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EXPANSION

Jackson Sisters

I Believe In Miracles

    Five sisters Jacqueline, Lyn, Pat, Rae and Gennie Jackson were from Compton, California. “I Believe In Miracles” was written and originally recorded by Mark Capanni. The musical tracks were the work of the late Gene Page (string arranger for Barry White). The vocals were produced by Pete Moore of the famous Smokey Robinson & The Miracles along with Bobby Taylor, who also had a group called Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers. “When I Believe In Miracles was first released in 1973 the sisters were nominated for best new vocal group for the Black Image Awards and best new female artist by Record World Magazine in 1974-1975 which was announced on Soul Train an aired Feb. 22, 1975. However the song did not take off until the UK ‘rare groove’ scene of the 80s, after which an extended version was created which appears for the first here time on 7”

    TRACK LISTING

    1. I Believe In Miracles (Extended Version)
    2. I Believe In Miracles

    Marvin Gaye

    Where Are We Going? / Woman Of The World

      First time on 7" single back to back, two soul gems the Mizell Brothers created for Motown legend, Marvin Gaye.

      Both recorded in 1973.

      TRACK LISTING

      1. Woman Of The World
      2. Where Are We Going

      Bill Summers

      Bill Summers

        This is a reissue of the first Bill Summers single, “Come Into My Life”. The song is taken from his debut album “Feel The Heat” in 1977 from which Quincy Jones states in the liner note “Bill Summers is a major talent whose time has come”. They met through Herbie Hancock, Bill playing with Headhunters prior to working with Quincy playing drums and percussion on the TV series “Roots”. “Come Into My Life” features singer Deborah Thomas the same year she recorded the “Sweet Lucy” vocals for Raul De Souza and sang on the “Reach For It” album with George Duke. The song was written by drummer on the record, Alphonse Mouzon, and features Ray Obiedo guitar, Paul Jackson bass, a horn section featuring Roger Glenn with both Mark Soskin and the track’s producer Skip Scarborough on keyboards. The single is coupled with “Don’t Fade Away” from the second album “Cayenne”, the first which features Bill’s group Summer’s Heat. The song features Leo Miller on lead vocals and introduces Rodney Franklin on keyboards among the Bay area musicians who play. It is produced by Ndugu would later become drummer with The Crusaders. Bill recorded four albums for the Prestige label between 1977 and 1979. They all feature an all star 'who's who' line up of guests musicians, many just starting out ahead of their own hits and careers still thriving today. Others were already at the forefront of the music scene. The albums come from a unique moment in time and Bill hopes the interest in this single will prompt the label owners, Concord, to reintroduce all his works from that period, particularly online where only his dance hit “Straight To The Bank” features on a compilation. Bill is still an active musician and educator. There is a new Headhunters album coming on which he plays, and is working on a new album “Past & Present” with older songs revisited and new compositions included too. The music and playing of Bill Summers is beyond jazz funk and soul, it’s timeless and appeals beyond genres. “Come Into My Life” Sampled by: Motion Man, Graphidi Logik, The Last Trip To Gandahar.

        TRACK LISTING

        1. Don't Fade Away
        2. Come Into My Life

        Ethel Beatty

        I Know You Care / It's Your Love

          Ethel Beatty is an artist from New York who primarily worked as an actress in theatre, appearing in Broadway musicals. She appeared in “Dreamgirls”, “Sugar Hills”, “Bubbling Brown Sugar” and (with Gregory Hines) in “Eubie”. Her most significant recording is this double header with writer/producer and master of the vibes Roy Ayers on Uno Melodic Records. While both songs have been reissued on 7” and compilations over the years, it is still the 12” people that people want. Rare original copies have sold for £500. “It’s Your Love” is co-written by another soul jazz icon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, both tracks having that Roy Ayers vibe that makes this record extremely sought after by rare groove fans. Both tracks continue to be endlessly sampled within the hip hop and R&B scenes.

          TRACK LISTING

          1. It's Your Love
          2. I Know You Care

          Leo's Sunshipp

          Give Me The Sunshine / I'm Back For More

            "Give Me The Sunshine" is one of the most iconic and enduring rare groove tracks. It was composed by Johnny Simone at the time he was working with Stevie Wonder at Motown. Others in the group were Kenny Stover and Alvin Few, all three of them born under the 'Leo' star sigh. Kenny worked as a songwriter at Motown and lived in the same house as Marvin Gaye at the time "What's Going On" became an idea. He co-wrote "Inner City Blues" but was only credited much later. The original "I’m Back For More" included here has equal standing in the soul world too, the song later reaching new insights when covered by Al Johnson featuring Jean Carne. Bothe songs come from the album "We Need Each Other" long associated with Expansion Records. The two songs featured here first appeared on Expansion 12" in 1986, the launch year of the label which in 2021 celebrates in 35th Anniversary.

