Bob Crewe's 60s Soul Sounds","description":"\u003cp\u003eMost soul fans know Bob Crewe through his 60s pop-soul songs and recordings with Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels and his New Voice and Dynovoice labels that teem with hidden gems. Less known are his early songs and productions by such heavyweights of the black music world as Ben E King, Chuck Jackson, Jerry Butler and Barbara Lewis. That follows from his first big success in music, which was with black Brooklyn doo wop combo Hal Miller and the Rays, whom he managed, wrote and produced for. ‘Silhouettes’ by them was a big hit on both the pop and R\u0026amp;B charts in 1957. Crewe clearly loved the R\u0026amp;B sound and penned for Faye Adams, Charlie and Ray, the Bey Sisters and Billy and Lillie in the 50s. He took Hal and the Rays through to the early 60s, when he also wrote and produced soul singers Lenny O’Henry and the High Keys.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCrewe was adept at composing soulful ballads for Hal Miller, Chuck Jackson, Jerry Butler and the like but could also hit a dance groove, as shown by Dee Dee Sharp’s swinging 60s 45 ‘Deep Dark Secret’ \/ ‘Good’ and the High Keys’ R\u0026amp;B gem ‘Pistol Packin’ Mama’. He wrote groovy numbers for Tracy Dey and Shirley Matthews and an inspired and sublime ‘Pushing A Good Thing Too Far’ for Barbara Lewis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrankie Valli and the Four Seasons started out as a street corner vocal group and were steeped in the black music tradition, so they were happy to go along with Bob Crewe for the ride when Motown’s success inspired him to write in that vein. ‘I’m Gonna Change’ was an obscure LP track that got picked up by Northern Soul DJs in the 70s and went massive – in the terminology of the day. Frankie Valli had belatedly charted with his solo billing ‘You’re Ready Now’ in the UK, due to the rare soul scene spins, though his ‘(You’re Gonna) Hurt Yourself’ is arguably the more soulful of the tracks from that mid-60s period. Mitch Ryder fronted a white Detroit rock band whose music was its own genre of tough soul – ‘You Get Your Kicks’ being a high point in teenage angst with an adrenalin-fuelled dance beat. By the mid-60s Crewe’s labels had moved with the times and the slick, rhythmic pop soul sounds of Lainie Hill’s ‘Time Marches On’ and Kenny Wells’ ‘Isn’t It Just A Shame’ reflect that. Crewe was working for many other labels, producing gems such as Lynn Randell’s ‘Stranger In My Arms’ for Columbia and writing ‘Everything Under The Sun’ for revered soul man Walter Jackson at Okeh. In the UK there were excellent covers of his songs by Kenny Lynch and Kiki Dee, while UK band the Soul Mates covered Dey and Knights’ groovy ‘Sayin’ Something’ – we went with the original in this case.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50438366921035,"sku":"1156392","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/9f85c7f0-0ce8-4651-aff5-bdfbbe7f14b3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726941733"},{"product_id":"love-is-my-secret-weapon-how-can-you-live-without-love","title":"(Love Is My) Secret Weapon \/ How Can You Live Without Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eReissue on standard Kent label. Since Kent discovered the fabulous unissued Crossover LP in the tape vaults in 2012, ‘(Love Is My) Secret Weapon’ is the one track everyone has wanted on a 45. The CD it appeared on received many plaudits but its appeal was limited to those who like their music on a silver disc. From the opening notes the listener is gripped and the song develops into a modern soul pièce de résistance. The almost-as-good flip is from the same previously unissued source.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50438496682315,"sku":"1047562","price":8.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b79bc878-20fc-4fbe-b150-9e1952da0ebe_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1726943893"},{"product_id":"get-up-and-move-sugar-boy","title":"Get Up And Move \/ Sugar Boy","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis Kent single has been eagerly awaited for some time. Plays at the 100 Club and other venues of ill-repute, has made it a must-play, dancefloor-filling track.  Carolyn Crawford had a brief sojourn at Mickey Stevenson’s Mpingo label, in the early 70s, as a temporary member of Hodges, James \u0026amp; Smith when they were billed as The Firm Of Hodges, James, Smith \u0026amp; Crawford. Stevenson International’s tapes revealed that Mickey had also cut some solo tracks with Carolyn. ‘Ready Or Not Here Comes Love’ has already wowed the Northern Soul world; this fabulous self-written song will cross over to all scenes. Its slow, steady, groove start builds up to an infectious rhythm that few can resist. Congas abound and a subtle brass section layers the music to perfection. The jazz element will see this 45 accepted on all rare black music scenes.  The flip ‘Sugar Boy’ is more typical of Carolyn and Mickey’s time at Motown with a bouncy beat and appropriately cute lyrics. Both sides debut here. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50443501928779,"sku":"2176112","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Screenshot_2024-01-19_at_13.43.43_06c45c73_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727015664"},{"product_id":"night-bloomin-jasmin-tricky-too","title":"Night Bloomin’ Jasmin' \/ Tricky Too","description":"\u003cp\u003eBest known for ‘Gonna Hang On In There’, its storming Northern Soul flip side, the more subtle ‘Night Bloomin’ Jasmin’’ also has admirers on the rare soul scene. Modernists, in particular, will go for the suave jazz-elegance of this recording which is even scarcer than its original A side - due to being one of two different flips.   