The spotlight turns on Spring Records for the latest in our series of limited edition vinyl EPs drawn from the catalogues of iconic US soul imprints – a cute snapshot of a renowned label whose priority was great soul productions by the best talent.
Spring ran from 1967 to the mid-80s and was very successful. We have included megastar Millie Jackson with a track from her second LP, the bouncy and irresistible ‘Close My Eyes’. It is a swinging, uptempo number that will now get its deserved dancehall spins on a DJ-friendly 7-inch.
Millie had around 20 albums on the label, while the mysterious and un-photographed Ray Godfrey-produced group Act 1 managed just one, but what a terrific record it was. Here we present one of its highlights, ‘It’s The Same Old Story’, on a conveniently sized disc for 45 collectors and top soul spinners to enjoy again.
For soul fans Garland Green’s emotive vocals are up there with the best. His Spring sessions, with producer Brad Shapiro in 1973, yielded the superb (but unreleased at the time) ballad ‘Just What The Doctor Ordered’, only previously available on vinyl on a Kent LP in 1990.
Winfield Parker is another name for the connoisseurs. ‘Starvin’’ was the follow-up to his only hit, a 1971 remake of ‘S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight)’. Although musically its equal, and way more progressive, it was to be his final 45 on the illustrious label. Its funk guitar-influenced production has made it a favourite among younger rare soul fans in recent years.
ADY CROASDELL
