We are delighted to announce the next six 45’s on the Soul Brother label which will be arriving this week! The first four will be ready to dispatch from this Friday, which includes The New World, Odyssey, Mojoba, and The Checkmates Ltd. The Reason Why will be available from next Friday 21st, and the final one from Crystal Clear will be ready in the last week of July or the beginning of August. All of the records are super rare and highly sought after, so make sure you act quick! They are available as regular dinked 45’s or full centre Dj Copies. We are taking pre-orders now which will despatched the day they arrive. Take a look at all the titles below and click through the links to buy.
New World – We’re Gonna Make It / Help The Man
Indiana Singers Bob Redding and Delroy Bridgeman had previously recorded the Northern Soul classic ‘So Is The Sun’ under the name World Column in 1969. By 1972 they had signed to the Curtom label and recorded these two Black Consciousness sides produced by Rich Tofu, which were released on Polydor. ‘We’re Gonna Make It’ is a hard hitting funky soul groove written by Curtis Mayfield, around the time of the Superfly soundtrack. It features Curtom musicians and has all the hallmarks of classic Curtis, Redding’s voice Is even similar to his. Original copies of this heavily in demand record sell for £600 , if you can find a copy.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
Mojoba – Say You Will / I Know
Mojoba were the Mosley and Johnson Band from New Albany MS, who recorded under many different names for labels including Hi and Malaco from the late 60s until the late 80s. They recorded two singles for Polydor in 1976 and 1977. This is the most in demand, featuring the Modern Soul dancer ‘Say You Will’ backed by ‘I Know’ which has a more funky Southern Soul approach with Sam & Dave style harmonies. Original issue copies with both sides sell for around £900 making it one of the most expensive Soul singles ever released on Polydor, single track promos sell for £50. We are delighted to reissue this massively in demand and rare single for the first time.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
Odyssey – Our Lives Our Shaped By What We Are / Battened Ships
When Motown relocated to Los Angeles , Berry Gordy founded the Mowest label in 1971. One of the highlights of the label was the album by multi racial group Odyssey, produced by Gene Page. This single features their two best tracks.’Our Lives Are Shaped’ is a folky funk track Which has been in demand for decades, original 45 copies sell for approx £250. ‘Battened Ships’ is an in demand Modern Soul dancer with very soulful vocals from Royce Jones. We are delighted to present these two great tracks on a single in the UK for the first time.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
The Checkmates Ltd – All Alone By The Telephone / Body Language
Checkmates Ltd had a massive US hit with the Phil Spector produced track ‘Black Pearl’ in 1969. The group led by singer Sonny Charles had many different line ups and recorded for many labels until 1982 when he went solo and recorded his classic hit ‘Put It In a Magazine”. ‘All Alone By The Telephone’ was their only single on Polydor and was a regional hit in 1976. It is a really nicely produced and orchestrated mid tempo dancer written and produced by H.B.Barnum, which is popular on both the 2-Step and Modern Soul scenes. Mint Original copies now sell for around £150. Barnum also produced a version of the song by JB Bingham later in ’76 which is also now in demand.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
The Reason Why – Step Inside My World / So Long Letter (In A Picture Frame)
The Reason Why recorded their only single on the Polydor label in 1977. It was co-wriiten and produced by Willie Hutch, just after he left Motown. ‘Step Inside My World’ Is an excellent Modern Soul mid tempo dancer that has been in demand for many years.The lead singer has a similar voice to Willie, especially on the original A side , the mid tempo beat ballad ‘So Long Letter’ which is in demand in its own right on the single track promo copies.Original issue copies sell for approx £700, and single track promos for £150. We are delighted to present the first official reissue of this great single.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
Crystal Clear – Stay With Me / You’re So Unreal
Crystal Clear were a female vocal group from Philadelphia who released two singles on the Polydor label in 1980, both of which were co-produced by Doug King , who also produced Vaneese & Carolyn for the same label (also released on Soul Brother). ‘Stay With Me’ is a great mid tempo 2 stepper which has been in demand for many years and has sold for £600. The track is arranged and conducted by Philly Soul legend Morris Bailey. We are delighted to reissue this track on a 45 for the first time outside of Japan.
To listen and purchase the regular copy click HERE
To listen and purchase the DJ copy click HERE
