{"title":"Rick Clarke","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"potion","title":"Potion","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle continues with their drive to unearth rare and classic UK funk, soul \u0026amp; boogie records with a reissue of a formerly white label-only, rare-as-hens-teeth debut 12\" by UK soul icon Rick Clarke from way back in 1981.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSharing the same line-up of performers as the eponymous group Potion (Rick Clarke, Carlton White on bass \u0026amp; Everton McCalla, formerly of Light of the World and later Freeez, on drums) though credited on the OG press as Rick Clarke alone, this 12\" came out originally in the same year as the also sought after Potion 12\" \"Catch The Feelin' (Showstopper)\" - a year before we would see Rick \u0026amp; Everton release the classic british electro funk of \"Magic\" as Side On (with Peter Mass) on Beggars Banquet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a classic slice of British disco funk, showcasing an early vocal talent that would go on to become a key feature of the late 80s UK soul scene, alongside a tight-as rhythm section. The subtly dubbed-out instrumental mix is a real treat too, bringing those synth flourishes and soaring horns to the fore and letting us hear Carlton's bass work wonders unencumbered.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"Black | 12\"","offer_id":50416739320139,"sku":"1158553","price":14.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/d3658b66-6b48-4fac-8927-07482911c97d_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726709172"},{"product_id":"time-keeps-moving-on","title":"Time Keeps Moving On","description":"\u003cp\u003eFreestyle Records drop a killer UK soul\/early street soul reissue LP from 1988, in the form of Rick Clarke's hard to come by 'Time Keeps Moving On' album.\n\nOriginally appearing on the Raven label in 1988, Time Keeps Moving On constituted Rick Clarke's first LP following his work in the earlier eighties as part of brit-funk groups Potion and Side On, and solo output including Love with a Stranger (released on The Specials' Ghost Town's producer John Collins' Local Records imprint) and a few singles for RCA. Largely co-written and co-produced with Peter Hinds (Take Three, Atmosfear, Light of the World) and a guest turn from Master T aka Toyin Agbetu - this is foundational street soul that appeared at a time when the likes of Loose Ends were starting to break through to the US, and Soul II Soul just emerging.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle Records","offers":[{"title":"Black LP","offer_id":50422677832011,"sku":"2200259","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_c5306792_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726765773"},{"product_id":"guess-who-2","title":"Guess Who","description":"\u003cp\u003eStreet soul grail alert! Freestyle reissue the previously white label-only Guess Who LP, originally released anonymously by Rick Clarke in 1992.\nCrossing ruff-but-sweet UK street soul sensibilities with stripped-back house, garage and hip-hop flavours, the Guess Who LP was dropped covertly during a period in the early 90s when Rick was signed up to Soul II Soul's Funki Dreds label, contractually restricting him from releasing his music elsewhere. Bubbling with creative energy and a slew of ideas that he just couldn't help himself from getting out there, Rick brought a range of friends and collaborators to his MJB Records studio in West Kensington where the LP was produced and recorded on his trusty Fostex E16 in a matter of a couple of days.\nRaw drum machines and simple but effective basslines \u0026amp; melodies abound across the album's 9 offerings - with tracks at times feeling like pencilled musical ideas still in flux. Highlights include Jill Francis' sublime vocal riding the stripped-back samba-esque groove of Gonna Make You Happy, the sugary soul harmonies of Imaani's Share My Love With You, and criminally short outro track Sweet Vibrations.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Freestyle","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50460650963275,"sku":"2014707","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/test_277e4d9c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727236089"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/fr\/collections\/rick-clarke.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}