Featuring 11 previously unissued recordings, this second and final
volume of Jack Ashford's independent soul productions from 1967
to the mid-70s is an equal to the first well-received compilation.
It opens with the now revered original version of Softouch's 'After
You Give Your All' by the writer Sandra Richardson. Only
previously issued on 2016's 100 Club anniversary single, this is its
first digital appearance. We also used an Ashford-produced track
for last year's 100 Club 45; an edit of the Magnificents' 'I Can Fly'
(the original incarnation of what Jack would sing as 'I'll Fly To Your
Open Arms' on his "Hotel Sheet" album) - presented here is the full
version.
Thanks to DJ Roger Banks' acetate and to Maxine Brown, we have
the original Lorraine Chandler version of 'Don't Leave Me Baby',
the song she wrote with Jack Ashford which both Maxine and Ray
Gant would cover, the latter a notable Dave Godin Deep Soul
Treasure.
There are beautiful, newly discovered ballads from Billy Sha-Rae
and Cecil Norman Jr but one sure to create a minor earthquake
among Deep Soul fans is Eddie Parker's 1976 updating of 'Crying
Clown'.
Parker's overlooked Jay Walking single 'Can't You See (What
You're Doing To Me)' sounds great, while label-mates Ray Gant &
the Arabian Knights bring on the social comment with 'Air' & 'Don't
Save Your Money' - both excellent Ashford songs from the 70s.
Talented arranger and writer George Rountree contributed to
several Ashford and/or Chandler songs in the first half of the 70s.
Their Don Gardener and Baby Washington 45 'Lay A Little Lovin'
On Me' was issued, but Brenda Cook's pretty 'Alone Again' debuts
here.
Back in the 60s, with Pied Piper gone, Jack placed a sultry
instrumental workout on the Sir-Rah label which also provided a
home for Al Gardner's 'Watch Yourself'. The Four Sonics'
bittersweet and catchy 'Easier Said Than Done' was from this late
60s period.
Group harmony tracks are provided by the Perfections and Four
Sonics Plus One, while Billy Sha-Rae's 'I'm Gone' is the great soul
stomper of the set.