            TRACK LISTING

            A1. Give Me The Sunshine
            B1. I'm Back For More

            Diplomats Of Soul

            Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (Like I Fell In Love With You)

              Beginning as a mystery Diplomats Of Soul (D.O.S) 12” release in September, this record raised multiple questions: was it new? Was it old? Was it a bootleg? Who are D.O.S? Soon the limited edition 12” pressing release, serviced to a handful of DJs and tastemakers, was commanding £100 online.
              The record is a re-make of a Carmen Amez disco/boogie record from 1983 - which itself trades for over £200 on a questionable quality pressing - that demanded a freshly re-recorded version with strings, horns, bells, whistles and Vanessa Haynes on vocals. The song was originally a Paul Anka composition/ recording but this version has Diplomats Of Soul in collaboration with Incognito’s Bluey and an outstanding cast of UK musicians. D.O.S. and Bluey previously worked together on renditions of “Sweet Power Your Embrace” and “Brighter Tomorrow”. Puzzle solved! The record is available now.


              TRACK LISTING

              1. Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (Like I Fell In Love With You) - Vocal
              2. Never Gonna Fall In Love Again (Like I Fell In Love With You) - Disco Instrumental

              Jennifer Holliday

              Baby Tonite - Inc. DJ Roamin Ro Remix

                She’s back! One of the powerhouse voices of soul returns with a new single. Produced and mixed by Paul Simpson (Adeva, Chaka Khan, Marvin Gaye), “Baby Tonite” is released here in its original steppers, two-step funk groove and house remix flipside. The track has been racing up UK soul charts and is currently playlisted across the USA and appeals directly the audiences Jennifer won over with songs like “And I Am Telling You” and “No Frills Love”.

                TRACK LISTING

                Baby Tonite
                Baby Tonite (DJ Roamin Ro Jackin’ Vocal Mix)

                Sylvia Striplin

                Give Me Your Love / You Can't Turn Me Away

                  Ooooohhh Weeeeee! This tasty 12" contains two of the hottest disco and soul cuts ever produced, available as an official single for the first time in aaaages. After spending the late seventies lending her stunning vocals to Aquarium Dream and Ladies Of The Eighties, Sylvia was snapped up by Roy Ayers for his Uno Melodic label, cutting the killer 1981 LP from which these tracks are taken. A-side cut "Give Me Your Love" is a feel good disco groover for the more discerning dancefloors out there, Sylvia's glorious vocals floating freely over a sumptuous uptempo Roy Ayers track alive with bubbling bass, syncopated drums and funked up clav. Sampled by Armand Van Helden, Deepdown and Madd Rapper, this is as classic as they come. The flipside sees the tempo drop, the lights dim and the mood get sexier than Valentine's night in Martin's boudoir... "You Can't Turn Me Away" is deep downtempo business, boasting squelching bass, dreamy keys and a top notch soul breakbeat. Roy Ayers is at the height of his powers her and Syvia more than does the track justice, serving up a stunner that's been sampled plenty of times since ("Get Money"!). Though Striplin never attained mainstream success, her sweet voice is instantly recognized by devout fans of jazzy R&B and those who made up England’s ‘rare groove’ scene of the early 80’s and 90’s.

                  TRACK LISTING

                  1. You Can't Turn Me Away
                  2. Give Me Your Love

                  Coke Escovedo

                  I Won't Change A Thing / Rebirth

                    Mexican/American percussionist Coke Escovedo was brother to Pete Escovdeo and uncle to Sheila Escovedo (Sheila E.). He performed live with artists including Santana and Cal Tjader, and recorded three solo albums in the mid-70s for Mercury Records. His version of the Johnny Bristol song “I Wouldn’t Change A Thing” (featuring lead singer Errol Knowles) is considered the best, and the most played song from his 1976 album “Comin’ At Ya”. It has become a modern soul room classic, and copies of the first 7” release twelve years ago now exchange hands for vast sums. An essential reissue. “Rebirth” is another classy track and features the vocals of Linda Tillery.

                    In demand northern/crossover soul record. Original copies exchange hands for £150

                    TRACK LISTING

                    1. Rebirth
                    2. I Wouldn't Change A Thing

                    Pharoah Sanders

                    You've Got To Have Freedom / Got Give It Up

                      Pharoah Sanders has been described as ‘probably the best tenor player in the world’, emerging as a star from playing saxophone with John Coltrane in the 1960s. As a solo recording artist he is best loved by fusion fans for the jazz dance classic “You’ve Got To Have Freedom”. It’s taken from his 1980 album “Journey To The One” featured here for the first time on the complete side of a 12” single. “Got To Give It Up” is Pharoah’s outstanding rendition of the Marvin Gaye classic. It has previously been on 7” but never until now in its full length version on 12” single. It was originally a feature on the 1978 album “Love Will Find A Way” produced by Norman Connors. To have both of these masterful recordings on one 12” single is something special.

                      STAFF COMMENTS

                      Patrick says: Not only do you get the spiritual majesty of Pharoah's uber-grooving "You've Got To Have Freedom", but flip it over and taste the freak-funk cool of his lesser known Marvin Gaye cover - wicked!

