ELAINE STEPTER
Come See About Me / What Am I To Do (JAR05)
Jai Alai is different from sister label Soul4Real in that this imprint focuses on 21st century releases that were either CD only, or totally missed, and there is a very exciting programme of future releases already lined up. But before we get into my favourite release so far, the correct pronunciation of the label is “hi-uh-lie” which is a Basque version of the court ballgame pelota - no more mis-pronunciations please!
It would be fair to say that we could have done with a few more releases from this immensely talented “Songbird Of Love” over the years, but maybe your purchase might help that. I fell in love with her voice on the wonderful stepper “I’ll Always Be A Part Of You”, released on the short-lived New York label 1800 Records in 1986, so I was surprised to learn that Elaine was Los Angeles born and bred, particularly as her 1990 follow up dancer “The Sweetness Of Your Love” was on Miami label Never Stop Productions, which further enhanced her underground following in the UK & European soul scenes.
In 1993 her “Good Love” was included on the Meteor Man film soundtrack (starring amongst others, Luther Vandross), but it would be a while before she returned to the studios having toured as background then lead singer in Rose Royce from 1997-2007.
She finally released her own CD album “The Woman I Am” on Eee Project in 2007, from which these two killer cuts have been released for the first time on vinyl: “Come See About Me” is an infectious floor-filler pitched just below mid-pace, but “What Am I To Do” is the most sublime kneetrembler, taking you straight to a late night smoky jazz room with Ella or Billie on stage. Worth it for this side alone.
Steve Hobbs
14 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Come See About Me
ELAINE STEPTER
What Am I To Do
ELAINE STEPTER
SIR WICK
Seal My Heart / I Love You (JAR04)
Chad ’Sir Wick’ Hughes is probably best described as a musician (trombone, piano, percussion), composer, teacher, adjudicator and clinician, but somehow that doesn’t seem quite enough to describe such a unique musical talent. Born in Detroit, and graduating from the same High School as Diana Ross, Paul Thompson, & Ron Carter, he went on to study composition and arranging, and holds regular clinics around the north and mid-west US states sharing his expertise.
The topside on this limited edition release is the lead track from his debut album “An Interpretation Of A Universal Language” (2007 Sir Wick Entertainment LLC) which features the sublime vocals of Sedalia Marie, a beautiful mid-pacer, whilst the other side “I Love You” features the mellow vocals of Anthony Saunders on a track from Chad’s opus work “A Tale Of Two Fools”, which he began in 1996 but only finally orchestrated and released as his second album in 2017 - a soundtrack featuring a full orchestra comprising eight woodwind parts, full strings, big band brass, and seven-piece rhythm section.
Originally intended as an operetta, it was evolving into something bigger; an opera, musical or stage play maybe, but he finally referred to it as a ‘novical’ (a musical novel), which best describes this story of a young musician falling in love for the first time. A biopic, maybe?
One could easily take these two fabulous tracks at face value as simply just another great double-sider, but isn’t it nicer to know the full story?
Steve Hobbs
(Solar Radio, Totally Wired Radio)
14 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Seal My Heart
SIR WICK
I Love You
SIR WICK
NEWBAN
If I Could (Make You Mine) / Rhythm & Rhyme (S4R18)
Back in what now feels like a golden period in music and creativity, in the 1970s, many bands were formed by students. It almost seems like so many people could either sing, play, dance or write songs! This was also the case of several Woodland High School students in New York, who created Newban with fellow classmates.
The group started gigging around the tri-state area of New York, Connecticut and New Jersey, and were soon brought to the attention of legendary Bell Recording Studios audio engineer Malcolm Addey, who recorded with the band over a two-month period in 1974. Three years later the tracks made up two superb and sought-after albums released by tax scam label Guinness.
In 1977, Newban headed out to play the Los Angeles nightclub scene, closed a deal with A&M, and changed the band name to Atlantic Starr at the request of Herb Alpert.
