Don Hart & The Fyve Soldier Comin‘ Home (Cool School 2002)This was also released as ‘Keep On Holding On’ on the same label. Don Hart along with label owner Lou Beatty produced ‘Soldier Comin Home’ as one of the few Vietnam songs from that period.
The Monticellos I Can’t Wait Until I See My Baby’s Face (Red Cap RC 102)
I know at least about eight different versions of this song (Monticellos, Dusty Springfield, Spyder Turner, Baby Washington, Aretha Franklin, Pat Thomas, Sonji Clay and Madeline Bell) but I’m sure that more exist. Most of them are awesome, but it’s impossible to top the Monticellos’ Detroit version from Solid Hitbound. Produced by Clay McMurray, the backing was also used for Spyder Turner. Awesome Detroit stuff.
Fantastic Four (I’m Gonna) Live Up To What She Thinks (Ric-Tic 119)
Hard to chose from Detroit’s finest label. Future Motown stars first single on Ric-Tic in 1966. Fabulous mid-tempo number with two Detroit legends appearing on the label: George Clinton as producer and Mike Terry as arranger.
The O’Jays I’ll Never Forget You (Imperial 66162)
The O’Jays came from Philly in 1966 to Detroit to record with the Pied Piper team, but the national release on Imperial records wasn’t very successful. ‘I’ll Never Forget You’ remains one of the absolute highlights of the cooperation between Andrew ‘Mike’ Terry and Jack Ashford and one of my all-time favourites. The partnership between Ashford and Terry didn’t last very long, but their output was of the highest quality.
Edie Parker Crying Clown (Triple B T-B 0001)
Also recorded by Billy Sha-Rae on Spectrum (as well as ‘I’m Gone’ which was recorded by both artists). Once again ‘Funk Brother’ Jack Ashford’s name appears on the label, this time with Detroit singer Lorraine Chandler who co-wrote ‘Crying Clown’ and also produced it. Only wish to own it on Awake Records with ‘I’m Gone’ on the flip.