JACKEY BEAVERS Love That Never Grows Old (Revilot 208)
My top sound for many years. Driven by the rhythm section and that
burping sax, this is top-drawer powerhouse Detroit Northern Soul – a real rough-round-the edges sound – wow! The song is written and co-produced by Mr Beavers and he sure knows how to sing it. A similar backing track was used by Steve Mancha on Groovesville 1004 (both sides) but nothing touches Jackey’s definitive take on this one.
JACKIE & TONETTS You Gotta Choose (Wheel City 0010)
Mike Hank’s Wheel City logo is probably best known for the Melvin Davis classic ‘Find A Quiet Place’ – but this less-known 45 must be of similar rarity. Released in 1965, this is a sublime example of the mid-60s Detroit girl group sound. From that quirky spoken first verse you know this is going to be a real gem with an unpolished production that is miles away from the Hitsville USA sound. The group also recorded a double-sider on Mike’s D-Town logo which is well worth checking out – ‘Steady Boy’/’The Proof Of Your Love’
(D-Town 1059).
MASQUERADERS How (La Beat 6606)
The LPT’s (La Beat Production Team) certainly had their own take on things
and this epic Detroit male group sound shares a similar messy production to Al William’s classic ‘I Am Nothing’. In many ways the rough mix is the record’s beauty. I rate this as the best release on La Beat. Listening closely to the lyrics, this is crushing ‘deep soul’ hidden in superb up-tempo Detroit Northern Soul clothing!
FANTASTIC FOUR (I’m Gonna) Live Up To What She Thinks (Ric-Tic 119)
At the end of 1966 this was the flip of ‘Girl Have Pity’ from what would prove to be Ric-Tic’s biggest selling artists. For me this is the pinnacle of the group’s output for this definitive 60s Detroit logo – an interesting take lyrically, coupled with a superbly soulful vocal performance. Still under-rated, this is one of those killer atmospheric slower tempo numbers that shows the Detroit sound off at its best. A beautifully crafted song written and produced by George Clinton, and arranged by Mike Terry. This was the last release in the familiar red Ric-Tic series before the blue swirl design label (and Edwin Starr’s ‘You’re My Mellow’ which was one of my top 5 contenders!).
NELSON SANDERS I’m Lonely (Rambler 3001)
Rambler was part of Lou Beatty’s La Beat set-up, and for me this is the most gut-wrenching soulful vocal performance ever committed to vinyl - deep, deep soul. The genius of this recording lies in the combination of the emotionally raw vocal, with the powerful simplicity of the lyrics. Blows me away every time! And if you like up-tempo stomping Detroit – just flip it over for ‘Mojo Man’.