For the first time on a 7” format, Soul4Real brings you two of the best songs from Newban. Enjoy the music...
(Mark GV Taylor)
14 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
If I Could (Make You Mine)
NEWBAN
Rhythm & Rhyme
NEWBAN
TOMMY McGEE (SOLD OUT)
We Ought To Be Together / Make Sure (JAR03)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
We Ought To Be Together
TOMMY McGEE
Make Sure
TOMMY McGEE
PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES (SOLD OUT)
How Can You Throw My Love Away / When Joe Touches Me (S4R17)
(Eduardo Domingo)
14 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
How Can You Throw My Love Away
PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES
When Joe Touches Me
PATTI LaBELLE & THE BLUEBELLES
URSULA RICKS (SOLD OUT)
Sweet Tenderness / Make Me Blue (JAR02)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Sweet Tenderness
URSULA RICKS
Make Me Blue
URSULA RICKS
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP (SOLD OUT)
Stay With Me / Living Witness (JAR01)
Stay With Me has remained in high demand on the modern soul scene and is now available on 7” vinyl for the first time and is a fitting first release for Soul4Real’s new subsidiary label Jai Alai (pronounced Hi-Uh-Li) so don’t miss out on owning this limited edition collector’s piece.
(Steve Hobbs)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Stay With Me
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP
Living Witness
THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP
BETTYE SWANN (SOLD OUT)
This Old Heart Of Mine / Either You Love Me Or Leave Me (S4R16)
Bettye Swann’s heart has been broken lots of times; we know this because we’ve heard it break on many of her records. Bettye’s voice captures these moments perfectly, her delivery is soft and sensitive, almost country, giving it a realness that you can almost touch.
The most exquisite mix of warmth and sweetness wraps around the vulnerable sound, whilst a gentle quiver in her throat amplifies the pain of heartbreak. It’s a wonderfully potent combination that has been felt by soul music lovers all over the world.
These two tracks were shamefully left discarded in a Nashville tape vault for over 40 years. Both sides showcase the magnificence of Bettye’s vocals, but also highlight the fact that, despite a catalogue of consistently brilliant recordings, she achieved only moderate success and was somehow denied the superstar status that such a voice should command. My heart breaks for anyone who has never had the joy of hearing her sing.
(Tats Taylor)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
This Old Heart Of Mine
BETTYE SWANN
Either You Love Me Or Leave Me
BETTYE SWANN
ADRIANA EVANS
Looking For Your Love / I’ll Be There (S4R15)
Soul music changes just like the weather. Different styles, rhythms and dances have been emerging over the years, making the genre so exciting and assorted. For almost a decade, in the post-disco era, synths and drum machines ruled the day, but by the mid 90s a group of new artists were turning their attention to the golden age of soul music.
One of those names was Adriana Evans, whose debut album from 1996 surprised soul fans around the world. Adriana boasts a solid musical background and this can be heard on the record. Her mom was the jazz singer Mary Stallings and she was also the goddaughter of Pharoah Sanders, so she has been surrounded by music since childhood.
Both choices here are taken from that outstanding album. "Looking For Your Love" is a beautiful mid-tempo tune which could have been recorded by The Emotions or Phyllis Hyman. On the reverse, "I'll Be There" is a sublime piano and flute-led ballad in the vein of Minnie Ripperton.
(Alex Aguayo)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Looking For Your Love
ADRIANA EVANS
I´ll Be There
ADRIANA EVANS
BOBBY BARNES (SOLD OUT)
Super High On Your Love / I’ve Had My Share (S4R14)
Part of the joy of collecting soul music is searching for and discovering lesser known gems. Phoenix, AZ, might not be known as one of the main American cities for black music despite spawning artists such as Dyke & the Blazers and Eddie & Ernie, but the city holds a cult status among rare soul collectors thanks to the small output of labels like Artco, OK&T, Poorman’s and Raina.
