THE CHERRY SLUSH - I CANNOT STOP YOU

From Saginaw, Michigan (yeah, the same place where a few months ago a HOUSE sold on ebay for under $10!), this single seems as though it was about to go high on the charts, did well in certain regions, but disappeared. The group has been listed in books as being from Chicago (due to this single being released on the USA label outta Chi-town) but not so.

This is a superb, pounding garage rock record that actually deserved to be a big hit.

from 1968...

THE CHERRY SLUSH - I CANNOT STOP YOU

THE PRECISIONS - YOU'LL SOON BE GONE

While there were a handful of R&B groups in the sixties using the name the Precisions, this Detroit group was the one that left the deepest mark with a brilliant cache of 45's.

from 1967...

THE PRECISIONS - YOU'LL SOON BE GONE

BONNIE BRISKER - SO MUCH LOVIN' DEEP INSIDE OF ME / SOMEONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU (GUESS WHO)

Surprisingly, I can't find much information at all about this amazing double sider out of Detroit. Not sure if Bonnie Brosker released any other records; I have never seen any others. There MUST be some others out there though, as she is far too good to only have one release. Even though this record has been a northern soul fave, none of the online discographies that i use to get dates and trivia have a listing...Very strange!

What's NOT a mystery though is that this record has two brilliant sides; "So Much Lovin'..." is a stomper and "Someone Who Really..." is a nice midtempo song with superb singing. I am guessing on the year, too.

As always, if you have any info please write!

from c1968...

BONNIE BRISKER - SO MUCH LOVIN' DEEP INSIDE OF ME

b/w

SOMEONE WHO REALLY LOVES YOU (GUESS WHO)

Yet another change to the blog

OK...

Rapid share is pretty bad for downloading. The people have spoken.

So, what I'm gonna do now is just post the track on the blog so it can be heard. No fuss.

BUT, I think I will also revive the daily emailing format which gives you the track to do whatever you want with. So if this sounds appealing to you, simply email me (dereksdaily45@gmail.com) to sign up for the list.

OR, if you just want a certain track emailed to you directly, email me at the above address as well and tell me what you want.

Hopefully this will make it easier for everyone to hear these great songs.

BOB SEGER & THE LAST HEARD - HEAVY MUSIC (pt 1)

It can still be hard to take for some people that there was a time when Bob Seger was downright amazing...His early Detroit singles are legendary and the stuff of wonder. I was DJ'ing the other night and played this song when a young hipster woman came over to me and asked "who is THIS???" When I told her who it was she didn't believe me at first, then looked down at the record and saw I wasn't lying.

What happened, Bob????

from 1967...

BARBARA ACKLIN - I DID IT

While I could never pick a favorite soul city, Chicago certainly produced a staggeringly high number of unbelievable good records, many of which were released by Brunswick records (just like this one, produced by Chi-Lites main man Eugene Record).

Laid back yet grooving, this is yet another showcase for the lovely vocals of Ms. Acklin.

from 1970...

THE CHI-LITES - (UM, UM) MY BABY LOVES ME

Here is an early side by Chicago's legendary Chi-Lites. This is a beautiful group record that is just what I like to hear on a slow Sunday. Hope you enjoy it as well.

from 1967...

EDWIN STARR - YOU'RE MY MELLOW

Edwin Starr had a brilliant run of singles for Detroit's RIC TIC label; RIC TIC would often hire the Motown band to perform on their sides; (it sure sounds like them on this stormer). Berry Gordy would catch wind of this, and fine the musicians. Eventually, Gordy bought out most of RIC TIC's contracts, including Edwin Starr's. This was his final single for RIC TIC, and easily one of his best sides.

from 1968...

STEVE MANCHA - FRIDAY NIGHT b/w MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

Born Clyde Wilson (he wrote a few tunes for Motown under his real name, including the amazing "Number One In Your Heart" as performed by the Monitors), producer Don Davis suggested that the name Steve Mancha would be more commercially viable.