The unrelated, bar the LA source of origin, ‘Tricky Too’ by pianist Gus Jenkins is a laidback instrumental groove, written as a sequel to his 1956 smash hit ‘Tricky’. Completed with a hip brass section, it failed to get a release until Ace bought the catalogue, unearthed the tape and slotted it into the 2012 \u003ci\u003eMod Jazz Forever\u003c\/i\u003e CD. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50447053291851,"sku":"2183121","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_093_Jesse_Davis_45A_28a25db9_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727069765"},{"product_id":"standing-in-the-safety-zone-put-me-in-the-mood","title":"Standing In The Safety Zone \/ Put Me In The Mood","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe unknown Sylvia and The Blue Jays cut two tracks for Stax, a southern ballad and this atmospheric, laid-back funky dancer. We first put a version out by Memphis keyboard player Art Jerry Miller who rather swamped the song in organ on our “Let’s Crossover Again” CDKEND 174 in 1999. Underneath that lead instrument was a great vocal performance that we later found out was Sylvia and The Blue Jays. Their possibly original version, before the overdub, was issued on CDKEND 435 in 2015 and has many admirers. They can now play it from 7” of vinyl and fill up those dancefloors. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKent coupled Sylvia with a more mainstream southern Stax groove from The Soul Children - ‘Standing In The Safety Zone’. Like ‘Put Me In The Mood’, the songwriters are frustratingly unregistered and none of the many soul and gospel versions with this title match our well-produced mid-tempo track. It was first issued on CDKEND 499 in 2021 but went under the radar to some extent. It will gleam on vinyl now. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50449891492171,"sku":"2183113","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_092_Soul_Children_45A_012c09a2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727107638"},{"product_id":"mirwood-northern-soul","title":"Mirwood Northern Soul","description":"\u003cp\u003eMirwood Records’ second release was Jackie Lee’s \u003ci\u003eThe Duck\u003c\/i\u003e, an uptempo soul swinger that became a big hit and established the Mirwood sound. The house team of producer Fred Smith, arranger James Carmichael, songwriter and backing voices arranger Sherlie Matthews, along with contributions from veteran singer \/ songwriters Bobby Relf and Earl Nelson (Bob and Earl), made for uptempo soul perfection and they played that beat throughout 1965 and 1966.\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBob and Earl’s hottest number was actually the backing track to Bob’s speedy \u003ci\u003eMy Little Girl,\u003c\/i\u003e discovered as an accidental LP track in the late 60s. Under the same alias, Bobby Garrett, he had another monster sound with \u003ci\u003eI Can’t Get Away\u003c\/i\u003e. Sherlie Matthews composed the hit \u003ci\u003eMine Exclusively\u003c\/i\u003e for the Olympics and, in a similar stomping vein, wrote \u003ci\u003eThe Same Old Thing\u003c\/i\u003e for the group. She penned \u003ci\u003eDon’t Pretend \u003c\/i\u003efor mystery trio the Belles, a studio group consisting of herself along with the Holloway sisters Brenda and Patrice, who were moonlighting while under contract at Motown and Capitol, respectively.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eAnother Los Angeles stable under the auspices of Henry “Hank” Graham threw the Performers into the mix with \u003ci\u003eI Can’t Stop You\u003c\/i\u003e and renamed singer Jimmy Conwell as Richard Temple for a 45 that epitomises Northern Soul \u003ci\u003eThat Beatin’ Rhythm\u003c\/i\u003e; a credo for a cult. More indie productions came from Eddie LaShae with the Sheppards’ redoubtable \u003ci\u003eStubborn Heart\u003c\/i\u003e and Sonny Knight’s production of Curtis Lee on his own Is \u003ci\u003eShe In Your Town\u003c\/i\u003e. Ex-Ike Turner sideman Jimmy Thomas landed at Mirwood in 1966 where Bob Relf recorded him on his own \u003ci\u003eWhere There’s A Will (There’s A Way).\u003c\/i\u003e Thomas brought the Ikettes along with him; the company switched their name to the Mirettes for the Sherlie Matthews’ song \u003ci\u003eI Wanna Do Everything For You Baby\u003c\/i\u003e. 14 vital mid-60s dance records which exemplify why Mirwood is a byword for the best of Northern Soul.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50452246364491,"sku":"1018099","price":17.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/83b4ff47-b8b2-4cd0-828b-7758f8193fa4_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727145517"},{"product_id":"the-intruder","title":"The Intruder","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Intruder’ has been one of the biggest finds to be played at the 100 Club in the last three years. Writer Billy Terrell found what turned out to be a Vigor label test pressing among his records and submitted the tracks to Kent. We were knocked out by the ballad side, ‘I’m Just Passing Time’, which we have since issued as a Deep Soul single, but it is the dance groove of ‘The Intruder’ that has excited the rare soul world. Uptempo soul tracks of this quality hardly ever turn up. The imaginative Terrell\/Dahrouge song was arranged with full orchestration by Tony Camillo but the deal with Vigor was never finalised. The urgency of the music makes it a dancer’s delight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe flip is a Terrell solo song on another Asbury Park act – Clarence Pinckney, who delivers the superb big ballad with panache.