One of the state’s well kept secrets is Bobby Barnes, who had a small number of 45 releases on local labels. All strong tracks which really deserved wider recognition than they got.
The 14th S4R release contains two previously unissued songs, from 1977 and 1984 respectively, recorded for the Raina label with Lawrence Carroll producing and arranging.
”Super High On Your Love” is in my opinion his best song - a super soulful floater type of modern soul dancer. The flip is an alternative, extended version of “I’ve Had My Share”, to my ears superior to the original with a sparser backing and keyboards replacing the guitar. Two truly sublime sides!
(Karl Marthon)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Super High On Your Love
BOBBY EVANS
I´ve Had My Share
BOBBY BARNES
JIMMY GRESHAM
A Million Things / No Way To Stop It (S4R13)
Soul4Real bring you the last 45 in their trio of previously unreleased Jimmy Gresham Playground Studios recordings from the mid-70’s; a perfect tribute to a great but under-recognized.
“A Million Things” has been a huge collaborative effort, meticulously pieced together in 2020 from an unfinished vocal track. Jimmy’s trademark rich, velvet voice, imbued with soul and inflected with a large pinch of southern grit, has been complemented perfectly by the addition of multitalented Marc Franklin’s evocative vibes, horn and string arrangements. Clayton Lancaster laid down the gorgeous, choppy guitar licks which drive the whole mid-tempo groove, and the absolute pinnacle is formed by the glorious, soaring backing vocals of Jimmy’s sister, Mary.
Flip it over to find Jimmy in a more down-home style on "No Way to Stop It", a worthy track getting its first release on vinyl thanks to the efforts of the Soul4Real team.
(Dave Ripolles)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
A Million Things
JIMMY GRESHAM
No Way To Stop It
JIMMY GRESHAM
JERRY WILLIAMS / SWAMP DOGG
Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me / If You´re Leaving (S4R12)
Collectors of Black American music have long revered maverick genius Jerry Williams Jr. a.k.a. Swamp Dogg. His brilliant songwriting and unique voice have left indelible imprints on soul for decades, and Soul 4 Real Records are proud to add a Swamp 45 to their ever-growing catalogue.
Both these tracks make their vinyl debut here. If you saw Swamp perform “Oh Lord” at 2019’s Soul 4 Real weekender, it’s a memory you’ll treasure forever. Swamp’s exquisite studio version of the soul standard was recorded in 1967 as a follow-up to “Baby You’re My Everything”, but inexplicably stayed unissued for 40 years.
Almost 40 years have also passed since Swamp recorded his demo of “If You’re Leaving”, a song from his “lost” country album on Mercury. Never issued anywhere before, it’s a rare chance to hear work-in-progress from one of soul’s most beloved artists.
As he enters his seventh decade of recording, Swamp continues to be active and musically provocative. A man of many names and many talents, here’s Swamp Dogg at his vintage best!
(Tony Rounce)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Oh Lord, What Are You Doing To Me
JERRY WILLIAMS
If You´re Leaving (Take Me With You)
SWAMP DOGG
THE MASQUERADERS (SOLD OUT)
Make Me Think You Love Me / When Trouble Calls (S4R11)
The celebrated history of the Masqueraders has given us two of soul music’s most memorable recordings with “I Ain’t Got To Love Nobody Else” and “I’m Just An Average Guy”. Through the years they have left us many classic gems that are heavily sought after by collectors and some that have yet to be mined.
However, if there was ever any doubt about the Masqueraders´ greatness, the previously unreleased “Make Me Think You Love Me” from 1972 puts that doubt to rest. After a stunning intro the group eases into those harmonies that captured our hearts back in day and remind us once again about the magic of that period of soul music.
“When Trouble Calls” is a Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield composition from 1961 and the group´s version appeared originally on an impossible-to-find cassette published in 1993. Unlike the Ice Man’s version, the Masqueraders upgrade the song with their patented silky-smooth vocals. Thanks to the team at Soul4Real for digging up and presenting us with these two recordings.
