THE KELLY BROTHERS - GOT THE FEELING b/w YOU'RE THE MOST

Often times I think about those "perfect" soul singles; you know the type, where one side has an uptempo cooker and the other a beautiful ballad. Thankfully, this was a formula that was adhered to quite often in the golden days, leaving us with singles such as this that show both sides of the amazing Kelly Brothers.

"Got The Feeling" is, quite simply, a less-than-two-minutes track of groove perfection, and while 'You're The Most" may not be the finest in song craft, those gorgeous harmonies of the Kelly Brothers (Curtis Kelly, Andrew Kelly, Robert Kelly, plus T. C. Lee and Offie Reese) turns it into something completely majestic.

Beginning as a gospel family group in Chicago in the fifties, the Kelly Brothers spent most of the sixties recording secular material that is deeply rooted in the call and response of gospel music.

THE KELLY BROTHERS - GOT THE FEELING

b/w YOU'RE THE MOST

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

WINDY CITY - HEY IT'S OVER

Other than knowing the (fantastic) lead singer's name (Stevie Robinson), there's not a whole lot of info out there about this Chicago single.

It's downright staggering to think about the amount of records cut in Chicago with vocals of this caliber, and 1974 was just about the end of the line for this incredible age of harmony singing.

You know what else I just LOVE about this record? When the drummer does those hits on his high-hat that momentarily stop time and just make us all feel good.

A GEM of a record.

from 1974...

WINDY CITY - HEY IT'S OVER

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

THE CRAIG - I MUST BE MAD

Behold one of the finest English energy explosions north of The Who. Birmingham group The King Bees were signed up by producer Larry Page (who also played an important role with producing The Kinks early on) who changed their name (quite mysteriously) to The Craig (there was no Craig in the band). The group's first release was a rather pedestrian version of "A Little Bit Of Soap", and for their second release the group was given complete creative freedom for this Purple Heart-fuelled beat masterpiece which was written by singer Geoff Brown.

Allegedly, this song was captured in one take, live in the studio with no overdubs. I believe it; energy like this happening in multiple takes is the musical equivalent of lightning striking twice. Luckily, this take was captured for posterity and released to induce excitement 45 years later.

from 1967...

THE CRAIG - I MUST BE MAD

THE SHALIMARS - STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF

Even though this record has been loved by the Northern Soul scene for years, The Shalimars who recorded this record remain a mystery. There are at least a few other groups with the same name (and also one that adds a "Fabulous" to the name), but I speculate they are completely unrelated (and the photo seen in the youtube video someone put together for this track is certainly one of the "other" Shalimars).

The Kama Sutra Production credit on the label pins this to being a New York record (which is also in line with the fact that it's on the Verve label), and the excellent song was written by the team of Sidney Barnes and J.J Jackson. I would assume that the song was written in the period when the writing duo was working in Detroit, as the song certainly bubbles with motor city energy and an overall infectious (and glorious) girl group explosion.

from 1966...

THE SHALIMARS - STOP AND TAKE A LOOK AT YOURSELF

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

THE RED DOGS - OPEN UP

Kansas is one of those states that typically doesn't ring out as a musical hotbed by any stretch (and I'll keep my opinion to myself about the band that shares its name with the state), but this excellent group called Lawrence, KS home.

The band started out around 1965 as the Limits, but when the group was hired as the house band of the Red Dog Inn (which is now known as Liberty Hall), the group was renamed The Red Dogs, mid-1965.

The group packed in massive crowds which sparked their signing to Atco, and by 1967, the group had taken their soul influences to Nashville where they recorded this fabulous debut side with producer Buzz Cason. Buzz captures the excitement of the group whose hard work on the stage is evident in their superb performance on this track. Great vocals, unique harmonies, killer organ and fuzz guitar, and most powerful of all; the incredible drumming that cuts a groove and doesn't let up for an all-too-short but perfect 2:05.

from 1967...

THE RED DOGS - OPEN UP

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

THE CASANOVA TWO - WE GOT TO KEEP ON b/w I WAS A FOOL

The Casanova Two were a duo made up of Freddie Hughes (not to be confused with VJ/ Brunswick artist Fred Hughes) and Wylie Trass, who make up something akin to a bay area equivalent of Sam & Dave on this record. Yes, it's THAT good.

I had the great pleasure of meeting Mr Hughes a few months back, and he is a truly remarkable person; he occasionally performs in the Berkeley area with a voice just as strong as heard here.

from 1968...

THE CASANOVA TWO - WE GOT TO KEEP ON

b/w I WAS A FOOL

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

J.J BARNES - JUST ONE MORE TIME

Perhaps the greatest exponent of the Motown sound that technically wasn't a Motown artist (yes, he did cut one session for the label) was laid out by J.J Barnes. J.J's records are some of the best- yet under appreciated- soul records of the 60's, although they have been cherished by soul fanatics since their release.

While J.J cut a few sides before this one, THIS is the record that cemented his status as one of the key ingredients of Detroit soul. It was picked up from tiny Detroit indie label Mickay's for national distribution by Scepter.

from 1963...

J.J BARNES - JUST ONE MORE TIME


Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

My current Ebay auctions end tomorrow (Sunday 4/22/12)

I'm clearing out some more doubles and things HERE:

Derek's current ebay auctions


As usual, cheap starting prices, no reserve, and sound samples!

BILLY LARKIN & THE DELEGATES - PIGMY (part 1)

This is the type of record that I like to refer to as a "driving down the road feeling cool" jam; I copped that description from an old pal of mine who, after getting a mix tape of soul/jazz & funk/ jazz from another friend said "yeah, those are the kind of songs that you play in your car and you just feel real cool when you're driving". I agree; the type of tunes that feel like your own personal soundtrack that may not be a car chase through the streets of San Francisco but at least makes the mundane errands or commute just a little bit groovier.

Billy Larkin was a Portland, OR based Hammond B-3 organist, and he cut a DEEP groove here on this massive cut; an instrumental of monumental proportions.

from 1964...

BILLY LARKIN & THE DELEGATES - PIGMY (part 1)


Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

THE GIANT CRAB - DAY BY DAY (IT HAPPENS)

This group from Santa Barbara started out as Ernie & The Emperors and released one (great) UK beat inspired 45 on Reprise Records in 1965. By 1967, the group reappeared as The Giant Crab and took on a harder rocking sound that still retains plenty of beat influence on this track.

Their final single, "ESP" was featured here a few years back, and a jaunt around the web shows that the surviving members all seem to be current gigging musicians.

from 1967...

THE GIANT CRAB - DAY BY DAY (IT HAPPENS)


Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook

BOBBY GARRETT - MY LITTLE GIRL

Bobby Garrett was actually Bobby Relf who was the second "Bob" in the duo of Bob & Earl (his voice is the high one on their immortal "Harlem Shuffle"). Bobby cut two records for the excellent Mirwood label out of Los Angeles under this pseudonym.

As for this particular track, it's another great example of the "Motown West" feel and sound that is heard on so many Mirwood 45's. Full of excitement, from the swirly strings, the cool vocals and tambourine hits that coincide with my heart beat when I hear tracks like this.

from 1966...

BOBBY GARRETT - MY LITTLE GIRL

Like Derek's Daily 45 on Facebook