WE ARE TRULY BLESSED! Pastor Smokie Norful, two-time Grammy award winner, leads proceedings with the FIRST EVER UK release of his Motown Modern Soul Anthem “I’ve Got What You Need”. DeeJay’s stand up and take note, if you subscribe to “OVO” (original vinyl only) this is your opportunity to pack the floor –
Side 1, Track 1 – it couldn’t be simpler!
You really don’t need any other reason to buy this album, but, how about our title track, the original version of “The Only Way Is Up” by the late great Otis Clay – Side 2, Track 1 – another guaranteed floorfiller. It is of course familiar to everyone for the chart-topping 1988 cover-version by Yazz and the Plastic Popualtion.
Another sure fire winner is the Cornelius Brothers’ Gold Disc “Too Late Turn Back Now” which caught the imagination of the rare soul scene in the Nineties and remains a firm dance floor favourite today. We must also be grateful for the first ever independent license of Jerry Butler’s awesome “Stop Steppin‘ On My Dreams” which first came to light on his 1972 ‘Spice Of Life’ album.
And we haven’t even mentioned Jesse James, Jackey Beavers, Alice Clark, Gloria Scott and the original and best version of the ‘Cleopatra Jones’ song “It Hurts So Good” by Katie Love.
“The Only Way Is Up!”
SIDE 1
Smokie Norful - I've Got What You Need
Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose - Too Late To Turn Back Now
The Independents - Lucky Fellow
Jesse James - If You Want A Love Affair
Jerry Butler - Stop Steppin' On My Dreams
Wendell Watts - You Girl
Katie Love and The Four Shades Of Black - It Hurts So Good
SIDE 2
Otis Clay - The Only Way Is Up
The Jackey Beavers Show - We're Not Too Young To Fall In Love
The Fantastic Puzzles - Come Back (Part 1)
Alice Clark - Don't You Care
Gloria Scott - (A Case Of) Too Much Love Makin
Chris Bartley - Tomorrow Keeps Shining On Me
Sonny Turner and Sound Limited - Now That You're Gone
A clip from the 2018 Spike Lee movie 'BlackkKlansman' featuring the Cornelius Brothers "Too Late To Turn Back Now"
Enjoy our playlist of selected tracks from the album