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452599832907,"sku":"1146196","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/a438e89f-0941-45e5-98ab-2e7a3b6c6866_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727157686"},{"product_id":"say-you-im-sorry","title":"Say You \/ I’m Sorry","description":"\u003cp\u003eKent’s licensing deal with Mickey Stevenson is proving to be a major musical find. Ronnie McNeir is regarded as an absolute top-class, modern soul singer. These tracks are from the early 70s, around the time he cut his eponymous first LP in Los Angeles with Mickey. ‘Say You’ is a superb updating of the Monitors’ harmony hit from 1965 and is giventhe distinctive, sensitive McNeir treatment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e‘I’m Sorry’ is a slow-burning song that builds into a perfect dancefloor beat. It was penned by Ronnie and his writing partner of the time, Andre Moore. The release is a taster of the complete, previously unreleased album will be issued on Ronnie later this year.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452674576715,"sku":"1146200","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/8099bce6-f188-466f-b386-c53e289a5199_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727160327"},{"product_id":"i-dont-want-to-take-a-chance-i-aint-gonna-cheat-on-you-no-more","title":"I Don’t Want To Take A Chance \/ I Ain’t Gonna Cheat On You No More","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese are two of the finest, previously unheard tracks to come out of the Goldwax vaults. Though they have been around in this complete form, with the horn section, since 2004, it is the first time they have been commercially available on a prestigious 45. The Kent 100 Club anniversary promo of ‘Chance’, with its Northern Soul flip, will now setyou back up to £300; this pairing makes musical and economic sense.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452746076491,"sku":"1146202","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cb25827d-6d47-4a1c-b6b7-bfb74d3d21b8_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727162770"},{"product_id":"psychedelic-soul-produced-by-norman-whitfield","title":"Psychedelic Soul - Produced by Norman Whitfield","description":"\u003cp\u003eHere is the first-ever compilation dedicated to the distinctive and influential productions of Norman Whitfield. You’ll find all-time classics such as Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’, the Temptations’ ‘Papa Was A Rolling Stone’ and Rose Royce’s ‘Love Don’t Live Here Anymore’, alongside lesser-known soul gems from the 70s. Compiled by Bob Stanley, who also put together the acclaimed, big-selling Thom Bell “Ready Or Not” set, it’s the perfect introduction to Whitfield’s work. Atmospheric, cinematic things like Rare Earth’s ‘Come With Me’ sit alongside floor-fillers such as David Ruffin’s wild ‘Me And Rock \u0026amp; Roll (Are Here To Stay)’.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhitfield started out at Motown and worked up to his instantly recognisable, dark, orchestrated sound. By the turn of the 70s he was the king of ‘psychedelic soul’, a genre that he basically invented, selling millions of records along the way. He was responsible for the Temptations’ second wave of hits, including party classic ‘Psychedelic Shack’. Whitfield concentrated on the Undisputed Truth, a\u003cbr\u003egroup he put together and kept in his roster when he started his own Whitfield label in 1975.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePsychedelic Soul\u003c\/i\u003e is an illuminating cross-selection from Norman Whitfield’s exceptional career.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50452796735819,"sku":"1127445","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b3e8f14a-3cf3-4fc1-9bc0-f8eeb3f0c2c7_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727164104"},{"product_id":"i-sat-and-cried-shes-my-baby-smokeys-in-town","title":"I Sat And Cried \/ She’s My Baby (Smokey’s In Town)","description":"\u003cp\u003eSome records are irresistible. Jimmy Nelson’s ‘I Sat And Cried’ is an easy-going swinger of a disc that you feel you’ve always known – even on first hearing. It is a future classic that somehow has managed to stay a secret for decades. That is likely down to it being so rare (for whatever reason) that it doesn’t feature on Discogs and only two sales have ever been recorded on the Popsike website; they were cheap too!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's coupled it with another great mover, ‘She’s My Baby (Smokey’s In Town)’, which debuts on a 45 – it was unreleased until an Ace LP way back in 1987. Two killer tracks on a lovely Repro design of that colourful early 60s label.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452917977419,"sku":"1146203","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f17587f8-afc0-40f3-9571-640429ae6c33_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727166315"},{"product_id":"i-wish-i-knew-i-stand-blue","title":"I Wish I Knew \/ I Stand Blue","description":"\u003cp\u003eJoe Buckner was lead singer of the Major IV, a Chicago group who recorded in Los Angeles in the late 60s. ‘I Wish I Knew’ had been issued by the Ballads on Venture in 1969 and that outfit later re-cut it as ‘Butterfly’ in 1975. Joe and the Majors give an equally impressive performance on this great Leon Ware \/ Susaye Greene song. ‘I Stand Blue’ is another Ware composition that we first featured by writer \/ producer Mickey Stevenson on the Kent 100 Club Anniversary single of 2019. Big-voiced Hal Frazier also gives a top performance on the excellent beat ballad.