Dore L.A Soul Sides Volume 1 – Various Artists CD (Kent)

Lew Bedell’s Doré label dabbled with black music recordings through its thirty year history, beginning in 1958 but the British beat invasion of 1964 propelled him to seek out soul acts so he didn’t have to compete with the Limeys for plays on black radio stations at least.

The Superbs were his main act and, despite only getting one hit from over twenty releases, he stuck with them – undoubtedly enjoying their unique mix of simple soul balladry. They produced offshoot groups in the shape of the Entertainers IV, Natural Resources and the Whispers, who would become a major chart act in the 70s. Group members Bobby Swayne, Kennard Gardner and Lawrence Lockard were happy to return to the label some years after their first efforts and they spoke highly of the eccentric but inspired Bedell.

Always open to potential hits he cut deals with independent producers such as Louie Barreto whose ‘Gone With The Wind Is My Love’ by Rita & The Tiaras sold pitifully but was adopted as a Northern Soul classic in the UK in the mid 70s. His deal with New Orleans singer/songwriter Toussaint McCall produced an excellent ballad on 45 but it is an unreleased recording, ‘I’ll Laugh Till I Cry’, which has a perfect blend of soul and an easy dance rhythm. It has already been acclaimed as a potential favourite for the Modern Soul fraternity.

The same breed of soul fan will be enamoured of the unissued Natural Resources 70s soul dancer ‘If There Were No You’, an upbeat track which went unheard until trapped and released onto CD by Kent’s soul sleuths. Uber-rare 45s by Milton James and Little Johnny Hamilton were cut by a tight outfit of musicians who eventually became War, the soul chartbusters of the 70s. Other high-quality rarities include Ray Marchand’s ‘Ship Of Fools’ and Betty Turner’s ‘The Wind Kept Laughing’, a co-production with the Crescent label.

Quirky one-off cuts of interest include Slim & The Twilites and Tommy & Leon whose offerings disappeared without trace. Better-known LA acts the Fidels, Shades Of Jade and Vel-Vets were happy to get singles issued on a respected label for one of their few shots at fame.

Having bought the label, we are privy to some fascinating documentation which has shed a lot of light on some of these revered, but hitherto uncharted, records. Interviews with several of the participants have further increased our knowledge so the sleeve notes are extensive and illuminating, while the music is presented in its best possible quality. Half of the tracks are new to CD. – Ace Records