The Tibbs "Damaged Heart" (Record Kicks)

There has been a lot of lovely low(rider) tempo contemporary soul music released in 2020 on a bunch of fine imprints such as Big Crown, Colemine and Penrose. Of those that found their way into Not Unloved's wee box o' soul, the impeccably sung "Rome" by Dojo Cuts (Colemine) takes the garlands. For whatever reason, however, I didn't buy or even hear half as many soul 45s that could fire up the dancing feet. One notable exception was "Damaged Heart" by Dutch group The Tibbs on Record Kicks. If mp3s wore out like cassettes, my download of"Damaged Heart" would have dropouts galore. There's something so addictive about its shimmy and flow. Elsa Bekman's powerful, yet never over-cooked vocal performance is a real joy, too. I say this a lot but if I ever play records out again, this 7" will be among the first on the decks.

 

The Ringleaders "Grin and Bare It"

Secret Stash Records of Minneapolis, USA have been poking around in the archives of  the 1960s Chicago based One-derful! family of labels for a 6 disc compilation series.  In the process they've happened upon some tremendous hitherto unissued soul gems which are now taking their rightful place on 7" vinyl.  "Grin and Bare It" by The Ringleaders is a crisp, horn-filled beat-stepper that'll make a welcome addition to any Northern Soul DJ's box.  "I've Got To Find My Baby" on the flip is far mellower group soul fare which again features some wonderfully soulful horn lines and a few moments that would have made lovely samples for Wiggs & Stanley in the early 90s.  Two top quality sides and easily the best unreleased soul cuts to reach these ears since that sensational Up Tights 7".

Hear lengthy samples and buy it here (US) or here (UK).

The Up Tights

Jazzman says: "Two previously-unreleased killer tunes from the Up Tights". 'Killer' is the right word but 'unreleased' - how can that be? When songs are this good, surely they must have been released before!

"I am controlled by your love"

Back when I was feeling my way around the vast world of soul music from the 60s, I bought a fair number of second hand or cheap Goldmine Soul Supply cds.  Their quality (and sometimes the quality of their mastering) was variable but through them I came to some real treasures which I still adore to this day.  Helene Smith's crisp, hot-stepping "Thrills and Chills"  (from "Way With The Girls: 30 Northern Soul Girl Group Classics") is one of the very best of them.  Until Saturday, however, I'd never heard any other songs she recorded.  Her 5 contributions, one of which is a slightly better mastered version of"Thrills and Chills", to Numero Group's "Eccentric Soul: The Deep City Label" are all of such quality that I feel a bit negligent/silly for not seeking them out before now.  Of the 'new' songs,  the majestically sung"I Am Controlled By Your Love" is the one which has clung on the tightest with its slightly creepy lyrics telling a tale of a pretty unhealthy relationship:

My heart can’t beat, baby
Unless you tell it to
My eyes can’t see, baby
Unless you tell them to
There are things I should do
But I know it’s just no use
Cos I’m controlled by your love
I’m controlled by your love
Oh, yes I am
Mmmm, hmmm

Now I can’t breathe, baby
Unless you tell me to
And I can’t speak, baby
Unless you tell me to
It sounds strange, this I know
But it’s really, really so
Cos I’m controlled by your love
I’m controlled by your love
Oh, yes I am
Mmmm, hmmm

Anything I say or do
Means nothing to me
I’m controlled by your love
And that’s plain to see
But I’m proud to be controlled
Proud to be controlled by your love
Mmmm, hmmm

My heart can’t beat, baby
Unless you tell it to
My eyes can’t see, baby
Unless you tell them to
It sounds strange, this I know
But it’s really, really so
Cos I’m controlled by your love
I’m controlled by your love
Oh, yes I am

What an arresting intro!  How exciting to learn that Helene Smith's career in music should be remembered for more than just her Northern Soul classic even if she does, bizarrely, add a 't' to the end of each 'unless' - it really is eccentric soul, I guess!  As with Numero Group's recent Dynamic Label overview, the Deep City round-up is strong from first to last.  Ordinarily, a work as luminous and dramatic as Betty Wright's "Paralyzed" would be a certain stand-out on a soul compilation.  On Eccentric Soul 007, however, it's just one in a procession of heart-stopping moments.

Update: More of Helene's recordings appear on Eccentric Soul: The Outskirts Of Deep City.  Why didn't I investigate these records before now?