Haze -- I Do Love My Lady (rare, obscure)

This title is from a 1974 album by a group that had been forgotten for decades. One day, a lucky vinyl collector DJ got her hands on it -- and voila! Here is a beautiful track from a resurrected album. 

If you'd like to read the whole story, please go here.

Listen

LimeLinx

Sunbear -- Fantasy

To be honest, I think I've never seen an uglier cover than this record's. But it's the music that counts, and the music is definitely attractive. If you like Earth Wind and Fire, you will love today's track, Fantasy. It's from the groups 1977 self-titled album Sunbear. 

The Whispers covered this dreamy ballad in 1980 on their album Imagination, and in my opinion, Fantasy had all the makings of a hit, had it been released as a single. 

The Sunbear album was recorded for Soul Train Records, the label that Don Cornelius (you guessed it, the Soul Train host)  and Dick Griffey had founded in 1975, and it went out of print in 1978 when Soul Train Records ceased to exist.

Enjoy!

(LimeLinx)

Extra! Extra! You Got To Hear This!

A facebook friend just drew my attention to this stunningly beautiful duet of  Louis Price and Chaka Khan. The track is from an unreleased album The Temptations recorded in 1979 for Atlantic.
At first, I could not imagine how Louis' soft and creamy voice and Chaka's powerful one could possibly be a good match -- but the duet is a feast for any soul lover.  And, of course, the Tempts' background vocals add an extra dimension of perfection. Just listen!
What a great discovery; thanks Gary!

More From Louis Price

Anacostia / David Ruffin -- On and Off

Falling in love is so very nice  -- even if only with a song. I just discovered this original version of On And Off . Up to now I only knew the David Ruffin cover which is one of my Ruffin favorites, btw. So, here I am in a true dilemma. On the one hand, I think the Anacostia interpretation is simply wonderful. On the other hand, David's version reflects, in my opinion, the frustration and irritation involved in the situation described, while Anacostia's approach is a little too sweet, too romantic to convey the actual message: you're  driving me crazy with your indecision. David turns the song into a living story; Anacostia transforms the story into a smooth song ...

On and Off
Lime Linx

The Reflections -- How Could We Let The Love Get Away/ One Into One

The first time I heard this song, I thought it was The Manhattans featuring Ollie Nightingale (maybe). I wasn't quite sure whether I really liked the odd combination of super-smooth velvety background vocals and the gritty, gravely gospel-flavored lead. But alas -- I came to like it a lot even. And then, I'm sure you all know what your ever so inquisitive Raggedy set out to do. Yes, she went looking for some info on these guys. (While I was doing that, I discovered yet another exquisite music blog (Rappamelo) which has a few fine gems to offer.)

Here's the album from which today's post has been taken. It's called Love On Delivery and was released in 1975 for Capitol records. All ten tracks are good, and at least six of them are great, imo. I posted my two favorites from the album: How Could We Let The Love Get Away and One Into One.


The group formed in 1971 in NYC, and according to allmusic.com they were the backup group for Melba Moore in 1972. What allmusic got completely wrong, imo, is that the group "made one nice number, Three Steps from True Love, in 1975." While Three Steps ... definitely is a nice piece -- the titles I found on their album are more than only nice -- they are pretty darned good. Just listen to the background vocals. I would call them excellent. 

Listen and Enjoy!

Lime Linx

Three Steps From True Love

Holland-Dozier-Holland -- New Breed Kinda Woman

I love this song by Holland, Dozier, Holland. It's, of course, about the strong woman ... and that's exactly the kind of woman I like to be around. 

The song is from the UK compilation of 27 tracks Holland-Dozier-Holland why can't we be lovers, sub-titled 'The Invictus Sessions'. The CD features songs the legendary Motown production/songwriting team recorded for their own label, Invictus. 

Listen!

(limelinx)

Spring -- Talk To The Rain

The sweet sound of the 70's.

Today's song is from a 1973 single (which appears to be much sought after according to the comments I've read so far on YouTube.)

Enjoy!

The Soft! The Creamy! The Velvety! Part 2: Freddie North

Happy Monday everyone!

Now, here's the second creamy voice on my list of soft, creamy and velvety Soul voices. It belongs to Freddie North. Freddie's recordings are not easily available which is a shame, in my opinion.

The first title, Good Times, got me hooked on this creamed tenor voice. I never tire of listening to Freddie since then ... 

The second title from the album Cuss The Wind was such a surprise when I heard it the first time because I never ever heard a better cover of My Whole World Ended.  I loved it at first listen.

Good Times -- Freddie North

My Whole World Ended

Good Times