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Deeper! The Cheques - by E. Mark Windle
The Cheques’ claim to fame on the rare soul scene was via a track entitled “Deeper”. Initially acquired from record collector and dealer Dave Raistrick this 45 was championed on the UK northern soul scene in the 1990’s by DJ Butch, covered up as Dave Newman and the Checkers “I Go Deeper”. The band were compromised a group of mostly young white Air Force personnel. Members included Tony Nardi (keyboards, vocals), Mike Ventimiglia (now also known as Dagger) on lead vocal, Sam Ryland (bass guitar, vocals), Chuck Parrino (drums, background vocals) and Matthew Joshua (rhythm guitar). Joshua was later replaced...
"Nashville Could Eat Its Young!" The Athens Rogues story - by E. Mark Windle
The Athens Rogues "She Could Love Me" (Stop Records, Inc. ST185) appears to have first been introduced to the UK rare soul scene via DJ Gary Spencer in 1992, initially covered up as The Vondells, then received further plays from Pat Brady and Carl Fortnum at Bradford Queens Hall around the same time. The song is also recognised by record collectors on the beach music scene through Greg Haynes’ Heeey Baby Days book and website, as well as appearing as a reissue on an established beach music label. This band from Georgia were founded circa 1967, with most members...
The Astors - E. Mark Windle
Stax records had many prolific artists on its roster. The Astors are perhaps less well known outside the US than the likes of labelmates Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas. Nonetheless, perhaps like The Showmen, they produced some quality sides of interest not only to the US beach music fan but also the rare soul enthusiasts in the UK and Europe. The Astors were also one of the earliest groups to appear on Stax. Curtis Johnson and his friends all came from the same neighbourhood in Memphis, TN. Orange Mound, built in the 1890s on what was...
The In-Men Ltd (excerpt from Rhythm Message by E. Mark Windle)
The In-Men Ltd. (originally known as The In-Men Combo and In-Man Ltd.) were from Burlington and Graham, NC. They were hugely popular throughout the south, running as the In-Men Ltd. from 1966 until 1971, with a reunion and further recordings in 2004. The band should not be confused with Bob Kuban's In-men of "˜The Cheater" fame, another beach music favourite but who hailed from St. Louis, Missouri. "Wilson Rogers (the founder of the band) grew up in Graham, NC just next door to Burlington and Elon College" says guitarist Sonny Long. "His brother Tommy was our drummer. Moose Smith (keyboard)...
Allen McLaurin "Long Time Coming" (CD)
This blog section is usually reserved for referencing things of a literary nature rather than music media. However, keen to make an exception here for some news that may interest readers who are fans of blues and soul from the south eastern states of the US. "Little Al" and the Maxidynes may be a familiar name to rare soul fans for a particular Shell 45 label release from the 1960s. Well... "Allen" McLaurin has recently brought out a new CD "Long Time Coming". I heard about this project via Van Coble, bass player for the Tempests, and Nat Speir, co-founder...