Dore L a Soul Sides 2/ Various - Dore L a Soul Sides 2

UK release. This compilation is strong on harmony groups and uptempo West Coast soul from the best Los Angeles studios and using arrangers Miles Grayson, Gene Page, Ernie Freeman and Jack Eskew. Lew Bedell produced most of the recordings and wrote several sides too. The rarest of the rare is Little Johnny Hamilton's 'Keep On Movin': there is only one known copy in existence. The same scenario applies to the Swans' punchy 'Nitty Gritty City', believed to have been withdrawn due to a pressing fault. The Milton James single is almost as scarce. It's beautiful flip ballad 'That's What Love Will Do' is on CD for the first time. It was re-recorded by the outfit for United Artists when they became War in 1971. Doré excelled at vocal harmony as early as the 50s and the early 60s. Tracks by the Darlings and the Vows are bridges to that classic sound. By the mid-60s the label was getting success from the Superbs, Whispers and Entertainers IV in this field. It continued into the 70s when Bobby Swayne of the Superbs and Entertainers IV formed the Natural Resources group. Doré was home to many one-off acts such as Dee Torres, the Puffs, Rambling Willie and Johnny Braff, who produced fascinating tracks worthy of our attention. Eddie Kool, Eddie Williams and Bobby & Eddie were all variations of 50s veterans Bobby Day and Eddie Williams with failed but glorious attempts to hit the soul market. Toussaint McCall had moved to LA from New Orleans and his downbeat 'From Saigon To San Francisco' is reminiscent in mood to his big Crescent City-recorded hit 'Nothing Takes The Place Of You'. Modern Soul fans will enjoy the Natural Resources and Gail Anderson's rare 1981 outing.