(Ruben Molina)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Make Me Think You Love Me
THE MASQUERADERS
When Trouble Calls
THE MASQUERADERS
JEWEL BASS
I Wanna Know / Sweet High (S4R10)
Malaco has long been a favourite label of mine and I always felt that Jewel Bass was a huge talent that never realised her potential there. She was somehow was overtaken by the likes of Dorothy Moore, Denise Lasalle and Fern Kinney in the “pecking order“ down in Jackson, MS. Jewel sang countless backing vocals for such luminaries as Johnnie Taylor, Tommy Tate, Jean Knight, Eddie Floyd, Bobby Bland and many others, and was featured in bands like the Carbon Copies, Natural High and Centaura.
Both of these tracks which have lain undiscovered until now were recorded in 1981 in International Recording Studio, Pearl, Mississippi, and are two contrasting delights for soul fans.
“I Wanna know“ is a mid-tempo shuffler with hints of a “Joy & Pain” riff in there and definitely one for the most discerning dancefloors. ”Sweet High” is a so soulful string laden ballad on which Jewel´s vocals are launched effortlessly into the heights on the back of an impressive production.
Enjoy these two fine examples of real soul music exhumed from the vaults for your pleasure.
(Bob Cosby)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
I Wanna Know
JEWEL BASS
Sweet High
JEWEL BASS
CALVIN RICHARDSON
I´ll Take Her / Looks Like (You´ve Been Crying) (S4R09)
Calvin Richardson is a bit of a chameleon, smoothly able to transition between the most heartfelt gritty soul ballads to the latest cutting edge urban R&B that now dominates the more mainstream sound of today´s “Black America”.
His revered solo debut “Country Boy” came back in 1999 when signed to major label powerhouse Universal Records and went on to sell 100,000 units but, in those halcyon days, still not enough to get him a second bite of the cherry at the time. He then went on to strike deals with Hollywood Records, Jordan House (owned by Eric Benet) and Shanachie Records where he still resides.
With comparisons drawn to a young Bobby Womack, it’s easy to see why he chose to record long player “Facts Of Life: The Soul Of Bobby Womack” back in 2009.
For their ninth release those sterling Soul 4 Real guys have chosen to resurrect two fantastic sides from that debut recording, with the soulful as hell “I’ll Take Her” backed with the melodic gem of a beat ballad “Looks Like (You’ve Been Crying)”…make sure you don’t miss it!
(Mark Coddington / Fish)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
I´ll Take Her
CALVIN RICHARDSON
Looks Like (You´ve Been Crying)
CALVIN RICHARDSON
JIMMY GRESHAM
Shadow Of A Doubt / Chasin´A Rainbow (S4R08)
HONESTY, RESPECT & TRUST have helped the Soul 4 Real team secure wonderful gems for its record label which showcases the acts at its events.
Following the release of “Garden Of Love”, please let me introduce to you this latest unreleased song and its flip side´s first outing on vinyl.
Recorded in the mid-seventies at Florida’s Playground Studios, "Shadow Of A Doubt" is a great composition penned by Motown’s Reuben Howell. This down home southern soul masterpiece, to which extra horns and strings have been added to beef up the production, is a winner, make no mistake! Jimmy is in great voice on this mid-tempo outing, which is pure class! Expect a sell out.
The Finley Duncan produced "Chasin’ A Rainbow" is an up-tempo dancer which will be filling the dance floor, but I have a feeling "Shadow" will be tugging at our heartstrings for years to come.
(TJ - Terry Jones)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Shadow Of A Doubt
JIMMY GRESHAM
Chasin´A Rainbow
JIMMY GRESHAM
DAN PENN
Blue In the Heart / Time To Get Over You (S4R07)
Wallace Daniel Pennington. More familiarly known as Dan Penn. Considered by many to be the greatest songwriter of his era, a key component in the evolution of Southern Soul, and a man whose lyrics and melodies completely define that genre.
