Neil Diamond - Solitary Man

Possibly a guilty pleasure but I love everything about the original 1966 recording of this song.

Melinda was mine
'Til the time
That I found her
Holding Jim
Loving him

Then Sue came along
Loved me strong
That's what I thought
Me and Sue
That died too

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
A girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

I've had it to here
Bein' where
Love's a small world
Part-time thing
Paper ring

I know it's been done
Havin' one
Girl who loves you
Right or wrong
We go strong

Don't know that I will
But until I can find me
The girl who'll stay
And won't play games behind me
I'll be what I am
A solitary man
Solitary man

Wonderful.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Soul'd Out

Another compilation of some my favourite old 7" singles where despite the occasional pops and crackles, the soul still shines through!

1. Three Degrees - Contact
2. Frankie Valli - The Night
3. Spyder Turner - I can't Take It Anymore
4. Ronnie & Robyn - Sidras Theme
4. Ronnie & Robyn - As Long As You Love Me
5. Towanda Barnes - You Don't Mean It
6. Marvin Holmes - You Better Keep Her
7. The Fantastic Johnny C - Waiting For The Rain
8. The Dells - Its All Up To You
9. Anderson Brothers - I Can See Him Loving You
10. Millie Jackson - House for Sale
11. Carstairs - It Really Hurts Me Girl
12. Boogie Man Orchestra - Lady, Lady, Lady
13. Tony Borders - Love's Been Good To me
14. Tony Middleton - Paris Blues
15. Admirations - Wait Till I Get To Know You
16. Lanie Hill - Time Marches On
17. Susan Maughan - That Other Place
18. Walter Jackson - Its an Uphill Climb To The Bottom
19. Impressions - Gypsy Woman

Keep Love Alive Mix - Funk and Soul Sevens

Another post for the Dad Dancers. A mix of original funk and soul sevens from the 7" Box of Love accompanied by a video of the Godfather himself with some dance moves to practice in the kitchen. Off you go!

Tracklist:

1. Voices of East Harlem - Can You Feel It
2. George & Gwen McCrae - Mechanical Body
3. Ultrafunk - Indigo Country
4. Rimshots - Dance Girl
5. Vicki Anderson - Answer To Mother Popcorn
6. Idris Muhammad - Super Bad
7. Smokey Brooks - Spin-it Jig
8. African Music Machine - Blackwater Gold
9. The Marvelettes - Here I Am Baby
10. Mickey & The Soul Generation - Iron Leg
11. James Brown - Lowdown Popcorn
12. Vibrettes - Humpty Dump
13. Ann Sexton - You're Losing Me
14. Marva Whitney - I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired
15. Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten Up
16. Fabulous Counts - Lunar Funk
17. Barbara Randolph - Can I Get A Witness
18. Variations - Sayin' It, Doin' It
19. Peaches & Herb - Down Where It's At
20. Honey Cone - Want Ads
21. Jenny's Daughters - Dirty Feet
22. Melvin Bliss - Substitution

Joanie Sommers - Don't Pity Me

Another classic "blue eyed soul" performance found on YouTube. Great look Joanie but you can lose the dancers.

Keep Love Alive Mix - Summer Soul Special

Phew what a scorcher. A selection of stylish 6Ts and 7Ts soul sides for sun lovers, straight from the 7" Box of Love. x

Tracklist:

1. The Drifter - Ray Pollard
2. On Main Street - The Magnificents
3. Don't Pity Me - Joanie Sommers
4. I'd Think It Over - Sam Fletcher
5. That Other Place - Wade Flemons
6. Magic Touch - Melba Moore
7. As Long As I Have You - Garnet Mimms
8. My World Is Empty Without You - Diana Ross & The Supremes
9. Girls Are Out To Get You - The Fascinations
10. Our Love Will Grow - The Showmen
11. You Just Foolin Me - Terry Callier
12. Think It Over - The Harvey Averne Dozen
13. Better Use Your Head - Little Anthony and The Imperials
14. That Girl Belongs To Yesterday - Gene Pitney
15. Three Cool Cats - The Coasters
16. Lonely Lover - Marvin Gaye
17. Ask The Lonely - The Four Tops
18. Where Is That Girl - Detroit Spinners
19. Just Say Goodbye - Esther Phillips
20. Only The Strong Survive - Jerry Butler
21. I'll Hold You - Frankie And Johnny
22. Overdose of Joy - Eugene Record
23. That's What You Get For Being Polite - The Jacksons
24. Trying To Love Two - Barbara Lynn
25. It Happens When I Look At You - Aretha Franklin
26. Work To Do - The Main Ingredient
27. Casanova - Loleatta Holloway
28. Everything Man - Main Ingredient

Manzel - Space Funk / Jump Street

Two great, break-fuelled funky sides.
'Space Funk'

'Jump Street'

Eugene Record - Overdose of Joy

So they find this man, he's collapsed in the middle of the room. Robbery is quickly ruled out as the motive because "... on his arm he wears a watch, on his hand he wears a ring and ..." (the clincher) "... around his neck he wears a costly piece of jewellery". A doctor on the scene, sensing the presence of a lady, quickly announces a diagnosis ... yes, "This man is suffering from an overdose of joy". Pure, soulful genius.

Melba Moore - Magic Touch

Brilliant northern soul stomper from a young Melba Moore recorded in 1966 although not at first released. In fact The Bobby Fuller Four released a pop version although this pales in comparison with Melba's version. This is a later release (re-issue?) thanks to Chas!

The JB's - My Brother

For my brother, respect.

Milton Wright - Keep It Up

Ooh ooh baby now, keep it up, keep it up ...

The Isley Brothers - Work To Do

A tune also recorded by Main Ingredient and The Average White Band. Brilliant, soulful lyrics for all working men of the world:

I'm taking care of business, woman can't you see
I gotta make it for you, and I gotta make it for me
Sometimes it may seem girl I'm neglecting you
I'd love to spend more time
But I got so many things to do

Oh I'm out here trying to make it, woman can't you see
It takes a lot of money to make it, let's talk truthfully
So keep your love light burning
And a little food hot in my plate
You might as well get used to me coming home a little late, oh

Ooh, I got work to do, I got work baby
I got a job, yeah I got work to do
I got work to do, everybody's got work to do

Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun

Original 7" version of the legendary breakdancers' favourite from Jimmy Castor.