From the MCRFB news archives:
Best New Record of the Week: “Always Together” by the Dells; Cadet Records
By ED OCHS
NEW YORK — SOUL SLICES: Motown’s magnificent Martha Reeves, apartment hunting in New York, stopped by to talk with Soul Sauce last week, ending all rumors of a split with Motown. The Vandellas, reshuffled to keep the unit of the group, will soon hit the road and the recording studio to keep the soul sounds rolling. The group’s latest record, “I Can’t Dance To That Music,” was the sore spot between Martha and Motown, when her voice was dubbed over with a Diana Ross sound-alike. With Martha Reeves back in action, Motown only has a few more rumors to deny — like the shaky status of the Temptations. But that’s another story…. Jerry King, club deejay at the Arthur discotheque, is a Martha Reeves fan forever. The tall-beauty from Detroit starred at King’s “Sound Search” show debut at Fort Green in Brooklyn, September 16, with a hand-shaking, baby-hugging tour through the crowds. Motown never had a more gracious ambassador to show that all their soul isn’t in the grooves — but in the streets too…. Reports on Sly & the Family Stone’s long-awaited tour of England indicate that the wait isn’t over yet. Custom woes — a busted bass and a charge of carrying a concealed weapon — delayed the group’s entry. And when the air was cleared, the equipment failed. The last word: no show on account of technical difficulty…. The Atlantic-Atco group swept the 1968 Melody Maker Pop Poll released last week in England. Aretha Franklin was named Girl Singer Of The Year, while Eric Clapton of Cream was named Musician Of The Year…. The Unifics, Kapp’s R&B team, play Howard University on October 24 with Huge Masakela and headline the Apollo Theater October 18 as “Court Of Love” makes the big turn to the pop charts…. Clarence Carter’s “Slip Away” has turned to gold — his first…. The Glories, Date soulers with “No News” have some good news; the girls will be featured on four television shows in October, including Channel 13’s new “Soul!” show, also they are booked to appear on the Jerry Blavat Show in Philly…. Joe Simon’s “Message From Maria” is fighting for a gasp of air play with the flip side, “I Worry ‘Bout You”…. Vanguard blues guitarist Buddy Guy has taped a CBS-TV special on the blues for the fall season. No date was provided when it will air on the network.
FILET OF SOUL: Motown’s Marvelettes are at the end of their two-week tour of U.S. Army bases in Germany which began September 30…. Fred Lewis of Massachusetts Distributing called us to cue us on the flip side of Carl Carlton’s “46 Guitars – 1 Drum” climber, “Why Don’t They Leave Us Alone.” Also Gary (U.S.) Bonds’ “I’m Glad You’re Back,” are both happening in the Northeast…. Philly’s Lord Gas will emcee Queen Booking’s Quakers City Tour package starring the Vibrations, Patti LaBelle & the Bluenotes, Delphonics, Intruders, and Cliff Nobles October 25 – December 7…. King Curtis and the Kingpins will spend a week starting Monday at the Sahara Club in Montreal…. The Impressions Las Vegas date at Caesar’s Palace fell through…. What is your verdict on Dennis Edwards, the Temptation’s replacement for David Ruffin, who is now embroiled in a lawsuit with Motown? Stanley Steinhaus, vice-president of Musitron S.A., in Caracas, Venezuela, writes us that Aretha Franklin’s recent visit sparked a soul avalanche there, and boasts that “Caracas must be the biggest R&B foreign market today in South America.” Steinhaus adds that artists, regardless of labels, should try to include Latin America in their itinerary…. John Sippel of Mercury Records in Chicago reads Soul Sauce. Do you? END.
(Information and news source: Billboard; October 5, 1968).