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452961591627,"sku":"1168638","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/c3e4f96a-8c73-4efa-a5a2-4c65996cd184_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727166909"},{"product_id":"i-can-t-help-myself-mrs-so-and-so-s-daughter","title":"I Can't Help Myself \/ Mrs So And So's Daughter","description":"\u003cp\u003eLoleatta Holloway’s sojourn at Aware records in Atlanta in the mid-70s was just about as good as soul music can get. We have taken the wonderful two-stepper ‘I Can’t Help Myself’ (NOT the 4 Tops song) from her \u003ci\u003eCry To Me\u003c\/i\u003e LP for DJs and collectors and added the originally unreleased – until it’s Kent CD appearance in 1996 – ‘Mrs So And So's Daughter’. That track is a more raunchy, sister-funk number compared to the smooth top side; each side oozes class.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50452962935115,"sku":"1168636","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3fb6aaff-0f6f-41d1-90d8-56985bfcc0dc_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727166933"},{"product_id":"i-need-your-love-cant-nobody","title":"I Need Your Love \/ Can’t Nobody","description":"\u003cp\u003eBridges, Knight and Eaton are revered names in rare soul scenes as diverse as Lowrider, Northern and Modern; their work crosses over to most soul genres. Ace are therefore very proud to present two previously unheard (apart from on their Kent CDs) tracks from their 1969 Galaxy recording sessions, when they were known as the Brothers Of Soul. ‘I Need Your Love’ is an exquisite midtempo dance track and ‘Can’t Nobody’ has been a success on the latest Lowrider Soul CD.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50453080637771,"sku":"1146198","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f34b249c-ffae-4707-b6cc-93a20f193237_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727167620"},{"product_id":"i-am-so-thankful-long-live-the-king","title":"I Am So Thankful \/ Long Live The King","description":"\u003cp\u003eFinding a new Eddie Hill recording from 1969 was quite a thrill and on hearing the beautiful mid-tempo groove, we included it on both our \u003ci\u003eWestbound Northern Soul\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eMasterpieces Of Modern Soul Vol 3\u003c\/i\u003e CDs in 2010. Since then, demand for ‘I Am So Thankful’ has risen and we can now issue it as a single. It was originally scheduled to be Westbound 151 in the USA but that spot was claimed by Emanuel Lasky’s ‘Never My Love’. Eddie now has a Kent release to go with his Detroit waxings on Thelma, Ge-Ge and M-S. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e‘Long Live The King’ was an LP track from the Detroit Emeralds’ acclaimed debut album \u003ci\u003eDo Me Right\u003c\/i\u003e. It didn’t get a US 45 release but did sneak out on a Various Artists UK DJ-promo EP in 1973 for then-current Phonogram releases. This is the first time this superb and popular dance track it has been commercially available as a single.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50453113635147,"sku":"1168635","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/06899649-9333-4e46-ae74-f13ed71cd865_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727168103"},{"product_id":"dave-godins-deep-soul-treasures-volume-5","title":"Dave Godin’s Deep Soul Treasures Volume 5","description":"\u003cp\u003e15 years on from both Dave Godin’s death and his fourth volume of \u003ci\u003eDeep Soul Treasures\u003c\/i\u003e, Kent has compiled a further 25 tracks using titles chosen by Dave for future projects in the series. Many are recordings he wanted from day one of the Treasures concept, but licensing quirks made them unavailable until now. The Emotions’\u003ci\u003e Somebody New,\u003c\/i\u003e Helena Ferguson’s \u003ci\u003eWhere Is The Party\u003c\/i\u003e, George Jackson’s \u003ci\u003eMy Desires Are Getting The Best Of Me \u003c\/i\u003eand others are tracks he had wanted to include from the outset. As usual there is an Eddie and Ernie offering and a release associated with Larry Banks and his musical family’s work; Larry’s nephew has contributed the note. The Banks’ track is actually previously unreleased; Kenny Carter’s reading of \u003ci\u003eI’m Not The One\u003c\/i\u003e which he wrote with Larry Banks and recorded first. It was shelved when his LP project fell through and Larry’s version was later issued on Kapp and featured on the first \u003ci\u003eTreasures \u003c\/i\u003eCD. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLicensing hurdles were cleared with regard to Big Maybelle, an artist Dave always adored and got to meet at the Soul City headquarters. It is also the first time that Esther Phillips, James Carr, Barbara Lynn and Linda Jones feature; all favourites of his. Always a champion of the oddball, he raved about the Soul City’s cover of Gladys Knight’s \u003ci\u003eWho Knows,\u003c\/i\u003e just as he did with the Zilla Mays and Ronnie Taylor tracks. They did not have extensive recording careers but hit the pinnacle for Dave on these specific offerings. There is a fine balance of male \/ female and solo\/group acts, reflecting Dave’s admiration for all styles of soul music. The Chantels’ 1958 single \u003ci\u003eEvery Night\u003c\/i\u003e is the earliest recording he ever chose (by some three years), but he heard deep soul in its impassioned vocal and it also reflects his love of black music from the pre-soul years. The booklet is enhanced by an extensive interview Dave gave to Jon Savage in the 90s; Jon also writes an introduction. Where relevant, Dave’s words, mainly from the pages of Blues and Soul magazines of the time, are used in relation to the recording. Guest writers of the calibre and experience of Stuart Cosgrove, Sean Hampsey, David Nathan, Tony Rounce, Richard Searling, Richard Williams and others pen descriptions of the tracks – often with reference to Dave’s championing of them. