With the release of the various artists CD “One In A Million: The Songs Of Sam Dees”, his “Take One” vinyl album and a fast-selling single, Sam Dees has been a fixture of the Kent schedule these last 12 months.

Back in the 90s we issued two very popular CD collections of his work as a recording artist and songwriter for Clinton Moon’s Showtime Productions in the 70s. Some of the tracks were demo recordings, and some were finished masters, possibly intended for release on what would have been his second album.

Since then, enough tapes of similar quality have come to light for us compile a third CD collection of his Showtime recordings – including a few titles featured on various artists compilations, a couple of alternate takes of tracks from Sam’s “The Show Must Go On” album, and ‘Married, But I’m Still In Love’, which debuted on our “Take One” LP.

Previously unheard compositions include the ballads ‘We’ve Got To Get It Together’ and the sparse but beautiful ‘Child’s Play’, while ‘Today Is A New Day’ and ‘Singing In Poverty’ represent the awakening of Sam’s social consciousness. There are uptempo offerings, ideal for the dancefloor, such as ‘Total Love’, ‘A Case Of The Boogie’ and the sensual ‘Gimme A Little Action’, and just plain great Sam Dees-penned songs like ‘I’m Your Biggest Fan’ and ‘What Good Is A Love’.

Songs Sam’s fans will recognise include alternate mixes of ‘So Tied Up’ and ‘What’s It Gonna Be’ from his “The Show Must Go On” LP. There is also a new version of Alpaca Phase Three’s ‘Someone To Run To’, featuring a previously unheard Sam rap, and ‘Touch Me With Your Love’, which is more than a minute longer than earlier released version.

All in all, well over an hour of Sam Dees recordings from this productive period of inspired soul music.

Ady Croasdell