                      TRACK LISTING

                      1. You've Got To Have Freedom
                      2. Got To Give It Up

                      Debra Laws

                      On My Own / Very Special

                        Debra Laws is sister to Ronnie Laws, Hubert Laws and Eloise Laws, all of whom have enjoyed solo success. The family came together in 1981 on Debra’s solo album “Very Special” with vocal, musical, songwriting and production contributions alongside other outstanding names of the day. “On My Own” was written and produced by Ronnie Laws who also features on sax. The song was one of the classiest dance floor records of its day and has become sought after again on 12” vinyl. “Very Special” again features Ronnie Laws and features Arthur Adams on guitar. It is co-produced by Hubert Laws, original 12” copies of this exchanging hands for up to £150. It has been sampled by Jennifer Lopez (featuring LL Cool J), Big Daddy Kane, Mary J. Blige and others. This is the first time both these tracks have been combined on the same 12” release.

                        TRACK LISTING

                        1. Very Special
                        2. On My Own

                        Leon Ware

                        Why I Came To California / Can I Touch You There

                          Alongside Expansion’s release of Leon’s two iconic Elektra albums, back to back on one CD, two super rare 12” tracks are hereby reunited. The first issue of this 12” came in 1982 and was only ever intended to be for promotional use. Original pressings have sold for over £300. Leon Ware wrote and produced for an impressive array of other artists, most notably Marvin Gaye on “I Want You”, and his own work continues to be as in demand as ever. “Why I Came To California” (also on Expansion 7”) is one of his signature tracks and features guest co-vocalist Janis Siegel, a nine time Grammy winner and seventeen time Grammy nominee from Brooklyn, New York.

                          TRACK LISTING

                          1. Why I Came To California
                          2. Can I Touch You There

                          Bobby King

                          If You Don't My Love / Lovers By Night

                            Louisiana Soul singer Bobby King first recorded as a solo artist in 1973 for the Reprise label where he also sang for Ry Cooder. In 1981 he switched to the main Warner Brorthers imprint and recorded what has become for soul fans a most highly regarded self-titled album. “If You Don’t Want My Love” became a single, an original pressing for this ‘modern’ dancefloor record recently onsale for £300. It is coupled with an exceptuional track from the album “Lovers By Night” not previously available on 7” vinyl.

                            Rare A side, in-demand B Side first time on 7”

                            TRACK LISTING

                            1. If You Don't Want My Love
                            2. Lovers By Night

                            Expansion’s most successful and longest running compilation series returns with a 2017 edition. The concept remains the same, fifteen must-have modern soul room gems taken from the year’s biggest dance floor spins on the soul scene. While tracks here have topped UK soul charts, many have not been available in all formats. Once again, attention is paid to the ‘flow’ of the 15 gems chosen here from shuffling beats to boogie to more soulful house as played at modern soul events. Participants this year include Omar with Los Charly’s Orchestra, Tawatha Agree (voice of Mtume’s “Juicy Fruit”) with Aeroplane, Kenny Thomas with Thames River Soul produced by and featuring Incognito, and both Wez and The Groove Association formerly members of Brit Funk group Second Image. Leela James is here after her stint in a US realty TV show “R&B Divas: Los Angeles”, other guests including Amp Fiddler, Faith Evans, Trina Broussard and Lifford.

                            Biggest modern soul room tracks of 2017 Most tracks released on physical format for the first time.

                            TRACK LISTING

                            1. History - Los Charly Orchestra Feat. Omar
                            2. Love On Hold (Extended Mix) - Aeroplane Feat. Tawatha Agee
                            3. 2nd Time Around - Tuxedo
                            4. Love X Love - Thames River Soul Feat. Kenny Thomas
                            5. There 4 U - Leela James
                            6. When I Luv - Mike City Feat. Faith Evans
                            7. Lost Without You - Will Sessions And Amp Fiddler
                            8. T's All Divine (extended Boogie Back Mix) - James Day
                            9. Good Kinda Lovin - Jay King
                            10. Doublin' Down - The Jack Moves
                            11. Keepin' Love New (Club Mix) - Wez
                            12. Flowered Tears (DJ Spen Soul Flower Remix) - S.E.L
                            13. One For The Money (Gold Digger Mix) - The Groove Association Feat. Georgie B, Wez & Everis
                            14. Back To You - Paul Craver
                            15. Kissing You (Original Mix) - Wipe The Needle Feat. Lifford

                            Lamont Dozier

                            You Made Me A Believer / Starting Over

                            Following his role establishing the Motown sound as part of Holland/Dozier/Holland, Lamont went solo and these two tracks come from his 1981 album “Working On You”. Originally released by Columbia in the smooth, lush sounding style of the day, complete with Lamont’s signature vocal, neither of the two tracks here were released as single despite finding huge favour with modern soul audiences. “You Made Me A Believer” is one of his most enduring soul night floorfillers. Expansion also released the full “Working On You” album on remastered CD.

                            TRACK LISTING

                            1. You Made Me A Believer
                            2. Starting Over 


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