VARIOUS ARTISTS - THE WANTS LIST
In the mid to late 1980's a new generation of DJ's, and soul fans founded what became known as the 'Rare Groove' movement. Dismayed with the bland output of the then current soul music and the movement towards house/garage/acid house, they looked back to uncover many hidden and forgotten gems from Black America's musical heritage. This compilation of 17 soulful rare grooves features many of the classic tracks revived during this time along with some extremely obscure gems that were relatively unknown when they were first released. These tracks also have three other things in common, their soulfulness, they are amongst the most requested tracks in our shop (hence the album's title), they belong to a sub genre of rare groove "Two Step", beat ballads ideal for stepping with a partner at all night Blues parties.

Barbara Acklin recorded many albums for Brunswick and then Capitol in the late 60's to mid 70's, having a hit with "Love Makes A Woman". "Am I The Same Girl" is surely one of the most recognisable songs to be revived in the era. It was recorded in 1969 and is a vocal version to the Young Holt Unlimited hit "Soulful Strut", using the same backing track (something that Brunswick did many times). Barbara died suddenly in 1998.

Erma Franklin (Aretha's elder sister), contributes to this compilation another Brunswick track from the same year. One of many vocal versions released using the Young Holt Unlimited adaptation of the Doors often recorded "Light My Fire". This version taken from her only album for the label "Soul Sister" must surely be the most soulful rendition of this popular track. Despite recording many great songs for Shout and Epic, Erma never received the level of success of her more famous sister. However in 1992 a song that she had recorded 25 years earlier "Piece Of My Heart" was used on a Levi's advert and subsequently became a top ten hit in the UK and other European countries. Erma like her sister Carolyn and Brother Cecil died of cancer, last year.

Brenda (Payton) and the Tabulations recorded an album for the Dionn label in 1967 and had a major R&B and pop hit with the title track "Dry Your Eyes". After another hit "Right on The tip Of My Tongue" produced by Van McCoy for the T&B label, they recorded "One Girl Too Late" for Epic in 1973. This track shows the best of the girl harmony group sound and is a popular two stepper. They went on to record a John Davis produced disco album for Chocolate City in 1976 featuring the popular track "Lets Go All The Way". Brenda died in 1992.

The Duncans "Let Me Be" is the first of three tracks form the southern independent label Malaco. This track epitomises the Two Step sound with soulful vocals floating over its driving bass bass and funky beat. The track comes from the album "Gonna Stay In Love", one of two that they recorded for the label in the late 70's/early 80's.

(Little) Carl Carlton was Chicago's answer to (Little) Stevie Wonder in the mid 60's. He recorded many Northern Soul favourites for the Backbeat label in the late 60's/early 70's most notably "Competition Ain't Nothing". By 1980 he had dropped the "Little", appearing on the cover of his self- titled album for 20th Century more as muscle man. "This Feelings Rated X", previously recorded by its writer Leon Haywood for the same label was the B-side of his disco hit "Bad Mama Jama" from that album. Again what strikes you is the perfect backbeat and bassline underpinning Carl's soulful vocals.

Philadelphia's contribution to Soul music's heritage is enormous. Whilst household names like The O'Jays, Billy Paul and Teddy Pendergrass enjoyed considerable commercial success, there was a miriad of lesser known acts like the Soul Survivors who recorded great tracks like 'City Of Brotherly Love" and then faded into obscurity. Taken from their self- titled album recorded on TSOP in 1974, this track has all the hallmarks of Gamble and Huff, and could easily have been recorded by the O'Jays. The Soul Survivors were a group made up of white and Hispanic members and featured Neil Larsen on keyboards, who went on to have a successful career as a jazz artist.

Little is known about Benny Johnson who recorded "I Just Got To Know", taken from his album "Visions Of Paradise" recorded for the Today label in 1973. This is one of the most sought after tracks on this compilation, the original album being extremely hard to find and expensive. Benny's vocals ouzes with soul, the track being typical of the kind of obscure gems that would never have seen the light of day, if the rare groove scene had not happened.

