BARBARA & BRENDA - HURTIN' INSIDE

Composed of Barbara Gaskins & niece Brenda Gaskins, this group released a half dozen or so 45's before Brenda, burned by the music business, quit. Barbara continued on, playing guitar for Inez & Charlie Foxx and eventually ending up in disco group Ecstasy, Passion & Pain. A google search reveals she is still playing guitar and singing professionally. Yeah, that's always nice to hear.

This record has a great, female Sam & Dave kinda feel...

from 1964...

BARBARA & BRENDA - HURTIN' INSIDE

THE SPINNERS - ITCHING FOR MY BABY (BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SCRATCH)

No, not the same group that cut massive slick hits (such as the incredible "I'll Be Around") in the 70's, but yes, the same group that cut "It's A Shame" in 1970!

Discovered by doo-wop legend Harvey Fuqua, this record (their third) is a stone classic of new breed r&b that swings so hard it HURTS!

from 1962...

HE SPINNERS - ITCHING FOR MY BABY (BUT I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO SCRATCH)

THE LA NIERS- I'VE GOT MYSELF TOGETHER

THE VEL-VETS - I GOT TO FIND ME SOMEBODY

For as big as this record has been on the northern soul scene since the beginning (note this is a UK issue from 1974 released to meet the demand since the original is close to impossible to find) there is surprisingly little (downright no) info on this group that I have been able to find.

I am hoping someone reading may be able to fill in SOME blanks...To my ears, sounds like it might be a west coast/ L.A record but that's just a guess.

This would be an amazing record even if it were only the intro!

from 1966...

THE VEL-VETS - I GOT TO FIND ME SOMEBODY

We'll be back in biz on Tuesday

Sadly, my laptop screen died on Friday so I haven't been able to post.

I'll be home for a morning post on Tuesday.

cheers, all, from Sao Paulo, Brazil.

THE ORLONS - SPINNIN' TOP

This is the second to last single by this great 3 girl/ 1 guy group who had their biggest hit with "South Street" (where all the hippies meet, hahahaha).

Lead singer Rosetta Hightower continued on in the UK as a solo singer.

from 1966...

THE ORLONS - SPINNIN' TOP

ROYAL JOKERS - LOVE GAME (FROM A TO Z)

This record was the final release from this Detroit group that got its' start in 1958 and made the transformation from Doo Wop to soul. This incredibly catchy song was also arranged by legendary Detroit whiz Joe Hunter (also a member of Motown's "funk brothers").


from 1967...

ROYAL JOKERS - LOVE GAME (FROM A TO Z)

MIGHTY MARVELOWS - I'M SO CONFUSED

Originally known simply as the Marvelows ("I Do" was one of the very first records featured on this blog) this Chicago group added the "Mighty" adjective when an L.A based group called The Marvellos (see "Somethin's Burnin'" posted here a few weeks back).

They certainly were one of the mightiest of Chicago vocal groups. I just realized that I haven't posted another smash of theirs "Talkin Bout You Baby" so look forward to that one in a future posting.

from 1967...

MIGHTY MARVELOWS - I'M SO CONFUSED

LEE ROGERS - CRACKED UP OVER YOU

I've featured a number of sides by this under appreciated Detroiter, and this one really cooks. Notice the misspelling on the label...

ps- I am gonna be in Sao Paulo, Brazil for a week, but thru the wonders of wi-fi I will do my best to deliver a (hopefully) consistent daily 45!

from 1966...

LEE ROGERS - CRACKED UP OVER YOU

DEE EDWARDS - YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME

This track is a recent (to me) discovery which has a great Mary Wells/ Barbara Lewis type smooth sound (Dee Edwards was a Detroit based singer, and Tuba was a local label trying their best to be a mini-Motown). Dee had a long career in music which culminated in a big disco hit with "Strangers On The Shore" in 1979. She passed away too young (age 60) in 2006.

from 1964...

DEE EDWARDS - YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME

The SONICS - WITCH

Here's one for everyone who will be dressing up as this song's title for Halloween tonight. Or for anyone else who appreciates the raw, driving sound of Tacoma's finest garage rockers, The Sonics.

from 1964...

The SONICS - WITCH