There are very special records that achieve mythical status amongst collectors and vinyl diggers. The Sharpees - "Go On And Laugh" is top of that tree. Welcome to the strange world of nothern soul!
The story began some years ago when legendary UK record dealer John Anderson discovered an acetate in Chicago with the record title "Go On And Laugh" scrawled on it but no artist name. He sold it to cutting edge northern soul DJ John Vincent who credited the track to The Just Brothers when playing out.
The acetate, by now popular amongst the rare soul cognoscenti, was traded back to John Anderson who passed it on to Mark Dobson, aka Butch. His DJ sets around the world made it an in-demand dancefloor filler and a subject for many years of much conjecture as to the ID of the mystery artist who had recorded this masterpiece which was not just a one-off uber rarity but also the epitome of nu-northern soul cool.
Fast forward to 2016 when USA record label Secret Stash gained access to 200 plus master tapes recorded in the 1960’s by the Windy City’s One-Der-Ful set up. They were forwarded to UK Soul entrepreneur Mark Bicknell who to his amazement found "Go On And Laugh" in the haul. And finally the whodunit mystery was over with the artist identified as The Sharpees, who far from being obscure unknowns are fondly well known in soul circles for their much loved "Do The 45" and "Tired Of Being Lonely" singles. Secret Stash promptly issued "Go On And Laugh" in America but demand far outstripped supple and it quickly sold out with copies now fetching northwards of £150.
Anorax - living up to its #eatsleepcollect mantra - have snapped up the rights and are delighted to issue it as a 500 run limited edition 7”.
"Go On And Laugh" is coupled with the timeless classic "Tired Of Being Lonely". It follows the release by Anorax of gems from Drizabone, Jay J Feat and Don Carlos.
TRACK LISTING
A. Go On And Laugh
B. Tired Of Being Lonely