Dan’s song list is much bigger than his discography, and opportunities to own any “new” Dan Penn 45 are rare. Fans everywhere will therefore celebrate this coupling of two exquisite tracks from Dan’s recent CDs for his Dandy label. You may know “Blue In The Heart” via Irma Thomas’ version on her Penn tribute album “My Heart’s In Memphis”. “Time To Get Over You” (co-written with Cajun legend Jo-El Sonnier) may be less familiar. Spin it frequently, and it will become no less loved.
Collectively these recordings show that, even after seven decades of peerless writing and singing, Dan’s music is still of a quality that today’s other tunesmiths can barely aspire to… …This IS Soul. For Real.
(Tony Rounce)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Blue In the Heart
DAN PENN
Time To Get Over You
DAN PENN
JIMMY GRESHAM (SOLD OUT)
Garden Of Love / Love Symphony (S4R06)
Welcome to release #6 from Soul4Real containing two previously unreleased tracks from Jimmy Gresham recorded in the early 1970s at Playground Studios in Florida and produced by Finley Duncan.
Jimmy Gresham and his killer vocals have graced many releases that have excited deep, southern & northern soul collectors the world over. His solo 45s on labels such as Decca or Teri-De plus his 45s as part of the groups The New Yorkers & The Groovers and his collaborations with Len Jewell or Rosey Grier have yielded many great moments in soul music history. Along with his siblings Mary Gresham, Willie Gresham & Ben Gresham they make a soulful dynasty going back to the early 1960s. A full appraisal of their careers is not possible here but certainly worth further investigation.
Of the two lost recordings, the top side “Garden Of Love” is a lovely mid-tempo southern soul/
(Steve Plumb)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Garden Of Love
JIMMY GRESHAM
Love Symphony
JIMMY GRESHAM
THE MASQUERADERS (SOLD OUT)
Prophet Of Love / You´re The One (S4R05)
It’s somewhere between late ’67 and early ’68 and The Masqueraders are in American Sound Studio in Uptown, Memphis. On the agenda for today’s session are some self-composed songs; a mix of pleading, deep and electrifying, up-tempo soul songs including “I Don’t Want Nobody To Lead Me On”, “Let’s Face Facts”, “Do You Love Me Baby” and “Sweet Lovin’ Woman”. They have two other songs for the session: “Prophet Of Love” and “You’re The One”.
Chips Moman and Tommy Cogbill are taking care of business on production while Bobby Womack is up front with his guitar, working with the studio band “The Memphis Boys”. It’s a busy time and output has been prolific; in just one week, 25% of Billboard’s Top 100 have come from the studio. Time is precious, choices will be made and sadly some cuts from the session may not make it to vinyl release…not just yet.
Time is a healer, and here, rescued from a dusty and forgotten tape box, are the lost tracks; two of the coolest, sweetest cuts with the tightest group harmonies gliding over those Memphis mid-tempo rhythms.
(Cliff Steele)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Prophet Of Love
THE MASQUERADERS
You're The One
THE MASQUERADERS
WILSON WILLIAMS
Ghost Of Myself / Don´t Let My Foolish Words Keep Us Apart (S4R04)
At the start of the 70s Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams was at the height of his creative powers, writing and producing hits in Muscle Shoals on artists like Freddie North and Doris Duke. Although these two tracks voiced by his childhood friend Wilson Williams at Widget Studios remained unissued, their quality is sky high. “Ghost Of Myself” was also cut by Duke but the excellent deep soul of “Don’t Let My Foolish Words Keep Us Apart” may just be the pick.