"Steve Mancha" went on to become a Detroit soul legend, even though his records never became national hits.

Today's entry is one of those magical records where the song, arrangement and performance all become larger than life. The B-side is basically the same track but with different lyrics that tie into the a-side. Quite cool indeed.

from 1967...

STEVE MANCHA - FRIDAY NIGHT

b/w MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY

GINO WASHINGTON - PUPPET ON A STRING

Since I didn't have a chance to post yesterday, here's a double whammy to make up for it! (Also, I posted the later version of this track about a year ago, so this is somewhat of a duplicate entry).

Detroit wildman Gino Washington released far too few records, as he was drafted around 1964. This was his first, and he recut both sides in 1964. This original cut is absolutely stunning.

Featured on backing vocals are a young female group called the Primettes. The backing vocal arrangement is out of this world (um "Out Of This World" is the name of another Gino Washington jam. Pun intended.) and the "Gino!" interjections are some of the coolest backing vocals I've ever heard. Shortly after this record was cut, the Primettes were renamed the Supremes. You may notice that the dominant voice is NOT the fey cooing of Diana Ross, but the rich, soulful voice of Florence Ballard, the REAL voice of the Supremes, who died so tragically and without the recognition she deserved (read about it here: http://www.findadeath.com/Deceased/b/Florence%20Ballard/florence_ballard.htm).

This record took me a LONG time to find, as it's in demand by northern soul hounds, girl group fanatics and Detroit music fans. I am all of the above! I had to settle for a less than clean copy, but after another painstaking skip removal it sounds just fine. This is a masterpiece of a record.

from 1962...

TONY CLARKE - LANDSLIDE

I'm a sucker for not only drum breaks in records, but even more so for a drum intro.

This is one of the best drum intros EVER! It's probably Maurice White (later of Earth Wind And Fire) pounding out the jackhammer intro on this stormer!

Tony Clarke wrote a few great tracks for Etta James, and released a handful of singles on his own for the mighty Chess records. Unfortunately, Tony was murdered (allegedly by his wife in a domestic dispute) in 1970. A great songwriter and singer snuffed out way too young.

from 1967...

SYL JOHNSON - IS IT BECAUSE I'M BLACK?

Written 40 years ago, this masterpiece takes on a special relevance on this historic day. While racial equality is stil a struggle for many, the fact that the leader of the United States is a black man shows the amazing advances society has seen in the last 40 years.

Syl, nothing is holding anyone back anymore.

HAIL TO THE CHIEF!!!!!!

from 1969...

JAMES BROWN - SHHHHHHHH (FOR A LITTLE WHILE)

James Brown cut many instrumental records (I guess this one could count as partially instrumental since JB enunciates throughout it in between stabs at the organ), and this one is my particular favorite.

from 1968...

the BEST of Derek's Daily 45's!

Since I'll be out of town for a few days, here are a handful of tracks that are either personal favorites or ones that folks write to me and request. This post will only be up for a few days, so grab it quickly! As a bonus, these files are hosted on a site that doesn't make you wait for multiple downloads.

from 1967...

MARY JANE HOOPER - I'VE GOT REASONS

Yeah, yeah I know...I've been featuring a lot of tracks that have Eddie Bo involvement....But I've got reasons! :-) Almsot everything he laid his hands on is golden.

Starting out life as Sena Fletcher, Eddie renamed her Mary Jane Hooper. She was also a member of the Triple Souls, a female vocal trio that Eddie used for vocalizations (the Triple Souls also included Inez Cheatham, she of "A Lover And A Freind" fame).

This is a MAJOR, slamming piece of sister funk.

from 1968...

SOLOMON BURKE - MAGGIE'S FARM

Here we find soul giant Solomon Burke taking on Dylan and DAMN is it a hot one!

from 1965...