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50453284323659,"sku":"1075655","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/502007d3-15a8-457b-9ff1-a2dee80f9f10_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727170532"},{"product_id":"everybody-makes-a-mistake-stax-southern-soul-volume-2","title":"Everybody Makes a Mistake - Stax Southern Soul Volume 2","description":"\u003cp\u003eStax Records in Memphis was one of the centres of southern soul, yet due to its many hits and big city location, this often gets forgotten. Kent redressed that balance with the release of\u003ci\u003e Nobody Wins: Stax Southern Soul\u003c\/i\u003e but there was so much more to play that thy're back with 20 more tracks that capture the deep emotion and soulful feel of the Memphis behemoth. First up we have found a bunch of previously unreleased tracks. There are two by Eddie Floyd, including his own version of ‘Everybody Makes A Mistake’, first released by Otis Redding on \u003ci\u003eThe Soul Album\u003c\/i\u003e; and there’s a stormer called ‘Standing In The Safety Zone’ by the Soul Children. There's also the alternate takes of originally unreleased tracks by Ollie and the Nightingales and William Bell, and have gathered up rare tracks that appeared as bonus tracks on CDs by Jimmy Hughes, Mavis Staples, Shirley Brown, the Newcomers, David Porter, Chuck Brooks and Veda Brown. Of those that saw release at the time, Kent have obscure B-sides by Eddie Giles, Israel Tolbert and Lee Sain. Singles from Randy Brown, Frederick Knight and the Nightingales are as good as anything the label released, and Isaac Hayes is present with his take on the Banks and Hampton single ‘I’m Gonna Have To Tell Her’, one of the great southern soul songs. Packaged with in-depth sleeve notes and extensive illustrations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50453652406603,"sku":"1114991","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/57bb072b-52b9-4a4c-ad35-6ef58c7a08ec_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727175056"},{"product_id":"the-bad-things-you-said-to-me-just-a-mistake","title":"The Bad Things (You Said To Me) \/ Just A Mistake","description":"\u003cp\u003eDetroit’s four Barrino Brothers first recorded for Dave Hamilton on his TCB label in 1969. The single went largely unnoticed until all things Dave Hamilton-related became of interest in the 90s and onwards. The record only sold locally but the belated interest from funk fan sin ‘Just A Mistake’ has pushed the price to around the $1,000 mark for a mint copy. We’ve reproduced the label,with a subtle colour switch, and put the tape find of ‘The Bad Things (You Said To Me)’ on the A-side. That is a standout dance track that has been issued before as a now-deleted Kent 45 that looks great on the label Dave Hamilton had originally planned to release it on.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50453689696587,"sku":"1146204","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/7485988d-5234-4ffb-b31e-75c6f8a80b25_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727175663"},{"product_id":"hagnesta-hill-english-version-xnsji2","title":"Hagnesta Hill (English Version)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor their 3rd and 4th albums \u003ci\u003eIsola\u003c\/i\u003e (1997) and \u003ci\u003eHagnesta Hill\u003c\/i\u003e (1999) Kent moved to a more synth based sound and tried to establish the band outside the Nordic region and both albums were recorded in English as well. The albums were at the time only released on CD and cassette and did pretty well in many countries in and outside Europe. Now finally, it’s time to release the “English albums” on vinyl for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RCA","offers":[{"title":"2 x Red LP","offer_id":50454162309451,"sku":"2011315","price":32.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/product_id._19ed541c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727181661"},{"product_id":"this-is-fame-1964-1968","title":"This is Fame 1964 - 1968","description":"\u003cp\u003eFame Records was an off shoot of the renowned Fame Studio, and this special vinyl-only compilation looks at the very best of the label's work during its first four years. Helmed by owner Rick Hall, aided and abetted by his team who included Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and the Swampers house band, this album collects together some of the very finest music from the birth of southern soul. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe album features hits by Clarence Carter and Jimmy Hughes, Northern soul classics from James Barnett and Art Freeman, recordings by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham as well as a plethora of cuts appearing on vinyl for the very first time. Two albums in a single sleeve with two lavishly illustrated inner bags including extensive notes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2.","offer_id":50456159781195,"sku":"405455","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"CD.","offer_id":50456157487435,"sku":"1101815","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/kent-various-this-is-fame-1964-1968_878242d3_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727196680"},{"product_id":"this-is-lowrider-soul-1962-1970","title":"This Is Lowrider Soul 1962 - 1970","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Mexican and central and South American immigrants and their descendants who originally settled mainly around East Los Angeles have had an affinity for sweet soul love ballads for many years. In recent times the collecting scene has intensified and spread to soul fans around the world who, already sympathetic to the music, were intrigued by the titles that were finding such favour among this very hip scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Lowrider tag comes from their love of classic US automobiles modified to cruise the city streets customised in the coolest fashion of the day. UK soul label owner, DJ and promoter Sean Hampsey has teamed up with fellow DJ Ruben Molina, one of the genre’s participants and authorities, to produce Kent’s CD tribute to the scene and style. Molina has written The Old Barrio Guide To Lowrider Music and works in a DJ team called the Southern Soul Spinners around their southern California heartland. The music on this CD stretches over nine years and moves from late doo wop to sophisticated sweet soul harmony ballads.