Natural High recorded "I Think I'm Falling In Love With You" as part of their optimistically titled "Natural High 1" album released on Malaco subsidiary Chimneyville Records in 1979. The track is a good example of Mississippi soul, great vocal harmonies, tight instrumentation, a very popular '2 step' track. Unfortunately nothing more was heard of the group after their only album.

'Galveston Bay' a breezy summer song was very popular in this country when first released in 1984, and has remained so over the past twenty years. This timeless mid tempo soul tune is very uplifting and is regarded as something of a classic. It comes from Lonnie Hill's only album "You Got Me Running" recorded for the independent Urban Sound label.

Barry White's Love Unlimited Orchestra recorded many great tracks across several albums for 20th Century. "Midnight And You" must surely rank amongst the best. Right from the start with Barry's deep spoken intro you know this is going to something special. Swirling strings perfectly orchestrated, rise above the funky backdrop to caress the senses, a great example of Barry's musical genius. Inevitably this track has been sampled to death, but remains fresh in its original form.

Little is known about the UK's Rita Wright (not to be confused with Syretta (Rita) Wright. She cut "Touch Me Take Me" for the UK rock label Jet in 1976, and faded into obscurity. This track is probably the most in demand on the compilation, having only ever been released as UK seven inch single, and now fetching c. £250. This is one of three versions of this popular song, but by far the best, '2 Step' magic.

Ann Peebles recorded for Hi records for over a decade, reaching international stardom with the awesome "I Cant Stand The Rain" in 1973. "Mon Belle - Amour" was one of the last tracks that she recorded for the company in 1981, released only as a single. It features Don Bryant (whose album on Hi is one of rarest soul albums ever!), and is a delightful duet which sounds as if it were recorded some years earlier, with that distinctive Homer Banks and Chuck Brooks production.

Lou Courtney's album "I'm In Need Of love" is rated as one of the best soul albums of all time. "Beware" was recorded at the same sessions in 1973 but never made it to the album, being the 'B' side to the classic "What Do You Want Me To Do". The track is typical of the rest of the album with Lou's soulful vocals soaring above Jerry Ragovoy's string laden production, classic soul. The Album is available as part of our classic and rare album series.

Benny Golson the veteran jazz composer and sax player returned to recording in the late 70's after a ten year gap during which he concentrated on writing for TV and commercials, notably for the series "M*A*S*H. "I'm Always Dancing To The Music" is the title track from the second album he recorded for Columbia, in 1980. It is a joyous, funky two step soul track, far removed from his jazz roots. Slated by the jazz critics, this is one of the most popular tracks from the era, a dancefloor anthem.

Lou Ragland is one of those underground soul heroes, who made many great tracks, but never received commercial success or critical acclaim outside of his inner circle of fans. 'Making Love" is taken from a very rare five track mini album that he recorded with the Great Lakes Orchestra (GLO) in 1985. The backdrop is excellent for "Two Stepping", and this track was covered for a reggae/lovers rock track "I've Got A Girl On The Other Side Of Town". Lou was originally from Cleveland Ohio but relocated to Los Vegas around the time of the release of this track. Lou's classic albums "The Conveyor" and "Hot Chocolate" are available in our classic and rare album series.

GC Cameron is another greatly under appreciated soul singer who made a string of good albums for Mowest. Motown, and Malaco, and is still recording today. Formerly of the Detroit Spinners, GC cut this mid tempo soul gem "Hearts And Flowers" for his album "Give Me Your Love" recorded for Malaco in 1983. GC always scored on mid tempo tracks and ballads, and this is no exception.

Hi Rhythm were the Hi studios session band, phenomenal musicians, appearing on countless sessions on the label throughout the 70's. This the title track from their only album "On The Loose", is a quirky mid tempo two stepper. It is again a very popular track on the scene and whilst on first hearing may seem a little off-key, is a real grower. The album sunk without trace and is now like many of the tracks featured in this compilation pretty hard to find.
(vinyl no longer available - cd: last copies available)

Track list (click to hear tracks - one minute clips)