LOOK WHAT I HAVE FOUND vol 197
"Breakaway" - 16 savage slabs of northern soul and raucous R&B from 1960-1967

 

In The Trashcan Records       GARBAGE197
"I keep tryin' to break away from the right direction with lipstick, powder and paint..."

1. you can't see - the five stairsteps

Family soul band from Chicago who had a smash hit with "O-o-h child" in 1970. This was their fourth single for Windy C, both non-album tracks. Flipside of "Ain't gonna rest". See also vol 193.

9. breakaway - toni basil

Extremely rare promo single from 1966 as debut for American singer and actress Toni Basil, who gave us "Mickey" 16 years later. She started as a go-go dancer under her real name, Antonia Basilotta. This northern soul song is a real gem.

2. love me - billy stewart

Ten years after his debut single in 1956 he was a well known soul and R&B singer. In 1965 he recorded the ultimate soul version of Summertime. This midtempo ballad shows a fragile side of 31 year old Stewart. Unfortunately only four years later he died in a car accident.

10. mr. love - carol frederick

Northern soul gem from New York City. She had her first release on Stonel Records with "I couldn't care less/Where  I ought to be", also in 1966. "Where I oughta be" is the A-side of this release and is best ignored; it's a lame ballad. Go for the flipside, once again!

3. i keep tryin' - fred hughes

An excellent slab of northern soul by Californian Fred Hughes, not to be confused with Freddie Hughes. He started in 1965 and recorded at least a dozen singles and one full album. This gem came out in 1967 on Exodus.

11. i got a man - the crystals (feat. la la brooks)

Can you really sit still when listening to this tune? At northern soul parties and also at popcorn parties it's a success. A 1966 release on United Artists. See also vol 193 for the A-side.

4. come on back - chuck foote

A fast doo-wop song from 1961 by Chuck Foote, his first of three releases for three different record labels. This is a Soncraft Records release.

12. i prefer you - etta james

A mid-tempo r&b tune by a big lady in the world of r&b. My fave Etta tune is her version of Otis Redding's "Security" from two years later in 1968. Oh, and don't forget "Tell mama". Yes, Etta, I prefer you… See also vol 193 for the flipside.

5. a lot of love - homer banks

Tennessee born soul singer who recorded this soul stomper in 1966 for  Minit. He co-wrote this song which was arranged by Gene Bowlegs Miller.

13. always you - the crests

B-side of "Trouble in paradise", which can be found on vol 193. A 1960 doo-wop tune that started promising...

6. fishin' pole - the mighty hannibals

The spiritual godfather of King Khan? Certainly when he was wearing his pink turban. One of the hottest tracks on Josie Records in 1966 for sure! On the A-side you'll find his biggest hit "Hymn n° 5" that was banned on the radio due to its anti-war attitude in the Vietnam days.

14. love game (from a to z) - the royal jokers

There's the vocal side and the instrumental side. You choose; both sides are excellent. This r&b group hailed from Detroit. A 1966 Wingate release.

7. brenda - glen campbell

An early 60s rock 'n' roll pop tune by Glen Campbell from Arkansas. He moved to L.A. and became a session musician. In 1961 he decided to record for himself, starting with this ode to Brenda. Hundreds of releases would follow. This one came out on Crest in 1961.

15. say it - j.j. barnes

More uptempo than its flipside, "Say it" is a terrific soul groover from 1966 by this Detroit singer, born as James Jay Barnes. See also vol 193.

8. lipstick powder and paint - joe turner

Like "Flip, flop & fly", "Morning noon and night", "Shake rattle and roll", all good things come in three: "Lipstick powder and paint", the magic key for success in 50s R&B. See vol 193 for more.

16. the right direction - clara ward

B-side of "Tear it down" (see vol 194), that starts with a fuzz guitar followed by a horns section and then the soulful voice of gospel singer Ward. A terrific 1966 release on Verve Records.