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScene classics are provided by the Whispers, Barbara Mason, the Ambassadors, Brenton Wood and Lee Williams \u0026amp; the Cymbals, most of which are quite well known in Europe, too. More esoteric picks are provided by the Endeavors, Aesop’s Fables, Jimmy Conwell, the Vows and the Interpreters. Being Kent, we suggested some previously unreleased masters to the selectors and they were knocked out to include the Lovers Bay Area-recorded \u003ci\u003eWhen You’re Poor\u003c\/i\u003e and the Billy Terrell, Ray Dahrouge and Tony Camillo-written-and-produced gem I’m \u003ci\u003eJust Passing Time\u003c\/i\u003e; their inclusion has caused a buzz around the scene.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOther highlights are brilliant but not widely known tracks by William Bell, the Lovelles, Jeff Dale and the Attractions, while the Charmels, the Webs and Reuben Bell records have become hot items among the European collecting fraternity in recent years. It is a musical phenomenon collectors are eager to learn more about and this release will be picked up by all types of black music collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50456303993163,"sku":"1052964","price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/01a34dbc-c7ee-4cb9-80cf-468684518138_thumbnail_4096.png?v=1727197517"},{"product_id":"masterpieces-of-modern-soul-volume-6","title":"Masterpieces of Modern Soul Volume 6","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe latest volume in the acclaimed Masterpieces Of Modern Soul series is as strong as ever and drips with brand new, old recordings. An amazing 12 tracks are previously unheard and a further two are very different versions of already popular numbers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome rare-soul household names have new material featured on here. Ronnie McNeir hits a wicked dance groove with ‘Let’s Make A Move’ and Dee Ervin offers a superbly soulful ‘You Make Me Happy’ – sure to become a modern classic. The lesser-known Joe Graham’s ‘Higher Than High’ is already halfway there, thanks to advance plays in Europe from DJ Dave Thorley. It’s from an Atlanta session around 1976, in-between his Chant and later Hotlanta releases. Jean Shy is a highly-thought of artist who recorded firstly in Chicago and later in L A. ‘What Tomorrow Brings’ was cut in the latter city, under the auspices of Kent Harris; it’s a very classy midtempo jazz-infused number. Ramona King had her best-known records in the 60s but ‘Happy Times’ was recorded in the Bay Area’s GSR studios in the 70s and is a laid-back gem.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt drifts into the late 70s \/ early 80s disco sound with numbers found on tape that were just crying out to be heard. Joe Simon cut the unknown group Cynic on ‘I Want You’ at Spring early in 1982. Detroit’s Exportations very catchy ‘Second Time Around’ and the equally fast, funky and fantastic ‘Have A Good Time’ by Atlanta’s Maggabrain were laid down in the late 70s as was Fox Fire’s ‘Don’t Play Me Cheap’. The early 80s is the likely era for Melanie Burke’s ‘I Can’t Turn You Down’ – which, like the McNeir and Hodges James and Smith offerings, were Mickey Stevenson productions made in L A.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKent have lifted three great LP-only tracks from 1975 Fantasy albums by Janice, Betty Everett and Three Pieces: they fit so well into the compilation. Margie Joseph singing a Willie Tee song called ‘Nobody’ is virtually guaranteed to be great music. It is still for sale at a reasonable price - as opposed to the arm and a leg you’ll need to offer for ‘You Done Let The Daylight Catch You’ by Second Re$surection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKent have found a quite different vocal take for Phillip Mitchell’s ‘I’ll See You In Hell First’ and a much longer version of Dave Hamilton’s ‘Who’ as recorded by the unknown Jackie Dee – it was remixed from the master tape. Another Dave Hamilton song ‘Must Have Had Company’ by Elayne Starr has only appeared on one of the later Dave Hamilton CDs - well worthy of a rewind for modern soul movers. The highly talented west coast producer George Semper gives us ‘Doo Doop Dee Deep Doot Doo’ which owes a lot to the Sly Stone sound of the time and is similarly enthralling. There’s some moody Bay Area jazz-soul from the Karen Sanders Group; recorded in the 70s but only ever available on a 2011 US LP. Finally, we have yet another top quality, unheard 70s soul recording from Joe Hinton who had many tracks abandoned and left in the vault when Atlanta’s GRC records crashed due to the nefarious behaviour of its owner.