Wilson Williams had worked for his home town Norfolk, Virginia music man Noah Biggs’ How Big and Shiptown labels. He played guitar on several Biggs releases, and voiced two name discs. These rare 45s were followed by his album on ABC “Up The Downstairs” in 1978 and a further collaboration with Jerry on the “Eating Ain’t Cheating” CD in 2001.
By then Wilson had been a member of the Platters for several years already, touring the world on the various oldies circuit where he still works.
(John Ridley)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Ghost Of Myself
WILSON WILLIAMS
Don't Let My Foolish Words Keep Us Apart
WILSON WILLIAMS
THE ANGLOS (SOLD OUT)
Broke Down Piece Of Man / Four Walls Of Gloom (S4R03)
Soul4Real’s third release brings us two previously unreleased gems from Norfolk Va. group The Anglos. Both sides were produced by the legendary Jerry “Swamp Dogg” Williams and where recorded at 919 Sound Studios in Philadelphia.
The Anglos are regarded as one of Norfolk’s best singing groups of the era. They are featured on Francois & The Anglos 1963 recording for Romulus, but more significantly are remembered for “Incense“, a record which became an early mod favourite in the UK. In 1967 The Anglos recorded the northern soul classic “Since You’ve Been Gone” for Shiptown (nationally issued on Scepter).
The two recordings featured here were recorded in the late 60s and were destined for the short lived Botanic label. “Broke Down Piece Of Man” it´s an earthy rendition of the Sam & Dave song (from their “Soul Men” LP) taken at a slightly faster tempo than the original, whilst “Four Walls Of Gloom” takes the groove down to a more relaxed midtempo pace on another very soulful song.
Two excellent sides, that have languished in the vaults for far too long, I am sure you will agree!
(Steve Guarnori)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Broke Down Piece Of Man
THE ANGLOS
Four Walls Of Gloom
THE ANGLOS
THE MASQUERADERS
Oh My Goodness / We Fell In Love (S4R02)
At times The Masqueraders must have felt like they were Soul music’s best kept secret; a career overflowing with some of our music’s finest recordings, yet never gaining the recognition and worldwide fame they truly deserve. “Man, everyone tells us ‘how good we are’… but that don’t pay the bills. After 50 years of trying we still don’t have anything to show for it”, Harold wryly laughed.
Somehow, by chance, we found ourselves sat in Harold’s Memphis home as he played “just an old tape” he had found buried in his garage, “Oh my goodness”. Suddenly, we were goose-bumped back to December 67’ inside American Sound Studio, as The Masqueraders´ exquisite vocals poured out over the legendary “Memphis Boys” rhythm section led by the illustrious Tommy Cogbill.
Originally scheduled for release in the spring of ’68, the record sadly got caught amidst the tragic and turbulent troubles of Martin Luther King’s assassination in Memphis and was never released. Until now…enjoy!
(Tats Taylor and Mike Charlton)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Oh My Goodness
THE MASQUERADERS
We Fell In Love
THE MASQUERADERS
"PRINCE" PHILLIP MITCHELL (SOLD OUT)
Just The Beginning / Something New To Do (S4R01)
Success can be measured in so many ways, but over the years this man has created some of the most compelling, inspiring and distinctive music ever committed to wax.
“Prince” Phillip Mitchell is a genius, a man able to craft a song from emotions dragged from the deepest depths and finely hone them to perfection. His list of writing credits graces the good and great of our music , while his own recordings and poignant lyrics are steeped in the very essence of Soul. Impassioned ballads or funky grooves, Muscle Shoals, Memphis or L.A. …it made no difference as the “Prince” simply took the word majestic to another level.
We are very proud to present to you the comeback recordings of a true legend of Soul music and really do hope that this is “just the beginning”…but we can assure you that it´s most definitely “Soul 4 Real”!
(Paul Thrower)
13 EUROS + postage.
Orders: soul4realrecordlabel@gmail.com
Just The Beginning
"PRINCE" PHILLIP MITCHELL
Something New To Do
"PRINCE" PHILLIP MITCHELL