EDDIE HOLLAND - LEAVING HERE : HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, MOTOWN

As today is what is acknowledged as Motown's 50th birthday, it's only fitting to feature a favorite Motown track. Happy birthday to the label that not only has been a source of so much musical happiness but also revolutionized black music in giving it a strong commercial viability while retaining its' soul. The records released on Motown and its subsidiaries Tamla, Gordy, Soul and VIP are an unparalleled cache of soul music.

While Eddie Holland was known mostly for his part in the incredible Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team, he also whipped out a few legendary singles, of which this one is my favorite. This incredible song has also been covered very well by The Who and Jimmy Hanna (whose version was a pst 45 of the day).

from 1964...

LESLEY GORE - NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO

What an incredible song this is! Produced by Quincy Jones, I rank this as one of the quintessential mod dance tracks. If you can listen to this track and not have visions of go-go girls, you may want to make sure you are at the correct blog.

from 1966...

LESLEY GORE - NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO

This is another one that we perform in my group; THE BANG GIRL GROUP REVUE. Check it out here:

MUDDY WATERS - GOT MY MOJO WORKING

While this is one of the most famous blues songs of all time (and for good reason!) by possibly the greatest bluesman of them all, the original 45 take is relatively obscure!

For years, the version recorded 3 years later, live at the Newport fest was the one that was featured on compilations, as well as reissue 45's. All the while the original 45 got rarer and rarer! While the live at Newport version is majestic, too, the original 45 cut is incredible and shows Muddy at his baddest.

from 1957...

RENALDO DOMINO - LET ME COME WITHIN

Perhaps this song was never actually meant to be a hit, but was written as produced as being an underground "nudge nudge wink wink" kinda thing that spread via word of mouth and got club play? I'd love to ask producer Syl Johnson that question. There's no way that a song that so graphically describes sex could have gotten mainstream play in 1970!

Renaldo Domino cut a precious few number of 45's; his VERY high voice was unique and its' too bad this Chicago singer didn't get more of a chance for stardom.


from 1970...

THE O'JAYS - HOLD ON b/w WORKING ON YOUR CASE

This Ohio based group (who later became one of the bastions of the Philly Soul scene) released many great 45's in the 60's, and this one is my favorite by far.

A typical formula for soul 45's in the 60's seemed to have been a ballad on one side (usually the a side) with the b side being a dancer...It's a rare treat when both sides are uptempo as we have here. Both sides are absolutely gloriously uptempo soul.

from 1967...

THE O'JAYS - HOLD ON

b/w WORKING ON YOUR CASE

WENDY RENE - YOUNG AND FOOLISH

I'm breaking my self-imposed rules by featuring this one (I featured its other side, B-B-Q, about a year ago). However, at that time this side had 5 bad skips that I couldn't seem to get out of the record.

Friday night I was inspired to tackle it again, and after some very tedious effort removed the skips.

Wendy Rene's yearning vocals have a special place in my heart (her 'After Laughter" was also featured here. As always, if you need it, just email me).

Born Mary Cross in Memphis and given the stage name Wendy Rene by none other than Otis Redding, "Wendy" was also supposed to be on the tour in which Otis tragically died. Wendy had just had a baby and (thankfully) decided to stay home.

Unfortunately she only released a handful of singles. The backing (by Booker T & The MG's) also features some of my favorite playing by those amazing cats. I love how the organ takes such prominent lead in the mix.

from 1966...

CARL CARLTON - I CAN FEEL IT

This Texan soul prodigy began recording as Little Carl Carlton in 1964 (his name was an answer to "Little Stevie Wonder"), and by the time he cut this moster of a track his voice had changed but at all of 17 years old his voice had a depth and power that is downright superhuman!

This song was written and produced by Chicago soul legend Jo Armstead.

from 1970...

THE AMBASSADORS - I'VE GOT TO FIND HAPPINESS b/w I'M SO PROUD OF MY BABY

Talk about starting off the new year on the right track!

This is a superb double sider from yet another overlooked soul group, this time from Philadelphia.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

from 1967...