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50457901695307,"sku":"1159401","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/f4c966b9-b0e1-4149-ac65-7f3e97da0a79_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727208974"},{"product_id":"never-like-this-before-the-complete-blue-stax-singles-1961-1968","title":"Never Like This Before: The Complete Blue Stax Singles 1961-1968","description":"\u003cp\u003eIconic veteran Southern soul man William Bell has been in the business of making records for 66 years, and was with Memphis’ fabled Stax label for virtually its entire 15-year existence (1960-1975). In that time, he composed and recorded many songs that are rightly regarded as classics, from his Stax debut ‘You Don’t Miss Your Water’ to the classic blues song ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ to his hit duet with Judy Clay, ‘Private Number’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAce Records has represented William’s Stax catalogue in the UK for longer than the label originally existed, and we have issued a number of CDs over the years, including original albums and “Best Of” packages, but this month sees the release of the first of two CD sets that will, between them, anthologise the A and B-sides all of William’s solo singles for Stax. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNever Like This Before\u003c\/i\u003e covers the first seven years of William’s Stax catalogue, and rounds up all 14 of the singles that came out on Stax’s original blue label design with the ‘Stack Of Records’ logo. Among the classics featured are the aforementioned ‘You Don’t Miss Your Water’, William’s holiday perennial ‘Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday’ and his heartfelt salute to his recently-deceased Stax labelmate Otis Redding, ‘A Tribute To A King’ – to name but a few. William is, of course, backed on all tracks by members of the legendary Stax ‘house band’ Booker T \u0026amp; the MGs and the Memphis Horns. Arranged in sequence of release and with a booklet featuring extensive annotation and illustration, \u003ci\u003eNever Like This Before\u003c\/i\u003e lives up to its title and offers premium quality Southern soul in a package worthy of the man who, at the age of 82, is still singing many of these songs in live shows, and singing them as well as he ever did!\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e01 You Don't Miss Your Water 02 Formula Of Love 03 Any Other Way 04 Please Help Me I'm Falling 05 I Told You So 06 What'Cha Gonna Do 07 Just As I Thought 08 I'm Waiting On You 09 What Can I Do (To Forget) 10 Somebody Mentioned Your Name 11 I'll Show You 12 Monkeying Around 13 Don't Make Something Out Of Nothing 14 Who Will It Be Tomorrow 15 Crying All By Myself 16 Don't Stop Now 17 Share What You Got (But Keep What You Need) 18 Marching Off To War 19 Never Like This Before 20 Soldier's Goodbye 21 Everybody Loves A Winner 22 You're Such A Sweet Thang 23 Eloise (Hang On In There) 24 One Plus One 25 Every Day Will Be Like A Holiday 26 Ain't Got No Girl 27 A Tribute To A King 28 Every Man Oughta Have A Woman\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50458553319755,"sku":"1152857","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/67f772fa-aabe-43c8-a94b-5382b7d36547_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727211808"},{"product_id":"ball-of-fire-youve-got-love-on-top-of-love","title":"Ball of Fire \/ You've Got Love on Top of Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eCo-writer Charles Spurling sang and wrote at King in the late 60s, providing songs for James Brown, Hank Ballard, Junior McCants and Peggy and Artie among others. ‘Ball Of Fire’ is an exceptional song, first recorded by Connie Austin as a smouldering mid-tempo number on which she pours her heart out. It would be updated a year later by Marva Whitney who took it at a faster funkier pace. Charles Spurling remembers Connie as a good-looking, fast-living girl who was murdered in Los Angeles soon after. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSpurling was a good singer himself and had five King releases between 1967 and 1969. The excellent ‘You’ve Got Love On Top Of Love’ failed to make it to wax until now. Kent found the tape in the King vaults and issued it on CD in 2001; now it is on a righteous single.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black | 7\"","offer_id":50466290139467,"sku":"2004010","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY_084A_01e4e4e2_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727310515"},{"product_id":"loma-northern-soul-classics-and-revelations-1964-1968","title":"Loma Northern Soul Classics and Revelations 1964-1968","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe compilation is a mix of the loved and cherished sides as played on the Northern Soul scene from the early 70s onwards, to brand new master tape finds that will give this ageing cultural movement a timely shot in the arm for the ‘20s and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Marvellos open with ‘It’s Your Love That I Need’ a 1966 Willie Hutch song that has only just been unearthed and is setting dancefloors alight with its mid-60s soul perfection. Their classic ‘Something’s Burning’ is here along with a recent gem ‘I Need You’ that is digitally presented for the first time too.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe equally accomplished and respected Invincibles have a solid three dance tracks – none of which were issued at the time. ‘Heartstrings’ is the catchy dancer destined to go big, while ‘Please Be True’ is for connoisseurs of the Impressions’ vocalising style. ‘Got A Thing Goin’’ however is a manic stomper for super-fit dancers and acrobats only – reminiscent of Little Joe Cook’s ‘I’m Falling In Love With You Baby’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePhilly’s Ben Aiken made his Northern name with the irrepressible ‘Satisfied’ when we were teenagers. Two unreleased nuggets ‘That’s All I Gotta Do’ and ‘If You Should See Her’ will keep him known and revered through our later years.                     \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCarl Hall’s evergreen ‘Mean It Baby’ is augmented by his ‘Like I Told You’ – a real grower.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe girls join in with the legendary Linda Jones’ ‘My Heart Needs A Break’ opus, Delilah Kennebreuw’s Spectoresque collector’s favourite ‘Bright Lights’ and the girly stomper that is ‘See The Silvery Moon’ by the Apollas - poptastic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEarly-scene mod sounds are provided by the mysterious Clyde and The Blue Jays who tell us how to do ‘The Big Jerk’, the Olympics revert to the R\u0026amp;B of their earlier career with ‘I Finally Got A Break’ before their Mirwood soul makeover. Billy Storm tears it up with ‘Baby Don’t Look Down’ an early song from the man who would give us the soundtrack to Toy Story 3 – Randy Newman. The Enchanters ‘Just A Little Longer’ is a mid-60s Drifters’ soundalike, fresh from the tape reel.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Soul Shakers ‘I’m Getting Weaker’, Kell Osborne ‘You Can’t Outsmart A Woman’ and Larry Lester ‘Go For Yourself’ are accepted as the building blocks of the Northern Soul scene and still sound wonderful. Sleepers include Bobby Freeman’s magnificent ‘Lies’, Tony Amarro \u0026amp; The Chariots ‘Runnin’ Around’ and the dynamic production of Charles Thomas ‘The Man With The Golden Touch’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith such high-quality sides to choose from, we have treated ourselves to two “enders” – Bobby Reed’s beautiful ‘I’ll Find A Way’ one of Van McCoys’ very best and Tommy Starr’s melancholic ‘Better Think Of What You’re Losing’.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50466431598923,"sku":"2004008","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"7\"","offer_id":50466432418123,"sku":"2004009","price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CDTOP_511_LOMA_NORTHERN_SOUL_8ef1a196_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727313040"},{"product_id":"the-man-in-the-street-the-complete-yellow-stax-solo-singles-1968-1974","title":"The Man In The Street - The Complete Yellow Stax Solo Singles 1968-1974","description":"\u003cp\u003eHaving anthologized the early Stax singles of legendary soul man William Bell in the acclaimed collection \u003ci\u003eNever Like This Before\u003c\/i\u003e in 2022, Ace is delighted to follow up with the second volume of Bell’s solo singles for the label. Its predecessor featured the A and B sides of every one of Bell’s 45s as originally issued on the blue Stax label between 1960 and early 1968. \u003ci\u003eThe Man In The Street\u003c\/i\u003e does the same for every solo 45 that this well-respected southern soul man released between late 1968 and early 1974, after the company had changed its label colour to yellow and rebuilt its catalogue from scratch. Bell stayed with Stax almost until the label’s final demise in 1975. In the period covered by this collection he released some of his best-known and best-loved recordings, including his biggest Stax hit ‘I Forgot To Be Your Lover’ and long-time fan favourites ‘My Whole World Is Falling Down’, ‘Happy’ and his own version of his classic composition ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’. All of those are featured here, along with 20 more tracks of comparable calibre. As was the case with \u003ci\u003eNever Like This Before, The Man In The Street\u003c\/i\u003e offers the first all-embracing and chronological account of Bell’s solo activity during the period. Extensive sleeve notes and a label shot for every recording featured herein seal the deal on a truly significant collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e1. I Forgot To Be Your Lover 2. Bring The Curtain Down 3. My Whole World Is Falling Down 4. All God's Children Got Soul 5. Happy 6. My Kind Of Girl 7. Born Under A Bad Sign 8. A Smile Can't Hide (A Broken Heart) 9. Lonely Soldier 10. Let Me Ride 11. A Penny For Your Thoughts 12. ‘till My Back Ain't Got No Bone 13. All For The Love Of A Woman 14. I'll Be Home 15. Save Us 16. If You Really Love Him 17. Lovin' On Borrowed Time 18. The Man In The Street 19. I've Got To Go On Without You 20. You've Got The Kind Of Love I Need 21. Gettin' What You Got (Losin' What You Had) 22. All I Need Is Your Love 23. Get It While It's Hot 24. Nobody Walks Away From Love Unhurt\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":50468207264075,"sku":"2008746","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CDTOP_515_WILLIAM_BELL_YELLOW_STAX_03feb4c6_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727346000"},{"product_id":"the-inside-guys-my-friend-heartaches","title":"The Inside Guys \/ My Friend Heartaches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe mysterious and oddly named Soul Interiors recorded two terrific sides for Mickey Stevenson in 1972, ‘The Inside Guys’ - a sublime dancer and the deep soul harmony of ‘My Friend Heartaches’. Nothing is known about the group’s line-up, but they really do have a feel of fellow Los Angelenos the Exits. The musical backing to ‘The Inside Guys’ was also used on the Classic Example’s ‘Right On’, this variation is even more pertinent to the rare soul dance scene, with lyrics akin to ‘The In Crowd’ and the track has been a 100 Club floor-packer for a couple of years now. This is its first release. The flip will appeal to lovers of deep soul harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kent","offers":[{"title":"Black 7\"","offer_id":50468627743051,"sku":"2216828","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/CITY__096A_865a425e_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727349470"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/kent.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}