Sean Levert, R.I.P.

We here at CleSoul sadly pay respects to the family of Cleveland legend Eddie Levert for the recent loss of his son Sean.


Sean Levert (September 28, 1968 - March 30, 2008)
above photo credited to Jamie-andrea Yanak/AP File

S.O.U.L. - "The Joneses (parts 1 & 2)"

Artist/Title: S.O.U.L./"The Joneses (pts. 1 & 2)"
Label/Master#: Musicor/MUS1500-A & MUS1500-B
Release Date: 1974
Writer: Lee Lovett
Producer: Lee Lovett
Publisher: Artal Music Corp, ASCAP


S.O.U.L. - The Joneses pt1.mp3


S.O.U.L. - The Joneses pt2.mp3















As heroin afflicted countless inner-city neighborhoods across America in the 1970's, soul musicians reflected this more and more often in their songs, especially in New York where S.O.U.L. were based at this time. The recent film American Gangster shows only the most famous case of the heroin kingpin and the social leverage he held in this community. This 45 is just one of countless examples of excellent soul singles released during this period which addressed the issue of heroin addiction from the junkie's perspective, and is especially gripping during side 2. The single entered the Top 100 singles chart, and remained there for 10 weeks in 1974.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, call The Cleveland Free Clinic locally at (216)721-4010, or you can contact the National Addiction Assistance Helpline toll-free at 1-800-559-9503.

Thanks for checking out CLESOUL.

S.O.U.L. - "Down In The Ghetto (parts 1 & 2)"

Artist/Title: S.O.U.L./"Down In The Ghetto (pts. 1 & 2)"
Label/Master#: Musicor/MU1434-A & MU1434-B
Release Date: 1971
Writer: Lee Lovett
Producer: D. Jordan & R. Holmes
Publisher: Catalogue Music, BMI


S.O.U.L. - Down In The Ghetto pt1.mp3

S.O.U.L. - Down In The Ghetto pt2.mp3














Answers.com has collected the only information I could find on the web about the group known as S.O.U.L. (a.k.a. "Sounds Of Unity & Love"). A recording contract in New York with Musicor Records and $1000 cash were the first-prizes from a local songwriting contest which S.O.U.L. entered and won. The result, a live (?) reworking of Donny Hathaway's instant classic "The Ghetto" from one year previous, namechecks several then-segregated local communities on side 2. A couple of albums followed, the first of which charted in the Top 40 in Billboard. Another single from this energetic and dynamic group will be posted here next month, but until then enjoy S.O.U.L. and thanks for coming over to CLESOUL.

a Christmas soundtrack for you this year...

Regale your family and friends with soul favorites this season, and Sir Shambling's Deep Soul Heaven is the place to go for a very nice selection of yuletide soul platters. Two different versions of "Christmas in Vietnam" for example, very impressive. Hope you had a happy Hanukkah, and have a Merry Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year from all at CLESOUL. See you next month!

BOBBY WADE - "I'm In Love With You" & "Down Here On The Ground"

Artist/Title: BOBBY WADE/"I'm In Love With You" b/w "Down Here On The Ground"
Label/Master#: Way-Out Records/W-102-A & W-103-B
Release Date: 1971
Writers: Middlebrook-Kirkpatrick/Schifrin-Garnet
Arranger: Mike Terry/William Smith
Producer: Way-Out Prod./Engineer: Tim Lockhart
Publisher: Outhwaite Publishing, BMI/SevArts Publishing, BMI



BOBBY WADE - I'm In Love With You.mp3



BOBBY WADE - Down Here On The Ground.mp3













Here's my last BOBBY WADE single, a Way-Out Records production from 1971. The E. 55th St. address listed on the labels appears to be the Way Out headquarters at that time. The A-side was an original written by the husband/wife team of Rob & Verna Middlebrooks, some lovely backup singing on this one as well. Couldn't quite place the B-side, however, so I checked the ever-reliable RateYourMusic.com and discovered it was a song written for 1967's "Cool Hand Luke" soundtrack, a song that Lou Rawls also released as a single in 1968. I remember my dad kicking back to the "Mission: Impossible" T.V. show soundtrack, so seeing Lalo Schifrin's name takes me back. There's an interesting interview with Lou Ragland at SoulCityLimits where he talks a little about Bobby and also discusses working at the Way Out studios, although I'm not sure if he was still in-house when this particular single was recorded. Please enjoy the songs, leave a comment, and we'll see you again here at CLESOUL.

a CLESOUL Thanksgiving wish...

Further computer problems are preventing me from creating new posts, my PC is in the shop, so hang tight! One more Bobby Wade single will be coming your way soon. In the meantime, check out the archives, hopefully you'll find something you missed and enjoy, and again, please leave a comment. Until then, thank you for checking in, morning, noon, or afternoon pertaining to you reading this, and have a great Thanksgiving! We'll see you all again soon here at CLESOUL.

BOBBY WADE - "Funny How Time Slips Away" & "Blind Over You"

Artist/Title: BOBBY WADE/"Funny How Time Slips Away" b/w "Blind Over You"
Label/Master#: De-Luxe/634-D-8440 & 634-D-8441
Date unknown
Written by Willie Nelson/Walter Williams & Bobby Massey
Publisher: Tree Music/Tarheel-RealDeal-Outhwaite Publishing, BMI




BOBBY WADE - Funny How Time Slips Away.mp3




BOBBY WADE - Blind Over You.mp3













Two more from the velvet voice of Bobby Wade. Yes, you saw it right, it's a Willie Nelson cover, but for me, the flipside is deeper and way more soulful. Both sides show a greater sophistication in arrangement and production than the previous post, so I assume this to be a later release, possibly early 1970's. Any further info on this single would be appreciated. I've taken one commentor's advice and started using Zshare, so now you can click on the link and listen to the song in your browser instantly! I've also reuploaded some other singles by request and will be uploading the others shortly. Thanks for the comments and we'll see you again next month.